Phil Brucato
Encyclopedia
"Satyr" Phil Brucato
is an American
writer
and game designer. He is best known for his work with White Wolf, Inc.
, including role-playing game
s such as Mage: The Ascension
, Werewolf: The Apocalypse
, and Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade
. He has also created Deliria
: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium for Laughing Pan Productions.
Noted for his motto "To write is to tell the Truth,", Phil uses fantasy fiction to inspire his readers toward real-life achievements. Although he's often considered a neopagan author, his work displays an openness and respect for all forms of spirituality
.
which means "broken chord."
, Charles de Lint
, Neil Gaiman
, Francesca Lia Block
, and Holly Black
. The book also included many illustrations, including pieces by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
, and Amy Brown
.
, Witches & Pagans, newWitch, Knights of the Dinner Table Magazine and Requiem Magazine. His articles have also appeared in Pop! Goes the Witch ed. Fiona Horne (2004, Disinformation Press)
Additionally, he has also been a long-term columnist for several different magazines.
band from Richmond, Virginia
. Later, he went on to play bass in bands like Dark Cross, Aqua Blue and Widdershins throughout the 1990s. More recently, he's been active in local dance communities, especially contact improvisation
and Five Rhythms groups around San Francisco, CA and Asheville, NC.
Brucato
Brucato is an Italian surname. It is relatively uncommon in modern Italy, having been identified among only 133 citizens and ranking as the 27,322nd most common surname in the nation...
is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and game designer. He is best known for his work with White Wolf, Inc.
White Wolf, Inc.
White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
, including role-playing game
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...
s such as Mage: The Ascension
Mage: The Ascension
Mage: The Ascension is a role-playing game based in the World of Darkness, and was published by White Wolf Game Studio. The characters portrayed in the game are referred to as mages, and are capable of feats of magic...
, Werewolf: The Apocalypse
Werewolf: The Apocalypse
Werewolf: The Apocalypse is a role-playing game and series of novels from the now defunct World of Darkness line by White Wolf. In the game, players take the role of werewolves known as Garou , as well as other lycanthropes: warriors who are locked in a two-front war against both the spiritual...
, and Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade
Mage: The Sorcerer's Crusade
Mage: The Sorcerers Crusade is a role playing game that takes place in the World of Darkness during the Renaissance. It is a prequel of Mage: The Ascension and depicts the beginning of the struggle between "traditionalists" and "technocrats"....
. He has also created Deliria
Deliria
Deliria: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium is an "interactive urban fantasy setting" created by Phil Brucato. The title refers to an altered state of awareness in which several levels of reality can be perceived at once, to both good and ill effect....
: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium for Laughing Pan Productions.
Noted for his motto "To write is to tell the Truth,", Phil uses fantasy fiction to inspire his readers toward real-life achievements. Although he's often considered a neopagan author, his work displays an openness and respect for all forms of spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
.
Arpeggio Webcomic
Phil's most recent project is the webcomic Arpeggio, started in 2010. Arpeggio is an urban fantasy webcomic co-created by Phil (writer), Bryan Syme (illustrator) and Sandra Buskirk (editor and letterer). The story follows teenager Meghan Susan Green as she explores her literally magical musical talents. The comic is named after the musical term arpeggioArpeggio
An arpeggio is a musical technique where notes in a chord are played or sung in sequence, one after the other, rather than ringing out simultaneously...
which means "broken chord."
Ravens in the Library
Ravens in the Library was a limited edition fantasy anthology published in 2009 as part of a fundraiser for the singer/songwriter S.J. Tucker. Phil co-edited this anthology with Sandra Buskirk, becoming their first publication as Quiet Thunder Productions. When S.J. Tucker was hospitalized for serious medical issues, Ravens in the Library was created to help contribute to her recovery and medical expenses. Many authors contributed stories for the anthology including Laurel K. Hamilton, Terri WindlingTerri Windling
Terri Windling is an American editor, artist, essayist, and the author of books for both children and adults. Windling has won nine World Fantasy Awards, the Mythopoeic Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and her collection The Armless Maiden appeared on the short-list for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award...
, Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and folk musician. He is also the chief book critic for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction....
, Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, Francesca Lia Block
Francesca Lia Block
Francesca Lia Block is the author of adult and young adult fiction, short stories, screenplays and poetry, most famously the Weetzie Bat series. Block wrote her first book, Weetzie Bat, while a student at UC Berkeley; it was published in 1989 by Harper Collins. She is known for her use of imagery,...
, and Holly Black
Holly Black
Holly Black née Riggenbach is an American writer and editor, best known for writing The Spiderwick Chronicles, a series of children's fantasy books she created with illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi.-Early life and education:...
