Notes About the Erfworld Book

[pclips]

I'm getting asked about our plans for the Erfworld book a lot, so now's a good time to put up some general info.

Note 1 - This story has an ending

Book 1 is called The Battle for Gobwin Knob for a reason. Obviously that battle is taking place now, and the story will be finished when the battle is settled. Book 2 will be its own story, with some narrative distance from Book 1. (No, I won't explain that. It's spoilery. :smalltongue:)

Note 2 - Only Book 1 will run on Giant in the Playground

We've been working on a new website which will be up at erfworld.com before this story wraps up. We've gotten the greatest head start of any story comic in webcomics history here, but it's been the plan for a long time that we'll leave the GiantITP nest and fly off on our own. Book 1 will finish here, and Book 2 and subsequent books will begin updates there. As always, we'd like to thank Rich for this amazing opportunity. We'll have a longer and better thank you when it's time to part.

Note 3 - The physical book will have unique story content

This is what prompted me to post this. It might seem to you that things are happening very quickly in Erfworld right now. Well, we are planning to add a little more meat in the book version. A few pages of mostly combat scenes, like the fighting retreat back to the garrison, will be available only in the printed book. It's just action stuff that you don't need to understand what's happening, but it's Jamie's art, it's fighting...it's cool. Also in the book will be two epilogues, short stories written by me and illustrated by Jamie. These will tie up the remaining loose ends in the aftermath of the battle. We're considering a glossary and brief basics on "game" rules, too. We'll see.

Note 4 - We don't yet know who will publish the book, or when it will be out

This stuff is still under wraps, but there is progress and reason to be very hopeful. We'll make announcements when the time comes.

Thanks for reading Erfworld, and consider becoming a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erfworld/44806736881), where I have been leaking tidbits about upcoming pages, etc.

[HandofShadows]

Narrative distance. A nice to saying that many of the characters from Book 1 may not be around or show up. :smallamused:

Thank you for the information.

[Lolindir]

Thanks!
I will defenitely buy a copy, preferably signed and autographed :smalltongue:

[Bhurin]

Just point me to a pre-order button when it's done. Ditto on the signed copy.

[Gamebird]

I haven't bought any of the GitP stuff, but I think I'll go for Erf. It's really good, it's steadily grown on me (OotS has done the opposite) and neither of you have impressed me as being boopholes on a personal front.

[Welf]

So Jamie will make some additional art with lots of action? Really cool. :smallbiggrin:
I hope this includes a single-panel on two pages like this (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/ggmain/doublespreads/ggcoll03_082_083.html). Preferable with dwagons and fighting. :smallsmile:

[pclips]

neither of you have impressed me as being boopholes on a personal front.

That's only because I decided to sthu a while back. I can be quite the boophole under certain conditions. :smalleek:

[Dacia Brabant]

Note 3 - The physical book will have unique story content

This is what prompted me to post this. It might seem to you that things are happening very quickly in Erfworld right now. Well, we are planning to add a little more meat in the book version. A few pages of mostly combat scenes, like the fighting retreat back to the garrison, will be available only in the printed book. It's just action stuff that you don't need to understand what's happening, but it's Jamie's art, it's fighting...it's cool. Also in the book will be two epilogues, short stories written by me and illustrated by Jamie. These will tie up the remaining loose ends in the aftermath of the battle. We're considering a glossary and brief basics on "game" rules, too. We'll see.

I'm really glad to hear that, my only complaint about your comic has been that the dramatic reversals have been happening too rapidly, so adding a few scenes between them, even just battle art (which Jamie is really good at) I think will help improve the pacing.

And a glossary is probably something you'd want to include just to help the readers out a bit more, perhaps one that's stylistically in keeping with Parson's klog notes?

Just my $.02, and you'll get a lot more than that from me when the book comes out, I'm looking forward it. :smallsmile:

[Occasional Sage]

Oooo! Sign me up for several!

