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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
   
1882 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 14:26:51
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Okay maybe I should have done a search but I'm a bit alarmed by a rumor going around on the net: Does anyone know if Wizbro is cancelling their novel lines in the near future?
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I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
    
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 15:05:44
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The novel line has been dwindling for years now, but I don't think it will be cancelled completely. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
   
1882 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 15:15:35
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I'm trying to join the FB group that the conversation came from to find out more. The friend that told me about it is reliable but I can't speak for those who brought up the topic in that group. I'm hoping with all the authors & designers here we can get a final word on it. Erin M. Evans has already stated that her next novel is the last Brimstone Angels book...and I find her work to be better than most other Realm's writers. With the cut in writing I'm actually a bit worried that the rumor may be true. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36878 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 17:19:04
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The topic came up at the Candlekeep seminar at GenCon. Obviously, a definitive answer could not be provided, but the authors/designers there didn't think the novel line was in imminent danger of being entirely removed. |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
   
1882 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 17:32:09
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I hope that is true Wooly. Although I slowed on my FR reading years ago I certainly don't want to see the novel lines extinguished. That would be a nail in the coffin methinks...and we don't want that. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Entromancer
Senior Scribe
  
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 21:18:51
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I'd think we'd see the novels revert to exclusively paperbacks before being canceled outright. |
"...the will is everything. The will to act."--Ra's Al Ghul
"Suffering builds character."--Talia Al Ghul |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
   
1882 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 22:21:52
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At this time there are no new contracts being offered. Ed won't answer outright (and I think he'd quell this rumor if it weren't true) so, for the time being, it seems as if this rumor is true. Erik Scott de Bie chimed in with simply supporting Onder Librum where many Realms authors are working now. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
    
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 22:40:28
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To me Ed's silence about this SPEAKS VOLUMES... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding." Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36878 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 23:06:20
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Ed is not and has never worked for WotC or for TSR before them -- he's always been a freelancer. He is by no means in the loop of what WotC is doing.
And further, Ed's been fairly quiet, publicly, on a lot of things, of late. The man has a hell of a lot on his plate even before you factor in the massive effort that is Onder Librum. In regards to WotC, I don't think his silence is indicative of anything at all.
Keep in mind, if they stop publishing novels, the rights revert to Ed. Do you really thing Hasbro is going to let any IP out of its grasp? |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
  
595 Posts |
Posted - 17 Aug 2016 : 23:18:07
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quote: Originally posted by The Arcanamach
At this time there are no new contracts being offered.
So with Troy's novel cancelled, that leaves us with only Erin's and Robert's upcomming novels and then that's it? Nothing more scheduled after those two (at least currently) |
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Lamora
Seeker

USA
81 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 01:46:30
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Has Troy's novel been confirmed cancelled? I still see Dagger of Souls on Amazon to be released early September. It will be sad to see another novel disappear if it has been cancelled. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36878 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 02:47:42
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quote: Originally posted by Mirtek
quote: Originally posted by The Arcanamach
At this time there are no new contracts being offered.
So with Troy's novel cancelled, that leaves us with only Erin's and Robert's upcomming novels and then that's it? Nothing more scheduled after those two (at least currently)
It's been pointed out more than once that they generally don't list stuff all that far out. Just because there's nothing more listed now doesn't mean there's not more in the pipeline. |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
  
595 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 11:50:27
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Don't we usually know novels out to 6 months in advance? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36878 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 14:41:58
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We used to... But that was when we'd see multiple novels in that time frame.
I saw something online today saying that WotC had recently increased their staffing from 15 to 23 people. Obviously, this doesn't mean much for novels, since those aren't written in-house... But if they're increasing staff, it means they've got more work to be done. Hopefully, this will lead to an increase in the content they provide.
And 8 people may not sound like a lot... But that's more than half of what they had before. |
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Irennan
Great Reader
    
