Any interest in a publishing idea?

[unmerged(13655)]

I've got an idea which might (or might not) generate enough interest here to be worth pursuing

First, me: one of the things I do in real life, i.e. when I'm not trying to reunite Armenia with Georgia and annex Trebizond at the same time, is publishing. I'm a partner in a small publisher (Metropolis Ink -- our web site is at www.metropolisink.com if anyone's interested.) We publish a fairly wide range of books.

Second, the idea -- what about a paperback book collection of AARs? We could get together a collection of good AARs, and set them up as a book. We'd go through the editing and proofing process with the various AAR authors, all of who would have to give their permission to be included in the project.

The book would be real one. It would have an ISBN, a price on the cover, and would be available through Ingram in the US, and through Bertrams in the UK. (Those are major distributors, for those who don't know). Initially the printing would be POD (Print on Demand) through Lightning Source, who are a subsidiary of Ingram in the US. Later on, if there was the demand, a conventional print run could happen. We're doing that with a couple of books now.

I think a book of AARs might be a good second way (i.e. in addition to these fora, which are great) to document some of the excellent writing to be found in the AARs. We could give it a really catchy title like "EU2 AARs 1.0"

Any questions? Feedback?

 

[Alexandru H.]

Well, this is not a new idea, but it is certainly the first one that comes from a man that really has the capacity of doing it.

The main problem is the legal one. Everything on this forum is the property of Paradox, so any discussion regarding material-publishing would have to pass through their offices.

But it's certainly an interesting idea!

 

[unmerged(11366)]

WHAT!!!

You mean if I were to collect some of my short stories (the first thing I ever wrote, by the way, was a comedy sketch where Greta van Susteren interviews Osama bin Laden on CNN) and send them off to Ballantine or Random House or somebody--I'd have to get permission from Paradox to print one of my AARs????

That STINKS!!

 

[unmerged(10397)]

It somewhere on some anouncement or agreement we're all sworn to. They aren't responsibile for what goes on the board, but they own it.

 

[unmerged(13655)]

Hajji, most companies have copyright conditions like that just to cover their butts, in case there's ever any need to. The chances are 99% that it's just a formality, as long as the correct protocols are observed. I don't know for a fact, but I'm guessing that Paradox would be cool with whatever anyone here wanted to do with their writing -- as long as Paradox don't come out of it looking bad, or liable to get into trouble in any way.

 

[unmerged(11366)]

Good, I hope what you said was true!

Because I was thinking of a mini-AAR called "Count Dracula and the Shish Kofte of Doom"--but was also considering getting said story published. When I saw what Alexandru said it doomed the story's chances of seeing the boards...but maybe you guys will get to read said story after all .

*The O in Kofte has two dots over it*

 

[Alexandru H.]

don't take it so bad, Hajji! It's not that serious....the swedish law is a bit different from the US copyright one....I do belive that a simple request would present no trouble whatsoever....

For all the folks out there, a simple word of advice: always read the legal agreement. I'm no lawyer but it's the safest thing.

Now, we should discuss DemonOz's proposal, not freak out because of such a insignificant thing

 

[unmerged(11366)]

DemonOz-

Can you tell us some of MetropolitanInk's bestsellers? Where are you based? Don't think I'm grilling you, just curious.

I do NOT like the name "EU2 AARs 1.0". First, people do not like titles with acronyms in them. Second, what's with the 1.0? Does that mean that the next will be "EU2 AARs 1.1 Patch"? I would prefer something more history-like ("The Rise and Fall of Renaissance Nations: Based on Experiences from the Computer Game Europa Universalis II", possibly? Something that sounds like a book YOU would want to buy!), and EUII can go in the sub-title or we can write an introduction in which we lavish praise on the game. But I do NOT like the title you suggest.

 

[unmerged(13655)]

Hajji, I wasn't serious about the title -- my tongue was in my cheek there.

Some more information -- to answer your question about Metropolis Ink.

We're a small publisher, and we've been at it for about 3 years, so we're still finding the best way to do things. We have a good group of authors, and about 30 books have gone through the system so far. One of them has just won a prize for adult fiction, and another has just been nominated for a prize for SF. Most of our books are currently POD (Print on Demand), but we are in the process of organizing 'normal' print runs of two titles. We are able to do this because we've just signed a distribution deal with Biblio, a mainstream distributor in the US. This is a major development for us, and one that we're quite excited about.

I'm based in Australia, and I take care of the production, book design and layout, and deal with the printers. My main partner in the project is in Arizona, USA, and he takes care of all the contractural stuff, deals with the authors, and edits the manuscripts. Between the two of us, we get pretty everything done. We've had a third partner who deals with publicity and marketing, but we're currently looking for ver 2.0 on that position.

