Plotsy signs Richard Fox for first Ember War vBook

Plotsy has signed military sci-fi author Richard Fox to adapt The Ember War into its Plotsy vBook format, a cinematic video experience the company positions as a fourth book category. The first episode is slated to stream in the Plotsy app later this year.

Why it matters: - Plotsy is trying to create a new distribution category that sits alongside print, eBook and audiobook. - The company is betting that readers will want screen-based access to books without losing the original story, pacing or author credit. - The Ember War gives Plotsy a recognizable franchise with an established fan base in military science fiction.

What happened: - Plotsy announced on August 18, 2026, that it signed Richard Fox for the next Plotsy vBook title. - The first volume of Fox's 34-book Ember War Saga, The Ember War, will be turned into a cinematic, episodic video experience. - Plotsy says the adaptation will remain true to the novel, page for page. - The first episode of The Ember War Plotsy vBook is expected to stream in the Plotsy app later this year.

The details: - Plotsy describes the Plotsy vBook as a fourth distinct book format. - The company says the format faithfully translates novels into episodic viewing experiences while preserving the complete story, characters, pacing and creative vision of the original book. - Plotsy says the platform is designed to reproduce the literary experience while keeping the author visible and recognized. - Richard Fox is a Nebula Award nominee and won the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel. - Fox graduated from West Point and served 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Army, including two combat tours in Iraq. - Fox has built a readership across Kindle Unlimited and Audible. - The Ember War centers on the Xaros, an alien drone swarm that destroys every civilization it finds. - The story follows graduate student Marc Ibarra, who receives a late-night warning that Earth is next. - The human defense depends on the warship Breitenfeld, led by Captain Isaac Valdar. - Fox said he is deeply involved in the production and that the audience will see the version of The Ember War he wrote. - Michael Gorton, Plotsy founder and CEO, said the company does not want to reinvent the story, but to put Fox's story on screen exactly as written. - Fans can sign up for production updates at plotsy.tv. - Authors interested in the Plotsy vBook format can learn more at plotsy.tv/for-authors.

Between the lines: - Plotsy is positioning itself less as a streaming service and more as a new publishing format with video as the delivery layer. - The company is leaning hard on author involvement and faithfulness to the source material to differentiate the product from typical screen adaptations. - Choosing an established series with a dedicated audience could help Plotsy test whether readers will adopt a screen-first version of a book they already know.

What's next: - Plotsy plans to release the first episode of The Ember War vBook in the Plotsy app later this year. - The company is also recruiting other authors who want to bring their work into the vBook format. - Plotsy says the platform is already available on Smart TVs, Roku, iPhone, Android, tablets and web browsers.

The bottom line: - Plotsy is using Richard Fox's Ember War franchise to launch a new book-to-screen format and prove that novels can become episodic video without giving up author control or the original text.