About The Deadstar Logbook
Workshop, portfolio, and archive for narrative craft.
What This Is
The Deadstar Logbook exists at the intersection of craft analysis and world-building demonstration. This isn’t a standard author blog—it’s a public workshop where I build worlds, dissect narrative technique, and prove competence through transparent process.
You’ll find two primary content threads here:
1. Craft Breakdowns
Technical analysis of narrative design, character psychology, and systematic worldbuilding—using both my original work and established IPs as case studies. Recent posts include:
Licensed IP adaptation (How to write within established universes with character fidelity)
Character architecture (Designing foils, psychological consistency, the eroticism of competence)
Conlang design (Building languages that reflect culture rather than just looking exotic)
Subtext mechanics (How silence and restraint create intimacy)
These aren’t “writing tips”—they’re deep technical dives examining why specific craft choices work and how to execute them at professional standards.
2. The Reply World-Building
Deep dives into The Reply, my grimdark maritime horror novel (”Master and Commander meets Lovecraft”). This includes:
Character dossiers exploring psychology, pathology, and design philosophy
World-building archives for the Orosian Sea, Arunaic culture, and maritime spirituality
Visual development (character designs, cultural aesthetics, systematic world creation)
The “Drowned Logbook” — non-canonical explorations of character dynamics outside the main narrative
Bonus: The Scriptorum
Original Warhammer 40K work demonstrating understanding of established IP, theological horror, and the scale/brutality of the Imperium. Portfolio material showing I can work within licensed universes while bringing fresh technique.
You can find it here.
Who This Is For
Writers and narrative designers who care about craft at a technical level
Game developers interested in character psychology, companion dynamics, and systematic worldbuilding
Readers who want to see how worlds get built from the ground up—the decisions, the iterations, the architectural thinking
Industry professionals (agents, editors, studios) evaluating my work and approach
If you’re looking for inspirational writing advice or productivity tips, this isn’t it. If you want granular craft analysis with receipts, you’re in the right place.
What You Get By Subscribing
Every new post delivered to your inbox — craft essays, character breakdowns, world-building deep dives
Full archive access — everything I’ve published, organized by topic
The Wardroom (comments) — engage with craft discussions, ask questions, share your own work
Early access to visual development, manuscript excerpts, and world-building documentation as The Reply approaches completion
Free now. When I enable paid subscriptions, you’ll be grandfathered in at whatever tier you choose.
About Me
I’m D.S. Black (Dorian Kane)—a transmedia narrative designer, novelist, and visual developer specializing in character psychology, systematic worldbuilding, and grimdark fantasy.
Background:
Former military intelligence analyst (pattern recognition, psychological profiling, data synthesis under pressure)
8+ years as a freelance illustrator in fantasy/TTRPG space
Currently building The Reply, a 120,000-word maritime horror novel with full visual development and constructed language (Arunaic)
What I bring:
Narrative design understanding (branching systems, companion psychology, reactive storytelling)
Visual development (character design, concept art, world aesthetics)
Systematic worldbuilding (culture, language, religion as integrated architecture)
IP adaptation skills (demonstrated through 40K work and fanfiction craft analysis)
Meta-craft awareness (I can analyze and articulate my own design decisions with precision)
What I’m looking for:
Narrative design roles in game studios (especially character-focused CRPGs)
Licensed IP writing opportunities (Black Library, tie-in fiction)
Worldbuilding consultation for studios/publishers
Literary representation for The Reply
Portfolio: deadstar.black
The Philosophy
I believe the best world-building happens in public.
Most creators hide their process until the work is “perfect.” I think that’s a waste. The iterations, the mistakes, the architectural decisions—that’s where the actual craft lives.
By building transparently, I’m demonstrating:
How systematic worldbuilding works (culture → language → aesthetics)
How character psychology drives narrative (pathology as plot engine)
How to work within IP constraints (fanfiction and licensed work as craft training)
How to analyze your own work (meta-awareness as professional skill)
This Substack is proof of concept. Not just “I can write a novel,” but “I can build an entire transmedia IP—narrative, visual, linguistic—and explain exactly how I’m doing it.”
If you’re interested in craft at that level, subscribe. If you’re curious how a maritime horror world with a sentient malevolent sea gets built from scratch, stick around.
Subscribe
Free subscribers get all craft essays, world-building posts, and character dossiers.
Paid subscribers (when enabled) will get extended analyses, paywalled character work, early manuscript access, and behind-the-scenes visual development.
Connect
Portfolio: deadstar.black
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/doriankane
Email: contact@deadstar.black
If you’re a studio, publisher, or agent interested in my work, let’s talk.
Fair winds,
—D.S. Black