And... on your own site? THAT'S interesting and exciting news! Will there be local forums? How far forward have you scripted stories (other than Asha & sundry folks)? Are there plans to launch a new comic here in tandem with OotS?


...[N]either of you have impressed me as being boopholes on a personal front.


That's only because I decided to sthu a while back. I can be quite the boophole under certain conditions. :smalleek:

I can respect, admire, and relate to that. :smallbiggrin:

[Robin]

Oh yes, I'm definitely going to get the erfworld book as soon as it's ready. I already have $60 set aside just for it. This is quite honestly the best comic I've read in a long long time.

I just hope book 2 and beyond has Parson. Erfworld just wouldn't be the same without him.

[dr pepper]

A few pages of mostly combat scenes, like the fighting retreat back to the garrison

Heh. I called that one last week :)

[Justyn]

It's a shame that Erfworld will be leaving the Playground, but if you feel if is for the best, it most likely is.

Anyway, as soon as we can pre-order, let us know; I want to my dead gump version! Reading comics on the interwebs is nice, but there is nothing like holding a real book in your hands: the smell of the ink, the feel of the paper, there's... just nothing like it.

[kpenguin]

So, is "Quest for the Arkentools Part 2" going to be up after Gobwin Knob is up?

[pclips]

So, is "Quest for the Arkentools Part 2" going to be up after Gobwin Knob is up?

Ha! You know I really should give that some thought... :smallamused:

[Bawon von Howse]

...I live in Australia....are there going to be easy ways of getting the book outside the US???

[Greep]

...I live in Australia....are there going to be easy ways of getting the book outside the US???

Well he said it wasn't known who will publish it yet, so I guess we won't know for a while.

[pclips]

...I live in Australia....are there going to be easy ways of getting the book outside the US???

That one I can answer, though. Getting the Erfworld book on store shelves internationally is one of the things we're seeking in a publisher. However, even if we go with some publishing solution which doesn't give us that, we will definitely make it possible to order the book directly online internationally, through our own site and/or Amazon. I'll mail books myself if I have to! :smallsmile:

[ReccaSquirrel]

Will you ever consider going to Dragon*Con again after the book is out so that I can get it autographed?

[pclips]

Will you ever consider going to Dragon*Con again after the book is out so that I can get it autographed?

Consider? Certainly. I used to love Dragon*Con, above all other cons! I've been a panelist at 5 of them.

But I don't see myself going back, not after the treatment I've received from them the last couple of years. They've stopped being a great small con that scaled up to gigantic, and have started to act like a giant con. Most of the smaller tracks have been thrown under the bus in favor of the media track. If you are not an actor, then you're somewhere between an afterthought and a parasite to them. Maybe if Erfworld makes it to theatres or TV someday, they'll rediscover their sense of hospitality. But until then, I don't need the frustration and disrespect. Not when there are 20 friendlier cons a year that I can participate in.

(Watch me say that and then get a nice invitation next week. What was that about learning to sthu?) :smallredface:

[Muzzafar]

Sounds exciting! Dibs on his dice a copy! :smallbiggrin:
I would happily buy a copy even it did not have any extras.
Please do consider selling books through Amazon. They deliver (almost) everywhere, much to the convenience of those living outside the US. (I have to get OotS books delivered to an address in the US and then get them forwarded to me to make sure I receive them. Amazon would be a much more convenient option.)

UPD: Oh, and please consider writing a commentary about all the cultural references that you put into the comic. (I feel like I miss at least half of them.)

[afroakuma]

I'll miss having two of my favorite webcomics on the same site. :smallfrown:

That said, I will hunt you down wherever you hide it and continue reading.

After I purchase my copy, at any rate. :smallbiggrin:

Any idea how many more pages you'd like in Book 1?

[pclips]

Will there be local forums? How far forward have you scripted stories (other than Asha & sundry folks)? Are there plans to launch a new comic here in tandem with OotS?

