Hot on the heels of BtS: Light is the next issue Shocking Grasp! Grab your copy here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=6931
Work was slow today but it went without much trouble. I should be working on my additions for Inner Circles' Where Madness Dwells II but I'll be watching Lost and Invasion instead. :) The IC chief did say I could take my time, after all. I'm not sure which BtS will be next; probably polymorph or summon monster. Both are just bursting with spell secret and variant possibilities. Backstories, however, are always another matter.
I'm still plugging away on Vision of the Future by Timothy Zahn. The farther I get, the more I don't want to stop. It's a big book--over 600 pages. Even though the villain, Thrawn, from his original trilogy (which rounds out the original 9 episodes envisioned by Lucas) is dead, his presence and name still linger on. He's such a cool villain that I don't doubt I'll be revisiting the Heir to the Empire books (or whatever the heck the trilogy's name is).
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Light!
Now available is Behind the Spells: Light. Grab your copy here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=6911
Next up is Shocking Grasp which I will hopefully finish up today. In other news, I've decided to clear a few books out of my collection. I've listed the group on ENWorld here: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=174987 Note the special link at the beginning of the message to a unique piece for those HackMaster collectors. I know people can probably get many of these titles for less elsewhere but I look at it this way--you know who you're buying from with me and you know that it will be in good shape (smoke free home and all that). Sometimes a little personal knowledge of the seller can win a buyer over to him.
Next up is Shocking Grasp which I will hopefully finish up today. In other news, I've decided to clear a few books out of my collection. I've listed the group on ENWorld here: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=174987 Note the special link at the beginning of the message to a unique piece for those HackMaster collectors. I know people can probably get many of these titles for less elsewhere but I look at it this way--you know who you're buying from with me and you know that it will be in good shape (smoke free home and all that). Sometimes a little personal knowledge of the seller can win a buyer over to him.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Whatever Weekend
Well, it looks like we might not be finishing up Brad's Vault of Thazar Rho (sp?) adventure (a Goodman Games production) this weekend. The idea was agreed upon last week but no other mention has been made. It's always nice to play but we've been playing for like, I don't know how many weeks straight. Nice to have a break (yes, even from gaming). I need a little time to catch up on my next Behind the Spells: Shocking Grasp and to slap together my proposed changes for Inner Circle's adventure Where Madness Dwells II. I thought I was stepping back from work? ;)
Since my last blog, I've been able to get the mower to a contractor friend for servicing (don't know when it'll be back and my grass is huge!) and dive a hundred pages into Zahn's Vision of the Future. Much like the first part of the two-book Bantam climax, it's a fun read. There are a lot of parties doing their own thing in these books but not overly so so that the reader becomes lost. Zahn is a type of writer I'd like to be. Oh, and on that note, I purchased the 2006 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market book. It's about time I started up the 'ol fiction drive and see if/how my writing has evolved since my unsuccussful dalliance in the market some 7 years ago.
Whatever you do this weekend, cheers!
Since my last blog, I've been able to get the mower to a contractor friend for servicing (don't know when it'll be back and my grass is huge!) and dive a hundred pages into Zahn's Vision of the Future. Much like the first part of the two-book Bantam climax, it's a fun read. There are a lot of parties doing their own thing in these books but not overly so so that the reader becomes lost. Zahn is a type of writer I'd like to be. Oh, and on that note, I purchased the 2006 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market book. It's about time I started up the 'ol fiction drive and see if/how my writing has evolved since my unsuccussful dalliance in the market some 7 years ago.
Whatever you do this weekend, cheers!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Bittersweet Week
As happy as I am about the release of Temporality, I am saddened that I must post this press release...
Behind the Spells: The Final 13 (Last Chance to Subscribe!)
For nearly every consecutive week since November 2005, Ronin Arts and writer Bret Boyd have brought you the histories and variations of the best known magical spells in the PHB. However, like all good things, this series must come to an end. Now is your last chance to save on the final 13 issues. The current subscription of 13 pdf issues for $10 will be taken down as of Saturday, April 29. Jump on board and save 23% over the single issue price! Once subscribed, you’ll be there every step of the way as narrator Maxolt Alberiim uncovers more dirt about your favorite spells until the series’ appropriately-themed finale—Behind the Spells: Dispel Magic—is released in late July 2006.
Don’t delay! Subscribe here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=6169
By the time it's over, it will certainly have had a good run. Probably a little over 75,000 words all together by then. That should make a decent sized hardcover though. :)
Behind the Spells: The Final 13 (Last Chance to Subscribe!)
For nearly every consecutive week since November 2005, Ronin Arts and writer Bret Boyd have brought you the histories and variations of the best known magical spells in the PHB. However, like all good things, this series must come to an end. Now is your last chance to save on the final 13 issues. The current subscription of 13 pdf issues for $10 will be taken down as of Saturday, April 29. Jump on board and save 23% over the single issue price! Once subscribed, you’ll be there every step of the way as narrator Maxolt Alberiim uncovers more dirt about your favorite spells until the series’ appropriately-themed finale—Behind the Spells: Dispel Magic—is released in late July 2006.
