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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2016 : 14:19:37
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Hi, Madpig. Sorry to disappoint you, but except for collecting royalties on old work, I have no current standing with WotC. I have no contracts in place to write new stories, and they appear to have no further interest in publishing me.
That said, I can't predict the future. At some point, WotC could decide to expand the fiction line again and ask some of us writers who were cut from the team to come back. If the forthcoming D&D movie is a huge hit, maybe that would encourage them. But at this point, if the company has even a conditional, hypothetical kind of interest in doing this, I'm not aware of it.
I would certainly be interested in coming back. There are more stories I planned to tell. But it's also true that I haven't just sat around waiting for WotC to call. I've had to move on to new projects, which means contracts and deadlines with other publishers. So even if WotC asked me back, I might not be able to start writing for them that same year. Also, much as I love the Realms, writing is my livelihood, and I would have to consider WotC's offer vs. what I am able to make elsewhere.
So that's where things stand. Nowhere, basically. |
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ywhtptgtfo
Seeker
89 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2016 : 01:08:39
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quote: Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Hi, Madpig. Sorry to disappoint you, but except for collecting royalties on old work, I have no current standing with WotC. I have no contracts in place to write new stories, and they appear to have no further interest in publishing me.
That said, I can't predict the future. At some point, WotC could decide to expand the fiction line again and ask some of us writers who were cut from the team to come back. If the forthcoming D&D movie is a huge hit, maybe that would encourage them. But at this point, if the company has even a conditional, hypothetical kind of interest in doing this, I'm not aware of it.
I would certainly be interested in coming back. There are more stories I planned to tell. But it's also true that I haven't just sat around waiting for WotC to call. I've had to move on to new projects, which means contracts and deadlines with other publishers. So even if WotC asked me back, I might not be able to start writing for them that same year. Also, much as I love the Realms, writing is my livelihood, and I would have to consider WotC's offer vs. what I am able to make elsewhere.
So that's where things stand. Nowhere, basically.
That's a bit sad to hear. The Haunted Lands trilogy is about the only 4e trilogy that I don't regret spending time reading.
I liked how the characters were memorable and prone to making mistakes. Even the pre-mandated winner of the trilogy (Szass Tam) was thwarted a couple times by miscalculation (Malark) or misfortune (Spellplague).
I also liked how the characters would occasionally make flawed and unanticipated speculations of their circumstances without being explicitly by other parties. For example, the zulkirs never knew the fates of Yaphyll and Dimitra and concluded that both ladies were still working with Tam towards the end of the 2nd book. Even though that conclusion had no meaningful influence over their actions, I still appreciate that tiny detail.
With regards to the movie, I am very impressed with how Blizzard pulled off a fairly presentable Warcraft Movie but I highly doubt WotC can come remotely close to achieving that standard. Needless to say, the last two D&D movies were flops and WotC is not really a powerhouse of literature right now. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jun 2016 : 14:15:41
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Thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked the trilogy.
With regard to the D&D movie, it won't be WotC actually making it. Experienced moviemakers with the resources of a major studio behind them will do that, just as is the case with WARCRAFT. People who actually work for WotC will be onboard as humble consultants or not at all. Depending on one's perspective, that can be seen as cause for optimism or pessimism, but it's almost certainly the way things will be. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2016 : 15:18:15
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I'll be a guest on the MythWits podcast at 9:30 PM tonight. You can listen and submit questions at this link.
http://studio187.com/mythwitslive |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2016 : 15:36:28
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It's possible a couple things might still get added, but so far, here's my Gen Con schedule (these are all seminars in the Gen Con Writer's Symposium.)
You wil note that so far, I have no signings. But I'll be happy sign material you bring to the seminars.
THURSDAY
Noon Business of Writing 101 Westin - Congress I
2 PM Writers Craft: Show, Dont Tell Westin - Caucus
5 PM Write What You Know Westin - Chamber
FRIDAY
11 AM Writing Novels: Story Breadcrumbs Westin - Caucus
2 PM Writing Novels POV Head Hopping Westin - Caucus
5 PM Business of Writing: Media Tie-In Market Westin - Congress I
6 PM Writers Craft: Introducing New Worlds in Novels Westin - Capital I
SATURDAY
Noon Business of Writing: Knowing When To Quit Westin - Congress I
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Adhriva
Learned Scribe
USA
147 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2016 : 20:09:37
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How well do you find DriveThru Rpg/fiction/comics/etc works as a distribution platform for creators? Do you see similar returns for your work compared to other distribution and [self] publication venues? |
Professional illustrator and comic book artist. Portfolio |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2016 : 15:09:14
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I'm the wrong person to ask. I haven't seen much money directly from DriveThry, but I also haven't published anything there myself. Every product that bears my name has been produced by the intermediary of a publisher. In many cases, the material is reprints of old books long out of print where you wouldn't necessarily expect a sales bonanza. Thus, DriveThry has never really had a fair chance to deliver big for me.
In general, I'm not the best guy to ask about distribution channels and self-publishing. Don't get me wrong, I'll answer if I can, but most of my work, certainly the more profitable part, has been me selling to traditional publishers. So I'm not especially knowledgeable in general. People who have made a big success out of self-publishing or running their own publishing companies can probably give you far better information. |
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Hippo
Acolyte
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2016 : 07:47:09
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It's been a busy few months for me so I just went to purchase Black Dogs tonight to catch up with the Black River Irregulars and noticed it turned out not to come out in March. What the heck happened?! Do you know if it was pushed back to coincide with their expansion that they are getting with the board game? |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2016 : 14:51:22
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Hi, Hippo. I don't know why the schedule changed. I do know the book is supposed to come out Sept. 1. The audiobook edition is already listed on Amazon, but the last time I looked, the print and eBook editions were not listed yet. Still, so far as I know, Sept. 1 is the release date for all three. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2016 : 15:24:21
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SNAFU: UNNATURAL SELECTION is available now! New military horror fiction by terrific writers like James A. Moore, Charles R Rutledge, Tim Lebbon, and Christopher Golden, plus you get a new novelette by me.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBOFMK6#navbar |
Edited by - Richard Lee Byers on 28 Jul 2016 15:25:13 |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36809 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36809 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 14:39:40
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Hope you enjoy it, WR! |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 01:45:37
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After some garbled communication and general confusion, I now know that, contrary to what I posted previously, my new fantasy novel BLACK DOGS is already available in all formats, eBook, audiobook, AND paper-and-ink.
The story is set in the Iron Kingdoms universe of Privateer Press and stars the Black River Irregulars, the mercenary band who appeared previously in my novella MURDER IN CORVIS. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that if you enjoyed it when I wrote about a mercenary company in the Forgotten Realms, you'll enjoy these new stories as well.
Anyway, here I am plugging the novel one more time and letting you know that if old-school paper-and-ink is your preferred format, you need not wait until November to read it that way. You can get it that way now. Just follow the link:
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Dogs-Richard-Lee-Byers/dp/1943693137/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475022665&sr=8-1&keywords=black+dogs+byers |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
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