D&D 4E Constructive Advice for Breaking into 4E Publishing

[Keefe the Thief]

I'm wondering if those of you amongst us who have experience publishing 3rd party material might supply tips, pointers, or other _constructive_ advice on how those of us interested in trying our hand at publishing under 4E can break in.

I've seen some disparaging comments about "upstart" newbie publishers, but the truth is that 3E publishers had to get their start, and surely there is lots of new talent out there that should be given a chance.

Thanks in advance!

My first advice is:
Use as many "human resources" as possible before deciding on what exactly you produce how for what group for how much published by whom. Use boards like these, talk to feelancers, talk to people who tried and succeeded, (IMPORTANT: talk to people who tried and failed). Read the RPG.net boards for feelancers and game designers. Etc.
Human beings are your most valuable resource, because they´ve made experiences that you do not have. Use them!

My second advice is:
Get yourself a flavour for your products, that is easily reconizable. Necromancer = 1e feel in 3e und 4e. What is your flavour? Your style? Your special shtick? People should think "i want kobold ninja adventures that take place on the back of killer dolphins? [Name of your company] has what i need!

My third advice is:
Once you begin to publish things, understand that you, as a web personality, become an agent of your product, a kind of Avatar-like being projecting the presence of your company. Any post will be scrutinized differently. You´ll get a reputation for one misplaced sentence forever.

My fourth advice is:
Read the infamous WhatsOn thread on RPG.net. Do everything NOT that he is doing.

 

[The Little Raven]

See im more of a rules guy. I like to write rules and only rules. Writing fluff is ok, but I really get bored easily doing it.

I'm a rules guy, too, but I love making the rules correspond to fluff.

As for freelancing, make sure the company is going to be able to put the product out. I spent a lot of time developing a "Celtic Adventures" supplement for Roc Games, and we were moving into our final playtesting/tweaking phase when the company just kinda went poof, and we lost all the material (it was theirs, according to the contract I signed).

 

[Andre]

Once you begin to publish things, understand that you, as a web personality, become an agent of your product, a kind of Avatar-like being projecting the presence of your company. Any post will be scrutinized differently. You´ll get a reputation for one misplaced sentence forever.

Also, too many early 3.x publishers thought that they could put out amateurish material with poor editing, layout, rules-knowledge, etc., and their buyers would "understand". Nope. Once you begin charging for the material, you're expected to be professional. Whether or not you think it's fair, you'll be held to the same standards as the best in the business.

Oh, and as part of being a professional, develop a thick skin. Not all critics will be fair or polite when discussing your stuff.