Have product, need publisher...

[Janx]

Hi,

So at long last, I finished my pet project, Gear Cards.

I had a thread a while back where I got some help on EnWorld on fleshing out my idea:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1822252#post1822252

Now it's pretty much done (aside from one last proof-read by the Mrs. because she has a BS in Journalism...).

For those wondering what I'm babbling about, here's a summary:
I've made a document that I want to release as a PDF

This document is a set of gear cards, in much the same style as The Game Mechanics and The Other Game Company's card series (I emulated their style).

I've got d20 logo and license, intro text, etc. I've even got place-holders for a publisher's name and logo.

The last real steps, are:
proof it for legality (make sure I used the license properly)
stick a proper logo on it
Convert it to PDF and verify the layout worked
MAYBE put form fields in the right spots (for a really groovy blank card template)
release it as a freebie PDF (because that's what you do with blank template cards)

I would like to work with a publisher who has experience in this, rather than forming my own imprint (and adding to the "yet another vanity publisher" throng).

I think I did a pretty good job with my document, so I'm hoping it's a light lift for a publisher with some experience.

Personally, I think my product would appeal to TOGC, or Malhavoc (we know Monte loves gear cards). But there are other good companies out there who may be interested in putting their name on this.

What's in it for you (you being a publisher)?
Well, you get another product with your name on it, with a minimal amount of work (compared to a from scratch project). Perhaps we form a business relationship and I may be able to write for you again in the future. It's also a chance to add value to the d20 fans by providing a product that has not yet been supplied. A future product would be gear cards from the SRD for specific items, which would logically be sold (following the TOGC business model).

I figure the next step is, a publisher will post to this thread, saying they're interested in talking about my little project. I can then show them the project file, and they can assess if they want to go ahead or back out. I assume nobody's going to "steal my idea" or at least have the decency not to pirate my work.

Thanks for your time,
Janx

 

[Napftor]

At the risk of sounding obvious, why not just email some publishers with this idea? Joe Mucchiello was interested in the cards in the thread you linked, so why not start with him? It seems to be a universal truth that you shouldn't expect publishers to come to you. To get things done, you need to be proactive, not reactive.

Sorry if that sounds a bit abrasive, but that's the reality I think most freelancers can attest to.

 

[Janx]

that's a good point, napftor

Given that this is my first foray into actual publishing, I'm in an odd area. I suspect normally publishers don't like to be approached with a project (or often, they don't accept approaches).

So I figured by posting in the publishing forum, one that is interested will approach me. In this way, they're not actually being put upon.

But we'll see how this way works. I can certainly shoot an e-mail off to Joe to see if he's interested. But I imagine he gets tons of proposals all the time.

 

[jmucchiello]

But we'll see how this way works. I can certainly shoot an e-mail off to Joe to see if he's interested. But I imagine he gets tons of proposals all the time.

As if. I would love more proposals but these days it seems like people find it easier to just start their own pub. Or, like Bret, they go through Phil's company.

I remember the cards. Shoot me an email (use joe at my domain).

 

[TheLe]

Interesting.

This is Le, from The Le Games (publisher of those Unorthodox books). If you are still looking for a publisher, give me a hollar. I would love to talk to you more about it.

TheLeGames@yahoo.com

~Le

 

[Janx]

I'm going to give Joe first dibs on deciding on if he wants to do my product.

He was there in the beginning with suggestions, and he was first publisher to respond

If Joe decides he's not interested, then I'll certainly talk to the next guy on the list. In this case, TheLeGames, which has an extensive library of products on RPGnow. BTW, I like the cover on the bard book. Certainly has a bit of "rock star" look to it.

Thanks,
Janx

 

[HellHound]

Just so you know, Janx, E.N.Publishing is also interested in seeing your product and evaluating it for release.

 

[Flyspeck23]

Personally, I think my product would appeal to TOGC (snip)

Well, you could always ask the publisher(s) directly. You could've found our address at our site.

Unfortunately, we've got the Complete Item Cards in development, and as these will use the same basic layout (card size etc.) as our other cards, there'd probably still be much work involved to convert your work to our standard.

But that shouldn't stop you, of course
Seeing that we approach the same project from different angles (and we're doing the "gear cards from the SRD for specific items" right away), I'm very interested to see how you'll pull it off. Good luck!

If you need any further advice, I'd be honored to help.

 

[Janx]

Wow, getting some more bites on this...

At present, I already sent an e-mail to Joe. Since it's a big weekend and all, he's probably enjoying it, so I expect I'll hear from him in a day or so (as a guess).

EN World's another company I wouldn't mind doing business with.

I do find it funny in a humorous way that TOGC is finally doing gear cards. I know they had wanted to do them, but hadn't found a layout they liked. It appears they found one they like. Good luck with yours. I have a lot of respect for the time it takes to do all that.

Anyway, I'll wait for Joe on this one. But next time, I'll just knock on your doors when I have a project to publish.

Thanks for listening, and I'll see if I can keep this thread up to date on how we're doing.

Janx

 

[jgbrowning]

Generally publishers are always willing to listen to a pitch, especially if the product is "complete."

Don't be so shy, promote yourself. I know I've used people for writing/art that sent me a private e-mail. But, also don't be disappointed if you don't get a response. It's just business.

joe b.