. The book also included many illustrations, including pieces by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law is an American painter and illustrator who works predominantly in watercolor and whose art is inspired by, and depicts scenes of fantasy, the Other World, and the surreal...
, and Amy Brown
Amy Brown
Amy Brown is a popular fantasy and fairy artist. Her career began in the 1990s, and today her watercolor designs appear on t-shirts, calendars, and buttons; and people have been using her images for tattoos. Two books of her artwork have been published, The Art of Amy Brown and The Art of Amy...
.
Deliria: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium Series
- Goblin Markets: The Glitter Trade- author & editor with Elizabeth Jordan Leggett & Scott Havens (2011, Quiet Thunder Productions).
- Everyday Heroes: Adventures for the Rest of Us - author & editor with Christopher Hall, Jessica Hammer, & Various Authors (2005, Laughing Pan Productions).
- DeliriaDeliriaDeliria: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium is an "interactive urban fantasy setting" created by Phil Brucato. The title refers to an altered state of awareness in which several levels of reality can be perceived at once, to both good and ill effect....
: Faerie Tales for a New Millennium - author & designer (2003, Laughing Pan Productions).
Selected Role-playing work with White Wolf, Inc
- World of Darkness: Changing Breeds - author & designer with Jackie Cassada, Alexa & Jeremy Duncan & Elizabeth Jordan Leggett (2007, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - The Swashbucklers Handbook co-authored with Phil Masters (2000, ArtHaus/White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Infernalism: The Path of Screams (1999, ArtHaus/ White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Revelations of the Dark Mother co-authored with R. Sabrina Udall (1998, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Vampire: The MasqueradeVampire: The MasqueradeVampire: The Masquerade is a role-playing game. Created by Mark Rein·Hagen, it was the first of White Wolf Game Studio's World of Darkness role-playing games, based on the Storyteller System and centered around vampires in a modern gothic-punk world....
, Revised Edition- (contributing author) by Robert Hatch & Various Authors (1998, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Kindred of the East - (contributing author) by Robert Hatch & Various Authors (1998, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Mage: The Sorcerers Crusade - author & designer, with Storm Constantine, Richard Dansky, Kenneth Hite & Various Authors (1998, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Bastet co-authored with Bill Bridges & Richard Dansky (1998, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
) - Cult of Ecstasy (1996, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Vampire: The Dark AgesVampire: The Dark AgesVampire: The Dark Ages is a role-playing game originally published by White Wolf Game Studio in 1996. Later, in 2002, the gameline was replaced by Dark Ages: Vampire...
- contributing author & designer, by Jennifer Hartshorn & Various Authors (1996, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Mage: The AscensionMage: The AscensionMage: The Ascension is a role-playing game based in the World of Darkness, and was published by White Wolf Game Studio. The characters portrayed in the game are referred to as mages, and are capable of feats of magic...
, 2nd Edition - author & designer, with Deena McKinney, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Allen Varney & Various Authors (1995, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - The Fragile Path: Testaments of the First Cabal - editor & contributing author, with Beth Fischi, Owl Goingback, Tina Jens, Nancy Kilpatrick & James A. Moore (1995, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Changeling: The DreamingChangeling: The DreamingChangeling: The Dreaming was part of White Wolf Game Studio's original "World of Darkness" role playing game line. Player characters are changelings, fae souls reborn into human bodies, a practice begun by the fae to protect themselves as magic vanished from the world...
- contributing author (1st and 2nd editions) by Ian Lemke & Various Authors (1995, 1997, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
). - Black Furies (1994, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
).
Selected Other Role-playing works
- The Best Little Hellhouse in Texas (2007, Talisman Studios).
- Star Wars: Creatures of the Galaxy - contributing author, (1994, West End GamesWest End GamesWest End Games was a company that made board, role-playing, and war games. It was founded by Daniel Scott Palter in 1974 in New York, but later moved to Honesdale, Pennsylvania...
).
Other Books
- Ravens in the Library - editor & contributing author, with Sandra Buskirk (2009, Quiet Thunder Productions).
- Love Wisdom — A Soul’s Journey to Wellness (editor) by Dr. Shannon South (2009, Trafford PublishingTrafford PublishingTrafford Publishing is a publisher using print on demand technology, formerly based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and now based in Bloomington, Indiana, USA.-History:...
). - Rites of Pleasure: Sexuality in Wicca and NeoPaganism - contributing author, edited by Jennifer Hunter (2004, Citadel Press).
Published Works: Short Fiction
- "Chaser" in Wily Writers Podcast, September 2011.
- "Drinking the Moon" in Cabinet Des Fées, May 2010.