As for the mechanics of how we could make a book of AARs:

I'd act as project coordinator, since I know the game. We'd get interested AAR authors to submit threads or pieces of writing. We'd look at hopefully getting enough to fill a trade-paperback size book of about 250 to 300 pages. The pieces would need to be edited and tidied up. There would be a back-and-forth process of proofing, until the authors were all happy. Then the authors and Paradox would get a PDF proof to approve.

Otther things to think about would be the cover design, and whether to give Paradox some advertising at the back of the book.

Once the book is done and through the production system, it would be able to be ordered through any bookshop in the US or the UK. It would be available through Amazon, B&N, and all the other web sites that sell books. Plus, of course, it would be for sale from the MI web site. A book of that size would sell for about US$15.95.

One question would be what to do with the royalty money. If there were say 20 authors, the royalty payments would, quite frankly, by pretty small, hardly worth worrying about. (This book would have a small target market, after all). Another option would be to agree on a charity, and pass the royalty money (10% of the cover price) on to it, or even to give the money to the game's makers, by way of thanks. Just an idea.

This is assuming, of course, that we can get Paradox to give their permission for AARs from this board to be used.

 

[Lord Durham]

I've just managed to find my way back to the board after the server change.

The first thing I have to say is that selling anything that has to do with a Paradox game would require explicit permission. (I ran into this situation with another web site).

DemonOz, can we take this offline so I can get a feel of what you are looking for and I can it pass on to Paradox? I'll send you a PM tomorrow.

Thanks,

LD

Mod - EUII, HoI AARS
ADMIN - Conan.com

 

[unmerged(10397)]

hhhmmm....first time I've ever seen LD sign anything with the power of his modship.

 

[unmerged(11366)]

Originally posted by Phalanx
hhhmmm....first time I've ever seen LD sign anything with the power of his modship.

It means: Beware...the...wrath of the moderator!

But seriously: Sounds pretty neat. It would be still better, of course, if it were available at Barnes and Noble itself, not just by ordering. Then a friend might see it and buy a copy for me . A Paradox advert would be cool, the idea would make them more likely to accept our request, that's for sure!

It would be interesting to see how this goes...

In the meantime take a look at the Free Company. The Free Company is like a real collaborative novel!, and it's good, too. Some advantages to publishing the Free Company:

1. It's really good;
2. There are five volumes so far, so if the first is a hit there are already sequels just waiting to be published ;
3. You wouldn't have to worry about a name, I've already come up with one: The Free Company: Adventures in 15th Century Europe; or simply use the various volumes' names as given on the forums.
4. It's really good!

 

[unmerged(12680)]

Maybe it's jsut me, but I much prefer to read my AARs on the 'net then in a book.

Probably because I don't have to remove myself too far from EU2 to do so...

 

[Alexandru H.]

Well, certainly there are some very good works that deserve to be read separately (I'm also thinking Free Company), but of course History Park, Timurid Scientists etc. are also interesting choices

 

[unmerged(13655)]

I do have some replies to the above posts (and thanks for the suggestions re threads), but as per Lord Durham's request, I'll leave it alone and keep it offline until we've got some clarification from the folks at Paradox.

 

[Lord Durham]

Originally posted by DemonOz
I do have some replies to the above posts (and thanks for the suggestions re threads), but as per Lord Durham's request, I'll leave it alone and keep it offline until we've got some clarification from the folks at Paradox.

Sorry, continuing access problems made me late. I've sent you a PM.

HG I, thanks for the plug. There are several outstanding AARs here worthy of consideration, IMHO.

 

[Lord Durham]

Just a followup to let you know I've passed the proposal on to Paradox. I'll post something as soon as I hear...

 

[unmerged(4271)]

Remember, too, that as wonderful as our stories are many might deserve a little editing. Depending on how much straight "game" information is desired, the removal of key game elements and things that are unique to EU II could make a story different enough that it would be free and clear of Paradox, depending on which nation's copyright laws you want to apply.

Of course, in any case Paradox should be cited/credited/praised for inspiring the works, and hopefully they could see this as a wonderful opportunity to promote their product.

However if push came to shove, and with a few "Find and Replace" options we could all read the wonderful tales of "L'Eminence Noir" and "Portugal Uncut: The Adventures of Dixie"!

 

[Wyvern]

Sounds like an interesting idea, hope something comes of it.

 

[Lord Durham]

Originally posted by heagarty
Remember, too, that as wonderful as our stories are many might deserve a little editing. Depending on how much straight "game" information is desired, the removal of key game elements and things that are unique to EU II could make a story different enough that it would be free and clear of Paradox, depending on which nation's copyright laws you want to apply.

Of course, in any case Paradox should be cited/credited/praised for inspiring the works, and hopefully they could see this as a wonderful opportunity to promote their product.

However if push came to shove, and with a few "Find and Replace" options we could all read the wonderful tales of "L'Eminence Noir" and "Portugal Uncut: The Adventures of Dixie"!

Or how about 'The Bluttonic Kniggets'?

A quick update. Paradox is still mulling it over. Keep our fingers crossed...