Julie Ann Dawson
Encyclopedia
Julie Ann Dawson is an American horror fiction
writer, RPG
designer, and publisher.
. While attending high school, she was inspired by Stephen King
's novel Salem's Lot to become a writer. She also worked for her high school newspaper. She graduated from Bridgeton High School
in Bridgeton, New Jersey
in 1989.
After high school, she enrolled in Glassboro State College. There, she worked for both the college's newspaper and magazine. While at Glassboro, she also began publishing stories and poems in various publications, including Gareth Blackmore's Unusual Tales, Happiness Magazine, Lucidity
, Black Bough, and The New Jersey Review of Literature. Dawson graduated from Glassboro State College in 1993.
(IWWG) and the Speculative Literature Foundation.
In 2002, Dawson launched Bards and Sages
, a small press publisher to promote her own projects, and to offer resources for young writers. The company’s first project was a writing contest to benefit the IWWG.
Dawson published her first book, September and Other Stories, a collection of horror stories and poems, under Bards and Sages in 2005. It was received to positive reviews.
In March 2005, she released the Bards and Sages’s first RPG, Neiyar: Land of Heaven and the Abyss. The book, employing the d20 system
licensed by Wizards of the Coast
, is set on an isolated jungle island ruled over by female priestesses.
Besides publishing a wide variety of electronic content, Dawson's company has an expanding catalog of print books. The first, Bardic Tales and Sage Advice, was released in February 2006 and features the winners of the company's annual writing contest. The Koboldnomicon, a compilation of d20 gaming material involving kobolds, was released in July 2006. Dead Men (and Women) Walking, an anthology of the undead, was released in September 2006.
Since January 2009, she has been the editor-in-chief of Bards and Sages Quarterly
, a speculative fiction literary magazine, published by Bards and Sages.
Dawson has been a resident of Bridgeton, New Jersey.
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
writer, RPG
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
designer, and publisher.
Early life
Dawson was born in Millville, New JerseyMillville, New Jersey
Millville is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city population was 26,847. Millville, Bridgeton and Vineland are the three principal New Jersey cities of the Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area which...
. While attending high school, she was inspired by Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
's novel Salem's Lot to become a writer. She also worked for her high school newspaper. She graduated from Bridgeton High School
Bridgeton High School
Bridgeton High School is a comprehensive community public high school that serves students in grades 9-12 from the city of Bridgeton, in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Bridgeton Public Schools, an Abbott District...
in Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States, in the south part of the state, on the Cohansey River, near Delaware Bay. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 25,349. It is the county seat of Cumberland County...
in 1989.
After high school, she enrolled in Glassboro State College. There, she worked for both the college's newspaper and magazine. While at Glassboro, she also began publishing stories and poems in various publications, including Gareth Blackmore's Unusual Tales, Happiness Magazine, Lucidity
Lucidity
Lucidity may refer to:*In common usage, intelligibility, brightness or sanity*Awareness of the dream stage; see Lucid dreaming*Lucidity , a 2006 album by Delain...
, Black Bough, and The New Jersey Review of Literature. Dawson graduated from Glassboro State College in 1993.
Professional life
After graduation, Dawson became a freelance writer for Vineland Journal. Embracing the growing electronic market, she published works with Demonground, Poetrymagazine.com, Sabledrake Magazine, RPG Times, and others. She also joined the International Women's Writing GuildInternational Women's Writing Guild
The International Women's Writing Guild, founded in 1976 by Hannelore Hahn, is a non-profit network for the personal and professional empowerment of women through writing...
(IWWG) and the Speculative Literature Foundation.
In 2002, Dawson launched Bards and Sages
Bards and Sages
Bards and Sages is an American publisher of speculative fiction and role-playing games. The company was founded in 2002 by horror writer and game designer Julie Ann Dawson. The company produces both print and electronic media...
, a small press publisher to promote her own projects, and to offer resources for young writers. The company’s first project was a writing contest to benefit the IWWG.
Dawson published her first book, September and Other Stories, a collection of horror stories and poems, under Bards and Sages in 2005. It was received to positive reviews.
In March 2005, she released the Bards and Sages’s first RPG, Neiyar: Land of Heaven and the Abyss. The book, employing the d20 system
D20 System
The d20 System is a role-playing game system published in 2000 by Wizards of the Coast originally developed for the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons...
licensed by Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
, is set on an isolated jungle island ruled over by female priestesses.
Besides publishing a wide variety of electronic content, Dawson's company has an expanding catalog of print books. The first, Bardic Tales and Sage Advice, was released in February 2006 and features the winners of the company's annual writing contest. The Koboldnomicon, a compilation of d20 gaming material involving kobolds, was released in July 2006. Dead Men (and Women) Walking, an anthology of the undead, was released in September 2006.
Since January 2009, she has been the editor-in-chief of Bards and Sages Quarterly
Bards and Sages Quarterly
Bards and Sages Quarterly is a fantasy, horror, and science fiction literary magazine published by Bards and Sages, and edited by Julie Ann Dawson. Its first issue was released in January 2009. Quarterly issues have been released since, with the latest in January 2011. Bards and Sages Quarterly is...
, a speculative fiction literary magazine, published by Bards and Sages.
Dawson has been a resident of Bridgeton, New Jersey.