Despite the fact my poor wife was down with the flu, I managed to make my CyberCon chat on Saturday. (Thanks to my mother who came over on short notice to watch the kids.) About eight people showed up, having paid good money to do so as part of their con badge. We had a lively conversation ranging all over …
CyberCon and Other Appearances
This Saturday, I’m taking part in an online chat at CyberCon from 2—4 PM Central Time (GMT —6). If you can make it, stop on by and say hi! It costs a few bucks ($6.95, I think) to register, but you get a pass to the online con for the whole weekend for that price. I also just agreed to …
Who Owns these Guys?
On the forum at the new Essential-Eberron.com, where we’re now discussing The Road to Death, a reader with the handle Effect asks: The characters in the Lost Mark trilogy, do you have any control over them being used by other authors or do they simply belong to WoTC now? Not one bit. My novels for Wizards are work-for-hire. That means …
Freelancing Fathers
In the comments for my post on Becoming a Game Designer, Wayne asks: I used to be a freelancer… A long time ago, in a galaxy far away. But since I had kids I just can’t seem to find the time to do anything. What’s your secret? Honestly, it’s a daily struggle. I’m home today with my eldest, who’s sick. …
Becoming a Game Designer
In a recent e-mail, a reader wrote: Hello. I am currently a student at UW-Rock County. I saw your article in the Stateline News and had a question for you. I wondered if you had any advice for someone who would like to work in the gaming industry. Although this has been a dream of mine for a few years …
My Office
Over on his blog, Lee Goldberg mentions a coffee-table book he has about writers and their workspaces: The Writer’s Desk by Jill Klementz. Lee (who’s the VP of the IAMTW) posted a shot of his desk and challenged other writers to do the same. It struck my funny bone, so here’s mine, on a fairly uncluttered day. I try to …
Break No More
Back when I was president of Pinnacle Entertainment Group, we used to give the entire company the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Now that I’m back to freelancing again, I no longer have that luxury. There are deadlines to chase after, so things like extended breaks don’t make a lick of sense. I have high hopes, though, …
Spycraft: License Renewed
My friends at AEG have licensed their Spycraft espionage games to a brand-new company, Crafty Games, co-founded by Patrick Kapera. A ways back, Patrick edited my Brave New World RPG in the days that AEG published it. I always enjoyed working with him then, and I wish him and his partners (Scott Gearin and Beloit College grad Alex Flagg) the …
Toys In the Works
Earlier this year, Playmates asked me to work up a background for an upcoming toy line they’d designed. Having done similar things for lots of game lines in the past, I took to it like a fish to water, although it’s swimming in a far larger pond than that of the adventure gaming industry. So far, everything seems to look …
Freelancing in ’05
Comics & Games Retailer asked me to write a column on how the gaming industry has been in the past year from a freelancer’s point of view. Assuming you’re qualified, what’s your quick take? Please comment below or e-mail me if you prefer. I’d like to be able to quote you, so if you respond, please append your permission if …