| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 05 May 2011 : 16:43:20
Forgive me, folks, for posting info on a non-Realms project, but as four of the five authors signed onto it already have fans here, I thought it worth mentioning.
I've started a kickstarter.com project to raise funds for the launch of a small publishing house and our first project: Secrets, like Dragons...
The five authors involved are Ed Greenwood, Jaleigh Johnson, Rosemary Jones, J.M. Martin, and myself.
To get to know Joe better (as the others have a presence here already), here's his fun read of a blog: http://ranting-and-raven.blogspot.com/
In a nutshell, I need to raise money to bring a 350+ page fantasy book to print and then build enough interest and sales to merit additional books or other projects. A lot of what I learned with the Realms informs this new world of KHARNDAM, and I hope to do there what TSR and WotC wouldn't allow me to do in FR products (fiction or games).
For more, click the link below, or simply ask questions after this post and I (or perhaps one of the other authors) will chime in and answer.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1136561409/secrets-like-dragonsare-tales-untold
Hope you all like what you see (even the nervous author/publisher who loathes being on camera) and you'll help us with moral or financial support in making this book and world come to life.
Steven Schend
Mod Edit: Shifted to a more appropriate shelf. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dark Wizard |
Posted - 15 Aug 2012 : 23:16:25
This initially began as a response in another thread (http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16760), but seemed to sidetrack the main discussion. I’m moving my response here where I think it is more appropriate. If the moderators deem this inappropriate, I can delete my post and drop this line of discussion. Likewise if the OP of this thread would prefer this discussion topic discontinued, I will respect the decision.
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Actually Wooly, I didn't want to bring it up, buuuuut...
Steven Schend's personal project couldn't get the backing it needed, which was quite small compared to Paizo's goal. On the flipside, Paizo raised what? FIVE TIMES what it was asking for?
FR fans are either cheap, broke, or a lot less in numbers then Golarion fans.
I'd go with the last one.
A fiction anthology compared to an MMO tech demo is like comparing apples to hamburgers.
Steven Schend's project also launched well before the big Kickstarter craze and hype created by a string of major video game and board game related projects. The Paizo project launched on the heels of those colossal forerunners. There are a lot more people visiting KS now than before. Since then, I've followed and even backed fiction projects that easily exceeded Steve's initial amount, by authors and creators with comparable (or even less) credentials as Steven, (and with or without Ed's participation).
Steven Schend is also constantly increasing his online presence with visible postings to social networks, some within the same circles who have launched large fiction or RPG related Kickstarters.
I dare say, if Steven were to relaunch his Kickstarter in the present day, perhaps with a revamped setup and more stratified backer tiers, with a pre-launch push via his social network connections, it would be a success. A lot has changed with the state of Kickstarter in the last year. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 18:39:46
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I'll let you know when I find out myself. 
 |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 17:08:38
I'll let you know when I find out myself. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 17:05:23
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I'll try re-sending them to your account.
It could be SageOS again, conflicting with my email account. 
What doesn't SageOS conflict with?  |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 16:04:00
I'll try re-sending them to your account.
It could be SageOS again, conflicting with my email account. |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 09 Jun 2011 : 15:25:43
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Which does remind me, now, friend Steven, that I have replies ready for several of your queries. Expect my email later today [Australia-time].
If those emails went out, they fell somewhere short of my in-box(es) or spam filters, Sage.
Still, nice to feel at least 89% human for the 2nd day in a row....and perhaps going to get a little work under the belt today (though unlikely to result in a blog post until the weekend or next week...as part of the work is transferring to a better/newer computer that'll actually stay connected to our internet...).
SES |
| The Sage |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 03:07:18
Which does remind me, now, friend Steven, that I have replies ready for several of your queries. Expect my email later today [Australia-time]. |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 07 Jun 2011 : 02:47:12
Well, deadline is now a week in the rear view mirror, and I'd have surfaced before now to talk on things, but I've been laid up with severe bronchitis and an inability to stay conscious for more than a few hours at a time. Thus, everything's delayed by more than a week.
