Chris A. Jackson

Chris A Jackson's page

Contributor. Organized Play Member. 297 posts. 1 review. No lists. No wishlists. 1 Organized Play character. 1 alias.


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Ghoster wrote:
I feel like this is a longshot but felt it still prudent to ask the question nonetheless--does Paizo allow for up-and-coming authors to try their hand at writing novels set within their universe?

Generally, not without direct permission. There's nothing to stop you from writing Fan Fiction, or you can publish on Pathfinder Infinite and make a little money. That's a third party deal with DriveThru RPG. Maybe look into it. But writing something then presenting it to Paizo is not okay. Also, selling anything you write outside of a third party publisher is also breaking Copyright law.

If you have a body of work, pitching yourself as a potential writer to Mark Moreland is not a horrible idea. That's how I got my start writing Pathfinder Tales. The upcoming novel, to be published next year, is, I think, kind of a test market to see how things go.

Best of luck!

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Well done, Lyz! Excellent story!

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Just Wow! This is awesome!

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Excellent story! Well done, Liane! Horrific and gut wrenching, to be sure, but it gives a nice snapshot of the myriad conflicts going on.

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Seduced by the not-so-dark side... I like this a lot. Loved her walking backward up stairs and touching him so familiarly. I wondered what spells she might be casting on him.

Nicely done, Tim!

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Thanks everyone for the comments, and thanks again to Luis for letting me use his ship and characters! Heavy weather sailing is terrifying and, at the same time, awe inspiring. Glad that came through. I really wanted the sea to strike fear in the Chelish...

I ran Skulls and Shackles for my group, and we had a great time with the AP, and had a really eclectic crew. Sorcerer/barbarian captain, Besmara cleric first mate, badass peg-leg bosun, and a gillman rogue master at arms. I loved using the ship flip-maps for ship-to-ship combat. Deck combat was so awesome!

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Thanks for the comments everyone. Wow, never thought there would be such a lot of comments about the word "fart." HA! Provoked a little etymology exercise, I guess.

Twilp showed up in all three of my novels, and I kind of had a soft spot in my heart for him. Not the first time he's been cornered into an difficult situation by agreeing to steal something for someone powerful...

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Thanks everyone for the comments! I was actually channeling Wes when I wrote this...sort of. I know this was his baby, and I felt honored to be allowed to fill his shoes here, or at least try to.

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A little light house cleaning... Valeros style. Nice job!

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I love the ending here, James. "Oh, so you think you have me where you want me? Ha, I actually have you where I want you!" Well done!

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Great story, James! Very nice hook at the end, too. Looking forward to more!

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Andrew Crossett wrote:

I'm still catching up on the existing novels (which is probably going to be harder since I imagine Tor has let them fall out of print).

It would be nice to see some novels to accompany the 2nd edition launch, and also some Starfinder fiction. But fantasy gaming fiction appears to be in a bad spot now. Even with the very successful D&D 5E, WotC hasn't published a new D&D novel since 2016.

I hope we will at least get more Pathfinder comics.

The Tor published novels are still available. Or, at least this one is. Thing about digital is it never goes out of print, but there are still print copies available. https://www.amazon.com/Pathfinder-Tales-Pirates-Prophecy/dp/B01DWIYHTQ/ref= sr_1_1?keywords=Pirate%27s+Prophecy&qid=1554998027&s=books&sr=1 -1

If you want mine in print, find me at GenCon!

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DustynB wrote:


https://paizo.com/threads/rzs42huz?Pathfinder-Second-Edition-Subscription-Q uestions#32

I'd love to see the orphaned novels published, too... but then, two of them are mine... *sigh*

Steve Geddes wrote:
Presumably the Pathfinder Tales subscription line is gradually moving further and further into the unlikely-to-happen category. Nonetheless, this has been one of the greatest disappointments. If there's anyway to bring this back (even if it were brought back in-house and at a slower, twice a year release schedule or something) I'd be very, very happy.

Erik Mona Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see us get back into fiction, and I really really really want to find a way to release the half-dozen "orphaned" novels we've got from when the regular releases wound down a couple years ago.

Consider the fiction an idea that is waiting for its time to strike again. We're definitely not closing the door on the idea of doing more fiction.

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Nice story, James! I especially like how you rendered "rage." Very cool.

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rknop wrote:

Different setting, different characters, but same author, and if you liked the Golarion pirate books, there's a good chance you'll like "The Queen's Scourge".

http://www.jaxbooks.com/out-of-print-books-available/

Sadly, it's listed as out of print, but there are some copies left.

Heads up: That publisher went under, and I got the rights back. I rewrote the story set in my own world, renamed the novel "The Pirate's Scourge" and published it myself. It's available everywhere e-books are sold, and in print from Amazon. You can find it (and an excerpt) on my website.

