What do publishers think of fan-posted errata/reworks?

[Alzrius]

A few years ago, I bought the Crushed: The Doomed Kitty Adventures d20 product. Sometime after 3.5E came out, I started to do some updating.

After a while, I grew more ambitious. While the book obviously didn't take itself too seriously, I still figured that it might be nice to rework the stats for the NPCs, monsters, spells, and magic items so that they were actually, well...correct.

Recently, I came across this old file again. In a sudden fit of inspiration, I cleaned it up, added one or two corrections, and emailed it off to Team Frog, the publisher of the supplement, thinking that they might want to use it. Almost two months later and no reply, it seems safe to say that they don't.

Given that, I wanted some feedback from the publishers here in regards to my next question: Would it be wrong if I were to publically post the updates/corrections I made? It's only the mechanical parts of the product that needed fixing, but in many cases this is entire stat blocks, and I don't want to do anything that could potentially harm whatever sales are being made on that sourcebook.

Thoughts?

 

[trancejeremy]

Well, one thing that impressed me about Green Ronin, was that they hired this guy who came up with errata for various Freeport books and posted them on their message board to do the 3.5 update for the Freeport Trilogy. More companies should do that, IMHO.

 

[smokewolf]

As a publisher, I can say that I would appreciate honest communication from my customers about my products, even if they are just pointing out where I am wrong at. When I released my first D20 products I had several people write me and tell me I messed up the license section and showed me how to fix it. I really appreciated that. But even the first printing of The Swing: Reality Guide was horribly filled with typos. I was unaware until attentive customers brought it to my attention. I was able to fix them and get a new print run out.

I don't think I would appreciate any public posting unless they had tried every means to get hold of me (not just email). But if it was done the right way and not a "these f'ers don't know what their doing" kinda way, then it would be good. Still I would want those corrections so the next edition could be correct.

 

[astralpwka]

I think its cool. It shows that a fan is involved with your material, which is a big part of keeping it alive.

 

[Alzrius]

I don't think I would appreciate any public posting unless they had tried every means to get hold of me (not just email).

So, you're saying I should...what? Snail mail it? Fax it? Show up at their place of work?

But if it was done the right way and not a "these f'ers don't know what their doing" kinda way, then it would be good. Still I would want those corrections so the next edition could be correct.

I really don't think Crushed will ever get a reprint, but if I were to post the corrections/updates I made, I wouldn't be attacking the people who made the product. I'd just be pointing out how the stats would be more correct.

 

[Mark CMG]

You've sent me some notes in the past that were much appreciated, but revising a product, sometimes a very big product, is a difficult prospect with not much hope of an immediate financial return. Not to mention that while some of your customers might appreciate very detailed errata, the truth is that most either don't notice the mistakes or gloss over them during game play and would just as soon see your company working on the next project than devoting resources to older material. All that said, how about if I set you up with a forum of your own on my message boards for CMG errata? Devote as much or as little time to it as you see fit, or as warranted, and you'll get free, possibly early, products in exchange for your efforts. If you have the time and no better offers, I'd certainly appreciate it.

 

[Alzrius]

All that said, how about if I set you up with a forum of your own on my message boards for CMG errata? Devote as much or as little time to it as you see fit, or as warranted, and you'll get free, possibly early, products in exchange for your efforts. If you have the time and no better offers, I'd certainly appreciate it.

Wow! Thanks Mark! That's a generous offer, and I humbly accept!

 

[D_Sinclair]

I really don't think Crushed will ever get a reprint, but if I were to post the corrections/updates I made, I wouldn't be attacking the people who made the product. I'd just be pointing out how the stats would be more correct.

How the stats would be more correct, eh? Isn't that simply your opinion? That's one problem with dealing with licensed product; a fair amount of the crunch is based on opinion, even if the original author of the source material is also the author of the game material.

As far as eratta is concerned, that's something I think should be coming only from the publisher, at least under the guise of eratta or corrections, anyway. System conversions and expanded material are fair game for the fans, however.

 

[Mark CMG]

Wow! Thanks Mark! That's a generous offer, and I humbly accept!

I don't mean to dampen your enthusiasm but you're doing me a favor. I see you're signed up over on my boards so I'll get you set up right away. Thanks!

 

[JVisgaitis]

Well, one thing that impressed me about Green Ronin, was that they hired this guy who came up with errata for various Freeport books and posted them on their message board to do the 3.5 update for the Freeport Trilogy. More companies should do that, IMHO.

When we started out around 2001 our Editor, Alex Freed, was posting fixes to our material in our forum. We snapped him up and he's been with us ever since. Alex was the best find ever and I wouldn't even consider using another Editor.

I don't think Team Frog does d20 anymore. That's probably why you aren't receiving a response.