See, I don't mean to turn this into an open Q&A thread. But yeah, the new site will have forums, a wiki, and other kinds of fan participation. The scripting is complete for Book 1. Book 2 has a complete story structure, a rough plot outline, but no script pages right now. I don't even want to think about that amount of work right now, knowing that the script for Book 1 was over 100K words. And I can't even speculate about Rich's plans for any new comics at GiantITP. (That'd be cool, though, I'd read it.) The gaming-group story is on hold and may be massively reworked or dropped, but if it goes up anywhere it will be on the new site.

[PhantomFox]

Speculation:
The second book will focus on Charlie, who he is, how he got to where he is, why Stanley doesn't like him, how he got the Archons, and what his fine print is.

[Gez]

What about the klogs? Since they're not counted as pages (the current strip is #140 but page #127) I'm assuming they won't be in the book, am I right? Will they be replaced by normal pages (since sometimes they tell things that are essential to the story)?

The first three klogs are kinda superfluous, Parson discovering the world's rules. It's not needed if there's an appendix with that info as per note #3.
The fourth contains an essential bit of info (Parson getting the goggles with his Stupid Meal, something we don't see on page #39).
The fifth, with his quick description of the "little battle" and how Ansom got Jillian back, sounds like the type of "extra action page" you were talking about.
The sixth is more Parson brainstorming, so not necessary.
The seventh, again, is the only place where we see a new toy (the sword hilt), and Misty's burial is there too.
The eighth has the RCC army getting in range and the marbits entering the tunnels, the ninth has Sizemore preparing traps and dead-ends.
The remaining four are just Parson's thoughts with no essential info.

[MReav]

Speculation:
The second book will focus on Charlie, who he is, how he got to where he is, why Stanley doesn't like him, how he got the Archons, and what his fine print is.

I think Stanley doesn't like Charlie because as he is attuned to his artifact, he is just as capable to claim he is on a mission to reclaim the Arkentools as Stanley is.

[pclips]

What about the klogs?

The Klogs will be in the book. The whole book will be renumbered. The numbering scheme here changed a couple of times and was mainly for the convenience of the existing comic-loading scripts.

[stroggified]

That one I can answer, though. Getting the Erfworld book on store shelves internationally is one of the things we're seeking in a publisher. However, even if we go with some publishing solution which doesn't give us that, we will definitely make it possible to order the book directly online internationally, through our own site and/or Amazon. I'll mail books myself if I have to! :smallsmile:

I just registered to the forums in order to ask exactly that ("Ship to Europe! Ship to Europe!")* as soon as I read the announcement of the book. Should have read the post a bit further. But since I've registered now I take the opportunity to mention that this comic simply blows my mind and thank you for putting it online for everyone to read :)

*At least the ships won't have to cross the sea at Somalia and run the risk of being captured by pirates...

[Occasional Sage]

I just registered to the forums in order to ask exactly that ("Ship to Europe! Ship to Europe!")* as soon as I read the announcement of the book. Should have read the post a bit further. But since I've registered now I take the opportunity to mention that this comic simply blows my mind and thank you for putting it online for everyone to read :)

*At least the ships won't have to cross the sea at Somalia and run the risk of being captured by pirates...

ACtually, that might be better in some ways. It's not very often that you can say, "Oh yes, my signed first edition Gobwin Knob... that particular copy was captured by pirates, and it took three months of delicate negotiations to ransom it back from them!" The metastory would be priceless! (insert Mastercard joke here)

[The Giant]

Just to chime in, Erfworld leaving GITP and forming its own website after the first story was finished was always the plan from when Rob and I first agreed to do this thing. It's not like they're getting kicked off (or are storming out in a huff).

My feeling back when this started was that I could use OOTS' popularity to bring attention to new work, the way that a headlining band chooses an unknown band as an opener. If that band is a hit with enough of the headliner's fans, they start to attract fans of their own who don't even like the headliner. Eventually, they start doing their own solo concerts, choose their own opening act, and the Circle of Life continues, Simba.

In that vein, yes, the hope is to have a new "opening act" for OOTS after Erfworld leaves, though there will likely be a gap. But as Rob said, there will be more discussions of this sort when the day comes.

