Two left to tackle—the light at the end of the tunnel grows closer
about 1 year ago
– Tue, Jan 28, 2025 at 07:36:04 AM
As of yesterday, I have two chapters left to finish, which means the book is about 90% complete. The layout will get one final pass, and then it should be ready for the printer.
I’m pushing to complete this because I now have a surgery date for the medical issue I’ve been dealing with. On March 7, I’ll undergo surgery to remove the cancerous growth from my right kidney. I want the book to be in its final stages while I recover.
The Companion (I really need a better title—any suggestions?) doesn’t require much additional work. Since it will be printed on demand (POD), the lead time for printing isn’t as long. It will be ready for you to print once the Rulebook is finalized.
This isn’t exactly a project update—just a heads-up on where I am with the game’s writing process.
On my Substack, I’ve written about emulating a specific writer’s style, in this case, H.P. Lovecraft, for a particular section of the book. Emulating a style of writing for Colonial Gothic deals with the topic.
So, that is this week's update.
The progress so far
about 1 year ago
– Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 07:32:37 AM
As the month comes to a close, everything remains on track. I’m currently making the corrections you and the other proofreaders pointed out. Some sections are tightened up, and a few additions are made to clarify certain parts.
This process makes me happy because many proofreaders identified the same issues. Of course, they also found some unique points, but it’s a positive sign when multiple people notice the same things.
Why?
I can’t speak for other designers or writers, but for me, it means the hard work—the countless drafts, rewrites, and behind-the-scenes effort—is paying off. No book will ever be perfect. Yes, believe it or not, every book has typos. However, I hope all this work reduces their chances of slipping through.
As we approach the final stage, here’s a friendly reminder to complete the Backerkit. If you’ve already done so, thank you! If not, don’t worry—I’ll keep sending reminders.
That’s it for this week.
Have a great weekend!
Gen Con 2025
about 1 year ago
– Fri, Jan 17, 2025 at 12:19:06 PM
Gen Con 2025 events have been submitted.
Are they for Colonial Gothic?
If they weren't, why would I be posting the news here?
😀
So, just how much did I write?
about 1 year ago
– Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 07:22:04 AM
To make reviewing the Rulebook easier, I printed out a full copy. It’s much simpler to catch details in print, and although the process is slower than reading on a screen, it ensures that even the smallest details aren’t overlooked.
Yesterday, the layout for the Supplement was completed. The only remaining task is to add some new artwork, which has already been planned for. However, the layout review won’t happen immediately—it needs to sit for a while so it can be reviewed with fresh eyes.
I know I’ve mentioned before how much I overwrote. Knowing the total word count, the number of words cut, and the final draft’s word count is one thing. These figures can give you a rough idea of how many pages the finished book will have.
Still, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
That said, this is just a rough title page. Here’s another thousand words.
That’s a lot of words—and a lot of pages.
Still here and still working, a project update
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Jan 09, 2025 at 11:35:28 AM
Things have been quiet, but progress is steady. I am receiving notes regarding overlooked details in the shared Backer-Only Rulebook PDF. Thanks to the feedback and input from you and other reviewers, the final book will be stronger and more polished.
While taking a break from the Rulebook, I have focused on the Companion. This little book is shaping up to be something truly special. Originally intended for the Rulebook, this material holds its own remarkably well as a standalone supplement.
Curious about what’s inside? Here’s a breakdown of the chapters:
Chapter 1: Papers from the Desk (working title)
- Three new professions removed from the Rulebook due to space constraints.
- A selection of alchemical arts cut due to space.
- A single spell, excluded from the Rulebook due to space constraints.
Chapter 2: The Natural World
This chapter covers creatures omitted from the Rulebook. All entries here focus on natural beings, including animals and “monsters.”
Chapter 3: Life in the Colonies
An extensive chapter that provides a wealth of information about life in the colonies. It’s packed with useful content to enhance your game.
Chapter 4: Path to Conflict
This chapter covers the events leading up to the game’s start date: the conclusion of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Chapter 5: Cults and Secret Societies
While secret societies have been mentioned and written about before, one of my goals with this new edition is to make them a central part of the game. This chapter offers guidance, advice, and ready-to-use examples of cults and secret societies. It also introduces the concept of secret professions, which are only available if—or when—you join a secret society.
TBD: Bibliography
This section includes a comprehensive list of sources used, referenced, or studied during the game’s creation. I’m still deciding whether to include it as a chapter or an appendix, but it promises to be substantial.
There may be one more chapter in the works, but I will hold off on revealing it for now.
Regarding Page Count
The rough layout currently has 105 pages. It does not include any art and is essentially a text dump, with all tables or textboxes located within the appropriate chapters. Once art is added, the book will likely reach no more than 120 pages.
Art is minimal, but I plan to commission a few pieces—three for the new professions and three for the creatures in Chapter 2. These additions will complete the book’s visual elements.
Hardcover vs. Softcover
The only remaining decision is whether to release the book in hardcover or softcover. This choice won’t affect you; you will receive a print code to purchase a printed version at cost. However, it influences the book’s release to non-backers. Why? It sets the printed look of the game's retail release and future supplements. Once this book is published, either as a hardcover or softcover, every Colonial Gothic book must also be published that way.
So there we have, that’s the latest.
