Graeme Brandham
@graemesatlas.substack.com
Writer | Artist | World-Builder
🌀Charting the intersection of story, philosophy & wonder in my Substack Atlas.
🌀Currently navigating rabbits, dinosaurs & the nature of reality. 🐰🦕☯️
🌀Charting the intersection of story, philosophy & wonder in my Substack Atlas.
🌀Currently navigating rabbits, dinosaurs & the nature of reality. 🐰🦕☯️
The Strings Of Us | Chapter 003
Lysander - Human - Male: Testimonial 001
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Finding the Face of Grief (Elias)
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
Finding the Face of Grief (Elias)
A behind-the-scenes look at a key character illustration from "The Strings of Us."
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Finding the Face of Grief (Elias)
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
Deciduous and Evergreen: Part 4 is live. My Halloween Speculative fiction, where we explore a strange historical prophecy that is suddenly coming back to life for three young adults. open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
Deciduous and Evergreen
Part 004 of a spec-fic Halloween adventure.
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Deciduous and Evergreen: Part 4 is live. My Halloween Speculative fiction, where we explore a strange historical prophecy that is suddenly coming back to life for three young adults. open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
Do you ever feel brave enough to do writing that spins a yarn on social commentary? To be a bit Dickensian?
October 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Do you ever feel brave enough to do writing that spins a yarn on social commentary? To be a bit Dickensian?
Deciduous and Evergreen:
This is a new short story I’m writing for spooky season, Inspired by that feeling you get from movies like Casper, Hocus Pocus, and Stranger Things, all wrapped in the folkloric texture of a book like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/deciduous-...
This is a new short story I’m writing for spooky season, Inspired by that feeling you get from movies like Casper, Hocus Pocus, and Stranger Things, all wrapped in the folkloric texture of a book like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/deciduous-...
Deciduous and Evergreen
Part 001 of a spec-fic Halloween adventure.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Deciduous and Evergreen:
This is a new short story I’m writing for spooky season, Inspired by that feeling you get from movies like Casper, Hocus Pocus, and Stranger Things, all wrapped in the folkloric texture of a book like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/deciduous-...
This is a new short story I’m writing for spooky season, Inspired by that feeling you get from movies like Casper, Hocus Pocus, and Stranger Things, all wrapped in the folkloric texture of a book like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/deciduous-...
What is my serialised book about?
Genre: Sci-fi 🛸
Description: Humans and Rabbits must work together on a journey that will take them into deep space, to discover why it is that Rabbits are gravitationally aligned with the centre of the galaxy.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-string...
Genre: Sci-fi 🛸
Description: Humans and Rabbits must work together on a journey that will take them into deep space, to discover why it is that Rabbits are gravitationally aligned with the centre of the galaxy.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-string...
The Strings Of Us
Chapter 001
graemesatlas.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
What is my serialised book about?
Genre: Sci-fi 🛸
Description: Humans and Rabbits must work together on a journey that will take them into deep space, to discover why it is that Rabbits are gravitationally aligned with the centre of the galaxy.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-string...
Genre: Sci-fi 🛸
Description: Humans and Rabbits must work together on a journey that will take them into deep space, to discover why it is that Rabbits are gravitationally aligned with the centre of the galaxy.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-string...
Pentober 2025
A month of freely exploring daily word prompts.
graemesatlas.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Im back after a long holiday, within which, I decided to re-addict myself to Downton Abbey. Foolish? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
I have spent time here composing some thoughts about what this show does well, and how it uses story to keep you addicted.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-downto...
I have spent time here composing some thoughts about what this show does well, and how it uses story to keep you addicted.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-downto...
The Downton Abbey Engine:
A Writer’s Guide to Addictive Storytelling
graemesatlas.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Im back after a long holiday, within which, I decided to re-addict myself to Downton Abbey. Foolish? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
I have spent time here composing some thoughts about what this show does well, and how it uses story to keep you addicted.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-downto...
I have spent time here composing some thoughts about what this show does well, and how it uses story to keep you addicted.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/the-downto...
Sometimes my IRL work permeates into my storied life. This is part 001 of a short story about what happens when an ancient bottle of Madeira wine decides to share its memories.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/wine-wind-...
#fiction #shortstory #wonder
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/wine-wind-...
#fiction #shortstory #wonder
Wine, Wind and Whipping Sails
A short story: Part 001
graemesatlas.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Sometimes my IRL work permeates into my storied life. This is part 001 of a short story about what happens when an ancient bottle of Madeira wine decides to share its memories.
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/wine-wind-...
#fiction #shortstory #wonder
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/wine-wind-...
#fiction #shortstory #wonder
22) WIP Aesthetic Board
#FantasyIndiesAugust
#FantasyIndiesAugust
August 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
22) WIP Aesthetic Board
#FantasyIndiesAugust
#FantasyIndiesAugust
This detail from the 1st chapter comes early, and it lingers. I really enjoy the sense of space and time it creates within the text. It has a length to it. Like a fine wine.
substack.com/@graemesatla...
substack.com/@graemesatla...