[PhantomFox]

You do realize that the mere prospect of having you host someone else's comic on your (very popular) site to replace the 'slot' that Erfworld held, is going to increase the river of requests for you to host their brand new comic into a tsunami? :biggrin:

Of course I'm sure I'm sure you can pick the diamonds out of the mud (and I do plead guilty to having delusions of grandeur to be as such in the semi-distant future), but if your inbox wasn't in the ICU by now, you better get the ambulance ready... :smallwink:

[ira212]

We're considering a glossary and brief basics on "game" rules, too. We'll see.
I just wanted to mention that I think including the game rules would be very well received by your audience. Many of us are big fans of RPG games, and one of the great pleasures of your comic is that we discover the game rules along with Parson. Seeing the result of that discovery, confirming our guesses about the rules, and you proving to us that, yes, the world was consistent all along, would be significant bonus content IMO. And presumably it wouldn't be much extra effort on your part.

I'm buying the book either way. My only complaint about Erfworld is that I wish it would update more often! :)

Cheers,
Ira

[Chaotic Descent]

I'm getting asked about our plans for the Erfworld book a lot, so now's a good time to put up some general info.

Note 1 - This story has an ending

Book 1 is called The Battle for Gobwin Knob for a reason. Obviously that battle is taking place now, and the story will be finished when the battle is settled. Book 2 will be its own story, with some narrative distance from Book 1. (No, I won't explain that. It's spoilery. :smalltongue:)

I will interpret that hint literally, to mean that the new narrator will be physically far away from the old narrator. :)



Note 3 - The physical book will have unique story content

This is what prompted me to post this. It might seem to you that things are happening very quickly in Erfworld right now. Well, we are planning to add a little more meat in the book version. A few pages of mostly combat scenes, like the fighting retreat back to the garrison, will be available only in the printed book. It's just action stuff that you don't need to understand what's happening, but it's Jamie's art, it's fighting...it's cool. Also in the book will be two epilogues, short stories written by me and illustrated by Jamie. These will tie up the remaining loose ends in the aftermath of the battle. We're considering a glossary and brief basics on "game" rules, too. We'll see.

Will they strictly be action scenes? Does that mean they won't have the same feel as the other pages, with the same amount of dialog, with jokes and stuff? While they won't be necessary for the story, will they show any behind-the-scenes stuff of important characters, like perhaps some added depth of character like an emotional reaction or something?

I'm assuming glossary and rules would go in the back.

It's probably the PACE that we're viewing as audience through the web with the necessary delays of updates (it's like watching TV... on TV. instead of Torrenting the whole damned season/show and watching EVERY EPISODE, ONE AFTER ANOTHER! *burns out retinas*) but many times I found myself going "Who's he talking about?? Who the hell is Maggie?" "Which one is Ansom and which is Parson and which is Sizemore?" "Who's that girl with the curly hair? Is that the same girl that was caught and tortured, or someone related to her?" (damned dance-fighting!) and your "cast" page didn't have some of the characters. I had to go onto the forums and look in the thread that had the count of how many pages each character appeared in to find the info. (something you won't have in a print book unless you specifically add something like it) Of course, if you put it at the start, you spoil the info. If you put it at the back, they could still get spoiled if they find other characters while looking for a specific one.
Perhaps you could put the current cast page at the start, since they're main characters. and then put all additional characters in the back. I don't know, is that too messy?



Thanks for reading Erfworld, and consider becoming a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erfworld/44806736881), where I have been leaking tidbits about upcoming pages, etc.
Bah! Exclusive content! I do not use this face-book. :(

[Mikalyaran]

I'm so happy that a physical book is coming along and that said book will ship overseas. I'm going to be moving to South Korea for a year+ this month and if I couldn't get the book I'd probably have to buy a ticket home just for it. I love this comic that much. It's the only comics whose archives I've read more than once. Every time a new strip comes out it makes my day. Thanks so much for all your hard work guys.

[Goshen]

Great! I will buy two copies of the book as soon as I can.

