tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380479836119202378.post6817461418028822108..comments2024-03-19T12:33:07.568-07:00Comments on History of Wargaming Project: Reflections on Wargaming Publishing John Curry Editor History of Wargaming Projecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03350363410688664287noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380479836119202378.post-22310647297303810222017-07-22T02:17:45.601-07:002017-07-22T02:17:45.601-07:00John,
Judging by some of the sets of wargames rul...John,<br /><br />Judging by some of the sets of wargames rules I have looked at over recent years, I think that you have hit the nail on the head. Many of the colourful, image-heavy books seem to place production values above readability and clarity.<br /><br />I am very lucky. I have been writing wargames-related stuff since the late 1970s, and learned by trial and error what worked and what didn't. It helped being a teacher in a London comprehensive school. To be successful one had to learn how to communicate complex issues in terms that most people would understand. This sometimes involved breaking things down into simpler step-by-step stages, with each step building on the previous one. This is a great way to learn how to write wargames rules that are easy to understand and that work.<br /><br />I am also very lucky to have an excellent proof-reader and editor, Arthur Harman. He is able to point out my typographical and grammatical errors, and to make suggestions as to where I need to clarify what I have written.<br /><br />One thing that aspiring wargame writers and publishers need to be aware of is that they are not going to make a living from their activity. When I published my Portable Wargame books I chose to use Lulu.com because it was a low-cost, low-profit option. I did not want to invest hundreds or even thousands of pounds into something that was little more than a vanity project. I expected to sell about twenty copies of each of my books ... and was mildly surprised and very happy when the sales figures rose slowly month by month.<br /><br />I hope to write and publish more books in the future ... but dont expect to have to open an offshore bank account at some time in the future to handle the proceeds of my sales!<br /><br />Keep up the excellent work you are doing with the History of Wargaming project. You certainly showed me what was possible, and I'd never have published my books if I hadn't had your example to follow.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />BobRobert (Bob) Corderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13109130990434792266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380479836119202378.post-59573966245961318752017-07-21T15:52:08.277-07:002017-07-21T15:52:08.277-07:00I love a good wargaming book. Ever since Terry Wis...I love a good wargaming book. Ever since Terry Wise introduced me to table top wargaming with his. Especially one that has introductory rules and even better played out battles with them. However it always grates when it becomes obvious the author has never or doesn't use the rules. David Cookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17148983897942472092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380479836119202378.post-3055554972171752382017-07-21T00:42:52.157-07:002017-07-21T00:42:52.157-07:00Thanks for the suggestions, I will look at Black O...Thanks for the suggestions, I will look at Black Ops and the Men Who Would be King!<br /> John Curry Editor History of Wargaming Projecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03350363410688664287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380479836119202378.post-960825314790495342017-07-20T22:54:27.843-07:002017-07-20T22:54:27.843-07:00John, you are probably right - however I think th...John, you are probably right - however I think the wonder of the osprey series is that so many of them are so good. I've been very impressed with black ops and the men who would be King. <br /><br />Conrad Kinchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15683395740934527502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380479836119202378.post-47296929982762209242017-07-20T10:41:27.952-07:002017-07-20T10:41:27.952-07:00To me some of the Osprey stuff works and is well r...To me some of the Osprey stuff works and is well received, e.g. Frostgrave, but some is less so. There are a lot of people publishing wargaming books at the moment, but whether they will still be in a few years time is an interesting question. John Curry Editor History of Wargaming Projecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03350363410688664287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5380479836119202378.post-58066891842810529792017-07-20T10:35:28.484-07:002017-07-20T10:35:28.484-07:00John,
I guess you are referring a.o. to the const...John,<br /><br />I guess you are referring a.o. to the constant stream of Osprey rulebooks?Phil Dutréhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13607941040736764291noreply@blogger.com