Even so, thanks again, everyone here who chimed in with moral or monetary support, and keep an eye open on my website for more news when there's a plan in place for what's to come (and/or when I've figured a new finance plan to make SECRETS, LIKE DRAGONS happen after all...).
Steven |
| Markustay |
Posted - 02 Jun 2011 : 20:12:58
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
D) Glad you like the Akanri (sorry the name doesn't suit, but I think I'm too far out on the limb now to change it easily, and you're the first to argue vs. it, honestly). Frame stories are a definite possibility and plan, though I don't know if they'll work better on the website or in the novella collection or successive works. We'll have to wait and see on that, though I too like them as a device.
Didn't say I hated the name- it just didn't really grab me.
It could be worse... I could have felt the way I felt about 'Moonstars'.
I was actually expecting a line of YA novels like The Moonstar in my closet, or The Moonstar under my bed.
Did the deadline pass already? I was hoping to be able to add something. I don't even have a comp. available to me all the time ATM, so its hard for me to stay current.  |
| Hippo |
Posted - 31 May 2011 : 19:30:18
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
[
That all depends upon whether or not this reaches its funding goal by Sunday at 2pm EST.
Regardless of what happens in that time, there'll be news and information on any and all of my projects (including potential spin-offs involving Kharndam) at my main website (in my signature). Hope that helps, Hippo, and thanks for your interest.
Steven
Excellent to hear! Sadly I found this while I am in the middle of a move and could not contribute like I wanted.
I look forward to keeping up with the project as it develops! |
| Dark Wizard |
Posted - 29 May 2011 : 06:22:16
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Quick update with four days left on the drive....
I've done a guest-post over on Jeff Grubb's blog with a few more tid-bits of info re: the book and the world.
http://grubbstreet.blogspot.com/2011/05/message-from-steven-schend.html
I've also added a new reward stage for those wanting to participate a bit more creatively:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1136561409/secrets-like-dragonsare-tales-untold
If it weren't for a debilitating cold hitting me and Oscar simultaneously, I'd have a few Akanri character sketches and miscellaneous up on my site (and, perhaps, kharndam.com, if I ever get the code/formats where I want them to officially announce that site's launch). Hopefully I'll get that done tomorrow....if I'm conscious at all...
Thanks again for all the feedback; Dark Wizard, I want you to know that the video's not gone up because I've not had the time to tinker with a few elements, but it'll be going up without the kickstarter pitch attached to it as soon as I can make that happen.
More later, gentles...
Do get it on there at your first opportunity. I just finished browsing a bunch of Kickstarter pages in the publishing, novel or rpg/game categories. Most have a author/creator pitch like you do, but few have an actual trailer. As it stands, it's a strong trailer and a good teaser and atmosphere builder for the project.
It's unfortunate the cold kept you from the project, but you've made significant jumps in the days you've been active. I think it shows this has definite potential and the necessary support. It just needs time to gain momentum.
The looming deadline is tight, but the pledges are still rising, a positive sign regardless.
|
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 29 May 2011 : 01:44:18
quote:
Originally posted by Hippo
Shame I did not find this site or see this post sooner!
Is there any chance of this being placed back up at a later date?
That all depends upon whether or not this reaches its funding goal by Sunday at 2pm EST.
Regardless of what happens in that time, there'll be news and information on any and all of my projects (including potential spin-offs involving Kharndam) at my main website (in my signature). Hope that helps, Hippo, and thanks for your interest.
Steven |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 29 May 2011 : 01:31:53
And one more for good measure....
http://www.steveneschend.com/2011/05/28/kharndam-rumors1/ |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 29 May 2011 : 01:15:18
Plug post as I'm in manic-promo blitzkrieg in the last 24 hours of the fund-raising. Multitudinous thanks to so many Candlekeepers who've put their support to the project!
There's been a flurry of posts and previews and snippets scattered among guest-blog posts and sundry, so here's some links for those interested:
http://frabjousdave.blogspot.com/2011/05/telling-secrets.html
http://www.steveneschend.com/2011/05/26/kharndam-ancient-history/
http://www.steveneschend.com/2011/05/27/pegasus-throne/
http://www.steveneschend.com/2011/05/28/kickstarter-update-drakesfall/
And with some luck, I'll finish up one or two others and slam them up there before nightfall...