[Occasional Sage]

Great! I will buy two copies of the book as soon as I can.

This sounds familiar. Are you perhaps thinking of a loaner/conversion copy, and a personal/pristine/signed copy?

[The Old Hack]

I am getting at least two copies of the book as well. In my case, it is because I want to give it as a gift to a friend, or possibly two friends.

[Goshen]

This sounds familiar. Are you perhaps thinking of a loaner/conversion copy, and a personal/pristine/signed copy?That's pretty much how it will end up, although it wasn't what I was thinking at the time I decided I want two. When I heard about the book, my hindbrain said, "Want!", and one copy just wasn't enough for it. Then my selfish altruism circuit kicked in and justified it as a way to support Erfworld, so there can be more of it. My affordability monitor approved the expense, and tactical subroutines have a clear usage strategy which you guessed. We are all happy in here, in my head, when we think about Erfworld.... :smallbiggrin:

[dr pepper]

Whatever you do, don't think about those daytrading baby commercials. They're trojans designed to install unauthorized thought processes, and you're using too much cpu time already.

[Goshen]

Whatever you do, don't think about those daytrading baby commercials. They're trojans designed to install unauthorized thought processes, and you're using too much cpu time already.LOL Do you mean babies who are day traders in the stock market? At the age of zero to one year, you can't have many clients, so I guess they need to advertise! :smallwink:

[tomaO2]

Can you not use the Giant's publishers to get the book ready?

Have you given any thought as to making a PDF file that can be sold for people that don't want to order a book but might be willing to buy an online version?


----------------

To the Giant: Since your intention was to highlight other webcomics, when can we expect to see a new one? Do you have any on tap for after Erfworld leaves? If the exact number of comics you can host at a time doesn't matter, why hasn't there been a second addition by now? Erfworld has been on this site for... what? Two years now?

[Occasional Sage]

Can you not use the Giant's publishers to get the book ready?

Have you given any thought as to making a PDF file that can be sold for people that don't want to order a book but might be willing to buy an online version?


----------------

To the Giant: Since your intention was to highlight other webcomics, when can we expect to see a new one? Do you have any on tap for after Erfworld leaves? If the exact number of comics you can host at a time doesn't matter, why hasn't there been a second addition by now? Erfworld has been on this site for... what? Two years now?

As far as a publisher goes, Rob and Jamie haven't (last I heard) settled on one. Let's define "last I heard" this way:


Note 4 - We don't yet know who will publish the book, or when it will be out

This stuff is still under wraps, but there is progress and reason to be very hopeful. We'll make announcements when the time comes.

Thanks for reading Erfworld, and consider becoming a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Erfworld/44806736881), where I have been leaking tidbits about upcoming pages, etc.


Regarding your questions to Rich, I refer you back up the thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5728661&postcount=29) where these were addressed. Reading only slightly between the lines there's nothing on tap and he doesn't seem to want more than one other, by the way he phrased things.

[dr pepper]

Ooh, i've got it:


The Next Big Playground Star

In this Reality Art Jam, 10 aspiring webcomic makers will be invited to submit short one offs based on a theme chosen by the readers. The theme will be proposed on Sunday and the authors will have until Saturday to post their interpretations. The next week will be devoted to comments and questions from the readers. On friday the readers will vote off the two comics they liked least and chose another theme, which will be presented to the 8 survivors. The contenders will then be reduced to 6, then 4, at which point only 1 will be voted off to make 3, then 2. The final competition will be freestyle, the 2 authors will be allowed to do anything they want, as long as it doesn't exceed whatever ratings the Playground is supposed to maintain.

And of course the last vote will determine who gets the gig. And of course, some of the also rans will be picked up by talent scouts for less prestigious venues.

Sniping between the commentators is allowed. Sniping between the commentators and the authors is possitively encouraged. Any Commentator who finds themself doing an unfortunate cameo in a comic will have to grin and bear it.

