Carl D. Smith
Carl D. Smith is a proud Iowa native. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Nebraska Christian College and his PharmD from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. He works as a pharmacist for the Nebraska Regional Poison Center, but his favorite job ever was working at a roller rink in Norfolk, Nebraska. He is a lifelong fan of fantasy and science fiction. He has a beautiful wife and two wonderful children, to whom he promised to take to Disneyland again if his writing ever makes him famous.
Carl has wanted to be a writer since he first read “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury in 5th grade. Carl has written the fantasy novel Moleb the Giant, a historical horror novella The Darkness Out of Carthage, contributes to a experimental horror anthology series Blackhawk, a graphic novel The Horror of Loon Lake, comics BCWYWF, and a line of children's’ adventure books starring characters like Bigfoot Jones, Little Patty Vampire, and the Adventure Sibs.
His favorite possession as a child was his Dungeons and Dragons Basic Rules “red box,” which inspired him to design a similar roleplaying game system for families and young players, named Play Your Own Adventure. He is also designing other games and hoping to develop a way to bring reading and gaming together for solo players as well as families/groups of friends. Most of all, he wishes people would find a way to help other people more often.
More Than Rust
Mankind has been stranded in Deep Space when the warp gates allowing for transuniversal travel suddenly go silent, cutting them off from Earth. There are bigger problems for Likomo "Smitty" Smith, a janitor assigned to the Deep because he defaulted on his student loans. You see there is this girl. A blue girl, who just murdered a well known criminal on his space station. And he helped her escape. Worse yet is the fact that the crew of her starship, the UPV-Pompee, aren't so thrilled to seem him aboard. The first in a new series of fun, action-packed sci-fi novellas, join Smitty as he hops from one dangerous situation to another in More Than Rust!
The Darkness Out of Carthage
Over 100 years before Julius Caesar's assassination, Rome marched against Carthage and left it in ruin. Contrary to recorded history, Rome fought not to eliminate her greatest rival but for the survival of all mankind. A secret lost to time is now revealed; told through the eyes of a witness to the horrible darkness spreading out of Carthage.
Mixing historical fact with elements of Lovecraftian horror, The Darkness Out of Carthage explores the Third Punic War with the question "what if Rome fought not to be the world's conqueror but its savior?"
Cycle of a Rat
New York City. Cable TV is a novelty luxury. Hip hop is in its infancy. Reagan is not yet President. Much of the city’s marginalized population lives in desperation. Violence is a daily fact of life. And in the subterranean remains of the American Dream sleeps an ancient evil, awaiting the day he is granted freedom to continue his murderous terrorism of the human race.
Enter the Spiders - a small street gang from a nondescript neighborhood. Constantly pressed by the ever-growing Pharaohs, the Spiders investigate a hot tip which may lead to a big score, and a chance to level the playing field against their strongarm rivals. The location? A lone, abandoned military warehouse built inexplicably over a condemned subway terminal. The loot? A living weapon that feeds only on chaos and death - which may also be able to be held in check by Dawson, the youngest Spider but one with a special gift he is just discovering.
Moleb the Giant: A Tale of the Cardinal Fates
The world is on the verge of an age of enlightenment. Generations have passed since mankind was last forced to contend with magic and monsters. Yet in the True North, unbeknownst to anyone, an embittered king has released his most fearsome and hated enemy. That loathsome creature is Moleb, the last giant.Now freed from isolation, the giant wanders south to find both healing and revenge.
After haunting the borders of Russland for decades, Moleb is finally granted a chance for redemption. His destiny not only threatens to disrupt the winds of change, but may also usher in a new era of terror and chaos for all mankind. Moleb the Giant is the first book of the Cardinal Fates, a unique post-RPG fantasy world where the civilizations of man are in the throes of progress and discovery, but they will first have to contend with powers refusing to fade into antiquity. What are these forces, and can mankind break free of their influence?
A BCWYWF Argosy
A BCWYWF Argosy is a collection of comics and reflections upon their creation from the short-lived indie comic anthology series "Be Careful What You Wish For." It celebrates the high points and discusses the process of going from novice to publisher.
L is for Loon
Emma didn't give the phone call much thought. Someone in Minnesota had a job for her; a quick recovery dive into the waters of Loon Lake. It didn't occur to her that Loon Lake was in the center of a state full of lakes, and she was miles away in Iowa. What Emma did not know is that Loon Lake possesses a dark history. Until she found herself standing on its quiet shores, she wouldn't realize that Loon Lake leaves no person unchanged...
Inside this book is a collection of short stories, inspired by the same events and settings behind The Horror of Loon Lake, each tale revealed to the reader as Emma nears her ominous destination. A celebration of the creepy, L is for Loon explores the untold horror that lurks in the American Midwest.