Now, Markustay, I hope we can hook and keep your interest, but a few clarifications:
A) I never said NO monsters or nonhumans--just no dragons, elves, demons/devils, or dwarves (as they've all been rendered extinct (or worse) by the time we're writing and on the continent in which all of the stories happen).
B) Most of your other comments and guesses are in line with what I'm planning and thinking (but I'm leery of spoiling things by revealing too much too soon).
C) In terms of feel and tone, the Realms is my gold standard of what I'd like to shoot for (in terms of breadth and depth), but Kharndam is a different place in cosmology and core build (three moons, classic elemental magical/physical structure, and as wide a racial mix for nonhumans as for humans). One major difference is this--I'm not planning to make sure that any and every type of fantasy can fit inside the box contained by the world of Kharndam (which is the role the Realms took on for D&D 2E and beyond).
D) Glad you like the Akanri (sorry the name doesn't suit, but I think I'm too far out on the limb now to change it easily, and you're the first to argue vs. it, honestly). Frame stories are a definite possibility and plan, though I don't know if they'll work better on the website or in the novella collection or successive works. We'll have to wait and see on that, though I too like them as a device.
E) Strange how that should happen.  Even stranger if they were to remind you in other ways of the Realms' Harpers and Moonstars, the Jedi, Babylon 5's Rangers, or any number of other mystical peacekeepers/secret societies/people involved with keeping history or society on an even keel. The Akanri come from random elements and inspirations in all those things and what spawned them as well, though they'll hopefully be a new take on things as well (as I'm not aware of too many other fantasy tropes using aura and body energy manipulation as a primary ability/skill).
Gee, did I drop enough other hints therein to entice anyone else to take interest in helping our project over the line?
Steven |
| Markustay |
Posted - 26 May 2011 : 20:15:11
I only perused the site earlier - I just 'took it apart' line-by-line in the re-read. It seems a LOT of what you are trying to accomplish blends with goals I had for my own site (which will probably never see the light of day, considering my recent losses).
NO non-humans or monsters... or will they be of a cryptozoology nature? You say "no longer" - is the presumption that there are ruins of said beings? Will there be that 'ancient feel' to the setting that FR had? Will the flora and fauna be Earth-like, or will the world have it's own ecology? Will it have that 'alien' feel some fantasy settings have (like Dying Earth, or Majipoor)?
I'm getting an 'end of an era' vibe, rather then a 'new beginning' one - is that correct?
I like the Akanri (the concept, not the name) - am I to take it these stories will have a 'frame story' to them (like A Thousand and One Nights, or Cantebury Tales)? I think that is a novel approach (forgive the pun) for modern fantasy. The last time I remember reading a book with that sort of frame was City by Clifford Simak.
BTW, the Akanri remind me of the Scribes of Candlekeep.  |
| Hippo |
Posted - 26 May 2011 : 19:46:36
Shame I did not find this site or see this post sooner!
Is there any chance of this being placed back up at a later date? |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 26 May 2011 : 18:59:24
Oh yes, we're all-too-aware of the lack of graphics and maps in particular. Alas, there's no likelihood of a map coming on the scene before the Kickstarter drive concludes at 2pm EST on Sunday.
There is, however, hope that I'll be able to scribble out all the details and particulars into a form that's comprehensible to someone other than me and we'll get a map on to the websites by some time in June.
I'll try and get a rough narrative overview of the "world of Kharndam" (which is really only a continent using the name of a long-dead empire) up on the site soon, if only to tide folks over until the map's ready.
I'll also be working on a number of posts and character sketches for Kharndam that'll appear on my own website until Kharndam.com is ready for visitors.
|
| Markustay |
Posted - 26 May 2011 : 15:31:05
Hopefully I will get my hands on some Insurance money before the deadline, and make a substantial contribution (no promises, unfortunately - yesterday I got the infamous "the check is in the mail" story).
