Wizards of Eem
Wizards of Eem is a podcast hosted by Ben Costa and James Parks, lifelong friends and the creative duo behind the graphic novel series Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo (Knopf / Random House), the middle-grade series Dungeoneer Adventures (Aladdin / Simon and Schuster), and the tabletop roleplaying game Land of Eem (Exalted Funeral).
Join Ben Costa and James Parks as they dive into the art of storytelling, tabletop game design, and the creative industries they love. This podcast offers a blend of behind-the-scenes insights, practical advice, and candid discussions designed to inspire TTRPG enthusiasts, aspiring authors, illustrators, and creators of all kinds. With their signature mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and actionable tips, this podcast is your gateway to mastering creative storytelling and game design
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Discover how Ben and James bring their creations to life, from crafting immersive worlds to designing games. Learn about the origins of Land of Eem, Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo, and Dungeoneer Adventures, and get exclusive peeks into their creative process.
Creative Philosophy
Explore their unique approach to storytelling, worldbuilding, and collaboration. From creating relatable characters to balancing humor and adventure, Ben and James reveal the secrets behind their fantasy worlds and game design philosophy.
Game Design Hot Takes
Dive into the mechanics of tabletop RPGs with Ben and James as they share their thoughts on sandbox design, random encounters, memorable NPCs, and crafting unique tones and adventures in the Land of Eem RPG.
Practical Advice
Gain valuable tips on breaking into the creative industries, including how to pitch projects, stay inspired, and refine your craft. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, illustrator, or game designer, this podcast provides tools and inspiration for turning ideas into reality.
Fun and Whimsy
Enjoy the lighthearted chemistry of two lifelong friends as they reflect on their shared love of fantasy, RPG campaigns, and storytelling. With anecdotes and banter, Ben and James invite you into their whimsical world of creativity.
Wizards of Eem
How to Market Your TTRPG: Tips for Indie Game Creators | Wizards of Eem Podcast EP016
You made the game. That wild, wonderful TTRPG idea is real now—but how do you get people to notice it? On today’s Wizards of Eem Podcast, we dive into practical, approachable marketing advice to help indie creators take their tabletop RPG public without losing their soul (or their sanity).
In this episode, we use Land of Eem as a case study to explore how to clearly describe your game in a way that resonates. We talk about why leading with tone, feel, and identity matters more than rules, and how a strong tagline—like “The Muppets meets The Lord of the Rings”—can instantly communicate who your game is for. Land of Eem is colorful, whimsical, and cartoony, but also perilous, epic, and designed as an all-ages fantasy RPG that doesn’t shy away from real stakes.
We also break down the importance of open beta playtesting to build interest early, establish credibility on platforms like DriveThruRPG, and grow a following before launch. From there, we discuss why investing in great art is never optional (yes, books are judged by their covers), how crowdfunding campaigns double as powerful marketing tools, and why building a focused, engaged community—through Discord, email lists, and social media—is the real long game.
Whether you’re designing your first indie TTRPG or refining your marketing strategy, this episode is packed with grounded advice from creators who’ve been there.
Land of Eem, created by Ben Costa and James Parks, is available now from Exalted Funeral, carried by Friendly Local Game Stores and online retailers, and supported by a free Quickstart Guide at www.landofeem.com
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Rollin' Down the Road is featured in the Rickety Stitch Book 2: The Middle-Route Run by Ben Costa and James Parks.
The lyrics were written by Ben Costa and James Parks, and the song was written by musician Evin Wolverton.
Thank you for listening to the Wizards of Eem Podcast!
Visit us at: https://landofeem.com
Support Us
Free Land of Eem Quickstart Guide: https://landofeem.com/quick-start-guide/
Land of Eem RPG: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/pages/land-of-eem
Dungeoneer Adventures: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B41WM4YM
Rickety Stitch Comics: https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/rickety-stitch-and-the-gelatinous-goo-the-exalted-collection
Join Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ricketystitch
Join Our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/CMq7BsK
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LandofEem
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