Graeme Brandham (@graemesatlas)
I am finally getting around to starting this series. I am loving discovering peoples fiction and fantasy projects on Substack, and this is further proof that I have found a good place.
This detail fr...
substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:57 PM
This detail from the 1st chapter comes early, and it lingers. I really enjoy the sense of space and time it creates within the text. It has a length to it. Like a fine wine.
substack.com/@graemesatla...
substack.com/@graemesatla...
21) Is my MC a morning person?
I would say yes and no. Once they get into their journey, strict regimented industrial earth time, i.e. doing a 9-5, is less relevant. He sleeps with the curtains open. So that helps to be a morning person by virtue of the light seeping through.
#FantasyIndiesAugust
I would say yes and no. Once they get into their journey, strict regimented industrial earth time, i.e. doing a 9-5, is less relevant. He sleeps with the curtains open. So that helps to be a morning person by virtue of the light seeping through.
#FantasyIndiesAugust
August 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
21) Is my MC a morning person?
I would say yes and no. Once they get into their journey, strict regimented industrial earth time, i.e. doing a 9-5, is less relevant. He sleeps with the curtains open. So that helps to be a morning person by virtue of the light seeping through.
#FantasyIndiesAugust
I would say yes and no. Once they get into their journey, strict regimented industrial earth time, i.e. doing a 9-5, is less relevant. He sleeps with the curtains open. So that helps to be a morning person by virtue of the light seeping through.
#FantasyIndiesAugust
Ahh running out of time!
20) Superstitions in WIP
There is a thing called the strings. Its relatively unknown by humans, and those that have heard of it think its nonsense.
Rabbits on the other hand live with it every day. To them it is a way of life. Who has the truth of it?
#FantasyIndiesAugust
20) Superstitions in WIP
There is a thing called the strings. Its relatively unknown by humans, and those that have heard of it think its nonsense.
Rabbits on the other hand live with it every day. To them it is a way of life. Who has the truth of it?
#FantasyIndiesAugust
August 28, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Ahh running out of time!
20) Superstitions in WIP
There is a thing called the strings. Its relatively unknown by humans, and those that have heard of it think its nonsense.
Rabbits on the other hand live with it every day. To them it is a way of life. Who has the truth of it?
#FantasyIndiesAugust
20) Superstitions in WIP
There is a thing called the strings. Its relatively unknown by humans, and those that have heard of it think its nonsense.
Rabbits on the other hand live with it every day. To them it is a way of life. Who has the truth of it?
#FantasyIndiesAugust
My Raw & Unedited series continue. Where you can see both what comes directly out of my notebook, and any thoughts I have about how I might improve it once i get to the second draft.
Let me know what you think!
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/raw-and-un...
Let me know what you think!
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/raw-and-un...
The Strings of Us - Raw & Unedited - 002
A Story Within a Story
graemesatlas.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:35 PM
My Raw & Unedited series continue. Where you can see both what comes directly out of my notebook, and any thoughts I have about how I might improve it once i get to the second draft.
Let me know what you think!
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/raw-and-un...
Let me know what you think!
graemesatlas.substack.com/p/raw-and-un...
AI is a hot topic. There are many facets to the discussion that range from ethics, philosophy, politics, creativity.
In this entry, I have focussed only on what we can do, as creatives, to not lose ourselves to the machine entirely, if we do decide to partake.
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
In this entry, I have focussed only on what we can do, as creatives, to not lose ourselves to the machine entirely, if we do decide to partake.
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
Navigating the Age of AI
The cartographers dilemma.
open.substack.com
August 26, 2025 at 9:28 PM
AI is a hot topic. There are many facets to the discussion that range from ethics, philosophy, politics, creativity.
In this entry, I have focussed only on what we can do, as creatives, to not lose ourselves to the machine entirely, if we do decide to partake.
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
In this entry, I have focussed only on what we can do, as creatives, to not lose ourselves to the machine entirely, if we do decide to partake.
open.substack.com/pub/graemesa...
When you’re first introduced to a new character design, what’s the first thing your eyes are drawn to that gives you a clue about their personality? For me, a character's stance and overall posture can say so much before they even speak a word.
August 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
When you’re first introduced to a new character design, what’s the first thing your eyes are drawn to that gives you a clue about their personality? For me, a character's stance and overall posture can say so much before they even speak a word.
Time to break up my feed with some personal art. A quick scroll through my albums uncovered this. Painted on my iPad (procreate) about 2 years ago. It's an interpretation of Gavilar Kholin, from 'The way of kings' by Brandon Sanderson.
#ArtSky #Art #Illustration #ConceptArt #DigitalArt #Drawing
#ArtSky #Art #Illustration #ConceptArt #DigitalArt #Drawing
August 22, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Time to break up my feed with some personal art. A quick scroll through my albums uncovered this. Painted on my iPad (procreate) about 2 years ago. It's an interpretation of Gavilar Kholin, from 'The way of kings' by Brandon Sanderson.