Thanks!

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Gorbacz wrote:

Well, if you're holding your breath for Chris Jackson's unreleased books, I have bad news and good news. Paizo has reached an agreement with Chris allowing him to re-write his unreleased PF Tales pirates books and release them, serial numbers scrubbed. The first of those, "Pirate's Scourge" is out now and is, as you could expect, a blast.

The bad news is that if authors reach such agreements with the publisher, I wouldn't hope for the Tales returning anytime soon.

I'm afraid there's a misunderstanding here.

I've not reached any agreement with Paizo concerning the two novels still unpublished, and "The Pirate's Scourge" has nothing to do with those characters or Piazo. The novel was originally titled "The Queen's Scourge" and was part of a shared world project (not an RPG) from a completely different publisher. The publisher failed, and I got rights back automatically. I rewrote the story set in my own world, a previously undefined region called The Blood Sea, and self published it as "The Pirate's Scourge."

Anyway, sorry for the confusion. There will be at least two more "Blood Sea Tales", the next one "The Pirate's Truth" to be released this spring. They are indeed rollicking stories.

As far as the future of Pathfinder Tales, I've heard nothing yet.

Just an FYI to everyone: I was writing pirate stories for years before I wrote "Pirate's Honor", and I'll be writing them for many more years to come, along with other non-pirate stories. If you're interested in my work, please visit my website, jaxbooks.com.

Thanks.

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rknop wrote:

Different setting, different characters, but same author, and if you liked the Golarion pirate books, there's a good chance you'll like "The Queen's Scourge".

http://www.jaxbooks.com/out-of-print-books-available/

Sadly, it's listed as out of print, but there are some copies left.

Just so everyone knows, this novel has been rewritten in my own world and republished. It is now titled "The Pirate's Scourge" and two sequels are in the works. You can get a taste at Jaxbooks.com. Enjoy!

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rknop wrote:

Different setting, different characters, but same author, and if you liked the Golarion pirate books, there's a good chance you'll like "The Queen's Scourge".

http://www.jaxbooks.com/out-of-print-books-available/

Sadly, it's listed as out of print, but there are some copies left.

Been a while since I've been on the boards, but thanks for this. "The Queen's Scourge" has gone out of print because the publisher folded. The book has been re-written for my own world (not many real changes to the story, just the world) and re-released as "The Pirate's Scourge" Look for it on Amazon, or drop by Jaxbooks for a taste. It's the first in a new series, the Blood Sea Tales. Thanks very much!

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These are brilliant! I know what I'm getting my GM for Christmas!

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Elegos wrote:
One of them is the 4th in Chris Jacksons Pirate series. I need it so badly.

Yes...You really do. I'm very proud of that book (and there's one more in the works, too).

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The Rot Grub wrote:

That first pic looks amazing!

But then I looked closer... Are those people at the bottom? Aren't they too big for those buildings?

They could be giants... ;-)

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GeraintElberion wrote:

Erik Mona was interviewed on the latest Know Direction podcast.

He said that they were not getting any better distribution or sales with Tor than before. They want a partner who can improve this.

Also, people leaving has disrupted the hunt for a new partner. PF Tales doesn't even have an editor for the line at the moment.

And, as a low-profit line, it's not first ont he list to get sorted.

To be clear, Erik did NOT say that people leaving disrupted the hunt for a new partner in the interview. Also, there is an "editor" for the line lined up (when James left, I was told who that would be, and I have complete confidence in that person's abilities, but I'm not really able to say who that is.) What Erik said was that this person is doing other things, but is ready to step into that role. The fact is, there really is nothing to edit at this point (the orphaned books are in various stages of done-ness, some are complete except for cover art and back-matter, others need a final edit) but until the line is going again, naming an editor for the line is a bit like naming a pilot for a plane that is sitting in a hanger.

Hope that clears the waters a bit.

And yes, I have books that are orphaned here, so I have a vested interest in seeing things move forward.

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Gabrielle wrote:

Here's a question for my fellow PFTales authors: If you're allowed to say, what are you working on now?

Just submitted a hard SF novel, and I'm brushing up a near-future SF Fantasy for submission... Also touching up a fantasy novel being re-tooled for my own world (a new Asian themed area, and a pirate novel) and writing a new fantasy novel for Jaxworld (might submit it, might self-pub it) with a middle-eastern flavor (Shape shifters, djinn, rakshasa, and alchemists, oh my!)

Thanks Gabrielle!

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joshua neeley wrote:
I also met the author, Chris Jackson, at Gen Con this year. A swell guy!

Great to meet you, too, Josh! Glad you're enjoying the stories! With luck, next year GenCon there will be more PFTs...

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Selvaxri wrote:

Why is Varian a Wizard and Celeste a Sorcerer?

