CURRENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The Forgemaster of House Brightstone
Overview
About Us
The team at Brightstone Books is creating an immersive experience for their flagship mythopoeic dark fantasy series, Mystic. Beginning with traditional print books, the project extends to a soundscape audiobook with a full voice cast, original soundtrack, and atmospheric sound effects. Additionally, weekly 5-minute visual episodes of the soundscape audiobook will be released on YouTube, using concept art from notable fantasy artists to bring an added layer of immersion. At the same time, the interactive ebook app will provide a more hands-on approach, with embedded links within the story to additional lore, maps, and character backgrounds, all to envelop the reader more fully into the world. Beyond these core projects, Brightstone Books also has plans for a documentary-style lore video series, interactive role-playing experiences, and more.
Introduction
As the Forgemaster, you shape core structures of our online presence. You will build three digital platforms: a mobile interactive eBook app, a mobile cinematic audiobook app, and a map-driven, searchable lore wiki website. This is a fixed-scope, contract role expected to take approximately 210 hours to complete. Outstanding work and a solid fit with the team’s needs may lead to additional opportunities or even a permanent position afterward.
What You’ll Build
Interactive eBook App (Mobile)
Scrollable, styled text reading interface
Tappable in-text lore terms that take users to a full lore page
“Return to Reading” feature that brings the reader back to the original scroll position, with brief yellow highlight
Bookmarking and resume functionality
Subscription-based gating for expanded lore (bonus stories, art)
Clean, responsive design with mobile-first layout
Deployed to iOS and Android with working in-app purchase system
Cinematic Audiobook App (Mobile)
Resume-enabled audio player with playback controls
Toggle for visual mode: concept art + voice-acted audio sync
Gated access to monthly lore documentary videos
Automated unlock of monthly content for subscribers
Cross-device resume functionality
Deployed to iOS and Android with integrated subscription system
Lore Wiki Website (Desktop & Mobile)
Interactive, zoomable world map (Google Maps-style)
Map pins and paths link to lore entries
Easy content submission tool for internal staff
Add new lore entries
Assign to characters, eras, factions, and regions
Drop pins and draw paths on map from admin dashboard
Search and filter by tag (character, region, timeline, etc.)
Built-in content scheduling and automated publishing
Optional ad slot support and subscriber-only content toggle
Fully responsive and mobile compatible
Responsibilities
Build and launch all three platforms with complete, functioning front-end and back-end systems
Integrate subscription logic using Stripe, Apple In-App Purchases, and Google Play Billing
Ensure cross-platform compatibility by delivering fully functional and responsive builds for:
iOS (iPhone and iPad via App Store)
Android (via Google Play)
Web (desktop and mobile browsers, for the lore platform)
Create staff-facing dashboards and tools that allow non-technical team members to:
Add and edit lore entries
Schedule content drops in advance
Override automation settings when needed
Assign pins or paths to the world map directly from the CMS
Ensure that the interactive eBook app pulls all lore content dynamically from the website’s CMS, so updates made to the lore platform are automatically reflected in the app—no double entry required
Deliver all systems in a form that allows Brightstone’s internal team to use, manage, and expand them without needing further developer intervention for regular operations
Provide detailed, clear documentation and training materials covering:
How to manage content across the lore CMS
How to trigger or override scheduled drops
How to edit or update map pins and paths
How subscription settings work across each platform
How the eBook app links to live lore content from the website
Ensure stable, tested, and scalable deployment with clear version control
Deliver clean, maintainable code with complete build instructions and handoff packages
Tech You Should Know
React / Next.js / React Native or Flutter
CMS platforms (Strapi, Firebase, or WordPress w/ ACF)
Interactive map frameworks (Mapbox GL JS or Leaflet)
Stripe and App Store payment systems (Apple/Google IAP)
iOS/Android deployment (build, testing, submission)
Git version control (GitHub)
Project Timeline & Payment
Estimated build time: 210 hours (see breakdown)
Project rate: $6,000–$7,500 depending on experience and projected efficiency
Timeline: Our ideal timeline is 6 weeks from project start. The hard deadline is no later than 8–10 weeks, including testing and being deploy-ready. However, if you can’t meet the 6-week window but you feel you’re a great fit, please apply anyway. If we really like what you bring to the table, we may simply bring on an additional Forgemaster and split the workload and compensation accordingly.
All assets, design direction, graphics, and content will be provided—this is a focused build/execution role.
What We’re Looking For
A self-sufficient, detail-minded developer with strong focus and clean delivery
Someone who has built or contributed to mobile apps, interactive media, or CMS-integrated websites
A builder who can take clear specs and translate them into elegant, functional tools
Interest in fantasy, storytelling, or worldbuilding is a bonus
Team Meetings
In-person team meetings will be held quarterly at our office in Salt Lake City, though this may vary depending on our needs. In most cases, we will simply patch you in via Zoom or equivalent during any relevant portions of the meeting. If there are any meetings we deem your presence is needed, we will cover your travel and accommodations if you’re in the USA, but this would be rare if at all.
How to Apply
Please include a resume or summary of relevant experience, along with links to any portfolios, GitHub repositories, or interactive projects you’ve worked on. In your email, briefly introduce yourself and share why you believe you’d be a strong fit for this project, especially if you’ve built anything similar or are passionate about the fantasy genre.
Submit your application to careers@brightstonebooks.com with the subject line:
“The Forgemaster Application”
Only selected candidates will be contacted for next steps. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled.
You will be notified if you have made it to the second round no later than May 28th. Additional details about our fantasy series and specific projects will be shared with candidates who advance to the second round. If you do not get contacted by May 28th, you did not make the second round, and we wish you the best in your endeavors.
PLEASE NOTE: This position may close early if we identify a candidate or candidates we feel fit exceptionally well. Please check our website under "careers" for the latest status.