Have no idea how many have been sold through the Paizo Store, if any, but I've sold 42 so far from other channels in about 2 weeks with no advertising except forum posts and word of mouth. So I've already broke even on my cost of production. No real profits though, yet. I have a banner ad going up at EnWorld next week, and an ad placed into next week's Roleplayingtips.com Newsletter - so we'll what kind of promotion that does. Also my local paper is writing an article up on me for this - small, local news, but fun just the same.
I'm happy enough getting some sales though.
GP
Unfortunately, my opportunity to play this evaporated over the holidays, still, I've enjoyed reading it. How is part 2 coming?
Unfortunately, the publisher has been a real pain, after discussions on fixing the contract, I have never received a final contract, and he wants control although creatively he put nothing into it. So as far as I can tell, Kaidan is dead in the water. I can't move it to another publisher, or self publish - its been a fight.
While I'd still like to create the Kaidan setting RPG handbook, I may have to do that under a different system name or something else. Dementia 5 Publishing is no help in this situation.
I wish I had a better answer for you, sorry.
It makes me sick, I'll tell you.
GP
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Unfortunately, the publisher has been a real pain, after discussions on fixing the contract, I have never received a final contract, and he wants control although creatively he put nothing into it. So as far as I can tell, Kaidan is dead in the water. I can't move it to another publisher, or self publish - its been a fight.
While I'd still like to create the Kaidan setting RPG handbook, I may have to do that under a different system name or something else. Dementia 5 Publishing is no help in this situation.
I wish I had a better answer for you, sorry.
It makes me sick, I'll tell you.
GP
Ugh. Sorry to hear that.
Since there is no contract implied or signed, I may just continue publishing this on my own - or as an imprint under Rite Publishing, since I don't personally have a Pathfinder Roleplaying Game License. I am reluctant to continue with The Gift, however, preferring to starting with a level one, Kaidanese PCs only campaign.
I am quite busy until the end of the month working on a set of commission maps for Dog House Rulez, Sidewinder - Recoiled adventure.
After this I will try to create a brand new adventure set in Kaidan, I already have storylines developed up to 3rd level plus.
Would it be terribly inconvenient to not have The Gift trilogy complete, instead starting over with a locals only campaign storyline?
Give me some thoughts to that, and I'll see about getting the new adventure started in February, 2010.
Thoughts?
GP
Wow, I'm really sorry to hear things have taken such a turn. Personally, I was looking forward to seeing where the Gift went. I really liked the idea of having the pcs being outsiders in the mysterious setting of Kaidan. (Off-topic: I discovered the Kaidan movie and stuck it in my queue!)
It may be worth the struggle to continue with The Gift, I suppose - its just that the first adventure is a D5 publication, and doing the Gift Parts 2 and 3 under a different publisher, might be problematic.
Good thoughts anyway.
GP
I'll be pulling for you, GP. Please let us know if there are any developments.
Aside: Kaidan the movie is based on Lafcadio Hearn's, Kwaidan: Strange Tales, written in the 1890's - is a collection of short stories collected by Lafcadio Hearn (adopted into a samurai family and changed his name to Koizumi Yagumo). Anyway the movie is based on that book, and since I read that book when I was 15 shortly before my second trip to Japan, it was a compelling reason to get involved with Kaidan in the first place.
Interesting side note: Kaidan (part of a longer Japanese name) was a ghost story telling game played by Japanese in the 16th century, many great ghost stories were sought, collected and retold as part of this game. I thought it was neat to use Kaidan as the name of my setting, since though not an RPG was part of a story-telling game tradition that's 500 years old. This - was the reason I chose to use Kaidan as the name. Kind of ironic in that sense.
GP
A great choice, IMO.
We can set you up as in imprint and it should not be a problem, but let me get some stuff off my plate, so we can talk.
Steve Russell
Rite Publishing
Unfortunately, the publisher has been a real pain, after discussions on fixing the contract, I have never received a final contract, and he wants control although creatively he put nothing into it. So as far as I can tell, Kaidan is dead in the water. I can't move it to another publisher, or self publish - its been a fight.
Steve at Rite Publishing is a good guy to do business with on this. I think you two will be a good match.
Locked at original poster's request.
Senior Software Developer
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We've had a chance to talk this over and we've decided to unlock the thread. I don't see any reason for this thread to be locked. Normally we only close down a conversation when it's gone completely off the rails, and this particular conversation seems OK -- so far.
Note that if people have legal or publisher issues with one another, our messageboards are not the place to fight it out.
Lord Infinata,
I have sent an email to the contact info on your website. If you would please email me back I would appreciate it.
Steve Russell
Rite Publishing
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I thought I would point out, for those with an interest in this project, that Steve has a poll concerning his next patron project. Kaidan is one of those potential projects. So if you think you might be interested in supporting this as a patron, head over there and vote.
Wicht, restart this in a new thread to capture attention. I know a couple who'd definitely be interested.
Polls are for our existing patrons Wicht (patronage has its privleges), while folks here can see the forum (because its in general admission) they won't be able to register, post, or vote because they are not patrons of a project or subscribers to the 101 series.
So, it's kind of a pay to play deal instead of looking from the outside in and putting in your dollars to contribute to a patronage you really want (when the others don't interest you)?
Please clarify? The way I originally read your response above was kind of a turn-off. This would make a guy like Kaidan Booster Sad.
::Gets out hanky::
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Polls are for our existing patrons Wicht (patronage has its privleges), while folks here can see the forum (because its in general admission) they won't be able to register, post, or vote because they are not patrons of a project or subscribers to the 101 series.
My bad, I thought the general forum was open to non-patron participation.
Our existing patrons (of any project) get the privilige of telling me what project I am doing next rather than me deciding what project I am doing next
Wulfgang Baur's Open Design generally does the same thing.
This is good business sense because I am talking to people who are interested in patronage projects and have previously given me their money and it also provides a bonus to my existing customers.
This stage is not something we make public, its private and part of the patronage process. (Gets a big stick to beat Mr. McAnuluty about the head after he gets done with Coliseum Morpheuon).
Then once a project is chosen, we open it up for the general public to pay to participate in the patronage project. Here is an example of the steps before a project
1. While were waiting what's next.
2. Kaiden gets chosen.
3. I recruit a "staff" designer (like Jonathan McAnulty), illustrator, editor, cartographer (gamer-printer), layout artist (gamer-printer)
4. Knowing who I have to pay and how much I create a budget.
5. Based on the budget I can set the levels of access for bronze, silver, and gold level patronage.
6. I open up the project for patronage.
7. We have 60 days to hit our minimum threshold goal, lets say 30 bronze patrons. If we don't hit the goal the money gets refunded.
8. We hit goal we open our forums to the patrons who provide feedback at their levels of access to the production of the project. (brainstorming, pitches, art descriptions, art correction, playtesting, proofreading etc.)
9. Final Book goes into layout.
10. while we are waiting what's next?
11 book goes to proofing (by patrons and staff)
12. final book
13. I talk to my print/distribution partner Cubicle 7 about the print run and distribution of the book.
14. It goes on sale at a cost no less than the cost of bronze patronage.