[Contest, ENPub] Elements of Magic review contest - now over

[RangerWickett]

RangerWickett,

my email address is bradshaw at cs dot umass dot edu

what do I need to do to contribute to LA?

Thanks

I'll email you the intro and general synopsis of LA, and we can discuss whatever ideas for a magic tradition appeal to you.

 

[PugioilAudacio]

If my review mad the cut I'de like to help with this too.

Email is: shalev ATTT simplyphysics DoT COM

 

[Suldulin]

ditto if my review made the cut, admittedly 'tis my first and am not so sure about how well I did *shrugs*

Email is RobertFal ATTT Earthlink DOT NET

 

[kamosa]

I'm sorry that you felt women were being objectified by the cover, Kamosa. There is a certain goofiness factor to the illustration, I admit, but the female elemental spirits on the cover aren't presented as some sort of object of desire. They are nude, but in the same classical sense that fey and many feminine mythological spirits are nude. There's no sex on the cover, and the rather cartoonish nature of the characters possesses far less titilation than the Phil & Dixie comics seen in the back of Dragon for years. Kamosa, I understand your reaction, but I think it's a little extreme, given that the cover is not presented as sexual image, just an interpretation of the classical connection between magic and the feminine.

Oh, and this doesn't count as a review, so no sequel for you. *wink*

I guess objectification is in the eye of the beholder. Far be it for me to expect cover art to advance beyond high school male fantasy hormones. With the wealth of ideas, concepts and history of fantasy, why does every novice publisher with an idea have to stick breasts on their front cover.

As a GM that has run games with over 50% female gamers for the last 15 years, I can tell you, this cover is offensive and it lost at least this sale over it. Things like this are why lots of women don't go to cons and feel uncomfortable going into comic shops. Sure it doesn't offend you and those it does offend stay away, so you don't realize the negative feelings it generates.

Here's a free tip for all newbie publishers, not everyone likes their gaming books to resemble soft porn. Your not selling beauty tips or fashion. Your not selling sex. So why use it as a way to sell your ideas?

Your losing sales over cover art, how is that an effective sales model?

 

[RangerWickett]

I guess objectification is in the eye of the beholder. Far be it for me to expect cover art to advance beyond high school male fantasy hormones. With the wealth of ideas, concepts and history of fantasy, why does every novice publisher with an idea have to stick breasts on their front cover.

As a GM that has run games with over 50% female gamers for the last 15 years, I can tell you, this cover is offensive and it lost at least this sale over it. Things like this are why lots of women don't go to cons and feel uncomfortable going into comic shops. Sure it doesn't offend you and those it does offend stay away, so you don't realize the negative feelings it generates.

Here's a free tip for all newbie publishers, not everyone likes their gaming books to resemble soft porn. Your not selling beauty tips or fashion. Your not selling sex. So why use it as a way to sell your ideas?

Your losing sales over cover art, how is that an effective sales model?

I find it interesting that you see sex here. I'll make sure we don't again have a cover with perfectly platonic, albeit naked, figures, since I certainly am not out to try to offend people. I just don't see why you'd think we're trying to use sex to sell the book.

At most, we're trying to use 'prettiness' to sell the book, and not doing a phenomenal job at it, considering the mediocre talent of the cover artist.

 

[RangerWickett]

Also, to the two posters whose names are a bit more complicated than I think I can manage at this time of night, yep, you're in under the wire. Expect an email from me tomorrow, detailing how I hope you'll be able to help with the sequel.

And Kamosa, again, my apologies if I offended you. I saw it as a tribute to classical images of magical spirits, and didn't consider that others might be troubled by it. If you're interested, to make it up to you, I could send you a copy, sans cover.

 

[PugioilAudacio]

I posted the proof-reading in the EN Publishing forum in the thread that was already started to talk about the design of EoM.

 

[RangerWickett]

And the contest is over. We have five reviews. Read them here.

I would almost feel self-conscious posting this, because the reviews are generally very positive, but I really do feel proud about publishing this book. I hope you all enjoy it.

Now I just need to make sure I have emails for
zoatebix
RuleMaster
PugioilAudacio
Suldulin
anondragon

and I'll send you each an email with info on how you can help add some flavor to Lyceian Arcana.

 

[Zoatebix]

Hi!
zoatebix at virginia dot edu for me, please.
Hope my review wasn't too scatterbrained - I have a rather abrupt tonal shift or two in my writing...
-g

 

[RangerWickett]

Just as a warning, I'm sending a small attachment in an email to all the reviewers, to ask for help with LA. If you don't receive emails with attachments, please let me know.