J Alan Erwine's Blog

About to be homeless and need help sale

2026-07-14T15:10:15.254-06:00

As I've previously mentioned, my family will probably be homeless this time next month. We're trying to avoid it, but it's starting to look unavoidable. My oldest daughter has set up a Gofundme for us at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-erwine-family, but I know some people don't like to donate, and I completely understand that. If you'd still like to help, I have made my books available for download at half price at Itch. You can check them out at https://itch.io/s/195803/about-to-be-homeless-and-need-help

Any help is appreciated!!!

Smashwords Summer/Winter sale

2026-07-10T11:41:56.195-06:00

All of my novels and short story collections are currently available for 50% off during the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jaerwine

The Ephemeris Guide to Sub-Classes

2026-07-09T18:00:00.000-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

Some people love sub-classes in their RPGs, while others hate them. If you’re the gamer that loves sub-classes, this is the supplement for you. Add 100 character sub-classes to your Ephemeris 2.0 RPG.

Whether you’re a player looking for new character options, or a game master looking for new ways to challenge your players, you’re bound to find something to incorporate into your game in this tome.

Order from DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/574832/

Order from RPG-Trader: https://rpg-trader.com/products/7043/

Xmas in July sale

2026-07-09T09:29:14.779-06:00

It's time for my annual Xmas in July sale at DriveThruFiction. You can save 33% off of all of my titles at https://www.drivethrufiction.com/en/publisher/16618/

Novels, short story collections, and even individual short stories. They're all there, and they're all on sale, so act now!

My family needs help

2026-07-02T11:51:31.245-06:00

I'm a prideful person, so it's not easy for me to ask for help, but the simple fact is that my family is in desperate need of help. We used the last of our "savings" to pay our rent for July, but if something dramatic doesn't happen in the next few weeks, we will be facing eviction in August, and we will be living in our car. Our oldest daughter has set up a gofundme to help us out. You can find it at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-erwine-family

If you really want to know the grim details, here they are...

The biggest reason that we're in the position we're in is because I haven't been able to find a job. Any freelance work I was doing has dried up, and book sales aren't exactly stellar in our declining economy. For work, I need to find a remote job because the area we live in has been steadily declining, and we have had some break in attempts. My teenage daughter does online school, and we can't leave her at home alone because she simply wouldn't be safe. Also, my wife has some serious health concerns (which I'll discuss later) which really need for me to be home to help her when she's not working. And it might be easy for people to say that we should just move, but we're locked into a lease, and if we can't afford the rent, we obviously can't afford to buy our way out of the lease. Plus, this is one of the cheapest apartments we can find, which is sad since it's far from cheap.

I mentioned my wife's health concerns. She suffers from a severe autoimmune disease, and she also suffers from debilitating migraines. She's on numerous medications, and these, plus mounting medical bills make things that much harder. I worry that we soon won't be able to pay for her prescriptions, even with health coverage, and I don't even want to think about what will result from that. Even with all of these health problems, my wife is, without a doubt, my hero. She is currently working four 12 hour shifts each week, and she is even trying to find a way to pick up a fifth shift. I don't know how she's supposed to work 60 hours a week, with all she has going on, but she is going to try it. Still, what effect is this going to have on her health? She can't do this for too long, and even with 60 hours, we will be struggling to make rent, and pay for food.

Already we have cut down on what we're buying for food. If it's not super cheap and on sale, we simply can't get it, and this is not good for her with the hours she's putting in, and it's really not good for our teenage daughter. I can survive on peanut butter sandwiches and cereal, but it's no way for them to eat.

To make matters even worse, my wife was in a car accident a couple of years ago, which left the car damaged. We currently don't have AC, and she has a long drive every day, while taking meds that cause her to overheat. In addition, even though we haven't had to use it in several months, we also seem to have a problem with the heat. I'm not sure how we're going to survive living in the car without those, and staying at a hotel would be more expensive than what we're already paying. Plus, on Monday, she drove over a large screw while leaving work, and we had to replace the tire, and since the other front tire was bad, we had to replace it as well. While they were working on rotating the tires, they showed us that the back tires are also on the last of their rubber, but we couldn't afford those at the time. I do have to give a big shout out to Discount Tires, however, they worked with us and got at least two of the tires replaced for now...although that was our grocery money for next week. Now she's driving on borrowed time with the tires...

