October's Adventures in Storytelling
A free short story, a signed Star Wars giveaway, a new Godfather of Hell signing and plenty more!
It's the hap-happiest season of all!
And by that, I obviously mean spooky season!
It's also the month when Godfather of Hell finally hits bookstores.
I love October!
And with that, let's dive into this month's update!
READ THE GAZE OF MOLECH... FOR FREE!
Malediction is an exciting new tabletop game from the geniuses at Loot Studio, purveyors of some of my favourite miniatures. I was pleased as punch when they asked me to tell one of the first short stories in their setting, even more so when I found out that it would be available to read for free!
The Gaze of Molech is set in the mysterious Conclave of the Spheres where ambition, loyalty and mastery all demand a place.
Just head over to the Malediction website to dive in... and don't forget to let me know what you think in the comments below!
Oh, and as an added extra, if you want to find out more about the grimdark world of Malediction, then why not also download the handy lore primer too!
DON'T FORGET TO PRE-ORDER GODFATHER OF HELL
As I said above, Godfather of Hell hits all good bookstores 27th October.
It's a twisty-turny tale of a mob enforcer who gets sent to hell, only to discover the afterlife is a racket. Perhaps damnation isn't so bad if you become the devil's number one debt collector.
Or maybe heartbreak awaits.
Incredible art by Pius Bak, infernal colours by Raul Angelo, heavenly letters by Andworld Design... you're going to hear me talk more about the book in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, don't forget that you can come along to a special launch day livestream – and get your hands on an exclusive digital fanzine – if you pre-order today and submit your receipt to Vault Comics.
Just head here for more details!
NEW SIGNING EVENT - SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER
Sticking with Godfather of Hell, I'm happy to announce I will be signing early editions of the graphic novel on Saturday 24th October at Forbidden Planet Megastore London between 2.00pm - 3.00pm.
That's before the official publication date. No deal with the devil required!
Hope to see you there!
WIN A SIGNED COPY OF STAR WARS: GALACTIC TALES OF TERROR
Have I mentioned that I love October?
Well, to celebrate I am giving away a signed copy of Star Wars: Galactic Tales of Terror, Dark Horse's omnibus edition of Tales from the Rancor Pit, Tales from the Death Star and Tales from the Nightlands.
To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is be signed up for this newsletter at midnight on 31st October, 2026.
If you're already signed up, then you're already in the draw.
If you're not already signed up, then make sure you're subscribed by 31st October!
Full rules for the prize draw are here. I'm even going to slip in a Halloween-inspired mini-art card drawn by my own fair hand.
What are you waiting for – make sure you're subscribed now!
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Time to delve back into the Cavletter mailbag!
BOUNTIFUL
Harry emailed to say:
Hi Cavan,
I'm a big fan of all your Star Wars work. I was first introduced to you through the Adventures in Wild Space series when I was a kid.
Now I'm grown up, but still extremely looking forward to Smugglers and Scoundrels!
I was wondering, if you could pick a team of three bounty hunters for a job, who would it be and why?
I also had a bit of a canon question in regards to Smugglers and Scoundrels; I saw that a description for it said that Aurra Sing would be in it so I was just wondering when this was set as we know she suffers an unfortunate fate at the hands of Beckett by the time of Solo?
Thanks a million for all your hard work, I look forward to following you with great interest! MTFBWY
And may the Force be with you too, Harry!
Okay, answers. First up, which team of three bounty hunters would I choose for a job? Great question. I think it would have to be Dengar, just to give the poor sap a break, Embo, 'cos he gives me hat envy and Valance because I'm a Marvel SW kid at heart.
Would they play nicely together? Probably not, but what bounty hunter does?
As for continuity, Smugglers and Scoundrels is set just before A New Hope, but Aurra Sing isn't in it. I'm not sure where that rumour came from!
WHO THE DARTH IS THAT?!
Okay, now it's the turn of Asher who has a question about my latest Audible Original...
Hey Cavan, I recently listened to Terror on Mustafar, and I quite enjoyed it.
I am a big fan of the old Expanded Universe, so when I heard Dathka Graush and Naga Sadow my ears shot up, but what is Skeldevar and who is Darth Betrius?