Don’t delay! Subscribe here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=6169
By the time it's over, it will certainly have had a good run. Probably a little over 75,000 words all together by then. That should make a decent sized hardcover though. :)
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Time is Now
My pride and joy Temporality is now on sale in pdf format. Check it out: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=6874
I must go jump up and down now. :)
I must go jump up and down now. :)
Sunday, April 16, 2006
An Easter First
The is the first Easter in my memory that I didn't have to go to church and sing for an ungodly early service. The module last night didn't quite go as well as I'd liked, but then my prep time wasn't extensive. Today was another stellar day out there but I couldn't seem to get out to hike what with Easter lunch and my brother's Bulgarian slides to see (he went with his wife to her homeland for a couple weeks so a fair amount of pictures were available to see). No worries. I can still get out to hike on Tuesday.
Gotta get BtS: Light finished tomorrow so my day off can really be a day off. Without having "me" time this weekend, I feel irritable. Well, possibly having jury duty Wednesday doesn't help either. (Think good thoughts on Tues. when I call to see if my number is chosen.)
Gotta get BtS: Light finished tomorrow so my day off can really be a day off. Without having "me" time this weekend, I feel irritable. Well, possibly having jury duty Wednesday doesn't help either. (Think good thoughts on Tues. when I call to see if my number is chosen.)
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Fire Shield
Now up for grabs is BtS: Fire Shield. Snag your copy here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=6858
Next up is Light. Maybe not as exciting an issue as Fire Shield, but I hope to have a surprise or two inside (emphasis on the hope).
Edit: I just opened up my Nationwide insurance invoice for the next 6 months--$494!!! That's an increase of over $100 from last time. I don't think the purchase of a new car should cause such a jump (did I mention I bought a new Ford Fusion two months ago?). So, I just signed up for a Geico policy and now my payment is $338.50. Much better. I knew I loved that little lizard.
Next up is Light. Maybe not as exciting an issue as Fire Shield, but I hope to have a surprise or two inside (emphasis on the hope).
Edit: I just opened up my Nationwide insurance invoice for the next 6 months--$494!!! That's an increase of over $100 from last time. I don't think the purchase of a new car should cause such a jump (did I mention I bought a new Ford Fusion two months ago?). So, I just signed up for a Geico policy and now my payment is $338.50. Much better. I knew I loved that little lizard.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Hiking
Today I decided to take a long route on the mountains. I'm estimating about 10 miles since it took 3 and a half hours (although I did stop to eat along the way). Today also marked a graduation of sorts to "true hiker" status. Up until this point, I had never left my own fecal matter in the woods. Ahem. That is now changed. I didn't have toilet paper but was forunate to have a full yet small pack of Kleenex. When you're out in the wilds, you just have to make do.
Not much else to report today. Our game on Sunday using NeMoren's Vault went smoothly enough. We'll have to finish it up at another session. This weekend will hopefully hold some gaming as well but things are still up in the air at this point. I'd better start work on the next Behind the Spells tomorrow so I don't fall behind.
Not much else to report today. Our game on Sunday using NeMoren's Vault went smoothly enough. We'll have to finish it up at another session. This weekend will hopefully hold some gaming as well but things are still up in the air at this point. I'd better start work on the next Behind the Spells tomorrow so I don't fall behind.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Using Published Adventures
I'm very much a do-it-yourself DM for my campaigns. I love sitting down to craft out a plot structured on a monster/NPC/group chosen days in advance of the game. Unfortunately, one doesn't always have the luxury of time to complete a mental walk-through of the module. When I write an adventure for my group, I like to have a week in advance. This week...ehhhh, didn't happen. Up until 8pm last night I thought I was going to run an adventure set in Waterdeep where the PCs are ordered to play babysitter at a Protectorate-sponsered ball. A thief breaks into the hosting noble's villa to steal...something. That was as far as I got. I just couldn't get over the mental speed bump to figure out the rest of the adventure (who was the bad guy? what was the item? why was it important? how do the PCs track it back to the unnamed baddies?).
So, in frustration, I turned to the stack of adventures I've got in my collection. I have to say that when I initially reach for a published adventure I feel like I'm "cheating" somehow. You see, I've lovingly cobbled together my own modules for years. To suddenly leave the creative process to someone else makes me feel a bit like a back seat driver. But now that I've run a few of them, I realize what utter nonsense it is. No matter how detailed an adventure is (whether those I write for the groupor for publication), it is merely a skeleton waiting for the flesh and life the DM breathes brings to it. Once played, a group likely forgets the "official" nature of the product and forever after recognizes the adventure for the personality the DM brings to it. Not only does the adventure have to be modified (perhaps) for the DM's campaign setting but it has to be tailored to the PCs themselves if, for example, their rogue is not up to the challenge of that CR 8 trap.
I guess what I'm getting at here is that if there's anyone out there who thought like I did, you needn't worry. Published adventures free you up to concentrate on the roleplaying aspects--voices, mannersisms, etc--and to not be stressed when game time comes. There's always that time when the PCs deviate from the outlined course of the adventure but that's a whole other blog entry.
Here's a sound bite from work yesterday. One of our regulars, I long-haired, hippie-ish man named Larry, came in for something and when I went out front to wait on him I saw something rising from behind him. Well, that something was smoke and it wasn't behind him it was on him! I slowly came around to his side and saw something dark smoldering in the fringes of his frazzled hair and commented, "Larry, you're on fire." No harm done. He batted the clump of smoldering ashes from his hair and life went on.