[Ragn Charran]

In all seriousness, as cheesy as it sounds, if Rich wants to increase exposure and traffic to the site (IF he does!) a vote-off always helps. People tend to get really wrapped up in it and go recruiting voters from other websites.

Whenever GameFAQs has a contest (like the annual "best video game character" tournament) traffic increases massively, and I see tons of threads on /b/, /r/, and /v/ asking people to go vote - not to mention the direct fanboy recruitment that must happen at sites dedicated to specific games and series.

Granted, in that case it's easier to attract people because they usually already know the character, so it's not hard to get people who are already fanboys to follow the links being provided and help out. But even without that lower-effort bonus, any sort of vote-off is a great viral marketing tool, as long as someone already here cares enough, they'll plaster any other sites they visit with "go here, save this awesome comic!" and every link will start with www.giantitp.com.

[The Giant]

To the Giant: Since your intention was to highlight other webcomics, when can we expect to see a new one? Do you have any on tap for after Erfworld leaves? If the exact number of comics you can host at a time doesn't matter, why hasn't there been a second addition by now? Erfworld has been on this site for... what? Two years now?

I intend for there to be no more than two comics at any one time. We're not Modern Tales. No, I do not know what (if anything) will come next, or when it would premiere. It might not show up until a year or more after Erfworld ends, I simply don't know.


The Next Big Playground Star


I absolutely promise you that this will never happen. The decision of what will appear on this site will remain strictly mine. In all likelihood, you will not hear anything about what is coming until it premieres.

[dr pepper]

I absolutely promise you that this will never happen. The decision of what will appear on this site will remain strictly mine. In all likelihood, you will not hear anything about what is coming until it premieres.

Awwww. Well then, maybe i can get some other comic host to do it.

Still, your judgement has been sound so far, i'm sure whatever you choose next will be a big hit.

[Lissou]

The decision of what will appear on this site will remain strictly mine.

I just want to let you know I really like and respect how you stay in control of everything that happens on your website or with the comic. I've heard there were offer for a series but they wouldn't give you enough control over it and you refused. It's so much better than being disappointed.

I also really like that idea of showing off other comics. I don't think I would have followed Erfworld if it hadn't been on this website, and by the time it leaves people can get to know and like it.

I didn't realise you wanted to host a new webcomic otherwise, and thought maybe having just yours would be easier on your bandwidth. However, I can't lie, I'm so thrilled about the prospect of discovering something new. So thanks.

[Grogah]

To Jamie and Rob:

What about an e-book PDF version? I purchased each "Goblins" collection because they were available in PDF, but have held off on OotS (despite liking it more) for this reason. While I know that folks like me who have gone to a strict e-books only schedule are rare, we're a growing bunch and e-books are the future, especially with things like the iPod touch and Kindle.

Can we hope for an e-book version too?

(If you're worried about copyright concerns, the folks at Goblins, and RPGNow and Paizo have a great way, localize the PDFs before download with the name, phone number, e-mail and credit card number of the purchaser on every page in the PDF. It's not DRM or intrusive, so I don't worry about losing my PDF, or the capability to read it, and you don't worry about someone putting it up on bittorrent).

Edit: If it isn't clear, my decision to buy the Erfworld book is based solely on one point, will it be available as an e-book. If so, I bet it will be freaking awesome and I will buy one. If not, then I won't be as I don't want to lug around a dead tree version.

[pclips]

We'll definitely consider your preferences, and the potential number of readers who may catch up to you on that technological front and feel that way about books in the future.

It'll be something we'll have to work out with the publisher. But I don't see why not. Maybe I will talk to Tarol about his experiences with it, too. Thanks for the input, Grogah.

[Lamech]

Just so we don't do anything drastic, I would like to throw in my two cents.

I'm thinking about buying a print copy. (Mainly based on the strength of the artwork.) I definitly would not want a PDF copy of the book. :smallsmile:

[pclips]

Just so we don't do anything drastic, I would like to throw in my two cents.