#ArtSky #Art #Illustration #ConceptArt #DigitalArt #Drawing
#ArtSky #Art #Illustration #ConceptArt #DigitalArt #Drawing
19) "It's called ma. Emptiness. It's there intentionally. The time in between my clapping is ma. If you just have non-stop action with no breathing space at all, it's just busyness, but if you take a moment, then the tension building in the film can grow into a wider dimension".
#FantasyIndiesAugust
#FantasyIndiesAugust
August 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
19) "It's called ma. Emptiness. It's there intentionally. The time in between my clapping is ma. If you just have non-stop action with no breathing space at all, it's just busyness, but if you take a moment, then the tension building in the film can grow into a wider dimension".
#FantasyIndiesAugust
#FantasyIndiesAugust
Still catching up
18) a WIP playlist. I tend to let the music fit the mood of what I'm writing. This recent fit of words has been quite a serene one, and so this playlist of mine has been in rotation. It's called 'working in the garden'
#FantasyIndiesAugust
open.spotify.com/playlist/6j5...
18) a WIP playlist. I tend to let the music fit the mood of what I'm writing. This recent fit of words has been quite a serene one, and so this playlist of mine has been in rotation. It's called 'working in the garden'
#FantasyIndiesAugust
open.spotify.com/playlist/6j5...
August 22, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Still catching up
18) a WIP playlist. I tend to let the music fit the mood of what I'm writing. This recent fit of words has been quite a serene one, and so this playlist of mine has been in rotation. It's called 'working in the garden'
#FantasyIndiesAugust
open.spotify.com/playlist/6j5...
18) a WIP playlist. I tend to let the music fit the mood of what I'm writing. This recent fit of words has been quite a serene one, and so this playlist of mine has been in rotation. It's called 'working in the garden'
#FantasyIndiesAugust
open.spotify.com/playlist/6j5...
A fun worldbuilding problem I had to solve: Do my rabbits wear clothes?
My answer: Mostly no, but they wear robes around humans as a polite gesture to make them more comfortable.
What's a small worldbuilding detail you absolutely love in a book/film/game? #worldbuilding
My answer: Mostly no, but they wear robes around humans as a polite gesture to make them more comfortable.
What's a small worldbuilding detail you absolutely love in a book/film/game? #worldbuilding
August 22, 2025 at 7:31 AM
A fun worldbuilding problem I had to solve: Do my rabbits wear clothes?
My answer: Mostly no, but they wear robes around humans as a polite gesture to make them more comfortable.
What's a small worldbuilding detail you absolutely love in a book/film/game? #worldbuilding
My answer: Mostly no, but they wear robes around humans as a polite gesture to make them more comfortable.
What's a small worldbuilding detail you absolutely love in a book/film/game? #worldbuilding
There is so much cosy upon this piece of art. Cosy has settled into it like squirrels in a tree. Cosy has settled into it like hedgehogs under a log. Cosy has settled into it like Badgers in a set. Cosy has permeated every inch of this picture, like bubble tea in a gentle rain shower.
August 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM
There is so much cosy upon this piece of art. Cosy has settled into it like squirrels in a tree. Cosy has settled into it like hedgehogs under a log. Cosy has settled into it like Badgers in a set. Cosy has permeated every inch of this picture, like bubble tea in a gentle rain shower.
Flash fiction:
It all started when the Koi walked.
I remember it well. Almost 2000 years ago a pair of gentlemen walked by my river and began a discussion that begged of each other to answer a ponderous question, ‘what is the happiness of fish'. (1/7) 👇
#FantasyIndiesAugust
It all started when the Koi walked.
I remember it well. Almost 2000 years ago a pair of gentlemen walked by my river and began a discussion that begged of each other to answer a ponderous question, ‘what is the happiness of fish'. (1/7) 👇
#FantasyIndiesAugust
August 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Flash fiction:
It all started when the Koi walked.
I remember it well. Almost 2000 years ago a pair of gentlemen walked by my river and began a discussion that begged of each other to answer a ponderous question, ‘what is the happiness of fish'. (1/7) 👇
#FantasyIndiesAugust
It all started when the Koi walked.
I remember it well. Almost 2000 years ago a pair of gentlemen walked by my river and began a discussion that begged of each other to answer a ponderous question, ‘what is the happiness of fish'. (1/7) 👇
#FantasyIndiesAugust
(Catching up still)
Snippet Saturday:
'If she could sense it in them, why did they not sense it in us? Her song faltered as this new understanding dawned on her, and as she stumbled, she felt the child's string stumble too'.
#FantasyIndiesAugust
Snippet Saturday:
'If she could sense it in them, why did they not sense it in us? Her song faltered as this new understanding dawned on her, and as she stumbled, she felt the child's string stumble too'.
#FantasyIndiesAugust
August 20, 2025 at 9:18 PM
(Catching up still)
Snippet Saturday:
'If she could sense it in them, why did they not sense it in us? Her song faltered as this new understanding dawned on her, and as she stumbled, she felt the child's string stumble too'.
#FantasyIndiesAugust
Snippet Saturday:
'If she could sense it in them, why did they not sense it in us? Her song faltered as this new understanding dawned on her, and as she stumbled, she felt the child's string stumble too'.
#FantasyIndiesAugust