So, in frustration, I turned to the stack of adventures I've got in my collection. I have to say that when I initially reach for a published adventure I feel like I'm "cheating" somehow. You see, I've lovingly cobbled together my own modules for years. To suddenly leave the creative process to someone else makes me feel a bit like a back seat driver. But now that I've run a few of them, I realize what utter nonsense it is. No matter how detailed an adventure is (whether those I write for the groupor for publication), it is merely a skeleton waiting for the flesh and life the DM breathes brings to it. Once played, a group likely forgets the "official" nature of the product and forever after recognizes the adventure for the personality the DM brings to it. Not only does the adventure have to be modified (perhaps) for the DM's campaign setting but it has to be tailored to the PCs themselves if, for example, their rogue is not up to the challenge of that CR 8 trap.
I guess what I'm getting at here is that if there's anyone out there who thought like I did, you needn't worry. Published adventures free you up to concentrate on the roleplaying aspects--voices, mannersisms, etc--and to not be stressed when game time comes. There's always that time when the PCs deviate from the outlined course of the adventure but that's a whole other blog entry.
Here's a sound bite from work yesterday. One of our regulars, I long-haired, hippie-ish man named Larry, came in for something and when I went out front to wait on him I saw something rising from behind him. Well, that something was smoke and it wasn't behind him it was on him! I slowly came around to his side and saw something dark smoldering in the fringes of his frazzled hair and commented, "Larry, you're on fire." No harm done. He batted the clump of smoldering ashes from his hair and life went on.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Back to Normal
First I'd just like to say "thanks!" to the well-wishers here and at ENWorld for supporting my semi-retirement from game writing. Now that it's been a couple of days, I feel like I did before it all started. That seems kind of obvious, I suppose, but it's almost new to me. I've made some notes for BtS: Fire Shield but mostly been reading Specter of the Past, the first of the two-book Hand of Thrawn series. I wasn't aware of this until just now, but these two books wrapped up the printing of the Star Wars novels under Bantam Books. Tomorrow, I'll move on to the second book Vision of the Future. With a bit of luck, I may finish most of the next BtS issue tonight. Looks like we'll be gaming this weekend so I need to come up with the next installment of out Stargate-esque planar campaign.
I'd also like to say that with a bit less on my plate now (at least mentally), I've managed to hike about 15 miles this week since Sunday. Not too shabby. I'd like to lose a few pounds so this is a good start.
I'd also like to say that with a bit less on my plate now (at least mentally), I've managed to hike about 15 miles this week since Sunday. Not too shabby. I'd like to lose a few pounds so this is a good start.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Works and Memoirs (part II)
See previous entry for part I of my list...
Goodman Games [I met Joseph Goodman when I was at GenCon in 2004. He was one of the many folks I handed a "Bret Boyd" freelancing pad to. He definitely kept it since he mentioned it in an email asking me to write for his company. I was originally offered the Complete Guide to Vampires, if I recall correctly. I declined as I just didn't want to get into the vamps as an entire sourcebook (although I later did some NPCs for the book as well as some additional writing for the re-release of Liches). But when I was offered Dragonkin, I knew that turning down another book probably meant the end of any inquiries from Joe. The rest is history and I had a good time doing this, my very first solo print book. It will always have a special place in my collection. And the artwork for my words was really kick-ass too! The company also allowed me to write for the same book TSR 1st edition artist Jim Roslof did the cover for (see the DCC below)!! Talk about geeky orgasm! I was also asked to join the Dragonmech design team but declines due to lack of interest in the setting.]
Works:
Complete Guide to Dragonkin
Complete Guide to Vampires
Complete Guide to Liches (v3.5)
Dungeon Crawl Classics #29: The Adventure Begins!
Sean K Reynolds [OK, not strictly a company, but this former TSR/WotC designer did a little pdf for charity a few years back (2002). Through fellow Foul Locales author, Charles Plemmons, I managed to be allowed to submit material for this star-packed pdf. Between this and my other endeavors, you'll soon be able to play "Six Degrees of Bret Boyd" for D&D authors...(or not).]
Works: Sword Into Plowshares (pdf)
Fantasy Flight Games [I only place this company in the list because I actually did start writing for them. I was in contact with Kevin Wilson (Spycraft creator) who was their devloper at the time for the "Lore" books. I think I was responding to an open call and am positive it was for Draconic Lore. Unfortunately, my computer/network decided it was time for email to crap out on me. By the time I got a message sent to Kevin about my problem, it was too late and I was off the project. I believe I went so far as to call him about it. I developed a few new dragon types during the debacle but nothing was ever submitted. One of the sadder chapters of my hobby-lacing career.]
Sword & Sorcery Studios [A White Wolf branch, SSS was one of the first out of the gate to get d20 prodcut to market. Not much interesting to say here. I had precious little contact with anyone in the power structure there besides Anthony Pryor, another ex-TSR person (who I know wrote, at the very least, for the Spellbound box set). I answered two open calls successfully.]
