Author Topic: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?  (Read 17640 times)

ThnJonWasAZmbie

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Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« on: April 26, 2010, 01:35:53 PM »
    I'm currently writing a game system, and I was curious as to how I would go about getting it published?  Who should I talk to, what steps should I take to get it published etc. etc.
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KallMeKip

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2010, 02:13:39 PM »
If you are not against self publishing then you can use lulu to get it done. Any specific setting or rules system you are using?

clockworkjoe

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2010, 02:53:30 PM »
What is your game about?

What skills do you bring to the table? Writing, art, editing, layout?

How much have you done so far?

Is your goal just getting it printed so people can see it or is this a serious effort to make money and recognition?

How much time and effort are you willing to spend on it?

robotkarateman

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2010, 04:53:35 PM »
Who should I talk to, what steps should I take to get it published etc. etc.

Depends on what you want. If you just want people to see your work, self-publish on the web. If you want it in book stores, good luck.

When I started writing AARG, I took a look around and what other people were doing, what the digital publishers were doing versus small publishers versus getting picked up by a large publisher, and concluded that, without a massive time and money investment, free digital self-publication is the way to go. I plan on distributing AARG for free with "enhanced" digital and Lulu versions available for people who want to support the project but I can't see how, with all the material out there, making any kind of money on an RPG right now is possible for a self-start. And given that most book stores don't carry anything besides a few D&D books, large scale distribution can only be accomplished over the web.
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Tadanori Oyama

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2010, 05:01:40 PM »
Ross is probably the best guy to talk to.

My knowledge is limited to: if you can make it into a PDF than you can sell it on DriveThruRPG. I've bought alot of games that exist only in PDF form from them.

Kroack

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2010, 05:16:39 PM »
There are also a ton of contests out there where your work can get published.

One that comes to mind is the BRP and Invictus contests: http://www.chaosium.com/article.php?story_id=449

ThnJonWasAZmbie

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2010, 05:59:02 PM »
What is your game about?

What skills do you bring to the table? Writing, art, editing, layout?

How much have you done so far?

Is your goal just getting it printed so people can see it or is this a serious effort to make money and recognition?

How much time and effort are you willing to spend on it?

Its a zombie survival game but the way the rules work you probably use it for just about anything.

I'm currently working on writing it, I know people who can do art and editing for me.

So far, I have created the character creation system, and now I am working on rules such as combat and skills.

I kinda just wanna get it printed and see where things go from there.

I have plenty of free time to work on it.
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clockworkjoe

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2010, 09:25:17 PM »
then my suggestions are to finish it as a PDF, playtest it, set up a website and maybe set up a POD version on Lulu.

ThnJonWasAZmbie

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2010, 12:21:03 AM »
then my suggestions are to finish it as a PDF, playtest it, set up a website and maybe set up a POD version on Lulu.

cool cool, thnx for the advice!
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clockworkjoe

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2010, 12:27:27 AM »
if you have specific questions about a particular issue feel free to ask

ThnJonWasAZmbie

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2010, 12:42:06 AM »
if you have specific questions about a particular issue feel free to ask

If you don't mind, I would like to email you the character creation rules, just so I can get an unbiased opinion from someone.
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clockworkjoe

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2010, 12:51:18 AM »
I don't have time right now between working on the codex, the podcasts, work, school, zombies of the world and writing for Arc Dream to be much use. Why not post them here?

Mckma

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2010, 01:00:35 AM »
if you have specific questions about a particular issue feel free to ask

If you don't mind, I would like to email you the character creation rules, just so I can get an unbiased opinion from someone.
I wouldn't count myself an expert, but if you need people to take a look at stuff, I wouldn't mind and could probably get through it before this weekend...

But like I said, not an expert and certainly don't want to put any pressure on you, just figured I would volunteer some of my time...

Kroack

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2010, 05:23:31 PM »
I don't have time right now between working on the codex, the podcasts, work, school, zombies of the world and writing for Arc Dream to be much use. Why not post them here?

Yes, post them here so we can shoot your ideas down like the crap you know they are.

Tadanori Oyama

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Re: Whats the best way to go about getting something published?
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2010, 06:10:43 PM »
Yes, post them here so we can shoot your ideas down like the crap you know they are.

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