Queen_Dopplepopolis
First Post
I work in publishing, but it’s academic publishing – a very different world from the world of writing and producing D&D books. As such, I was really interested in learning where my favorite books came from. Chris Perkins and Sara Girard were kind enough to share the answer with Xath and me this afternoon at the D&D eXPerience.
Somewhere around two years before a product would hit shelves; the R&D team starts the brainstorming process. They list ideas – everything from very specific products to broad concepts – and then approach the brand team to assess the viability of the products. Profits, losses, and marketability are just a few of the factors considered when determining whether or not to take on a project.
Once the loose product schedule is established, an individual or small group will outline the book chapter by chapter.
Writers are assigned for various sections and the project is transforms from outline to manuscript. The lead writer pulls together all of the sections and composes the “stitching text” to finalize the first draft.
Next, Creative and Production Services (CaPs) commissions art while the development team strips out the mechanics and operates on the rules. Once again, the manuscript lands in the hands on the writers so the text can be revised to fit the rules changes and, then, it’s off to the editors!
When they have completed their job, the editors pass the manuscript off to the typesetters. Typesetters create the layout and turn the manuscript into an actual book!
Finally, the production team finalizes all of the editorial and layout issues and ships it out to the printers!
Here are your 4e tidbits!!
Chris and Sara each stated that the errors in the first printing of 3.5 prompted WotC to implement new quality control practices including expanding the warehouse crew and working with a new printer.
Additionally, it was noted that errata will be updates as necessary with new printings, but – with a D&D Insider subscription – you will have access to all updates automatically through the rules database.
Somewhere around two years before a product would hit shelves; the R&D team starts the brainstorming process. They list ideas – everything from very specific products to broad concepts – and then approach the brand team to assess the viability of the products. Profits, losses, and marketability are just a few of the factors considered when determining whether or not to take on a project.
Once the loose product schedule is established, an individual or small group will outline the book chapter by chapter.
Writers are assigned for various sections and the project is transforms from outline to manuscript. The lead writer pulls together all of the sections and composes the “stitching text” to finalize the first draft.
Next, Creative and Production Services (CaPs) commissions art while the development team strips out the mechanics and operates on the rules. Once again, the manuscript lands in the hands on the writers so the text can be revised to fit the rules changes and, then, it’s off to the editors!
When they have completed their job, the editors pass the manuscript off to the typesetters. Typesetters create the layout and turn the manuscript into an actual book!
Finally, the production team finalizes all of the editorial and layout issues and ships it out to the printers!
Here are your 4e tidbits!!
Chris and Sara each stated that the errors in the first printing of 3.5 prompted WotC to implement new quality control practices including expanding the warehouse crew and working with a new printer.
Additionally, it was noted that errata will be updates as necessary with new printings, but – with a D&D Insider subscription – you will have access to all updates automatically through the rules database.