- "Stormada" serial fiction series in Steampunk Tales, 2009-2010.
- "Valhalla with a Twist of Lethe" newWitch Magazine Issue #18, Autumn 2008.
- "Loopholes" in Bad-Ass Faeries 2ed. Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Lee Hillman, Jagi Lamplighter & Jeff Hillman (2008, Marietta Publishing; reprinted 2009 by Mundania Press)
- "Ravenous" in Weird Tales Magazine Issue #346, Sept-Oct. 2007; reprinted in Weird Tales: The 21st Century, Volume 1 ed. Stephen H. Segal & Sean Wallace (2007, Prime BooksPrime BooksEdited by two-time Hugo-nominee and 2006 World Fantasy-winner Sean Wallace, Prime Books is an award-winning independent publishing house, specializing in a mix of literary/commercial anthologies, collections, novels, and two magazines: Fantasy Magazine and Lightspeed Magazine. Some of its...
); and Ravens in the Library ed. Sandra Buskirk (2009, Quiet Thunder Productions) - "I Feel Lucky" in CyberAge Adventures ed. Frank Fradella (2004, CyberAge Press); reprinted 2009 on the Wily Writers, ed. Angel Leigh McCoy.
- "Special Guest" in Backstage Passes ed. Amelia G (1996, Rhinoceros Books).
- "Shards" in When Will You Rage? ed. Stewart Wieck (1994, White Wolf); reprinted in Strange City ed. Staley Krause (1996, HarperCollinsHarperCollinsHarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
). - "Patchbelly and the Plague Wolf" in Drums Around the Fire ed. Bill Bridges (1993, White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf, Inc.White Wolf Publishing is an American gaming and book publisher. The company was founded in 1991 as a merger between Lion Rampant and White Wolf Magazine, and was initially led by Mark Rein·Hagen of the former and Steve and Stewart Wieck of the latter. Since White Wolf Publishing, Inc. merged with...
) - "Elynne Dragonchild" in Sword & Sorcererss IX ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley (1992, DAW BooksDAW BooksDAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company therefore claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy." The first DAW Book published was...
); reprinted in Dragons: A Celebration of the Greatest of Mythic Creatures ed. James B. King (1995, Sovereign Seal Books).
Published Works: Essays, Interviews and Magazine Columns
Phil Brucato has written essays and interviews that have appeared in a variety of publications. Magazines featuring his essays include Realms of FantasyRealms of Fantasy
Realms of Fantasy is a professional bimonthly fantasy speculative fiction magazine published by Damnation Books, which specializes in fantasy, nonfiction, and art. The magazine publishes short stories by some of the genre's most popular and most prominent authors...
, Witches & Pagans, newWitch, Knights of the Dinner Table Magazine and Requiem Magazine. His articles have also appeared in Pop! Goes the Witch ed. Fiona Horne (2004, Disinformation Press)
Additionally, he has also been a long-term columnist for several different magazines.
- "Spell It Out" - editor & contributing author (2004-201, Witches & Pagans/newWitch Magazine)
- "Folkroots" - contributing author (2009–2010, Realms of FantasyRealms of FantasyRealms of Fantasy is a professional bimonthly fantasy speculative fiction magazine published by Damnation Books, which specializes in fantasy, nonfiction, and art. The magazine publishes short stories by some of the genre's most popular and most prominent authors...
) - "Chalice & Keyboard" - author (2004–2009, newWitch)
- "Footlights" - contributing author (1999–2000, Creative Loafing Magazine)
- "Sand, Not Oil" - author (1992, Agenda Magazine)
- "On Screen" - author (1989–1990, Night Moves Magazine)
Music
A former musician who loves all forms of music, Phil has written articles and interviews for a variety of publications and websites. In 1989, he was a founding member of Lonesome Crow, a heavy metalHeavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. Later, he went on to play bass in bands like Dark Cross, Aqua Blue and Widdershins throughout the 1990s. More recently, he's been active in local dance communities, especially contact improvisation
Contact improvisation
Contact improvisation is a dance technique in which points of physical contact provide the starting point for exploration through movement improvisation...
and Five Rhythms groups around San Francisco, CA and Asheville, NC.
Awards
- Ennie Award for Everyday Heroes: Adventures for the Rest of Us, "Best Written," 2005.
- Wizard Magazine Editor’s Choice Award for Mage: The Sorcerers Crusade – Best RPG Supplement, 1998.
- Out of the Box Award for Mage: The Sorcerers Crusade - Readers’ Favorite, 1998.
- GAMA award for Mage: The Ascension, 2nd Edition – Best Roleplaying Game, 1996.
- RPGA award for Mage: The Ascension, 2nd Edition — Reader’s Choice, 1996