Works:
Relics & Rituals II: Lost Lore
Creature Collection III: Savage Bestiary
Inner Circle Games [Afer Bastion didn't pan out for Temporality, I went to the company that most impressed me with the quality--ICG. Unfortunately, by this time in the d20 industry, the market just wasn't there anymore. Jeff Visgaitis, the head honcho of ICG, could not guarantee more than a pdf version of the book and I desperately wanted to see my magnum opus in print form. So, despite loving his company's skill in both writing and artwork, I had to decline. But Jeff must have kept me in mind because I was soon after invited to the "Litmus Group"--a select body of folks who proof the company's products and provide feedback.]
Works: Where Madness Dwells 2 (in development; I'm only adding a "creepy" element to an already-written adventure)
Dark Quest Games [One of the more recent companies I've writen for, DQ turned out to be surprisingly profitable. Neal Levin is a stand-up guy who was recommended to my by Steve Creech as a possible Temporality publisher. Neal not only agreed to my terms but also offered me work! I played clean up for several project and may go back to him again if my experiment in non-gaming freelancing goes nowhere. DQ pays, if not always in a timely fashion, and I'm happy to have worked with them.]
Works:
Temporality (out soon in pdf and print!)
Parry & Riposte (pdf)
Goblins (pdf)
Alchemy (pdf; unpublished but shouldn't be too long)
Fast Forward Entertainment [Well, what can I say? They were maligned before and after I got to write for them so I can't be blamed right? One of the reasons I wanted to write for FFE was to have my name on a product with Jim Ward. There, I admitted it. I'll work for free to be associated with ex-TSR folks. Although I certainly didn't think I'd be working for free, that's exactly what happened. These books flew by me at a rapid pace but I can take comfort in the fact that people bitched less about these than the previous books put out by the company.]
Works:
Encyclopedia of Prestige Classes
Deadliest Creatures Tome
Encyclopedia of Villains
Complete Monstrous Undead Compendium
Dog Soul Publishing [I really didn't have much contact with these fine folks. I simply wrote for them because the work was a charity for Katrina victims.]
Works: The piece is called "Captive Audience" and the pdf is Suck 'da Head, Squeeze 'da Tail.
EN Publishing [I'm not certain this was the publishing name back then, but ENWorld put out a series of e-zines called Asgard. I was in, I think, issue 3. The subject was using music in your game and the article came from one that was rejected by Dragon Magazine.
Works: The piece is called "Fine Tuning Your Campaign" (pdf; anyone wanting a copy can email me)
Enkwell Press [Headed by former Bastion Press writer and art director, Brannon Hollingsworth, Enkwell reeled me with the open call for a project called Hoards. Well, I contributed all right. I only submitted three items but somehow was talked into editing and developing the entire work! I didn't mind at the time since Brannon had contacts with Green Ronin and assured me that they would publish it. Not going to happen. The work, one of the best things I worked on I might add, sits unseen in our dusty computer innards. I'm still trying to get this published (through DQ at the moment) so perhaps there's still hope. Enkwell itself folded due to lack or interest and Brannon's busy non-gaming schedule.]
Works: Hoards
Highmoon Media Productions [Back in 2004, I think, Green Ronin announced an open call inviting publishers to produce adventure in support of GR's "Mythic Vistas" line. One publisher to jump on the bandwagon was Highmoon under the helm of Daniel Perez. I responded originally with an interest to do a Testament adventure but eventually decided to go with a Medieval Players Manual module instead (probably because that book was getting little attention). In retrospect, the adventure is probably secondary to the mini-setting I've set up. Once it's released you can judge for yourselves.]
Works:
A Matter of Faith (pdf; unpublished)
Beware the Minotaur (pdf; sequel to the above adventure; outline complete)
Reality Deviant Publications [I was investigating a project or two with this pdf company when I decided to curb back on the gaming freelancing--sorry guys!--but I thought their production values were pretty good. I may yet do some writing for David Jarvis with a new idea he cooked up for a line of short pdfs. Time will tell.]
SkeletonKey Games [Ed Bourelle is the best cartographer in the biz. Hands down. Ed and I spoke during my GenCon trip and we got to know each other pretty well, I think. He also knew Brannon (see above) well and was involved with Enkwell Press. Ed and I spoke on the phone about a line of products which would utilize his tiles. I would write locales and then he would cobble together the necessary map(s) and fashion new tiles if needed to be released in pdf form. I completed a troglodyte lair but the whole thing never got off the ground. Given Ed's talent, I just think he got too busy for me. A pity but that's the way it goes. If anyone would like a copy of my trog lair writeup and the amateur-ish map I did in Paint, email me. At least I was part of the orc sourcebook SKG put out in a defunct magazine.]
Works:
Orcs: Legacy of Blood (published in "Gaming Frontiers 5")
Troglodyte Lair (unpublished)
Ronin Arts [And last, but not least, is good 'ol Phil Reed. At one point, I swore I'd never do pdf. Somehow e-products just didn't seem "worthy." Boy, am I glad I changed my mind. Phhil has always been easy to get along with and I'm satisfied with the payment percentage and arrival. It seems that any whacky ideaI come up with he's willing to take a chance on. All of the works below fit under this description.
Works: (all pdf)
Athenaeum Arcane: Treasure Chests, Substandard Magic Items, Mallyate (3 separate titles in the same line)
The 11th Hour
Behind the Spells series (21 released with likely 13 more to go before a hardcover collection is printed)
And I think that's everything! Hope you enjoyed the trip with me down memory lane.