I'm thinking about buying a print copy. (Mainly based on the strength of the artwork.) I definitly would not want a PDF copy of the book. :smallsmile:

Well, we suspect (and hope) that you represent the vast majority. I don't know what the margin is on an ebook but if it's less for us, we may be cranky.

[Justyn]

Well, we suspect (and hope) that you represent the vast majority. I don't know what the margin is on an ebook but if it's less for us, we may be cranky.

I'd prefer to get a dead-gump version, but I can really see the strength in having a PDF version: no need for print runs, it's really hard to lose an PDF, higher profit margins for you guys, no need to wait for delivery.

But I want my dead-gump version, dammit! There's just nothing like that first crack as you open a brand new hard-cover book, the smell of the ink and paper... does a PDF give you that? No.

Anyway, make sure to tell us when we can preorder.

[dr pepper]

An ebook version would be nice but please don't use pdf. There's got to be something better than that hateful format.

[Lunaya]

For me, there's just no substitute for holding a book in your hands. (You don't need an internet connection.) :smallwink:

[tomaO2]

*grumbles*

I asked about if we would get a pdf version first...

No matter, I would like to say that I did the exact same thing as Lamech. I bought the second Goblins book online (I also have the first one in pdf as a gift). It was the first and only webcomic purchase I have ever made. I just don't have a big interest in buying a book. I look at the price and I balk. Another example of me not being willing to buy was Watchmen. I loved reading the Watchmen comic but everytime I think about buying it the price and bulk of having a big book just puts me off.

Online though, it's five or six bucks (and takes up no space) and it had all sorts of interesting things that you don't normally get on a book format because of paper cost limits. My favorite thing to read are commentaries. Even more so then an additional short story. I know the giant does that with his books. I'm tempted to buy Start of Darkness, in particular, but the whole buying a book thing puts me off. If it was a PDF, I would though.

That said, I'm not sure if I would buy a the pdf anyway. It would depend on what's in it. I suppose what would clinch the deal for me personally is if the pdf actually described more about the rules of the world or not. I'm very interested in the whole setup of how everything works and how Parson's Earth status is effected by it. Questions like can Parson cross hexes, his lack of stats, how come nothing bleeds, what is the magic kingdom like, how come mancers can cast out of their specialty, wha are the benifits of leveling, are there other ways then combat to level, why everyone seems to have a Thinkmancer...

How about a battle history of the BfGK? Of the style that parson described here. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0048.html)

Or we could find out if there was anything that Parson could have done that could have won the battle without a volcano exploding. There are so many questions I would love answered.

If that kind of stuff was explained in a pdf, I would buy that.

[elrod13]

A new comic address to remember? Oh well, at least it will be worth it.

[Hell Puppi]

I would totally buy a dead gump version.
Gimmie.
Now.

[Yodimus]

Well...the reverse is also true. There's lots of things a physical book can do that a virtual book can't. Like, for instance, utilize subtractive color ;p

Also: no limitation on spatial resolution ratios. A book can be any type of rectangle it wants, which may not mean much for the written word, but for a graphic novel it's sometimes a big deal. And if you're some kinda typography nerd, it's a big deal for the written word too, I guess..

And then there are other things - paper texture, the paper's base color temperature, weight, and I'm not even into the gimmicks yet. Basically, the point is, the two mediums are different.

Which is sort of obvious, actually.

Never mind.

[Opal Tide]

A dead tree/gump version makes it much easier to share with family and friends. It is a lot easier to introduce and encourage them to read the web comic if you can hand them physical copy that they can read whenever instead of an electronic version that can only be viewed on a computer (or kindle-like product if you have one of those).

Jamie and Rob:

Any idea when the first book will be available for purchase? I am really looking forward to getting my hands on it and introducing it to others (sort of tough to do that now with the condition of the servers and all).

[pclips]

Jamie and Rob:

Any idea when the first book will be available for purchase? I am really looking forward to getting my hands on it and introducing it to others (sort of tough to do that now with the condition of the servers and all).

No idea, I am afraid. You'll know not long after we know. At this point the only thing I really care about is having it ready for Christmas buyers.

