All right, perhaps I wasn't clear on my initial intent.
At 04:43 PM 2/12/01 -0500, you wrote:
>
>On Mon, 12 Feb 2001 10:09:29 -0800 Dan Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>writes:
>.
>>
>> I'm looking to hear from folks that are kicking around a few ideas
>> for
>> their own d20 products. But like myself, have been following the
>> various
>> posts the last few months and have realized that they may just be
>> out of
>> their league when it comes to publishing their own d20 products.
>
>
>No offense but listening to insecure, inexperienced, ignorant and/or
>careless people is hardly going to improve your chances of producing
>something. : )
>
I don't think everyone out there is insecure, inexperienced, ignorant
and/or careless, and I'm not relying on such folks to "improve my chances".
>
>>
>> If you're like myself, with a head full of ideas and volumes of
>> notes, but
>> have decided that self-publishing just isn't in your future, let's
>> talk.
>> Let's face it, it ain't easy.
>
>Same comment as above. Regardless of how you do it either you or
>someone in your group is eventually going to have to know what they are
>doing. I realize you might think that if you gather a bunch of people
>who don't know what they are doing, that by default, you will manage to
>cover all the lapses in experience. It doesn't work like that, IMO. Why
>go through all of that grief when you can just educate yourself (and be
>on your way) or team up with someone who already has experience.
>Whatever you do, choose your partners carefully.
>
I'm not looking to gather a group to publish finished projects. My intent
was to perhaps share ideas and thoughts about individual projects, or maybe
give folks the opportunity to help find each other to work together in
order to present a finished project to a publisher for consideration.
There doesn't need to be anymore start-up companies publishing d20
material. I know that, and that was not my intent.
>>
>> Perhaps those of us that wish to create d20 products can work
>> together to
>> expand and improve or individual ideas into complete products and
>> then
>> convince those that have succeeded in publishing their own d20
>> products to
>> consider publishing our offerings.
>
>
>You could do that by yourself... right now. Why wait? This list gets
>submission notices at least once a week.
>
Yes, I could do that myself. And, I am in the process of doing just that.
But, what's wrong with sharing ideas? I've got a few ideas that could use
the fresh perspective of another. Maybe there's someone out there that can
help me get past the creative points I'm stuck on, or vice versa� I am
well aware of the submission notices found here on the list and have been
inspired by them.
>
>>
>> I feel that there have to be others like myself that would rather
>> concentrate on creating a solid d20 product than hassle with our own
>> start-up company to publish said product. Who wants to hassle with
>> lawyers
>> and accountants when all we want to do is create games?
>
>If you just want to write, then there is already plenty of room for you
>to do so. Dungeon Magazine and Necromancer Games are currently taking
>d20 submissions, for example.... and I know there are more.
>Additionally, off the top of my head I can think of three on-line
>projects that would happily take your submissions and publish them on
>their web sites. But I don't think you need to create the "Union of d20
>Writers" to pursue your dreams. (yikes! a Union!)
>
I was thinking above and beyond the scope of adventures and/or modules with
my inquiry. An additional reason to my post was to maybe have an avenue of
would-be d20 authors help each other so that maybe they can be published
beyond the realm of web sites. Anybody can publish their own web-site or
submit to sites seeking submissions. Hell, I ran one of those sites for
awhile and came to realize that I might want to do more than just that.
>Let's help each other
>> create
>> some really great d20 material that these successful publishers will
>> fight
>> over. (We can hope, right?)
>>
>> Did any of the above make any since, or am I just talking the crazy
>> talk?
>
>I know it seems like a good idea to gather a bunch of random people and
>try to create something (believe me I know). Sometimes it is. But you
>clearly plan on crossing over to the professional side of things. Think
>about these things: What will you do if you one of the people in your
>project disappears or pulls out all of their contributions? What will
>you do if there is a dispute over the ownership of a potential trademark?
> What will you do if you publish your stuff on the web and someone
>decides to sue you... a conservative parent, a past participant? What
>if you make money?
>
I did not mean to imply that I was gathering a group of people to work on
one major project. I was thinking more along the lines of a writer's group
that bounces ideas off of each other, share ideas, etc� If one or two
folks find they have similar ideas and inspiration then perhaps they can
work together to create a manuscript to submit for publishing. As I stated
before, I plan on submitting adventures and the likes (on an individual
basis) to those d20 publishers that do and will accept submissions for such
things.
>My friend, it goes on and on. I have made more mistakes in the
>development of group projects than I care to remember. I strongly
>recommend that you either write by yourself, take the time to form a
>local group you trust, join an established group project, or take the
>time to jump through a few legal hoops before you start your own.
>
>Regards,
>Maggie
>
Again, I don't mean to establish a "group project". But, perhaps if
would-be d20 authors had an opportunity to share ideas and thoughts those
same would-be d20 authors might find inspiration and or help to finish
their projects on a level to be considered for publishing above and beyond
the web. Also, maybe two or three would-be d20 authors with similar ideas
might actually be able to aid each other in creating something worthwhile.
Once again, I'm just talking about would-be authors, not would-be publishers.
Again, peace...
- Dan (OmegaOdd)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dan Taylor
Buyer, Smarthome.com, Inc.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.smarthome.com
1-800-SMARTHOME (Orders)
949-221-9200 Ext. 116 (Questions)
949-221-9240 (FAX)