Goodman Games [I met Joseph Goodman when I was at GenCon in 2004. He was one of the many folks I handed a "Bret Boyd" freelancing pad to. He definitely kept it since he mentioned it in an email asking me to write for his company. I was originally offered the Complete Guide to Vampires, if I recall correctly. I declined as I just didn't want to get into the vamps as an entire sourcebook (although I later did some NPCs for the book as well as some additional writing for the re-release of Liches). But when I was offered Dragonkin, I knew that turning down another book probably meant the end of any inquiries from Joe. The rest is history and I had a good time doing this, my very first solo print book. It will always have a special place in my collection. And the artwork for my words was really kick-ass too! The company also allowed me to write for the same book TSR 1st edition artist Jim Roslof did the cover for (see the DCC below)!! Talk about geeky orgasm! I was also asked to join the Dragonmech design team but declines due to lack of interest in the setting.]
Works:
Complete Guide to Dragonkin
Complete Guide to Vampires
Complete Guide to Liches (v3.5)
Dungeon Crawl Classics #29: The Adventure Begins!
Sean K Reynolds [OK, not strictly a company, but this former TSR/WotC designer did a little pdf for charity a few years back (2002). Through fellow Foul Locales author, Charles Plemmons, I managed to be allowed to submit material for this star-packed pdf. Between this and my other endeavors, you'll soon be able to play "Six Degrees of Bret Boyd" for D&D authors...(or not).]
Works: Sword Into Plowshares (pdf)
Fantasy Flight Games [I only place this company in the list because I actually did start writing for them. I was in contact with Kevin Wilson (Spycraft creator) who was their devloper at the time for the "Lore" books. I think I was responding to an open call and am positive it was for Draconic Lore. Unfortunately, my computer/network decided it was time for email to crap out on me. By the time I got a message sent to Kevin about my problem, it was too late and I was off the project. I believe I went so far as to call him about it. I developed a few new dragon types during the debacle but nothing was ever submitted. One of the sadder chapters of my hobby-lacing career.]
Sword & Sorcery Studios [A White Wolf branch, SSS was one of the first out of the gate to get d20 prodcut to market. Not much interesting to say here. I had precious little contact with anyone in the power structure there besides Anthony Pryor, another ex-TSR person (who I know wrote, at the very least, for the Spellbound box set). I answered two open calls successfully.]
Works:
Relics & Rituals II: Lost Lore
Creature Collection III: Savage Bestiary
Inner Circle Games [Afer Bastion didn't pan out for Temporality, I went to the company that most impressed me with the quality--ICG. Unfortunately, by this time in the d20 industry, the market just wasn't there anymore. Jeff Visgaitis, the head honcho of ICG, could not guarantee more than a pdf version of the book and I desperately wanted to see my magnum opus in print form. So, despite loving his company's skill in both writing and artwork, I had to decline. But Jeff must have kept me in mind because I was soon after invited to the "Litmus Group"--a select body of folks who proof the company's products and provide feedback.]
Works: Where Madness Dwells 2 (in development; I'm only adding a "creepy" element to an already-written adventure)
Dark Quest Games [One of the more recent companies I've writen for, DQ turned out to be surprisingly profitable. Neal Levin is a stand-up guy who was recommended to my by Steve Creech as a possible Temporality publisher. Neal not only agreed to my terms but also offered me work! I played clean up for several project and may go back to him again if my experiment in non-gaming freelancing goes nowhere. DQ pays, if not always in a timely fashion, and I'm happy to have worked with them.]
Works:
Temporality (out soon in pdf and print!)
Parry & Riposte (pdf)
Goblins (pdf)
Alchemy (pdf; unpublished but shouldn't be too long)
Fast Forward Entertainment [Well, what can I say? They were maligned before and after I got to write for them so I can't be blamed right? One of the reasons I wanted to write for FFE was to have my name on a product with Jim Ward. There, I admitted it. I'll work for free to be associated with ex-TSR folks. Although I certainly didn't think I'd be working for free, that's exactly what happened. These books flew by me at a rapid pace but I can take comfort in the fact that people bitched less about these than the previous books put out by the company.]
Works:
Encyclopedia of Prestige Classes
Deadliest Creatures Tome
Encyclopedia of Villains
Complete Monstrous Undead Compendium
Dog Soul Publishing [I really didn't have much contact with these fine folks. I simply wrote for them because the work was a charity for Katrina victims.]
Works: The piece is called "Captive Audience" and the pdf is Suck 'da Head, Squeeze 'da Tail.
EN Publishing [I'm not certain this was the publishing name back then, but ENWorld put out a series of e-zines called Asgard. I was in, I think, issue 3. The subject was using music in your game and the article came from one that was rejected by Dragon Magazine.
Works: The piece is called "Fine Tuning Your Campaign" (pdf; anyone wanting a copy can email me)
Enkwell Press [Headed by former Bastion Press writer and art director, Brannon Hollingsworth, Enkwell reeled me with the open call for a project called Hoards. Well, I contributed all right. I only submitted three items but somehow was talked into editing and developing the entire work! I didn't mind at the time since Brannon had contacts with Green Ronin and assured me that they would publish it. Not going to happen. The work, one of the best things I worked on I might add, sits unseen in our dusty computer innards. I'm still trying to get this published (through DQ at the moment) so perhaps there's still hope. Enkwell itself folded due to lack or interest and Brannon's busy non-gaming schedule.]