Smell a Rat (Comic)
New York City neighborhoods are merely turf in ever expanding kingdoms ruled and policed by street gangs. One gang, The Spiders, hope to expand their hold by breaking in to an abandoned Army warehouse. The problem, it's on The Pharaohs' turf. Could the anonymous tip The Spiders received be the break they need? Or are they walking into a dangerous trap? Should The Spiders... Smell A Rat?
Blending 1970's horror comics with The Warriors-style gang conflict, Smell A Rat takes a look at what happens when Beat Street-era street gangs run afoul of something that cannot be bullied, and possibly cannot be stopped! Part one of the planned Cycle of the Rat series.
The Horror of Loon Lake
Forced to spend a week at a Minnesota cabin with his family, a teenage boy finds the lake to hold much more than fish. The catch of the day is horror comics, and the teenage boy finds himself... hooked. The Horror of Loon Lake is a horror anthology collection by writer Carl D. Smith. Designed as an homage to 60's and 70's horror comics, the anthology showcases an army of indie artists who all share a similar passion for all things eerie. The stories within explore the creepy side of ghosts, vampires, pro wrestling, dance clubs, bullies, graveyards, and even a cursed swing set. The anthology also includes pin ups, fun pages, and an informative foreword by Kat Morris of The Horror Honeys. Just remember to keep a eye on what is stirring beneath the water's surface...
Youth Series
Bigfoot Jones: Quarterback DYOA
Draw Your Own Adventure allows the reader to illustrate key moments in the story themselves! In this volume, a rag-tag high school football team discovers they have a secret fan in a football obsessed Bigfoot, watching from the woods!
Bigfoot Jones: Hero! DYOA
Draw Your Own Adventure is a series of books where key moments in the story are left blank for the reader to illustrate! Whatever you draw becomes a part of the story, and adds your own unique and imaginative touch! Our story starts off in the familiar town of Skunkton, where Bigfoot Jones and his friends are enjoying some mini golf and capture the flag... until a strange event in an abandoned theme park transports Bigfoot Jones and his friends, Martha Brick and Green, to a magical world of fantasy adventure. What will the three unwilling adventurers encounter in the strange land of Minnowa? Who will they meet? Are the residents friends or foes? Will they discover a way to get home again? And most importantly, what exactly is in Bigfoot Jones’ fanny pack?! Only you can decide, with the drawing implement of your choice! You will answer these questions and more! So grab a pencil and your imagination and get reading! Adventure awaits!
Little Patty: Vampire DYOA
Draw Your Own Adventure is a series of books where key moments in the story are left blank for the reader to illustrate! Whatever you draw becomes a part of the story, and adds your own unique and imaginative touch! Our story takes place in Loonville, a small town in the Minnesota wilds where a mysterious house suddenly appears one day. Living in this strange house is a mom, a dad, and a certain young woman that would desperately like to get to know the neighborhood kids. Oh, and this family is awake only at night, for they hide from sunlight! What will happen when the neighbors start to talk? Will Patty find even one friend? Are they vampires?! You can only find out inside! As a matter of fact, you will help answer these questions and more!
Play Your Own Adventure: Basic Rules
Do you like to tell stories? Do you want to develop creative problem solving skills while having fun? Have you ever wanted to introduce friends or family to role playing games without the usual stacks of books and hardcore rules? Play Your Own Adventure is the game for you! This RPG is designed for all ages, with an emphasis on problem solving over violence. Adaptable to any setting you can imagine, PYOA uses collaborative storytelling and dice to create a fun gaming experience. This very same system of rules will also power PYOA choose-your-path style gamebooks, hex-tile modules (which will support group and solo play), and other PYOA projects in development! So create the hero character you've always wanted to be, gear up, and get ready for an adventure tailor-made to your own unique imagination! But be warned, it's going to take a lot of Confidence... and lucky dice rolls!
Adventures Siblings: Slime Time!
What happens when a brother and sister become too mischievous for mom and dad to handle for the summer? You send them to work in their uncle’s inn, of course! Maybe a summer of washing dishes, busing tables, and sweeping floors will keep them out of trouble…Or…Maybe Uncle Ted decides talents of their caliber would be wasted on such chores, and instead sends them on adventures instead! Join Colin and Kendall as they experience new adventures during their summer internship at PIke’s Inn! In this volume, the Adventure Sibs are asked to recover a sample of slime from a nearby village. That sounds easy, unless the slime has been cursed by a wizard and turned into globs of living, magical, angry goo! Will the Sibs accept the mission? Will they find a way to catch a slime? Can cats talk? What about chocolate cookies? Find out the answers to these and many other questions in Adventure Siblings: Slime Time!-note- this book also includes an appendix containing new content for the Play Your Own Adventure BASIC Rules RPG game, based on Volume 1’s story and characters!