So I've been writing an RPG and play testing some facets of it for the last 6 months or so. The book is written with the intent to be fully compatible with pathfinder (possibly with starfinder as well.)
I've been reading up on publishing processes (editing publishing etc.) and compatibility with pathfinder
I've also been looking into kick starter and such for funding.
I'm slowly approaching a point where I will want to start looking into editing and formatting with in the year I would say. I also during the writing process (that i'm still going through) would like to make sure i'm not breaking any Copyright issues and it meets compatibility requirements I have read the license agreement and intend to submit the forms before I move past the writing process.
I have also been having a good number of questions come up in my mind.
Since the book is ideally for people that play pathfinder I figured I would post questions to the community here. for some possible feed back.
Process questions: Is their a preferred place to find an editor and someone to format that are specialized in RPGs? I still may be formatting myself but The more I read the more I want to lean towards a professional.
Audience questions:
The book will contain a completely new and original setting. plus rules to back up that setting (including new equipment, classes, powers, skills, etc.). however as a potential patron assuming this setting would be of interest to you. would it be preferable to have a rehashing of all applicable pathfinder rules such as skills, feats and a general combat section in the book so that it could stand alone or would the preference be to assume you have a core rule book and do it more as a supplement. Adding what is necessary and different from the core rules without listing redundant information. If it helps decide I think the size of the book as of right now with the core rules (not magic items nor spells nor PF classes) will be about as large as the pathfinder core rule book.
DR/TL stand alone vrs rules supplement format?
TLDR just musing about something I'm working on carry on.
SO I decided to update my rpg I've been working on to star-finder rules instead of pathfinder. Its been an undertaking biggest issues is damage scaling and CMB and CMD. Overall However I think it will be more balanced. The hardest part however is separating the tech weapons from their bonus damage. and armor from AC. I don't plan on mine being as equipment based but more skill based so I'm currently trying to figure out a way to scale mundane weapon damage. I'm currently at just another feat like weapon specialization that will give you scaling damage how imp unarmed strike feat works. armor will scale up to around 10-15 then after that it will be class that catches it up to where it should be.
Rehashing is not a good idea. The stuff is free out there already, those who would be interested in your setting know this, and you would have to add a LOT of pages to fit in stuff people already know. If you want it to stand alone, make your own game, I'd say.
Something you should consider: Publishing a book the size of the CRB is going to be a nightmare, practically and financially. My suggestion would be to make a 32-page book with an adventure or setting info and see how it sells BEFORE you pull out all the stops. A pdf could test the waters for you beautifully, and would probably be your best bet.
The PDF idea is pretty sound. Do a physical copy if demand is there.
I would look up some authors/editors from RPG books you like, find them on social media and ask if they know someone looking for work. You could ask what a fair price is (probably $3-6 per page, depending on what kind of work you want done). Every RPG author/editor is either looking for work, or knows someone who is looking for work.
Sissyl is right. Selling a big book when you don't have an audience already is a Herculean task. Paizo has a big fan base, but 3rd party Pathfinder publishers who are well known see a huge drop off in sales compared to Paizo proper. Regardless of size, if you sell 500 copies, that would be extremely impressive on your first outing.
Blades in the Dark - kickstarter
John Harper might not be very well known on these boards, but he's a pretty successful indie RPG designer. He's been doing this for a few years and he has a fan base for his work. His kickstarter had less than 4000 backers and was considered very successful.
Monty Cook's Numenera only had 3300 backers on kickstarter and he's pretty well known on these and other D&D based forums. His KS campaign can also considered to be very successful.
I'm not saying this to discourage you. Rather, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Do it because you love it and want to do it, regardless of how much you sell. Expect that your work will financially fail. Be in a position to survive that. If you want to be a writer, you've got to write, so by all means, do it. Just be prepared. You're going to pour a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the project, and all you might get out of it is several boxes of your own book.
Going to start on editing and formatting soon any suggestions on software to use. I've been recommended adobe illustrator anyone know anything about it?
Ummm...
I am no expert...
...but if you don't know about Illustrator, maybe all your hard work on writing this thing would be best served by paying someone to finish your book? I understand that writing is free, but with the decision to publish comes costs. Certainly, I dabbled in editing and layouting, but even the meager results I got took some pretty intense learning curves.
Look at it this way: You love your book, and you want others to love it too, right? You want good reviews, word of mouth leading to more sales, and so on. Sure, you CAN do the job yourself, but it WILL NOT be as good as if you paid someone to do it. That will mean fewer sales.
Sure, it's possible you won't sell much either way. Getting things out there is still difficult. Still, consider the time you put into it, the money you have available and the results you want before deciding.
And Illustrator is abyss-deep.
Please don't take this as an insult.
Probably worth paying someone instead of learning illustrator eh? hmm I don't mind spending my time. I don't think I have the money but I would like it done right.
I guess I need to start communicating with people in the industry maybe I can get some more help. Find a publisher that can help me get the hard parts taken care of. On the plus side I have a friend that is a talented art grad who is willing (if not excited) to do some of the illustrations. (if not all really) She does good work and comic are like her specialty. Since the game is comic book based it works out well.
I guess I need to figure out good places to start as far as contacting people go.
Have you tried the internet.
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You might consider Serif's legacy app, PagePlus X9. It isn't going to be updated anymore now that they are working on their Affinity line of software, but it's a one-time $24.99 US, and it comes with a bunch of templates. (Their new Affinity Publisher app isn't quite ready for beta-testing yet.)
If you're set on using an Adobe desktop publishing app, I think you'd do better with InDesign instead of Illustrator. Either way, you'll need to budget for the ongoing monthly license fee.
Edit: Also, go through Lilith's helpful list of links for 3PPs. If you're looking to hire someone for layout in InDesign, I think she does it too (or used too).
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You might consider Serif's legacy app, PagePlus X9. It isn't going to be updated anymore now that they are working on their Affinity line of software, but it's a one-time $24.99 US, and it comes with a bunch of templates. (Their new Affinity Publisher app isn't quite ready for beta-testing yet.)
If you're set on using an Adobe desktop publishing app, I think you'd do better with InDesign instead of Illustrator. Either way, you'll need to budget for the ongoing monthly license fee.
Edit: Also, go through Lilith's helpful list of links for 3PPs. If you're looking to hire someone for layout in InDesign, I think she does it too (or used too).
Thanks appreciate it. really helpful
unlike certain captains.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You might consider Serif's legacy app, PagePlus X9. It isn't going to be updated anymore now that they are working on their Affinity line of software, but it's a one-time $24.99 US, and it comes with a bunch of templates. (Their new Affinity Publisher app isn't quite ready for beta-testing yet.)
If you're set on using an Adobe desktop publishing app, I think you'd do better with InDesign instead of Illustrator. Either way, you'll need to budget for the ongoing monthly license fee.
Edit: Also, go through Lilith's helpful list of links for 3PPs. If you're looking to hire someone for layout in InDesign, I think she does it too (or used too).
Been reading through the links that the link gave me and it is all very helpful thanks again!