** spoiler omitted **

Celeste *is* a sorcerer, and only gains her oracle level in Pirate's Prophecy. So...that's why.

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cartmanbeck wrote:

You should absolutely care about Celeste.

Thank you... To each his own... Kissy books aren't for everyone.

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Gabrielle wrote:
I'm so excited to play Celeste!

And you can get Appleslayer as a companion!

I learned of this at GenCon... Yeah... so cool.

Glad everyone love my serpentine navigator!

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Best wishes, my friend. Stay sane and keep in touch!

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Rysky the Dark Solarion wrote:
Chris A Jackson wrote:
GM_Beernorg wrote:
goblins WITH lasers....I mean....what more do we need...?
Space pirate goblins with lasers!!!
... are you writing a Starfinder space pirate novel?

Alas, no... Not yet, at least.

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GM_Beernorg wrote:
goblins WITH lasers....I mean....what more do we need...?

Space pirate goblins with lasers!!!

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GeraintElberion wrote:
Listening to the podcasts from Paizocon, apparently they have 6 novels written and are just waiting for the right publisher/deal.

I can testify that this is fact. Ahem... Keep a weather eye on the horizon...

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Don't know what to say, except that I'll miss your smiling welcome every time we meet... but we will undoubtedly meet again on some distant shore. Keep a weather eye on the horizon, Master Wes, for 'tis a small world we sail 'round, and I know your flag and the cut of your jib.

Fair winds, calm seas, and a star to steer her by, my friend.

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Belabras wrote:
I encourage all of you to write reviews on the book product pages. The authors really appreciate it.

I would really encourage everyone to also copy their reviews to Amazon. Whether you like Amazon or not, they are a huge market, and there is a tipping point of positive reviews where product visibility is greatly increased. I have seen titles that languished for more than a year, broke 20 positive reviews, then went ballistic.

Reviews help!!! And thank you to everyone who writes them!

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Taskuhecate wrote:


Aww. . . I did half expect that answer, though. Suppose that means I should try and finish my novel - any tips on world-building? I'm finding myself getting overwhelmed trying to create an intricate world and the way the countries interact with one another, and how the several different cultures within those countries interact, etc. I'm very good with characters, less-so with all the world-building.

Worldbuilding can bog you down, certainly. My only advice there is do some research on "problems in worldbuilding" and avoid them. Keep in mind, however, that your characters are primary, and the world you have to create is what they know of it. A farm boy won't know much about the socioeconomics of the world, or even the geography, mythology, etc outside of his area. I'd advise that you let it grow organically from what they know and not try to solve all of the problems at once. Having said that, keep a log of details so you don't create inconsistencies.

Hope that helps!

Write on!

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Sorry I'm slow on finding this thread. I'm in internet hell and don't visit much lately. There are novels in the works. That's all I can say right now. Thanks for the interest!

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I don't use one as a major character, but Pirate's Honor has a Jani, Pok-nal, as a secondary character.

You may even see him again...

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There's always a lure to up the ante with every successive book. There are pluses and minuses in doing so, however.

On the upside...the magic and powers are way cool to play with in a story narrative. Finding new ways to apply spells (sometimes not as the designers intended... Muaa haa haa) is a blast.

On the downside, if your characters are such badasses, who in Golarion can oppose them. You run into the superman scenario really quickly.

Oh, and I hope you all enjoy the upcoming "Pirate's Curse"... I up the ante as far as villains go by quite a lot...

Muaa haa haa!

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Steve Geddes wrote:
How does a novel get commissioned? Do you guys go to James Sutter with a story idea and pitch it to him, does he come to you? Does it generally start as something loose: "We want you to write a pirate novel" or is it more defined: "Here's a completish outline of the story we want written - note the goblin with a lisp in chapter four"?

Pretty much what Liane just said...

My first approach to Paizo was at Gencon, and I pitched myself as a nautical fantasy writer, not with any specific idea for a story in mind. I talked to Sutter directly, and just happened to have something that nobody else was pitching at that point.

It varies from novel to novel a lot for me how much input I get from the editor on story plot. As Liane stated, we pitch an idea, then get approval or approval with changes or suggestions, then hand in a chapter-by-chapter outline. For me this is no problem, since that's how I start anyway. Maybe that's one reason I like working for Paizo so much...we are on the same page on a lot of things.

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John Kretzer wrote:
So are the PF Tales authors excited about StarFinder and a chance to write sci-fantasy?

I already am writing some Pathfinder "Swords and Planets" fiction for a third party company, Legendary Games. The Legendary Planets AP isn't Starfinder, a lot more like John Carter of Mars meets Pathfinder, but it is a beautiful product. Seven installments coming, the first two and a primer are already out.

As for writing for Starfinder...That'd be fun, but there's no one even talking about that yet... Gotta get the game out first!