Works: Hoards
Highmoon Media Productions [Back in 2004, I think, Green Ronin announced an open call inviting publishers to produce adventure in support of GR's "Mythic Vistas" line. One publisher to jump on the bandwagon was Highmoon under the helm of Daniel Perez. I responded originally with an interest to do a Testament adventure but eventually decided to go with a Medieval Players Manual module instead (probably because that book was getting little attention). In retrospect, the adventure is probably secondary to the mini-setting I've set up. Once it's released you can judge for yourselves.]
Works:
A Matter of Faith (pdf; unpublished)
Beware the Minotaur (pdf; sequel to the above adventure; outline complete)
Reality Deviant Publications [I was investigating a project or two with this pdf company when I decided to curb back on the gaming freelancing--sorry guys!--but I thought their production values were pretty good. I may yet do some writing for David Jarvis with a new idea he cooked up for a line of short pdfs. Time will tell.]
SkeletonKey Games [Ed Bourelle is the best cartographer in the biz. Hands down. Ed and I spoke during my GenCon trip and we got to know each other pretty well, I think. He also knew Brannon (see above) well and was involved with Enkwell Press. Ed and I spoke on the phone about a line of products which would utilize his tiles. I would write locales and then he would cobble together the necessary map(s) and fashion new tiles if needed to be released in pdf form. I completed a troglodyte lair but the whole thing never got off the ground. Given Ed's talent, I just think he got too busy for me. A pity but that's the way it goes. If anyone would like a copy of my trog lair writeup and the amateur-ish map I did in Paint, email me. At least I was part of the orc sourcebook SKG put out in a defunct magazine.]
Works:
Orcs: Legacy of Blood (published in "Gaming Frontiers 5")
Troglodyte Lair (unpublished)
Ronin Arts [And last, but not least, is good 'ol Phil Reed. At one point, I swore I'd never do pdf. Somehow e-products just didn't seem "worthy." Boy, am I glad I changed my mind. Phhil has always been easy to get along with and I'm satisfied with the payment percentage and arrival. It seems that any whacky ideaI come up with he's willing to take a chance on. All of the works below fit under this description.
Works: (all pdf)
Athenaeum Arcane: Treasure Chests, Substandard Magic Items, Mallyate (3 separate titles in the same line)
The 11th Hour
Behind the Spells series (21 released with likely 13 more to go before a hardcover collection is printed)
And I think that's everything! Hope you enjoyed the trip with me down memory lane.
My Body of Work and Some Memoirs (part I)
I've been wanting to go through my files and see what exactly I've been up to over the last 5 years of hobby-lancing. Now seemed a good a time as any to do so. I thought I'd plop the list here in my blog so it will at least be saved someplace for future reference. I'm also throwing in my two cents about the publishers (you've been warned). This list includes companies that I may not even have credits with but either am working with behind the scenes or have done work for that hasn't been released yet). So here we go in no particular order...
Mystic Eye Games [Despite what I may have said in online forums since the company's self-destruction, I really did enjoy my time with MEG. Sure, I didn't get all the $$ they owed me but that's the nature of the industry sometimes. My involvement with MEG was one of the main reasons I drove to GenCon '04; working at their booth and even signing a few books for customers. My proudest work with them is in the latter two Foul Locales releases and to be the very first Dragonstar adventure alot of people had access to in Raw Recruits.
Works:
Foul Locales: Urban Blight, Beyond the Walls, Behind the Gates (3 separate titles)
Guilds & Adventurers
Dragonstar: Raw Recruits
Dragonstar: Veterans (unpublished)
Tournaments, Fairs, and Taverns
Bastion Press [This company appears to be going the same way as MEG. With profit likely a thing of the past, Bastion now seems to focusing its efforts on pdf releases of their new and old books. The good bits are a few more publishing credits, the chance to have a credit or two with ex-TSR staffer Jim Butler, and meeting up with freelancer Steve Creech. Since I was but a lowly contributor to the below books, none of them really hold a special place in my hobby-lancer heart (besides being good, useful products of course). On a side note, my time travel book, Temporality, was almost published through these guys. The tale is a long one, but it had to do with my other obligations at the time. And by the time I got back to the book and presented it to Bastion, their offer dropped by a zero. Not good. I was also asked by Steve to join their development team but, as I could see even back then, the company wasn't exactly pushing product out the door. I declined in favor of greener pastures.]
Works:
Arms & Armor (v3.5)
Into the Green
Torn Asunder: Critical Hits
Spells & Magic
Adamant Entertainment [The infamous Gareth-Michael Skarka's pdf company. If I could think up something worthwhile to do for Gareth I would likely write it without hesitation. Despite his online, often attention-getting persona, Gareth and I have had a great relationship. He sends my royalty statements and payments on a tight schedule. Would definitely recommend doing business with Adamant. He even agreed without much pressure to make my Dread Codex available as a print-on-demand book. Let me tell you, if you've ever had doubts about the quality of such books, put them to rest. The end result is fantastic. I enjoyed writing this book even if it did take 3 months. It's a great undead resource I wish more folks knew about.]
