A Pioneer of LitRPG with Dakota Krout, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep 31

Jan 9, 2026

Dakota Krout, an international bestselling author and founder of Mountaindale Press, dives into the world of LitRPG and GameLit. He recounts his journey, highlighting how Dungeons & Dragons influenced his writing. Dakota shares his meticulous tracking of character progression and world-building techniques, including the unique magic system he employs. He emphasizes the importance of branding and consistency for indie authors, and discusses how to connect with readers through newsletters and community events. His insights are invaluable for aspiring authors looking to navigate the publishing landscape.

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ADVICE

Use Spreadsheets For Game Systems

Track character stats, skills, quests, and reputation in spreadsheets to maintain internal consistency.
Use formulas and matrices so progression, costs, and effects remain coherent across books.

ADVICE

Give Powers Costs And Tiered Growth

Design magic or skill systems with costs (time, talent, treasure) so powers feel earned.
Build open-formula tiered systems so any power can slot into progression and be expanded later.

ANECDOTE

Forging A Power Through Ten Tiers

Dakota walked through making a forgery power fit a 10-tier progression to show practical design.
He illustrated effects, range, AoE, multi-target, and domain-scale escalation for narrative stakes.

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Dakota Krout
https://www.mountaindalepress.store/pages/dakota-krout

Mountaindale Press
https://www.mountaindalepress.store/

Summary

In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, the team interviews Dakota Krout, an international bestselling author and publisher known for his work in the LitRPG genre. They discuss Dakota's journey as an author, the rise of LitRPG and GameLit, and the intricacies of crafting stories within these genres. Dakota shares insights on tracking character progression, world-building, and the importance of branding and marketing for indie authors. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of LitRPG storytelling and offers practical advice for authors looking to grow their readership and connect with their audience. In this conversation, Dakota Krout shares insights on building a personal brand as an author, emphasizing the importance of consistency in marketing and audience engagement. He discusses the challenges of the author lifestyle, the significance of collaboration with partners, and effective strategies for newsletter engagement. The conversation also touches on overcoming the feeling of marketing into a black hole and the importance of genuine relationships in the author community. Dakota concludes with resources for aspiring authors and the value of trying new approaches in their writing journey.

Takeaways

Indie authors can find real-world advice on writing and publishing.
Dakota Krout has published 58 books and runs a publishing company.
LitRPG combines elements of gaming with storytelling.
The genre has grown significantly in popularity over the years.
Dakota was one of the early authors in the LitRPG genre.
Tracking character progression is essential in LitRPG writing.
World-building is crucial for creating immersive stories.
Combining different abilities can lead to unique character development.
Branding is important for authors to create recognition.
Marketing strategies should focus on building a recognizable presence. Create your brand and stick with it for the long term.
Engage with your audience through non-sales interactions.
Publishing a book is just the beginning of your author journey.
Collaboration with supportive partners can enhance your success.
Newsletters should focus on connection, not just sales.
Consistency in marketing is key to building recognition.
Delegating tasks can free up time for writing.
Engaging content in newsletters can drive reader interest.
Building genuine relationships is crucial in marketing.
Never hesitate to try new strategies in your writing career.