What was the inspiration behind those two? Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, Asher – and that you're a big Expanded Universe fan, too. So am I!
As for those two mentions... honestly, I don't know. As far as I can remember, they're names I made up for the story. Why? Because I like leaving breadcrumbs behind that I – or another writer – can pick up later! Or maybe they'll be left as mysteries.
Sometimes I have an idea of the stories behind the names, but in this case it's an open door for future storytelling. All we have to do is give it a push!
Thanks for your questions. If you have a burning query you want to put to me, either hit return on the email or use my handy AMA page!
FIVE BRILLIANT THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER
1. HISTORY ROADTRIP
I visited Sutton Hoo, an ambition of mine for so many years. You can read more about my visit here!
On the way home we discovered Lavenham, the medieval wool town that not only was the place that inspired the 'There Was the Crooked Man' nursery rhyme and the location where Jane Taylor (allegedly) wrote 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', but was one of the locations for folk horror classic, The Witchfinder General!
What a result!
2. PROUD DAD MOMENT
I saw my eldest daughter Chloe on the big screen at Bristol Watershed cinema as part of her drama-school showcase. Proud Dad moment!
3. MY FRIENDS, WE'VE COME HOME
I noticed that Star Trek IV was showing at our local cinema for one night only and, on a whim, beamed myself to the multiplex.
Boy-oh-boy-oh-boy, The Voyage Home was as much fun today as when I first saw it on the big screen 40 years ago. Yes, Wrath of Khan is a masterpiece, but this is just feel-good from beginning to end. Plus, it’s REALLY Scotty-heavy, which is always a fantastic thing in my book. I’m pretty sure ol’ Monty is a descendant of mine.
Kirk and Spock have never been a better double act. Everyone bar Sulu gets a time to shine (largely because the Sulu moment had to be scrapped while filming) and the reveal of the Enterprise-A is still a punch-the-air moment of sheer joy.
4. PAINTING AGAIN
I finally got back to miniature painting after a month or so when I just couldn't seem to find the time. It's actually part of a much larger project, the galleon which is at the heart of our latest campaign – the Harpy's Lament.
I'll post more of her as I get going!
5. THE GODDESS QUEEN
I attended a brilliant event with Professor Alice Roberts talking about writing The Goddess Queen, her first historical novel for adults. I first interviewed Alice a lifetime ago when I was the launch editor of Countryfile Magazine and she's just as inspirational today.
Plus, I'd never been at a signing before where, instead of making you stand in a long queue, the author came down the rows of the audience to autograph our copies! An absolute star!
THAT'S ALL FOLKS
Right, back to the word mine I go. I'm currently on page 180 of my 280-page romantasy graphic novel adaptation, with just 100 more to go. Plus, I have a host of promotional interviews to do for Godfather of Hell!
It's going to be a busy month!
Until next time, look after yourself and each other.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
Thanks to pesky NDAs, I can’t reveal many details about what I’m writing at the moment, so I’ve come up with a sneaky list of project names. Keep an eye on future editions. I'll update everything as the work progresses!
Project: Avarice
- A novelisation for a fantasy franchise, soon to be announced.
Project: Passer
- A graphic novel adaptation of a top romantasy novel. Currently scripting.
Project: Soldier
- A newly commissioned fantasy novel. The outline has now been approved, so it's full speed ahead on the writing!
Konflikt ‘47
- Working with Warlord Games on the lore and creative direction for the weird World War II tabletop game.
EVENTS
28th OCTOBER: GODFATHER OF HELL LAUNCH LIVESTREAM
Cavan Scott
05th NOVEMBER: FREE UNEARTHED EVENT IN BRISTOL
Cavan Scott
COMING SOON
Godfather of Hell
My new creator-owned graphic novel for mature readers. Think Goodfellas meets The Exorcist. On sale 27th October.
Star Wars: Scoundrels and Smugglers - Race for Jabba’s Bounty
An all-age graphic novel starring Han Solo, Chewbacca, Jaxxon and a host of scum and villainy. On sale 17th November.
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE GENESIS #4
The beginning of a new arc featuring Man-At-Arms unravelling a dark mystery with his friend, Prince Randor. On sale 16th December.