We've reached out for government help, but since I don't have a steady income, we can't qualify for SNAP, and other government benefits...especially since so much of the funding has been cut. Rental assistance programs won't help until you're actually facing eviction, and even then, they have limited resources, and can't guarantee that they can help. We would basically have to hope to win a lottery drawing to get these kinds of benefits. We've contacted food banks, but their priority is first to the people who have been thrown off of SNAP, and they are getting fewer and fewer donations, since so many people are struggling right now.

We know that many people are in similar situations to us, and some of you may be even worse off. We ask that if you can help us out, please do. If you are unable to help us, we certainly understand, but if you can share our link, and maybe even our story, it would be greatly appreciated. We know that there are a lot of kind people out there, and we're hoping that people can help us. We really do not want our teenager living out of the car as we try to find a way to get into some kind of new housing, especially if we end up with an eviction on our record.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. It's appreciated, and I apologize for it being so long.

If you'd like to help, that link once again is https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-erwine-family

Bestseller for June 2026

2026-07-02T10:01:50.740-06:00

I'm not going to lie, sales have been pretty pathetic lately. Luckily I create RPGs, as that seems to be where most of my money is coming from lately.

My bestseller for June 2026 was The Ephemeris Creature Compendium: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/501062/ or https://rpg-trader.com/products/1125/

Every game needs creatures to challenge the characters, and Ephemeris 2.0 is no different. Step inside this tome and learn about new species that are on the edge of space travel, other creatures that can threaten the characters on a variety of worlds, and learn about creatures that live amongst the stars…and even creatures that live in hyperspace.

Discover the celestial wyrm, the mosicans, asteroid mites, and so much more!

Summer sale at Itch

2026-06-29T16:00:00.000-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

Itch is currently running their Summer sale, and you can save 50% off of all of our titles, or if you're really looking to help out, you can download all 50 titles for $75!!

Check out the sale at https://itch.io/s/188710/summer-sale-2026

Learning a new way to edit

2026-06-20T09:51:23.684-06:00

They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I'm going to have to learn how to. I've been in this writing business for more than a quarter of a century, and my process has always been to hand edit my manuscripts. I would print them up and then take my red correction pencil, and attack them. What can I say? I'm kind of old, and I'm very old fashioned.

Last week, however, my printer finally printed it's last page. It's been a reliable machine, and has seen me through several novels, tons of short stories, and an unbelievable amount of RPGs and RPG supplements...but all good things must come to an end, right?

As much as I would like to buy a new printer, this simply isn't an option. We barely managed to pay our rent in June, and July is going to take some serious magic, although I think we've figured it out. Paying August's rent will be impossible unless we have a serious turn of good luck...so a printer just isn't that important right now.

This means that I have to start editing on a computer screen, which has never been easy for me. I notice mistakes on paper better than I notice them on a screen. It seems that my brain thinks it knows what I typed when it's on screen, but the mistakes cry out on paper. Still, I have no choice, so I will just have to learn how to edit on screen. This is one tired old dog that doesn't want to do this, but what choice do I have?

I figure it would be best if I start out with a short story, but the project that I'm closest to finishing is a supplement for the Ephemeris 2.0 RPG, and this thing looks like it's going to be 70,000-80,000 words. This will be difficult, but I know I have to do it, so time to learn a new trick.

Wish me luck...

Huge Nomadic Delirium sales

2026-06-15T12:25:27.765-06:00

If you're looking to save big on Nomadic Delirium Press titles, many of which I have been involved in, then there has never been a better time. They're offering numerous 75% off sales, but only for a limited time.

For anthologies, check out:

Payhip: https://payhip.com/NomadicDeliriumPress/collection/anthologies

Itch: https://itch.io/s/188713/75-off-anthologies

For RPGs, check out:

RPG-Trader: https://rpg-trader.com/creator/133/nomadic-delirium-press

Payhip: https://payhip.com/NomadicDeliriumPress/collection/ephemeris-2-0

Itch: https://itch.io/s/188011/75-off-ephemeris

If you love science fiction or role playing games, then you owe it to yourself to check out these sales. These are great deals, and you'll probably never be able to get them for a lower price...but time is running out.

