RaiWCole

Precision in communication.
Multi-genre fluency.
Extensive technical proficiencies.
A gift for engaging shrewd, discerning audiences.Stories told, exactly the way they need to be.

About

[Hear my name]
[any pronouns]

Born in the Pacific Northwest, raised by entertainers, life has led me through 20 different cities across the continental United States. I began reading at two years old; I wrote my first short story four years later. I was guest starring in local radio programming when I was ten. I've been a military sharp-shooter and a table busser; an illustrator and an accountant; a stage manager and an exam writer. Every experience informs the next.Overlooked areas of the American landscape inform my settings; my membership in the LGBTQ community informs my characters and stories. My passion is bringing new perspective to familiar ideas; my purpose is to tell stories for those who need them most.I currently live and work just outside of Kansas City.

Specialties and Interests

  • Fantasy - especially sword and sorcery, epic fantasy, mythpunk and post-cyberpunk

  • Gender and sexuality; LGBT issues

  • Internet subcultures

  • Interactive fiction, nonlinear narratives, and gamification

  • Baking, fiber arts, and amateur horticulture

Publications

Game Writing and Design

Scion, Onyx Path Publishing

  • A Light Extinguished - Narrative design. June 2019

  • Titanomachy - Setting and narrative design. September 2020.

  • Dragon - Character dossiers. November 2022.

  • Once and Future - Short fiction, narrative design. December 2023.

  • Dragon Companion - Short fiction, instructive essays. Currently in art direction.

  • Mythic Shards - Game design. Currently in first draft.

Exalted, Onyx Path Publishing

  • Arms of the Chosen: The Fall of Jiara Panoply - System design. November 2022.

  • Essence - System design and instructive essays. June 2023.

  • Crucible of Legends - Instructive essays, system design. August 2023.

  • Essence Player's Guide - System design. Currently in first draft.

  • Sidereals Companion - Setting and system design. Currently in second draft.

  • Abyssals - Setting, system design, short fiction. Currently in post-approval development and art direction.

  • Essence: Pillars of Creation - System design. Currently in art direction.

  • Sidereals - Setting and narrative design. Currently in art direction.

Other Properties

Fiction

Personal Works

  • "The Disappearance of Ruby Young," script produced for stage by the Shepherd University Rude Mechanicals. 2013

Experience and Accolades

Professional Experience

Freelance Game Writer | Onyx Path Publishing, 2018-current

Collaborating with diverse teams of writers, designers, and developers to ensure cohesion of the final product. Crafting content in accordance with outlined specifications, matching style, tone, and format. Analyzing and incorporating industry trends to meet audience demands and conducting self-directed research to reinforce fiction elements. Collecting and incorporate feedback from stakeholders to meet strict publishing milestones.

Instructional Designer | Broadcom, Inc, Jan 2021-Dec 2022

Led development of learning curricula tailored to DX NetOps (AOD) products. Created engaging instructional materials (such as e-learning modules, videos, and documentation) in adherence to learning principles and narrative flow for optimal engagement and knowledge retention. Conducted analysis of learner needs and required materials in close collaboration with subject matter experts. Led production on video components, from script to screen recording to sound editing. Researched industry trends for continuous process improvement.

Podcast Producer | Bonus Experience, March 2017-October 2021

Directed, co-hosted, edited, and promoted podcast episodes for audience of TTRPG players, facilitators, and designers. Outlined and researched topics for discussion. Recorded audio sessions in collaboration with co-host. Scheduled guest appearances, preparing necessary meeting spaces and troubleshooting technical difficulties. Led post-production of episodes, including editing audio tracks, copywriting episode descriptions, and coordinating social media advertisement campaigns. Published episodes and associated copy to WordPress, Apple Podcasts, and podcast aggregates.

Proficiencies

Digital Collaboration Tools

  • Box, iCloud, OneDrive, and Google Drive

  • Discord and Slack

  • Microsoft Teams

  • Google Workspace

  • Trello

  • Webex

Digital Content Creation Tools

  • Microsoft Office 365: Excel, PowerPoint, Word

  • Smartsheet

  • Wiki

Multimedia Creation Tools

  • Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop

  • Audacity

  • Canva

  • Techsmith Camtasia and SnagIt

Publishing Platforms, eLearning Tools, and LMS

  • Apple Podcasts

  • Articulate 360, Rise, and Storyline

  • Cornerstone

  • LearnUpon

  • Patreon

  • WordPress

  • YouTube

Achievements

  • Page to Stage, awarded by Shepherd University 2013

  • The Ald-Amura Historical Grant, awarded by Sandy Pug Games 2020

Education

  • Shepherd University, WV - Pursued BA in English with a focus on literature

Contact

For all inquiries, please contact rwittercole @ gmail.