Hello,
I'm sorry if this might be in the wrong forum, but I'm looking for news (any news) regarding Axel from Headless Hydra Games. I've done some freelance work for him, and have actually pitched him a PDF series (Libris Monstrous) which Axel accepted. Author Sam Hing has also come aboard as an additional writer for the PDF series, and turned in a manuscript and I have since turned in a 2nd manuscript ... months ago ... and haven't had any updates/communication. I'm worried about Axel, and just want to know everything is okay.
However, at the same time, I'm also concerned/wondering what becomes of "Libris Monstrous" if something has happened to HHG.
Axel, if you see this please PM me ... or email me.
If anyone has ANY information to share ... that's appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance,
Dean
A quick search turns up his website, which hasn't been updated since November 2012, so...he may be out of the biz, at the very least.
You probably already knew that but figured I'd say so anyway.
A quick search turns up his website, which hasn't been updated since November 2012, so...he may be out of the biz, at the very least.
You probably already knew that but figured I'd say so anyway.
Rynjin ... thanks for that nonetheless.
That's a little disheartening to say the least. I wonder what happens to Sam (Hing's) and my manuscripts (or what would have been Libris Monstrous volumes 2 and 3). I don't know about Sam, but I had several more in mind to do.
Any practitioners of "legalities" ... here's a question (although I think I know the answer to this also) ... Question: Since I pitched the "Libris Monstrous" series idea to Axel (and he accepted) then Libris Monstrous is now the property of HHG ... true? What (if anything) can be done to "reclaim" it and continue it with another 3pp? Or have I "lost" this completely?
Once again, thanks in advance for any help with this.
~Dean
I am by no means a legal expert, but I THINK that as long as you signed no contract giving him the rights to your work, and he hasn't published it yet, it's still yours. Especially if his company is no longer in business.
There's other on here that are much more knowledgeable than I, however. Consider this a bump.
If HHG has language in place on their website that was already there when, or has distributed language to you PRIOR to your submission, that ownership transfers to them immediately upon submission, then they may eventually have a case that they own your manuscripts.
If not, or if they try to impose such language after the fact, they will have very little legal standing, at all.
Contract law favors the party that did NOT write the contract. So any vague passages, or the absence of a written or understood contract, will fall to favor the party that did not write it, in this case, yourself.
Does HHG have such language on their website, or did Axel forward any contract language to you before you submitted your manuscripts?
UPDATE: I checked out the site (blog, really), and the only information concerning writing for them, that is posted, is this:
Writing for HHG
Headless Hydra Games is, as previously stated, always looking for new (and old) talent. However, our main focus is on the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and on expanding the campaign setting, Mor Aldenn, City of Mages!
If you have an idea, don’t be afraid to drop it here or maybe in an email (see About HHG). However, I cannot guarantee that I will like it or even use it, but how will you know if you don’t try?
Submissions don’t need to follow any particular guidelines, but try (at least) to make it look professional and pleasing to the eye.
There's no legalize here. So if he did not send you any via letter or email prior to submission, or you did not agree to any after submission, then you have nothing to worry about.
In your position, I would then simply send him an email stating purpose to use your manuscripts for independent publishing, or to sell to another entity, and ask him to acknowledge this. If he acknowledges it, you're golden. If a lot of time passes with no acknowledgement, then see what I said above about vagueness falling in favor of the party without contract language. You'd still be just fine.
I think I've heard it said that HHG are out of the game for PF, but not sure. Anyways, I've flagged this to get moved to "Compatible Products From Other Publishers", someone there will probably know better.
Hey Rynjin, Bruunwald, and necromental ... thank you one and all.
@Bruunwald as it happens I never did sign a contract, just had the idea and pitched it to Axel (who in turn accepted the idea). But, no contract was offered or signed.
Thanks again.
I will send Axel another email, and see what what's.
~Dean
Hey Rynjin, Bruunwald, and necromental ... thank you one and all.
@Bruunwald as it happens I never did sign a contract, just had the idea and pitched it to Axel (who in turn accepted the idea). But, no contract was offered or signed.
Thanks again.
I will send Axel another email, and see what what's.
~Dean
Oh, by the way ... I also want to clarify something (actually thought I had said this previously) I have been paid for my manuscripts (both of them) so I'm not worried about "money" per se ... I'm mostly interested in continuing "Libris Monstrous" either as an independent or with another 3pp (likely with another 3pp). I can't speak for Sam Hing (on whether or not he got paid for his manuscript) but if I did, then it's likely he did as well.
Thanks once again everyone.
~Dean
For those that might be curious, I have since heard from Axel, and he has given me his blessing to continue with "Librs Monstrous" and with another 3pp if possible.
As luck would have it, I have recently received a PM from Andreas (of Dreamscarred Press) about possible interest in "Libris Monstrous".
It would be nice to work again with Andreas and Jeremy and the DSP crew (it's were I got my start after all).
Thanks to everyone that helped me out with my questions/concerns.
Regards,
Dean
Good luck