I like what I see so far, and you guys seem to be on the right path. The only piece of advice I can't emphasize strongly enough (and I recently gave this advice to another beloved author here), a MAP is paramount in sucking people in; a beautiful piece of artwork goes a LONG way in capturing folk's attention.
No map - or worse, a badly rendered map - will do more harm then good (and we have a RW example of just that recently). NOTHING stirs a fantasy addicts imagination more then an insanely good map. It makes you WANT TO KNOW MORE.
But, once again, I am sure your team is aware of all of this. |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 25 May 2011 : 19:43:26
Re: Markustay's comments on how this book expands beyond one product to become a world (or an intellectual property of sorts), yes, I'd love to see Kharndam become something akin to Thieves' World (with less back-stabbing, of course).
As a surprise of late, one of the models I've held in my head as inspiration (at least for how I wanted to build my business and its properties) is also restarting: Check out http://bordertownseries.com/ if you like urban fantasy with more attitude and variety than the omnipresent rippling abs and tramp stamps (and oddly, no heads) that currently fill the shelves. I know I will be looking at more of what they're doing, as I loved quite a lot of the previous Bordertown works (especially de Lint's). |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 25 May 2011 : 19:11:32
Quick update with four days left on the drive....
I've done a guest-post over on Jeff Grubb's blog with a few more tid-bits of info re: the book and the world.
http://grubbstreet.blogspot.com/2011/05/message-from-steven-schend.html
I've also added a new reward stage for those wanting to participate a bit more creatively:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1136561409/secrets-like-dragonsare-tales-untold
If it weren't for a debilitating cold hitting me and Oscar simultaneously, I'd have a few Akanri character sketches and miscellaneous up on my site (and, perhaps, kharndam.com, if I ever get the code/formats where I want them to officially announce that site's launch). Hopefully I'll get that done tomorrow....if I'm conscious at all...
Thanks again for all the feedback; Dark Wizard, I want you to know that the video's not gone up because I've not had the time to tinker with a few elements, but it'll be going up without the kickstarter pitch attached to it as soon as I can make that happen.
More later, gentles... |
| The Sage |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 04:14:10
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
One thought I had for community building for kharndam.com was this: Reward frequent posters and commentators with admin status of a local board/forum so they can be the mayor (or innkeeper) of a [place name in area X] and loosely be an in-world character dealing with the background discussions and news and info of others in that area (whether they amount to the person's home game group or far more). Would that be something workable or even of interest to folks?
I like this idea, and it's something I've been a part of on another forum that I still frequent. The only problem we've encountered with such community strategies, however, are inane posters who simply inflate their post-counts with nonsense commentary in the hopes of being the ones assigned to such positions.
Now, obviously, you'll probably establish stricter guidelines by formulating a site Code of Conduct for kharndam.com, but it's always something you will need to guard against regardless -- as there will also always be some individual posters who seek to test the limits of the rules and dictates outlined in a site CoC.
quote:
Another thought I had re: forums and online communities was the idea that they might be among the first places in which rumors (that will play out in stories and published works) would crop up, but there's no way by which anyone should be able to tell which rumors and overheard tavern talk would be truth or just braggodocio and blather. Reactions, please?
Oh, I love this. It's almost exactly what the design folk from Contested Ground Studios did with their own RPG-specific message boards -- which tended to provide discussion points for their various published settings. The designers would sometimes drop by and add further vague notions about official events -- that only further served to "muddy the waters" so to speak, and provide multiple jumping-off points for new campaigns and new interpretations on published material.
I say go with it!  |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 03:14:29
No time now for a real response, but thank to Wooly, Sage, and Markustay for their responses.
And Markustay, would you believe me if I told you most of what you suggested is already in place, at least at the bible stage (if not for public consumption)? Of all your suggestions, I think only the mythologies and pantheons are still fluid...
One thought I had for community building for kharndam.com was this: Reward frequent posters and commentators with admin status of a local board/forum so they can be the mayor (or innkeeper) of a [place name in area X] and loosely be an in-world character dealing with the background discussions and news and info of others in that area (whether they amount to the person's home game group or far more). Would that be something workable or even of interest to folks?
