Say I wrote enough material to fill a book... what should I do with it?

[Chris_Nightwing]

Ok let's just pretend (as this is totally hypothetical, honestly) that I had written a number of prestige classes, basic class alternatives, popular and not so popular house rules, magic items, spells and all sorts of 'crunchy' bits like that. What on earth should I do with it all... does the community in general even care? I wonder...

I thought about this, and wondered. Should I maybe put it into a big PDF file and give it away (which would not be a waste of my time, but it was time consuming yet fun). Maybe I should do the same but charge people, just a little amount I'm greedy, er I mean not greedy (but then do I have to go into publishing laws, making a fancy website to sell the thing or just email it to people, I don't have all the time in the world to manage a company or anything)? Maybe I should find a publisher who want it (if that is remotely likely, I could be dreaming) and let them do the hard work...? Or maybe it will just sit around used by the few groups I know play and even then rarely.

It is an interesting question overall as to where all the community publications come from. Do you companies do nothing but this, or is it a sideline? Much money in it hehe? Any replies would be welcome, the who process in general interests me.

 

[Viking Games]

Ok let's just pretend (as this is totally hypothetical, honestly) that I had written a number of prestige classes, basic class alternatives, popular and not so popular house rules, magic items, spells and all sorts of 'crunchy' bits like that. What on earth should I do with it all... does the community in general even care? I wonder...

To the "what on earth" bit, the answer is what ever you want. You could use the material as a springboard into getting other assignments or supplements from other gaming publishers, or just post it as a download on your website. It's mainly up to you.

I thought about this, and wondered. Should I maybe put it into a big PDF file and give it away (which would not be a waste of my time, but it was time consuming yet fun). Maybe I should do the same but charge people, just a little amount I'm greedy, er I mean not greedy (but then do I have to go into publishing laws, making a fancy website to sell the thing or just email it to people, I don't have all the time in the world to manage a company or anything)? Maybe I should find a publisher who want it (if that is remotely likely, I could be dreaming) and let them do the hard work...? Or maybe it will just sit around used by the few groups I know play and even then rarely.

Fancy websites are an optional thing it you are just creating .pdfs to be downloaded at RPGnow.com or the RPG.net Mall. All that would be needed is quality and character.

Again, the intent and goal of your work is up to you.

It is an interesting question overall as to where all the community publications come from. Do you companies do nothing but this, or is it a sideline? Much money in it hehe? Any replies would be welcome, the who process in general interests me.

I don't publish as a full-time endeavor. Money is there to be made, as a few d20 companies do actually just do this publishing thing (Green Ronin, is one I believe, several others do too).

 

[JoeGKushner]

Well if the material is good, En World itself has already published several books and taken others under wing.

Might be something to consider.

 

[jmucchiello]

Should I maybe put it into a big PDF file and give it away (which would not be a waste of my time, but it was time consuming yet fun).

Very philanthropic.

Maybe I should do the same but charge people, just a little amount I'm greedy, er I mean not greedy (but then do I have to go into publishing laws, making a fancy website to sell the thing or just email it to people, I don't have all the time in the world to manage a company or anything)?

Well, This is what I did. Need any advice? Contact me privately.

Maybe I should find a publisher who want it (if that is remotely likely, I could be dreaming) and let them do the hard work...?

Depending on the work I could be interested. So could a lot of other publishers. This route will still involve legal-stuff: the contract for purchasing/paying for your work.

Or maybe it will just sit around used by the few groups I know play and even then rarely.

This is the safest and simplest route. It's also the least fun.

Good Luick in whatever path you choose.

Joe Mucchiello
Throwing Dice Games
http://www.throwingdice.com