Canadian Author and Games Writer

Author Sketch by Scott Drummond

Fantasy • Sci Fi • Hopepunk • TTRPGs • Worldbuilding • Snakes!

☀ Sign up for my monthly newsletter
☀ Find me on DTRPG
☀ Can-Con: Ottawa's annual SFF conference

Canadian Author and Games Writer

Press Kit - Brandon Crilly - Author, Games Writer, Geek

Press Kit

CONTACT INFO

Email: b.crilly.author@gmail.com
Instagram: @b.crilly.author
Bluesky: @brandoncrilly.bsky.social
Newsletter: eepurl.com/cedioL

SHORT BIO (~50 WORDS)

Brandon Crilly’s IPPY Award-winning fantasy novel Catalyst was published in 2022, with its sequel Castoff forthcoming in 2025. He has more than 50 published short works to date, and freelances for games publishers such as Kobold Press and Gallant Knight Games. Brandon is also an organizer for Can*Con in Ottawa, an occasional reviewer, a frequent speaker at conferences and festivals and, yes, clearly wears too many hats.

LONGER BIO (~100 WORDS)

Brandon Crilly is a Canadian novelist, games writer, and speaker specializing in weird worlds with doses of cli-fi, characters on the sidelines and outside-the-box adventures. His debut novel Catalyst won an IPPY Award for Fantasy in 2023; Castoff will be his second novel, completing the Aspects of Aelda duology in 2025. He has more than 50 published short works to date, in markets including Fusion Fragment, Apex Magazine, and Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction. Brandon is also a freelance games writer, contributing to award-winning IP lines like The Expanse RPG and Shadowrun and publishers including Kobold Press and Gallant Knight Games. Find out more about his upcoming releases by following him on Instagram or signing up for his newsletter via brandoncrilly.com.

PHOTOS

REVIEWS

For Catalyst (learn more here):

  • “A vastly imaginative novel, filled with meticulous detail and fascinating worldbuilding.” – Nebula and Aurora winner Premee Mohamed, author of The Annual Migration of Clouds
  • “Catalyst is a breath of fresh air for the fantasy genre … Brandon Crilly’s debut novel subverts tropes and upends expectations while still delivering the excitement and wonder that fantasy readers demand.” – Dan Stout, author of The Carter Archives
  • “Layered world-building and taut, troubled relationships are the heart of Catalyst, but genre-bending fantasy is its soul. This intriguing novel is one part magic, one part post-apocalypse, one part Getting the Band Back Together, and all of Brandon Crilly’s creative spark.” – Tracy Townsend, author of The Nine

For “Soulmark” (Fusion Fragment #7)

  • “heartrending” and “fine work” — Rich Horton, Locus Magazine
  • “…looks at bargains, at regret, at communication and missed moments, and roles it up into an emotionally charged, wrenching, and lovely look at longing and desperation. A fantastic read!” — Charles Payseur, Quick Sip Reviews
  • “Deals with the Devil stories are so common and cliché-ridden … unless the story has an original approach, as this one does … This is another story you can take up pointers from.” — R. Graeme Cameron, Amazing Stories

For “Constructed” (Haven Spec)

  • “A beautiful story that shows us a world on the verge of being reconnected to the rest of the universe … I love the wistful tone of this story and the way it builds a compelling world and place in such a small space.” — Maria Haskins’ Monthly Round-up

For “True Balance” (FLIP Volume 2)

  • “On my second reading, I realized that justice is hard and it really begs the question; what is justice at the end of the day? This story had me thinking the most afterward about what I’d do in this situation and is my favorite in the collection.” — Micha Sivad, Bleeding Fool

For “Exactly What You Need” (Abyss & Apex)

  • “…starts out as a typical magic bookstore story … but that takes a darker turn when a magic user who had to flee Syria comes in looking for something very specific and very powerful. This story takes a cozy trope and delves deep into grief and sorrow. Very good.” — Karen Burnham, Locus Magazine
  • “The “how-to” section was never meant to go this dark… and there’s just one bookseller standing between morality and the unthinkable. Honestly? As a fellow former bookseller, I have to weigh in here: she deserves a raise.” — ‘Nathan Burgoine

AWARDS