Works: (both pdf)
N.P.C.--Non-Player Compendium, Volume I
The Dread Codex
Green Ronin [Never did I ever believe I'd freelance for GR. But then the open call came for Denizens. Wow, I thought, to not only work for GR but to be a part of the Freeport legacy--too cool! Fortunately, both Brad and I made it into the NPC book. And then the opportunity came along to do Vengeance. After writing the adventure, Chris Pramas himself said he was using it in his own campaign!! I was on Cloud 9 for a couple days, let me tell you. Regrettably, with the recent Freeport line shakeup, it seems doubtful that I'll pen my second pdf, Invasion: Freeport. Time will tell.]
Works:
Denizens of Freeport
Vengeance in Freeport (pdf)
d20Zine! [I came to be involved with this e-zine primarily because of my relationship with d20Zine bigwig Steve Creech. I recall we had spoken on many occasions due to my loose association with Bastion Press and through general forums and the Mortality radio show. The periodical needed articles and I had this idea for elf-dwarf crossbreeds from my 2e Forgotten Realms campaign. The "dwelves" had come about when a dwarven and elven contingent became trapped beneath a mountain after an orc horde swept through the region. The two groups believed they were the last of their kind and so intermingled. The article didn't get much notice as I recall. But I've included a link if you'd like to read it for yourselves.]
Works:
Published in the June/July 2003 issue with "Valley of the Dwelves." The follow-up article, "New Beginnings" was in the December 2003 issue. Both can be picked up for free. See this link for the first: http://edge.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=1859
Mongoose Publishing [Mongoose was another possible publisher for my time travel book but Matt Sprange eventually went with the drivel they put out called Chronomancy. But, not one to be deterred, I kept an eye out for freelancing wants since they were (and are) quite the active company. Eventually, in 2003?, they had a call for pdf content writers. I wound up writing two sections for a pdf called Mist Elves; specifically, a prestige class and a lairs section. It was nice just to have a Mongoose credit and they paid in an efficient manner.]
Works: Mist Elves (pdf)
Hmm, I think I'll publish this in bits so I don't lose everything to a glitch. More to come!
Mystic Eye Games [Despite what I may have said in online forums since the company's self-destruction, I really did enjoy my time with MEG. Sure, I didn't get all the $$ they owed me but that's the nature of the industry sometimes. My involvement with MEG was one of the main reasons I drove to GenCon '04; working at their booth and even signing a few books for customers. My proudest work with them is in the latter two Foul Locales releases and to be the very first Dragonstar adventure alot of people had access to in Raw Recruits.
Works:
Foul Locales: Urban Blight, Beyond the Walls, Behind the Gates (3 separate titles)
Guilds & Adventurers
Dragonstar: Raw Recruits
Dragonstar: Veterans (unpublished)
Tournaments, Fairs, and Taverns
Bastion Press [This company appears to be going the same way as MEG. With profit likely a thing of the past, Bastion now seems to focusing its efforts on pdf releases of their new and old books. The good bits are a few more publishing credits, the chance to have a credit or two with ex-TSR staffer Jim Butler, and meeting up with freelancer Steve Creech. Since I was but a lowly contributor to the below books, none of them really hold a special place in my hobby-lancer heart (besides being good, useful products of course). On a side note, my time travel book, Temporality, was almost published through these guys. The tale is a long one, but it had to do with my other obligations at the time. And by the time I got back to the book and presented it to Bastion, their offer dropped by a zero. Not good. I was also asked by Steve to join their development team but, as I could see even back then, the company wasn't exactly pushing product out the door. I declined in favor of greener pastures.]
Works:
Arms & Armor (v3.5)
Into the Green
Torn Asunder: Critical Hits
Spells & Magic
Adamant Entertainment [The infamous Gareth-Michael Skarka's pdf company. If I could think up something worthwhile to do for Gareth I would likely write it without hesitation. Despite his online, often attention-getting persona, Gareth and I have had a great relationship. He sends my royalty statements and payments on a tight schedule. Would definitely recommend doing business with Adamant. He even agreed without much pressure to make my Dread Codex available as a print-on-demand book. Let me tell you, if you've ever had doubts about the quality of such books, put them to rest. The end result is fantastic. I enjoyed writing this book even if it did take 3 months. It's a great undead resource I wish more folks knew about.]
Works: (both pdf)
N.P.C.--Non-Player Compendium, Volume I
The Dread Codex
Green Ronin [Never did I ever believe I'd freelance for GR. But then the open call came for Denizens. Wow, I thought, to not only work for GR but to be a part of the Freeport legacy--too cool! Fortunately, both Brad and I made it into the NPC book. And then the opportunity came along to do Vengeance. After writing the adventure, Chris Pramas himself said he was using it in his own campaign!! I was on Cloud 9 for a couple days, let me tell you. Regrettably, with the recent Freeport line shakeup, it seems doubtful that I'll pen my second pdf, Invasion: Freeport. Time will tell.]
