Some exciting news this morning. I have an estimated ship date from the printer! I am told that the books are expected to ship to me on October 17...this coming Thursday! Woohoo! So here's a quick update on when you can expect your books, what's going on with PoD codes for GM screens and international backers, stragglers and pre-orders, and what's next for ELG. Settle in; it's a big one!
When to Expect Your Books
Since we do all our printing domestically (and they use FedEx for shipping) I am anticipating having the books in hand within a week of that date. Now, any number of things can go wrong between loading the trucks and having the books dumped on my front lawn (ah, the wonders of a home-based business), but with any luck we'll be in business at that point. I am hoping to start shipping right away when I have the palettes unloaded and moved into my basement storage.
NOW, an important heads' up: I am out of town with my family for a (desperately needed) vacation from October 26 through November 2, which will slow things - no shipping will be done that week as I'm quite literally a one-man operation. So I'm hoping to get a few books shipped out before I go, but many folks won't see their books until the first or second week of November (depending on USPS speed).
International Backers, Print GM Screens, and PoD Codes
International backers who backed using a PoD code, you will get your Lulu codes the moment I have a shipping notice from FedEx that the books are en route. This should enable you to secure your books at about the same time as my domestic backers (I'm trying to keep things as fair and balanced as possible).
Likewise, those who went in for print (PoD) GM screens will get a code from DTRPG (technically DriveThruCards, I think) for those at the same time. Those take a couple weeks to print and ship.
So far I've only had one comment about a typo/correction in the PDF eBook, and it's exceptionally minor (I typed 24 when I should've typed 25 in some flavor text). I'm going to be fixing that soon.
The PoD books
A quick note to our domestic backers: I like the softcover PoD versions of these so much that I am thinking about moving to that format (not PoD, but softcover matte finish) for future printings and future books. But if you like what you see there, we need to sell through the first printings first! So get out there, spread the word, and evangelize the Gospel of O.G.R.E.S.!!!! Night Shift is about 2/3 or 3/4 sold through the first prinitng, so second print is coming soon...
Stragglers and Pre-Orders
We still have a few (eight or nine, I think) backers who either haven't completed their surveys, or whose cards haven't cleared. Please check your accounts and get that all squared away so you don't miss out!
For those who missed the campaign, once again, you can still pre-order a copy of Thirteen Parsecs at https://www.elflair.com/13p It's selling like crazy over at DTRPG, and we'd love to get the hardcover sales up there as well!
What's Next for Elf Lair Games?
First, I want to thank everyone for sticking with me through the confusing fulfillment stage of this. Working with BackerKit on this has been a huge and frustrating headache and I do apologize for any issues that arose. We will be heading back to Kickstarter for future campaigns - in the end, BackerKit did work with me very well to get things squared away, but KS is just way easier and more familiar for me, so that's the way we'll go. I hope you all will still stick with us.
Our next project will likely be print GM Screens (not PoD, actual gatefold print GM screens) for both Wasted Lands and Thirteen Parsecs, with a modest funding goal and stretch goals involving GM toolkit books like those we offer for Night Shift.
From there we have a TON of ideas for books of mini-settings with adventure scenarios, more straight-up adventure modules, and a series of sourcebooks for Night Shift that we are still working on.
I will be appearing (albeit with Troll Lord Games) as a special guest at the Philadelphia Gaming Expo in January. I'll be hawking the new Amazing Adventures there and while I'm not sure how often I'll be at the booth, if anyone has books they want signed, feel free to track me down, ask at the booth, and I'm happy to sign whatever you've got (Elf Lair, Troll Lord, Palladium, anything I've worked on over the years).
Elf Lair Games, as a company, will be at Gary Con in March for our second year. We'll be running games and selling lots of product right next to our good friends at Pick Up and Go Games, who have been PHENOMENALLY supportive to us over the years, and not only should you stop by to meet Tim and me, you should stop by their booth and support them as well!
That's all for now. Next update will come when the books are on the way. Thanks again, and as always...