[Eco-Mono]

Well...the reverse is also true. There's lots of things a physical book can do that a virtual book can't. Like, for instance, utilize subtractive color ;p

Also: no limitation on spatial resolution ratios. A book can be any type of rectangle it wants, which may not mean much for the written word, but for a graphic novel it's sometimes a big deal. And if you're some kinda typography nerd, it's a big deal for the written word too, I guess..

And then there are other things - paper texture, the paper's base color temperature, weight, and I'm not even into the gimmicks yet. Basically, the point is, the two mediums are different.

Which is sort of obvious, actually.

Never mind.Okay, you've convinced me... the book should totally have a pop-up page in it.

[R. Malcovitch]

If you're going to make an eBook make it .cbr archives. For the uninitiated, it's essentially a .rar of images that are read through a program like CDisplay where it displays one page at a time so it's exactly like you're reading a book.

As for moneys, just host it on some server or another and link it to paypal.

[kagato23]

If you're going to make an eBook make it .cbr archives. For the uninitiated, it's essentially a .rar of images that are read through a program like CDisplay where it displays one page at a time so it's exactly like you're reading a book.

As for moneys, just host it on some server or another and link it to paypal.

While I can't deny that would make it easy, it would also guarantee that it'd be on every bittorrent site around within days.

Those things are as easy to upload as they are to read.

Hell, can you honestly say 4chan wont /rs/ a book that MENTIONS 4chan?

[Pronounceable]

Might be a little premature (and could be impossible for all I know), but I'd like to mention sendit.com. They ship to anywhere WITHOUT shipping charge. Which is a major incentive to miserly bastards all over the place.

[talkamancer]

My son now reads OOTS because I left start of darness in the toilet. Lets see you do that with a PDF.

[GamingBuddha]

While I can't deny that would make it easy, it would also guarantee that it'd be on every bittorrent site around within days.

Those things are as easy to upload as they are to read.

Hell, can you honestly say 4chan wont /rs/ a book that MENTIONS 4chan?
Wait, you mean people never make digital copies of printed materials on such sites? :smallwink:


My son now reads OOTS because I left start of darness in the toilet. Lets see you do that with a PDF.Laptop, PDA or printout, take your pick! :smallbiggrin: I suppose you could just install a computer for use in the bathroom also. :smalleek:

I admit, I would love to have the book as a Print Copy, PDF & a CBR since I use all three mediums and have bought comics I enjoy in both print & digital formats when available.

[ChowGuy]

Edit: posted to wrong thread

[Arin]

Okay, you've convinced me... the book should totally have a pop-up page in it.

And y'know what? It should be the current comic, #157, where the new dragon unit POPs over the city.

Get it? POP up? :)

[Shovah]

And y'know what? It should be the current comic, #157, where the new dragon unit POPs over the city.

Get it? POP up? :)

Oh.. oh Titans...

The pun. It hurts :smalleek:


I'm definitely interested in getting 2 printed copies of the book, but I doubt I'd bother with a pdf version.

[charles]

Just so we don't do anything drastic, I would like to throw in my two cents.

I'm thinking about buying a print copy. (Mainly based on the strength of the artwork.) I definitly would not want a PDF copy of the book. Well, we suspect (and hope) that you represent the vast majority. I don't know what the margin is on an ebook but if it's less for us, we may be cranky.

Well, to throw my own 2 cents in. I'd probably recommend sticking with a printed book. OoTS doesn't seem to have done too bad by sticking with printed coppies for all its books. As long as you're still producing new pages/books for the comic and holding an audience, it should see continued profit and you'll be far less likely to see it go up on a torrent site.

Maybe put out a PDF with all the online pages for an easy download and read but I'd keep the exclusive stuff to dead-gump. Unless the popularity drops to a point that only a cheaper online version will still sell or sometime after you stop producing new content and the popularity drops off.

[Mal]

It has to be printed. I take pride in my library, and I WANT ERFWORLD IN IT!!!