Tod Lancaster
Narrative Design
About Me
I’m a sci-fi and fantasy writer focused on story-driven experiences, from interactive narratives to immersive fiction.
Most recently, I served as the narrative designer for Dark Sky, the debut title from Ganymede Games (linked below). I was responsible for the game’s full story arc, wrote all in-game dialogue, and helped build the world from the ground up. Since the game’s release, Ganymede has asked me to develop a new storyline set in the same universe, which is currently being used to support funding efforts for a sequel.
In addition to game writing, I’ve written science fiction novels—one currently on submission to agents, another in progress—and I have a background in filmmaking, having produced three feature-length films, written screenplays and collaborated on a number of independent projects.
Recent Work
Dark Sky is a narrative RPG deckbuilder developed by Ganymede Games and published by Midwest Games. I spent two years working on the project, collaborating with a talented, multidisciplinary team that included artists, engineers, animators, producers, designers, a composer, a sound designer, and members of the marketing team.
The project was led by industry veteran Jerry Prochazka, who fostered a collaborative, feedback-oriented environment. That culture of shared creative ownership gave me valuable insight into every phase of the development process, from narrative and design to production and launch strategy.
Helping to shape the story, characters, and world of Dark Sky deepened my love for interactive storytelling, and I’m actively seeking new opportunities to bring that same energy and focus to future game projects.
When I was seven, I came across a dog-eared copy of Lucky Starr and the Pirates of the Asteroids, a middle grade space opera by Isaac Asimov. That book opened up a new universe for me, sparking a lifelong appetite for speculative fiction and, eventually, a drive to write stories of my own. Over the years, my reading list expanded to include everything from historical biographies to works from the literary canon, but when I sat down to start my first novel, I knew it would be spec fic.
I have one completed novel—a mythical post-apocalyptic fantasy—which I began submitting to agents after Dark Sky was published. I'm currently working on a second novel, a science fiction story that blends elements from several sub-genres and takes place in a completely different universe.
Let's Talk
I’ve included my most recent work here, but I’ve also written a wide range of stories, articles, essays, and other pieces as both a speculative writer and a freelancer. Creative writing samples can be found on the pages above. If you're looking for examples of my other work, including business ghostwriting, academic writing, and journalism, you’ll find those on my freelance site, Wordhenge.
To learn more or discuss a project, feel free to contact me through this form or via my LinkedIn page.