RPG Trader

2026-06-09T09:00:00.000-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

The new RPG Trader website has gone live, and our RPG titles are available there, and since this is there big launch, they're all available for 20% off. Head over to https://rpg-trader.com/creator/133/nomadic-delirium-press, and you can be playing one of our games tonight!

50% off sale at DriveThruFiction

2026-06-06T09:05:38.790-06:00

To celebrate the release of my two latest short story collections, all of my titles are on sale for 50% off at DriveThruFiction. You can get novels, collections, and even individual short stories. Head over to https://www.drivethrufiction.com/en/publisher/16618/ and start downloading today.

Thanks for supporting my writing!!!

Tales from The Ultimate Unknown and Aphelion

2026-06-05T17:00:00.000-06:00

My Tales from The Ultimate Unknown and Aphelion is now available at https://books2read.com/u/bPqXJA

Travel back to the beginning of J Alan Erwine’s career with the stories that were first published in the small press magazines The Ultimate Unknown and Aphelion.

These stories will give you a glimpse into what would become the disturbing vision of Erwine’s that would grow over time into the beast that it is today.

Tales from ProMart

2026-06-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

J Alan Erwine has been publishing science fiction short stories for more than a quarter of a century, and it all began with a story sale to ProMart. For many years after that, ProMart regularly published his works. Now, all of those early stories are gathered together in one collection to celebrate ProMart and its publisher, James B. Baker.
Order your copy today at https://books2read.com/u/bMk9vA

Bestseller for May 2026

2026-06-01T11:36:56.875-06:00

A resurgence of interest in the Ephemeris 2.0 RPG made the core rulebook my bestseller for May 2026.

Check it out at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/497132/

RPG Bundle sale

2026-05-29T15:00:00.000-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

If you’ve ever thought about stocking up on our RPG titles, now’s the time. We’ve temporarily reduced the prices on the bundles we sell through DriveThruRPG.

Get all five core rulebooks for just $15 at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/422488/. That’s Ephemeris 2.0, The Divided States of America, Rocks on the Other Side, The Battle for Turtle Island, and Domain of the Dragons.

Get all seven Ephemeris 2.0 titles for just $15 at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/505006/

Get all 10 Rocks on the Other Side titles for just $15 at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/437580/

Get all three Divided States of America RPG titles for just $5 at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/566278/

Get both Domain of the Dragons titles for just $5 at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/565381/

Sales, sales, and more sales

2026-05-23T10:26:35.868-06:00

Nomadic Delirium Press has lots of sales going on right now to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, and lots of my titles are included in these sales.

If you like fiction, you can download eight titles for just $10 at https://www.drivethrufiction.com/en/product/568838/. This sale includes one of my first short story collections, as well as several anthologies that I edited. In addition, you can get work from Ian Brazee-Cannon, Lawrence Dagstine, Damir Salkovic, and Mike Morgan.

If RPGs are more your thing, you can download five core rulebooks for just $14 at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/568839/. All of these were written by me.

If you like to pick and choose what you're interested in, check out the NDP sale at Itch: https://itch.io/s/186413/sale-to-help-our-creators. Everything they're offering there is 25% off, and this, of course, includes lots of my titles. Even better, if you pay above the minimum price, they're offering all of those extra sales to the creators.

Finally, if you're looking for a new game to play over this long weekend, or to help the heat that will be coming with the summer, all of the NDP RPG titles are available for 50% off at https://payhip.com/NomadicDeliriumPress/collection/rpgs. Many of these were written by me.

Anthology sale at Payhip

2026-05-16T13:00:00.000-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

For a limited time, you can download all of our anthologies at Payhip for 50% off. Head over to https://payhip.com/NomadicDeliriumPress/collection/anthologies and start reading some of these great story collections.

People battling mental illness, poetry, environmental fiction, crime fiction, and of course aliens. They're all there, so what are you waiting for?