Works:
Denizens of Freeport
Vengeance in Freeport (pdf)
d20Zine! [I came to be involved with this e-zine primarily because of my relationship with d20Zine bigwig Steve Creech. I recall we had spoken on many occasions due to my loose association with Bastion Press and through general forums and the Mortality radio show. The periodical needed articles and I had this idea for elf-dwarf crossbreeds from my 2e Forgotten Realms campaign. The "dwelves" had come about when a dwarven and elven contingent became trapped beneath a mountain after an orc horde swept through the region. The two groups believed they were the last of their kind and so intermingled. The article didn't get much notice as I recall. But I've included a link if you'd like to read it for yourselves.]
Works:
Published in the June/July 2003 issue with "Valley of the Dwelves." The follow-up article, "New Beginnings" was in the December 2003 issue. Both can be picked up for free. See this link for the first: http://edge.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=1859
Mongoose Publishing [Mongoose was another possible publisher for my time travel book but Matt Sprange eventually went with the drivel they put out called Chronomancy. But, not one to be deterred, I kept an eye out for freelancing wants since they were (and are) quite the active company. Eventually, in 2003?, they had a call for pdf content writers. I wound up writing two sections for a pdf called Mist Elves; specifically, a prestige class and a lairs section. It was nice just to have a Mongoose credit and they paid in an efficient manner.]
Works: Mist Elves (pdf)
Hmm, I think I'll publish this in bits so I don't lose everything to a glitch. More to come!
Disintegrate!
Now up for sale is BtS: Disintegrate. Grab your copy here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=6807
Today I approached my day off rather leisurely. Ran my usual errands, mailed in my tax info (huzzah! I get a little money back!), hiked for about an hour...and then I tried to watch Rent which Linda let me borrow. Is it just me or do the songs in that movie suck? I couldn't get through half of the film. Time to get back to some reading.
Today I approached my day off rather leisurely. Ran my usual errands, mailed in my tax info (huzzah! I get a little money back!), hiked for about an hour...and then I tried to watch Rent which Linda let me borrow. Is it just me or do the songs in that movie suck? I couldn't get through half of the film. Time to get back to some reading.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
When the Glitter Fades
This has been a long time coming but I've finally decided to pull most of my hobby-lancing irons out of the fire. I've been regularly published in the d20 biz for the last five years. When I started, it was for two reasons--1) Fun! Who wouldn't want to have their name permanently implanted into their hobby's legacy? My fiction was going no place and game writing turned out to be a damned fine substitute. 2)Money! Doing something I love for dollars? Get out! But it's true. Most of the companies I worked with shoveled their paltry amount of bucks my way for services rendered. And I couldn't have been happier when the checks for my first solo work--Complete Guide to Dragonkin--came in. With that I thought, "Can I really make good money after all with game writing?" Pfft. Right.
The truth is that even though I could bang out full-length sourcebooks if I had to, the time-to-money ratio just isn't there. That's the rub. When an activity goes from "fun" to "obligation", especially one that doesn't give back in equal parts what you put in, then it's time to reexamine that activity. Don't get me wrong--I love roleplaying. I'll be gaming until I die and I'm not going anywhere. You'll still find me at the usual online venues. It's probably a good time to branch out anyway, what with 4th edition "right around the corner." ;) Seriously, since WotC will likely not have their next edition of D&D supported by any kind of OGL, I doubt that any d20 ventures will stay afloat. No use pouring more coffee into a cup that's just about full (strange analogy but I'm having coffee at the moment so it works).
But since I can't not write, here's the deal. I signed up with one of the freelance writer resource websites. You know, give 'em a few bucks and you "gain access to a dizzying amount of resources." Yeah, yeah, just show me your job listings already. I also still plan on keeping one gaming project going--in this case Behind the Spells. And who knows? If I can't really drum up non-gaming freelance gigs, then I'll see what might be left back in the d20 fold.
So stick around Freelancer's Rest. The fun may just be starting. Wish me luck!
The truth is that even though I could bang out full-length sourcebooks if I had to, the time-to-money ratio just isn't there. That's the rub. When an activity goes from "fun" to "obligation", especially one that doesn't give back in equal parts what you put in, then it's time to reexamine that activity. Don't get me wrong--I love roleplaying. I'll be gaming until I die and I'm not going anywhere. You'll still find me at the usual online venues. It's probably a good time to branch out anyway, what with 4th edition "right around the corner." ;) Seriously, since WotC will likely not have their next edition of D&D supported by any kind of OGL, I doubt that any d20 ventures will stay afloat. No use pouring more coffee into a cup that's just about full (strange analogy but I'm having coffee at the moment so it works).
But since I can't not write, here's the deal. I signed up with one of the freelance writer resource websites. You know, give 'em a few bucks and you "gain access to a dizzying amount of resources." Yeah, yeah, just show me your job listings already. I also still plan on keeping one gaming project going--in this case Behind the Spells. And who knows? If I can't really drum up non-gaming freelance gigs, then I'll see what might be left back in the d20 fold.
So stick around Freelancer's Rest. The fun may just be starting. Wish me luck!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
I Want My Hour Back
Tonight is daylight savings where the clocks move an hour ahead. What a crock. Maybe I don't want to adjust my clock. Are the TIME POLICE going to come and arrest me? Why can't I bump the clock back an hour each time? Eventually it will be right for a year. The whole concept is just man's way of attempting to control time itself. This kind of idiocy is why dolphins will one day rule unchallenged.
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