It's hard to get definite information, but it does seem that backers of The Serpent King's Domain are now starting to get their hardcover copies from Megara. See Exhibit A above, m'lud. And while I think that the higher-level backers won't be getting theirs for a while yet, on account of Jamie and I haven't been sent any bookplates to sign, it does beg the question of when Fabled Lands Publishing should release the paperbacks.Almost forgotten I’d Kickstarted the seventh FABLED LANDS gamebook - it arrived today!— Mark Chaplin (@Yugblad) January 12, 2018
Terrific art by Russ Nicholson. Can’t wait to travel through the 1200 paragraphs of THE SERPENT KING’S DOMAIN! pic.twitter.com/ebPcsUpMew
I put this question to Mikael Louys of Megara before Christmas and he said:
"As until January I am alone to print and ship copies one by one manually it will take a lot of time I suggest you start selling your edition."So Jamie and I figure it's time. However, we don't want to spoil anything for the KS backers, who after all are the reason this book even exists, so we're inviting any backer who strongly objects to the paperbacks being released to get in touch. Leave a comment below or, if you're concerned about provoking a pitchfork-wielding mob, our contact details are there in the sidebar.
If we don't get any vetoes, we'll press ahead with publication by mid-February. Sound fair?
Speaking as one of those "higher level" backers, I want FL7 and I want it nowish. Go forth and publish ASAP. Like I've said before, the hardcover will look lovely on a shelf, but the thing I mean to play with will be the softcover and I want to start playing with a physical book ASA-freakin'-P.
ReplyDeleteI guess one advantage of the delay is that it's given time for some in-depth playtesting. I'm just waiting to see if Paul wants to change the text to clarify some of the points you've raised, John, and then I'll light the fuse.
DeleteDave will likely talk about this stuff more in-depth later, but the softcover will include several corrections and clarification that didn't quite make it into the hardcover. I'm also working with Dave, Jaime, Paul and Richard Hetley on an Errata for Fabled Lands as a whole which will also include the various corrections/clarifications for The Serpent King's Domain.
DeleteAs someone who is waiting on a signed copy from the Kickstarter I don't have a problem with this. I plan to buy the paperback as well. Is it still the case that you will be making a large format version to match the size of the original books?
ReplyDeleteThat's right, there will be two editions: a large-format and a regular paperback.
DeleteAs one of the backers, who hasn’t yet received his hardback copy - I am more than happy for the paperbacks to go on sale now and hope they start flying off the shelves ! If anyone protests, refer them to the Court of Arbitration for Roleplaying (in Tekumel, of course)
ReplyDeleteSales-wise it's not exactly going to be the new James Patterson, John, nor quality-wise either I hope -- but thanks!
DeleteMay I please have the links to the six large-format books through Amazon US? Are these available through Barnes and Noble?
ReplyDeleteMerge this will help,
Deletehttps://m.barnesandnoble.com/s/Fabled+lands
If you want the original large format books you will have to go on eBay and pay a lot more as a result.
For books 1 and 2 just search on Amazon for "Fabled Lands large format", Mike. There's no modern large-format edition of books 3-6 yet, but maybe some copies of the 1990s UK editions are still available.
DeleteJust as an extra note, the versions of books 1 and 2 under the Quest title can be picked up pretty cheap; they're only slightly smaller than the actual Fabled Lands version, but otherwise mirror the page layout exactly. The only thing of significance you'll lose is the coloured map.
DeleteSpeaking as a low level backer as well as one who hasn't received their copy yet, put them out there, by all means. I will need a second edition of the book anyways.
ReplyDeleteIf you still can, please make the map in the paperbacks as large as possible! Or maybe make high-def printouts. I'd buy them.
Thanks for continuing the series!
For the best map, Andi, you'll want the large format edition. The map is in full colour on the back cover. In the regular paperback the map appears inside in black & white, and a lot smaller.
DeleteI really need to restart my blog. Perhaps when my backer copy arrives I'll make a review my first post
ReplyDeleteThat'd be great, Marie. Reviews really help bring in new players. Oh, and if you or anyone else does review the book, please consider putting that review up on Amazon too.
DeleteKickstarter is an investment platform, so as an investor, feel free to sell softcover editions. I am not offended.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aaron. I've long felt that somebody ought to set up a true crowd-investment site, ie one where you actually share in the back end of the project you help to get funded -- but that might be quite a logistical nightmare.
DeleteAmazing. I just bought a copy on Amazon. Didn't think this was going to be available till summer! The last couple days I've been having a strong itch to play through the game again. Just last night I read through the rules again to freshen up. Good timing! Hoping my son will take an interest and I can narrate a play through for him. Also, nice to see the kickstarter backers support the idea of selling copy's before the kickstarter orders are 100% fulfilled, that's just good human decency in my opinion! Well now I'm excited.
ReplyDelete