Tribute collections

2026-05-16T10:28:53.826-06:00

As I get older, I find myself looking back on life more than I'm looking forward. Maybe it's not just age. Maybe it's also the world we live in. Like so many people in America, my family is struggling financially right now, and things don't seem to be looking like they'll be getting better for us, or for anyone else.

But, anyway, back to getting old and looking back. I've been looking back on some of my short stories that started things off for me, and I've decided to put a couple of collections together of those stories. If you already have my Tales of the Unknown, then you've already read these stories, but if you haven't picked up that collection yet (and why haven't you, I might ask), I'll be releasing collections that look back at my ProMart stories and my Ultimate Unknown stories. Both were small press publishers that really helped to launch my career. They both picked up many of my stories, and I don't know where I would be without them.

So, you can look forward to two more collections from me very soon. If you're a paying patron at https://www.patreon.com/cw/jalanerwine/home, then you'll be getting these books just for helping me out financially.

And speaking of Tales of the Unknown, if you want to get a copy, you can order one at https://books2read.com/u/mdBMxO

Short story collection sale at Payhip

2026-05-09T12:00:00.005-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

For a limited time, you can download any of our short story collections for 50% off at Payhip. Just head over to https://payhip.com/NomadicDeliriumPress/collection/short-story-collections, and you can be reading some great collections in just moments.

Check out collections from James B. Baker, Ian Brazee-Cannon, Tyree Campbell, J Alan Erwine, Debby Feo, and Mike Morgan...but hurry, the sale ends soon.

The Ephemeris Guide to Psionics

2026-05-04T16:00:00.000-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

The Ephemeris Guide to Psionics is now available for the Ephemeris 2.0 RPG.

In a universe that is full of wonder, it is certainly possible to believe that beings with mental abilities could exist, and now, for the first time ever, psionics are being introduced into the Ephemeris universe. These mental abilities will give your characters more that they can do, and create a universe that is even more bizarre and unpredictable.

Now, step into a place where mind and space collide.

Order from DriveThruRPG: https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/566610/

Order from another retailer: https://books2read.com/u/38ozvr

Fiction sale at DriveThruFiction

2026-05-02T12:00:00.005-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

On May 15th, we will release our first Nomadic Novella, The Hand of God by Mike Morgan. To celebrate that, you can save 25% off of all of our fiction titles…including other Mike Morgan titles.

Check out the sale at https://site.drivethrufiction.com/browse/pub/2805/

This sale features several titles that I've written, and even more that I've edited.

Bestseller for April 2026

2026-05-01T09:44:00.005-06:00

New titles always sell well, and RPGs are always a big seller...usually bigger than fiction. I'm not sure why, but that's just the way it is.

So, it's not surprising that my bestseller for April 2026 was my new RPG, Domain of the Dragons. Check it out at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/563699/

Tales of the Unknown: The Novels is the deal of the day

2026-04-27T10:24:00.004-06:00

My Tales of the Unknown: The Novels is currently the deal of the day at DriveThruFiction. You can download all five of my novels in one collection for just $2.80.

Head to https://www.drivethrufiction.com/en/product/559281/ and download it today, but remember, the sale price is only good today.

Tales of the Unknown is the deal of the day

2026-04-22T10:00:00.000-06:00

Tales of the Unknown: The Short Stories is the deal of the Day at DriveThruFiction. Download 70+ short stories for just $3.99 at https://www.drivethrufiction.com/en/product/559278/, but it's today only!

Domain of the Dragons is here

2026-04-10T14:00:00.006-06:00

From the Nomadic Delirium Press Blog:

The Domain of the Dragons RPG is here! Download it today at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/563699/. It's also available from other retailers, check them out at https://books2read.com/u/mqjXne

For thousands of years, the dragons lay hidden in the dark places where humans never ventured. As they watched humanity rise, the dragons grew more and more fearful, and did more and more to conceal themselves and avoid the evils of humanity. Now, in the middle of what the humans call their 21st century, humanity has fallen into ruin, and the dragons have decided that now is the time for their return.

Play as your favorite species of dragon, and decide whether you will help humanity after its failure, or will you further the downfall of humanity. Dragons have nine attributes, including magic and psionics, and can gain special abilities to further strengthen their goals…whatever those goals might be…