Italy
3811 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 14:56:47
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quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
We used to... But that was when we'd see multiple novels in that time frame.
I saw something online today saying that WotC had recently increased their staffing from 15 to 23 people. Obviously, this doesn't mean much for novels, since those aren't written in-house... But if they're increasing staff, it means they've got more work to be done. Hopefully, this will lead to an increase in the content they provide.
And 8 people may not sound like a lot... But that's more than half of what they had before.
We don't know if those 8 people are going to work in the RPG team, or in the Marketing team (or something like that), tho. At least, I haven't read anything about that. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36878 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 18:47:08
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quote: Originally posted by Irennan
quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
We used to... But that was when we'd see multiple novels in that time frame.
I saw something online today saying that WotC had recently increased their staffing from 15 to 23 people. Obviously, this doesn't mean much for novels, since those aren't written in-house... But if they're increasing staff, it means they've got more work to be done. Hopefully, this will lead to an increase in the content they provide.
And 8 people may not sound like a lot... But that's more than half of what they had before.
We don't know if those 8 people are going to work in the RPG team, or in the Marketing team (or something like that), tho. At least, I haven't read anything about that.
True, we don't have that info... But staffing up is a good sign, either way.
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore
   
1628 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 21:26:04
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All I know is that D&D is being left to rot on the vine.
After the Devil You Know is out, we're left with 2 FR writers, Ed and Salvarore, and lets be honest they're only keeping Ed so that rights don't revert back to him.
On the RPG side their is basically just the SCAG till Volo's Guide to Monsters comes out and their adventures, which all seem to be Dragons/Elementals/Giants rampaging on the Sword Coast (Curse of Strahd doesn't count as FR really, and didn't sound compelling anyways).
There is still no FR campaign guide, its easier to find a proper campaign guide for third party settings like Thrule or soon the Scarred Lands.
5e was supposed to be a golden age for D&D and FR and instead its turned out to be a Near Death Experience.
I hope they do make the mistake of ending the novel line so that the rights revert back to Ed.
Realistically I think the only hope for FR is if Ed and a band of Brothers and Sisters gets together to create a proper, full FRCG for DMSGUILD, and enough people get together to demand that WotC grant it offical recognition, putting max pressure on WotC to make it official. |
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Irennan
Great Reader
    
Italy
3811 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 21:32:22
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quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
True, we don't have that info... But staffing up is a good sign, either way.
Yes, at least it isn't negative news.
@Gyor Hero seems to be the last RAS' book as well, for now. And Ed didn't make any comment about any further El novel, whereas he would make varios teasing posts on twitter while he was writing Death Masks, and THO even made a post after Ed finished writing it. The silence is quite depressing. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore
   
1628 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 21:54:21
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quote: Originally posted by Irennan
quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
True, we don't have that info... But staffing up is a good sign, either way.
Yes, at least it isn't negative news.
@Gyor Hero seems to be the last RAS' book as well, for now. And Ed didn't make any comment about any further El novel, whereas he would make varios teasing posts on twitter while he was writing Death Masks, and THO even made a post after Ed finished writing it. The silence is quite depressing.
Change is in the air, either the novel is at an end or they have something big planned that they can't discuss.
I wish they'd sell FR to Piazo or Onyx Path, this unlife FR is trapped in is insane. I hate it. |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
   
1882 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 22:12:07
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Well the increase in staff makes me hopeful. Perhaps they're going to concentrate on cranking out more gaming material and less on novels for the near future. I agree the slow pace of new products is depressing and needs to change...SOON. I think 1 gaming product per month would be nice provided the quality is high and we get lore and fluff aplenty. One of the things I hate about new editions is the abundant rehashing of old material over the release of new lore. For instance, I've been wanting a write-up for the Citadel of the Raven (maps and all) since 1e/2e but we've never received it. But we'll almost certainly get new books on Waterdeep, Cormyr, the Dales, etc. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
  
595 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 22:39:22
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quote: Originally posted by Gyor
5e was supposed to be a golden age for D&D and FR and instead its turned out to be a Near Death Experience.
Well, it seems to be the golden age for D&D again at least.
5e is still ranked on top spots on the amazon charts and has already beaten (individually, not alltogether) each previous edition of D&D.
We may not like it, but WotC's strategy seems to be working. |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
   
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 22:48:51
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quote: Originally posted by Mirtek
quote: Originally posted by Gyor
5e was supposed to be a golden age for D&D and FR and instead its turned out to be a Near Death Experience.
Well, it seems to be the golden age for D&D again at least.
5e is still ranked on top spots on the amazon charts and has already beaten (individually, not alltogether) each previous edition of D&D.
We may not like it, but WotC's strategy seems to be working.
Not sure your evidence can lead you to the conclusion it did. Maybe that pertains to 4th edition? But an Amazon chart isn't going to tell you relative sales for 1-3rd editions of D&D or FR material. |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
  