Another thought I had re: forums and online communities was the idea that they might be among the first places in which rumors (that will play out in stories and published works) would crop up, but there's no way by which anyone should be able to tell which rumors and overheard tavern talk would be truth or just braggodocio and blather. Reactions, please?
SES
|
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 23 May 2011 : 03:09:07
Quick note for any interested: I've added a high level reward stage for those who want to leave their creative stamp on things in a big way..... |
| Markustay |
Posted - 22 May 2011 : 15:17:28
Aside from monetary ones, will you be seeking contributions of any sort in the future? Just curious - your project actually sounds like something I have been working towards (alone) for nearly two years. Is this going to be a Thieves' World style anthology-project? Lots of great things can come out of that, but lots of mistakes as well (which I am sure you guys are aware of).
Maps, calenders (including lunar cycles), histories, mythologies (including cosmologies), etc - the kind of details 'rabid fanbois' want to know, but stuff that wouldn't ordinarily work within a novel or even a sourcebook.
I am sure you know all of this - you have one of the greatest world-builders of all-time on your team (and the rest are no slouches either).
We want lots of Red Slippers.
And CONSISTENCY should be priority one; nothing breaks the fourth wall harder then a badly-placed reference. A rough timeline MUST be created at the beginning, and a CONSTANT line of communication must be maintained between ALL contributors. Create a Wiki/Database of EVERYTHING referenced everywhere by any official source, if not for the fans, then for your own personal research. At first this may seem silly, but if it grows into something monolithic like the Realms, such a source will become invaluable. Every single personage, date, event, locale, flora & fauna, etc.. MUST be kept track of.
Once again, all stuff I am sure you guys know. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 17:24:36
What Sage said, minus the tech aspect.  |
| The Sage |
Posted - 20 May 2011 : 16:58:32
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Schend
Query: If I were building a fan/reader/participant-oriented online community around Kharndam and/or the Akanri, what sorts of things would you all be expecting of it?
Essentially, I'd be looking for material about the places and peoples of Kharndam, sections on the site where readers can exchange ideas about the material and homebrew stuff for potential RPG/campaign use, and the opportunity to ping you with official/canon questions about stuff we may not already be aware of from our readings.
Basically, a format similar to Candlekeep, really.
quote:
Feel free to be as pie-in-the-sky as you like; I know my planning and hopes are up there, but I'm going to have to wait until my grasp of the tech is there.
My offer to pitch in with an assist [where and when I can] for the tech, is still on the table, friend Steven. |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 19 May 2011 : 18:42:43
Query: If I were building a fan/reader/participant-oriented online community around Kharndam and/or the Akanri, what sorts of things would you all be expecting of it?
Feel free to be as pie-in-the-sky as you like; I know my planning and hopes are up there, but I'm going to have to wait until my grasp of the tech is there.
Steven
who hopes that he can eventually build his websites into something really special...but he's still fighting with WordPress to get it to do what he needs, let alone wants.... |
| Steven Schend |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 18:53:44
quote:
Originally posted by The Red Walker
Almost half way there Ask your neighbors and friends!
I've done a lot of that and moreso; I'll be sending out a few updates and blog posts this week with more info and sneak peeks in hopes of making it to 100% within 11 days.
Still, thank you very much for all the support and comments and advice here at the Keep. I'm grateful beyond words that so many folks trust in me and my co-authors to bid on a project sight unseen...though hopefully I'll have more images soon for steveneschend.com or kharndam.com (and link back to kickstarter.com as well).
Steven
who's feeling every day of his 44 years today after his birthday yesterday....but still smiling.. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 18 May 2011 : 15:29:38
Almost half way there Ask your neighbors and friends! |
| Alystra Illianniis |
Posted - 14 May 2011 : 04:18:47
Well, I'm tentatively entering at the 35$ level, which is about all I can afford. I'd love to go in for 500$, but that's just not realistic for me right now. Gotta squeeze those pennies and make 'em bleed! |
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