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Gordrenn Higgler wrote:
When including spells with expensive components and creation of magic items, do you ignore the material requirements from the game mechanics or do you include something else?

Liane is much more detail oriented there than I. I sometimes get into spell components when it's a major issue, like casting scry, you have to have a silver mirror, so Celeste had to buy one, and that was kind of tricky because she was casting it from a scroll, but the mirror made sense to keep, so it was kept. I certainly don't use spell components as plot points much, but sometimes as a financial burden. In my novels, I've never had anyone in the story create a magical item. I tend to write sorcerers more than wizards. I do keep track of how much magical items cost, however. Not many pirates can dump 10K gold on a trinket!

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Tyler Jacobson just won a Chelsey Award for this cover! Congrats to Tyler and to Howard!

Awesome cover

http://www.locusmag.com/News/2016/08/2016-chesley-awards-winners/

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As long as there are space pirates... I'm in!

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flash_cxxi wrote:
Any idea when the Audiobook for this will become available?

The audio is now available, and the sample is quite nice! Steve West does Torius Vin, doing an Thuvian accent! Sweet!

http://www.amazon.com/Pathfinder-Tales-Pirates-Prophecy/dp/B01DWIYHTQ/ref=t mm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

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Kajehase wrote:
Have any of you read any particularly good books lately?

Reading the Dennis Lehane "Kenzie/Genarro" novels... Damn fine writing.

One of my biggest problems is that I do not read enough. I can't turn off my internal editor. I'm actually leaning toward audiobooks for this reason. I'm not as critical when I'm listening.

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The betrayal of family, for me, was the linchpin *gotcha* in this novel. My heart broke... I literally had to stop reading, put the book down and catch my breath. What a superb moment. The "B!tch Slap" from hell...

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Mark Moreland wrote:
FYI, Forge of Ashes author and Paizo editor Josh Vogt is doing a Reddit AMA today. You can ask him questions about Pathfinder Tales, books in his Cleaners series, or whatever (literally, ask him anything). The AMA can be found here.

Forge of Ashes also just got short listed for a Scribe Award! Woot to Josh!

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Alayern wrote:
For those of you fine folk who are full-time (or close to it) authors, how long did it take for your writing to become your primary source of income?

A very long time... I started writing "seriously" about 25 years ago. I quit my day job to do some sailing in 2009 (figuring I could maybe get four years in before having to go back to work) about the time the Scimitar Seas novels were starting. Those did well, I started writing for Paizo, then had a self-published series hit on digital. We have been very lucky and have been paying all of our bills (few though they may be, since we're just sailing around with no mortgage) with our writing proceeds for the past four years or so.

Financial independence as a writer (as your only income) is hard to achieve. The vast majority of "professional writers" have day jobs. The old adage goes "Don't quit the day job unless you've got three years of income in the bank." Good advice.

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Proud to have a short piece of fiction in this one! I'm slated to have one in each chapter! Love Swords and Planets. Cut my teeth on John Carter of Mars...

Plus, my cyborg, rogue, smuggler is a badass... ;-)

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Belabras wrote:

Question for everyone:

How did you get started? Fan-fic, open submissions, etc? What was your first foray into the field?

Not sure if you mean with Paizo, or writing in general, so I'll answer both.

I wrote a few novels, and tried submissions directly, which failed. I got an agent, which turned into a disaster (no details there) and I got disgusted. So, I self-published three novels and started marketing at conventions. At conventions I met other writers, and got a recommendation to a small press, who picked me up to write a series. If you are serious about getting into SFF writing, conventions are an excellent place to make connections and get exposure, but they're not cheap, so for those first several years, my day job was paying for my writing career, but it turned out to be a good investment. That series (the Scimitar Seas novels) did well, and since they were nautical fiction, I pitched myself to Paizo (at GenCon) as the guy who could write Pathfinder pirate stories. They had just come out with Skull and Shackles, so there was a market for this, and a niche for a novelist to fill. Sutter liked my samples, and the Stargazer short story, and picked me up for a novel. Serendipitously, just before Pirate's Honor came out, one of my self-published titles, Weapon of Flesh, which has always been one my fans have been bugging me to continue with a sequel, went crazy in digital sales, so that series continued and is doing pretty well.
Now I'm a full-fledged, and full-time, hybrid author, writing for a few different publishers and myself.

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Alayern wrote:
How do you folks outline your novels? Bullet points? Mindmapping? Sticky-notes with push pins and string and low-res pictures on a cork board a la conspiracy theorist?

I outline all my novels because I've got a crappy memory. Also, as far as the PFT stories go, we have to submit an outline before we get the green light to write it, so...

I hate sticky notes (but my wife loves them). I always create a "timeline" document to keep a quick reference of what is happening in which chapter.

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