Supplemental (War) Stories

That will learn me from making product promises…

Fans of BattleTech and those of my most recent book in particular, have been aware that there’s a companion piece “in the works” for a while. Initially, I’d planned on having this e-book done (titled Wars of Reaving: Supplemental) and on the market no later than Thanksgiving of last year.

*checks today’s date*

Um. Yeah.

I’m cautiously optimistic it’ll actually be released sometime in April of this year. Why “cautiously optimistic?” Because as of today, I finally finished all of the writing for it. The material is undergoing a quick review by our crack fact check team and will then go to Ray for his layout genius. How long that takes is highly dependent on how much time Ray can put towards it, considering there are other, larger print projects also on his desk.

Because it took so long is not saying there’s a ton of it in this supplemental publication. Far from it. Most of the page count is record sheets and tables, after all. But there are some gems hidden within, guaranteed.

So why did it take so long?

It’s an Honor Just Being Nominated…

Earlier this week, the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design announced their nominees for the 38th Annual Origins Awards. The nominees were voted by the retailer attendees of the 2012 GAMA Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV back in February. And I’m proud to say that Catalyst Game Labs’ Wars of Reaving, a BattleTech plot book written last year by yours truly, was one of the six nominees in the Best Miniatures Rules or Expansion category!

While I’ve been a writer on a few other CGL projects that have grabbed various awards, I’ve never been the primary author. This particular news is very special to me, as the book was done in the span of only a couple of months and required a Herculean effort on the part of myself, Jason Schmetzer (the editor), Ray Arrastia (layout genius), and of course, Herb Beas (BT Line Developer). And of course, there was no small part played by my understanding and supportive wife. (The full scope of the project can be found in more detail elsewhere.)

I’m hopeful that the book will be named the winner during Origins this year, but even if not, I’m still humbled by the nomination. In this line of work, accolades are difficult to find outside of the various fanbases. To be recognized for all of the sweat, stress, and near-endless revisions is pretty epic, in all honesty.

Now, if you’re going to Origins, make sure you vote for my book! Origins attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite game, accessory, or book in each category. Each attendee is limited to one voting ballot. The Academy Chair and Secretary will tally votes at the end of each day and will show the leaders on the Origins Award Leader Board. Voting will end at noon on Saturday, June 2, with the winners announced that evening at the Origins Award ceremony.

 

 

Reaving Raving – Ask the Author

So the book’s been “out” for a week now and I know many have already devoured it from cover to cover. (When I say “out” I mean that the PDF is available for public sale; the print copy’s GenCon run was 240, of which only 28 survived the GenCon hordes. The book hits store shelves sometime after Labor Day – but don’t hold me to that. CGL reserves the right to override my pathetic attempts at guessing street dates.)

I’d like to give the chance to those who’ve read the book (or who can’t wait and instead consume spoilers) to ask me questions. You can be as pointed or as specific as you’d like; I’ll answer to the best that I can *without* breaking NDA. I normally don’t do this, but I had a lot of guys come up to me at the convention wanting to ask questions but I couldn’t really discuss the book due to the crazy-busyness that surrounded the booth. There’s a lot of answers I can now give about the story process that won’t “spoil” anything, and I’d like to share. But I need you, dear reader, to initiate the discussion.

And So It Begins…

Go forth and enjoy.

See you at GenCon or, failing that, on the battlefield of the future.

The Road to Reaving – Part X

"Spearing the enemy"; photo by Peter Wort

It’s been quite a journey, hasn’t it? The story’s not over, however. Read on for what lay ahead on the Reaving road.