The Stormlamp Diaries, Pt 1: An Interview with Jack Fallows
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Jack Fallows has been creating tales of the Twicelore since 2016. What started out as a gift for a partner grew into a 36-issue series, and is now a full-blown puzzle book! The Stormlamp Rituals Volume I collects the first 18 of those issues, expanded and updated, with a satchel full of extra materials and a red lens bookmark to uncover hints as needed.
This book is intended to get readers out of their comfort zone—not only because of the challenging illustrated puzzles, but also because it asks us to reflect on ourselves and the world around us. Immerse yourself in this world and become one with the characters in the narrative. PostCurious sits down with Jack, the author and illustrator, to discover the authentic passion behind the project and dive deeper into this decade-long journey of growth.
In Conversation with Jack Fallows
For people that have never heard of The Stormlamp Rituals, how would you describe it to someone at a party?
Wow, I’d first need to be invited to parties! But I’d probably say something like “It’s an illustrated story about witches, where you solve puzzles to progress through the chapters,” and then brace myself for lots of follow up questions.
You've been creating such a vast and detailed universe for almost a decade. Where did it all start?
I’ve spent most of my career in comics, or comics-adjacent spaces, so I was originally developing the world and characters of The Stormlamp Rituals to become a graphic novel. This was in winter of 2016, and that Christmas I made a kind of strange His Dark Materials-themed gift for my partner at the time. It was an illustrated envelope full of loose pages of prose, illustration and puzzles, where you solve page 1 to get the key you need to solve page 2, etc. It went over really well and seemed like it had cool storytelling potential, so I took all the material that was going to be the graphic novel and applied it to this weird new format. That’s how the series looked for a good few years, with a new envelope coming out more or less monthly. The book collects the first 18 of the 36 issues I’ve released so far, with tons of updates and new material added!
Anna is the character that your story is centered around. Who is she to you?
Anna shares her name with a teenage arsonist who immigrated to Jackson County, Wisconsin in the 1890s. She set her employer’s barn and several other buildings on fire because she was lonesome and homesick and craved excitement. To me, she is an avatar for the survivor, the defiant light in the darkness, the bearer of the torch, and the flame that can’t be put out.
To me, [Anna] is an avatar for the survivor, the defiant light in the darkness, the bearer of the torch and the flame that can’t be put out.
Our preview copies of the book were sent out, and you got to hold The Stormlamp Rituals for the first time. Is there one part of the book that you are most excited for readers to experience?
Honestly, it’s been such a long time coming that I haven’t thought much beyond just getting to hold it in my own hands so far. Which was a semi-religious experience to be honest. I suppose it’s time to engage with the fact that it will be perceived by others very soon, which is surreal! I think the production quality of the overall object is so lovely and tactile. I’m excited for people to discover the crow-shaped bookmark-come-hint-revealer, the map, and all the loose bits in the satchel pocket at the back. But mostly I’m just looking forward to hearing how people find the experience of reading and playing!
You made this world, and then PostCurious came in to help get it puzzle book-ready! What was that collaboration like?
Well I’m proud to say this ain’t my first rodeo with PostCurious—Rita and I have collaborated on other projects, most notably The Light in the Mist. So I knew my baby would be in very good hands and I was not wrong. There isn’t another publisher I would work with on putting this project out, honestly. Seeing how quickly it went from almost-there, to better-than-I-could-have-imagined has been incredible. Very very grateful to the PostCurious trio and their playtesters for all of their support and expertise. Viva PoCu!
What do you hope someone feels after they finish it?
I tried to make something I’d like to see in the world. It’s a book you’re supposed to nerd out about on multiple levels. So artwork enjoyers, puzzle solvers, fantasy world explorers, survivors, and witchy weirdos like me should all hopefully feel seen and appreciated by its contents!
The Stormlamp Rituals Kickstarter Launches June 2nd
For the lovers of all things occult, to our prized puzzle-solving sleuths, and everyone that has ever wanted a purpose in a magical, fantasy life—we are excited to bring you something meaningful with our first ever book project! If you've gotten through this interview and thought "I'd really love my own copy (or eight) of The Stormlamp Rituals," our Kickstarter will be launching on June 2nd, and we will have additional interviews, behind-the-scenes looks, and more, in the next issue of The Stormlamp Diaries!
PostCurious is an award-winning publisher of narrative puzzle games based in Oakland, California. PostCurious titles have been backed by thousands of supporters across seven successful Kickstarter campaigns—with media coverage from the LA Times, IGN, and more.
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Jack Fallows is an independent artist, model maker, game designer, and musician based in Leeds, UK. Written, designed, and illustrated entirely by Jack, The Stormlamp Rituals is a solo creative work spanning every element of the book—from the story and puzzle design to every page of original art.
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Instagram: @jack_fallows
Facebook: /cryptogrampuzzlepost