Preorder Stealing Cthulhu

[Mograg]

This book looks wonderful. I just put in for the paperback + the PDF. Now that I've put in, I'm impatient, of course. According to site, the PDF should be heading to subscribers in June (Huzzah! Today is June 1st! So...soon!). And book should ship to subscribers in August (to coincide with Gen Con).

These delivery estimates still holding, Graham? I've not pre-ordered anything since Arc Dream's Delta Green - Targets of Opportunity, and told myself after that experience that I'd not pre-order anything again (for the record, Shane Ivey at Arc Dream was wonderful in getting back to me with my queries regarding delays associated with Targets of Opportunity. The book did eventually arrive, in great shape). But it was a harrowing experience at the time, and so I swore off pre-ordering books, ransom models, and all that jazz.

Well five minutes looking at the "Stealing Cthulhu" site and I've just broken my vow not to pre-order anything ever again. The idea of this book - and its presentation as displayed in the tantalizing bits shown in the previews - had me putting a few more blisters on my credit card before you could say "Shadow Over Innsmouth."

So - now I'm shuffling from foot to foot like a Deep One hybrid barefoot on a hot summer sidewalk pavement.

I'll have to explain to my wife just how I've spent another $28 (she's a patient woman) and well, just will have to wait but can't wait until the PDF and the book are in my impatient claws.

Cheers,

Brian C.
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
mograg@hotmail.com

[GrahamW]

These delivery estimates still holding, Graham?

Yes. Here's the plan:

Now: I do the final stages of layout. We're redoing some of the marginal annotations and I want to get them right.

Mid-June: You get the PDF.

A week or so later: The PDF goes to the printer. They send me a physical proof.

End of July, to be conservative: I get the print run from the printer and start sending books out.

Now, of course, if there's a problem or it's not looking right, I'll delay it a little. I do want it to look right. But I really want it out by GenCon: after all, if it's there, I'll sell a bunch of copies.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and especially to the last contributor, who donated more than necessary, to bring the total to a round number. We finished at $13,001.

[Mulciber]

Just skimming the pdf. Really inspiring.
I'd recommend this book to everyone except other members of my gaming group - this knowledge should be mine alone!

[GrahamW]

These delivery estimates still holding, Graham?

Here's an update.

I have a printer problem. Specifically, the hardbacks I ordered aren't nice enough, so I'm cancelling the order and getting them redone. I really want the limited edition to be special.

What this means for me is: Stealing Cthulhu won't be at GenCon. [Updated to add: Actually, yes it will, phew.] What this means for you is: actually, probably not much. Everything slips back by two or three weeks, so I'm now looking at sending out books in August, rather than the end of July.

I must emphasise that this is a limited slippage, a matter of weeks. Everything's laid out, everything's ready to go to the printer, and now I'm going to go back to a printer I've used many times. I wanted to let you know, partly because I've mentioned it on Twitter, and I didn't want you to think there'd been a major problem. It's a minor setback, not a big thing (well, it's big for me, because it won't be at GenCon, but not for you.)

(Of course, with printing, there are never absolute guarantees. If the first proof isn't good, I'm going to correct it and not send it out until it's right. But everything's basically fine and on track.)

[GBSteve]

That's a shame, and very frustrating for you. Thanks for letting us know.

[AdamAstonbury]

I've only just become aware of this.

Is it too late to contribute/order ? The page shows that there are still some options 'available', but I can't see anywhere to actually select one......

[GrahamW]

Steve, I'm actually very grateful we caught the problem in time.

Adam, you can order Stealing Cthulhu from my website. There should be a PayPal button after the second paragraph. Go for the hardback option if you can. It will be pretty.

[PoC]

Looks like it's getting closer to release.

Update: Due mid-August

Finally, an odd quirk of the printing process has left me with a difficult decision. Because so many people ordered, I can order hardbacks for the same price as softbacks. And the hardbacks are very beautiful. So, after much thinking, that's what I'm going to do: everyone who has ordered will get a hardback.

Now, if you ordered the limited edition, you get much more than a standard hardback. You'll get the full library edition, with datestamps, stickers and so forth. It'll be signed and numbered (in Yithian). You'll get all the other stuff I mentioned, including postcards of the artwork. That means not just Jenn Rodgers' artwork, but additional postcards of Ed Heil's alternative art, which you'll find in the PDF.

[StuartB]

Ordered mine.

Looks fantastics, Graham!

[GrahamW]

Yes, the books are here and are looking beautiful. I'm waiting for the peripheral stuff - postcards of artwork, the unannotated version - and then I'll post them out.

I'm off to GenCon tomorrow and returning on August 10th. With luck, everything will be here by then, perhaps slightly after. And then I'll post it out.

[Tigger_MK4]

I have just been reading the PDF, which Graham generously took time out to send me just before he went off to Gencon.

If you're interested in writing your own scenarios, either for personal use or publication, I highly recommend it.
Its thoughtful, incisive, and full of good tips.

It reminds me a little of Sklanskys various books on poker (some of which are considered seminal in the poker community)-
....writing from someone that not only is excellent at doing, but thinks logically and creatively about the reasons why things work, and how they can be broken down to be taught to others.

(Note that the content is mostly about creating/writing scenarios, not necessarily running them - although there are a few tips on that as well...but excellent for all that.)

[GrahamW]

Quick update: I'm waiting for the unannotated version to come back from the printer. It'll be a couple of weeks before I can send out the preorders. Sorry!

Note to self: next time, allow time for printer issues, because they always happen.

[StuartB]

Quick update: I'm waiting for the unannotated version to come back from the printer. It'll be a couple of weeks before I can send out the preorders. Sorry!

Note to self: next time, allow time for printer issues, because they always happen.

I hear that!

No worries, Graham. Can't wait to put my paws on this eldritch tome.

[GrahamW]

I'm just putting the Stealing Cthulhu limited editions together. Then I'll send everything out.

If you'd like the limited edition, get one now! I'll take the option down when I start sending books out.

[neilford]

Will this eventually be available as PDF only? I'm seriously cutting down the physical books I own, so just the PDF would be great fo me.

- Neil.