595 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 22:54:56
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quote: Originally posted by Seravin
quote: Originally posted by Mirtek
quote: Originally posted by Gyor
5e was supposed to be a golden age for D&D and FR and instead its turned out to be a Near Death Experience.
Well, it seems to be the golden age for D&D again at least.
5e is still ranked on top spots on the amazon charts and has already beaten (individually, not alltogether) each previous edition of D&D.
We may not like it, but WotC's strategy seems to be working.
Not sure your evidence can lead you to the conclusion it did. Maybe that pertains to 4th edition? But an Amazon chart isn't going to tell you relative sales for 1-3rd editions of D&D or FR material.
Nope, it's straight from Mearls on twitter
https://twitter.com/mikemearls/status/764241988128419840 |
Edited by - Mirtek on 18 Aug 2016 22:57:54 |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
    
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 23:17:57
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quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
We used to... But that was when we'd see multiple novels in that time frame.
I saw something online today saying that WotC had recently increased their staffing from 15 to 23 people. Obviously, this doesn't mean much for novels, since those aren't written in-house... But if they're increasing staff, it means they've got more work to be done. Hopefully, this will lead to an increase in the content they provide.
And 8 people may not sound like a lot... But that's more than half of what they had before.
Those additional employees might just be fulltime shredders who take care of unsolicited submissions...  |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
    
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 23:20:03
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If the novel line does end that might actually be a good thing. If Ed gets all of the rights to the Realms back, how great would it be to see him self-publishing whatever lore he felt like working on? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Irennan
Great Reader
    
Italy
3811 Posts |
Posted - 18 Aug 2016 : 23:22:47
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quote: Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
If the novel line does end that might actually be a good thing. If Ed gets all of the rights to the Realms back, how great would it be to see him self-publishing whatever lore he felt like working on?
The thing is that Ed is already going to do something like that, with his work that will be published through the DMG. They could also contact him to contribute to one of their yearly adventures, and that would fulfill their part of the contract, as far as I know. |
Mathematics is the art of giving the same name to different things. |
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Seravin
Master of Realmslore
   
Canada
1297 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2016 : 00:54:20
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Wow, I'm glad for 5edition PHB sales. 2nd edition was all over everywhere in the late 80s/early 90s (which to me is the golden era of the Forgotten Realms). I'm surprised the sales are better but that's great! |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
    
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2016 : 03:44:57
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quote: Originally posted by Irennan
quote: Originally posted by Artemas Entreri
If the novel line does end that might actually be a good thing. If Ed gets all of the rights to the Realms back, how great would it be to see him self-publishing whatever lore he felt like working on?
The thing is that Ed is already going to do something like that, with his work that will be published through the DMG. They could also contact him to contribute to one of their yearly adventures, and that would fulfill their part of the contract, as far as I know.
Yes but are things from the DMG (even stuff written by Ed or other published Realms authors/designers) considered canon? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore
   
1628 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2016 : 03:55:20
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quote: Originally posted by Mirtek
quote: Originally posted by Gyor
5e was supposed to be a golden age for D&D and FR and instead its turned out to be a Near Death Experience.
Well, it seems to be the golden age for D&D again at least.
5e is still ranked on top spots on the amazon charts and has already beaten (individually, not alltogether) each previous edition of D&D.
We may not like it, but WotC's strategy seems to be working.
All that does is shows is what a wasted opportunity 5e was. Honestly I might give up on FR in 2017, until FR gets its proper supports.
The Scarred Lands from Onyx Path are going to get a proper campaign setting guide for their main continent soon, like FR should have gotten with the other continients likely to follow after.
Thrule Campaign Setting Guide is already out for 5e, why can't WotC do this.
I may change my D&D focus to Scarred Lands and Starfinder (Star Trek meets Pathfinder meets Stargate) if I like it, because at least you have a proper core book, instead of an annorexic attempt at one (SCAG). |
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Elsenrail
Seeker

Poland
72 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2016 : 11:36:50
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What you write here is very disturbing. :/ I know that RAS pointed that he typed "THE END" at the end of Hero, so it looks gloomy for Drizzt. If Drizzt dies then there is no point to continue FR. He was the main marketing point nowadays. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief

    
USA
36878 Posts |
Posted - 19 Aug 2016 : 12:07:36
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quote: Originally posted by Elsenrail
If Drizzt dies then there is no point to continue FR.
You may feel that way, but for a lot of people, the Realms is more than just one character. |
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