Transparency Agenda Daily May 25th 2016 - The Day Captain America crossed the line...

Transparency Agenda Daily May 23rd 2016 - You're paying them how much?

Introducing the Questline Adventures for Pathfinder RPG

As many of you know we have started working on a completely new line of adventures for the Pathfinder RPG system, Which we are referring to as our Questline Adventures. The Questline Adventure format is rather unique and never seen before in adventure play but we think this concept will catch on more and more as other people experience it. Our first Questline Adventures series is called Chronicle of the Gatekeepers. Michael McCarthy was assigned to task of taking on this first Questline Adventures series and he came back with an exciting adventure concept that fans of Pathfinder will have an remarkable time playing in and experiencing. While the adventures do cross over into the NeoExodus Campaign Setting, Questline Adventures was built to be played by those who want to play in more generic setting and even their home and local gaming store campaigns.

Here is the setting information for the upcoming Chronicle of the Gatekeepers:

All worlds are connected. Sometimes, these links are obvious—such as when a traveler from one world lands on another—but other times they are subtle: like the common language, or the humanoid form that pervades nearly all worlds, seeded by some distant, shared ancestor.

Long ago, this ancestor built a network that spanned countless worlds, and the vast distances between them: some physical, such as the vastness of space, and others less so – for not all worlds are even truly on the same plane. From their home, known now as Atlantis, they used this network to effortlessly explore, settle and trade across the vast multiverse, all in the blink of an eye.

Yet, as they flourished on many worlds, their home languished, and each year fewer opted to remain in [REDACTED], choosing instead to join one of their countless frontiers. Even the Vespans, an insect-like race created to mindlessly serve them, began to settle on other worlds, leaving their former home for greener pastures.

But what of [REDACTED]? Those who stayed behind were more often extremists—those who sought not to spread out across the worlds, but to protect themselves from the dangers of them. These other worlds were dangerous places, each with their own dangers. Sometimes, they were so great even the [REDACTED] colonies fell to catastrophe lost forever.

To protect themselves, they began cutting themselves off from their grand network, moving the hub of their network from [REDACTED] to another world, Exodus. Then, they withdrew even from there. Slowly, [REDACTED] began to change. It had once been a utopian society, but now it prized the creation of weapons of war over all else, intended to protect themselves from threats both real and imagined.

The Vespans, once servants, became the explorers of worlds. They would identify threats, check on the few colonies who remembered their once great heritage, and even gather resources – whether through trade or by force.

Exodus, for its part, has no idea as to the source of the gates so abundant across its surface. The nations instead see them as a great and mysterious boon, capable of facilitating trade and diplomacy across the world. Though, mysterious as they are, they present their own set of dangers—creatures from other worlds use the Nexus Gateways as well. Sometimes, the passage is harmless, and often even goes unnoticed. Other times, the visitors are set to invade, pillage or simply destroy. They rarely make it far before the locals rise up against these ‘monsters’, but all it would take would be an organized invasion to cripple or destroy the nations of Exodus.

Sound interesting? Whay until we reveal what those [REDACTED] parts are. I am sure we are going to blow several of your minds. Hope you enjoy what we are planning. Talk to you later...

Suffering through Writer’s Block….

Apparently with everything going on in my life, I am also suffering through my first case of Writer’s Block.  In my entire life I have never had this happen to me so this is a quite interesting and frustration situation. I mean I can not seem to put together something that excites me to develop and write about.  I mean I get tons of ideas, but none of them seem exciting and interesting enough to get me to place pen to paper.  I mean the most interesting thing I have come up in the last few months has been doing a Japanese Samurai mash-up version of the Three Musketeers. While I am sure many of you might think that is a good start (and I agree it is a good start) it still needs more. What is the more I need? I have no idea but I am still working it out.  If you didn’t know, my creative process starts from the concept of, “It is X plus Y to equal Z”.  But it has to be more!!!  This technique gets you started, but it is the end of it. You need to develop it all the way out to pitch it to people to get their feedback.

A great sample of this is the Max Landis pitch that he didon the Nerdist. If you have not heard it go listen and then come back. 

Now after listening to that pitch by Max Landis, I bet you are excited and inspired to go work.  So am I. I just wish I could put something together to be as exciting. I guess I will have to work through this, no matter how long it takes.  Talk to you later…

Transparency Agenda #002: What you should pay...

Remember to pick up Guy Kawasaki's How to Drive Your Competition Crazy: Creating Disruption for Fun and Profit. This book is the "next level" you want & need to get to. Talk to you later...  

I got my Kickstarter idea set up and an unusual offer...

So I am "hoping" that next week, we will be able to announce our upcoming idea for our Kickstarter project.  I think a lot of people will be interested in what we will be doing and I think you will see a lot more people attempt what I am planning. It's simple, smart and easy to execute so it makes it perfect for a small publisher to use and help grow their business.  Plus the people involved will only become more popular from it, and this is something they also can replicate.  I cannot wait.

Now on the realm of other interesting things, a well known and respected  RPG writer has offered to work for me.  The terms are very acceptable to both of us but there is only one small thing: I don't know what I want them to write.  I have NO IDEA what I want them to do.  What ever they write will not be fore NeoExodus.  We have that already covered by the writers we are currently using.  This has to be something new.  Best of all, it has to be a Pathfinder product (widest interest) and something player useful (widest potential sales).  What should we make?  So if you come up with a cool idea of a project we should do, when it is finished we will send you a copy of the project and five more LPJ Design's products for your choice.  Real simple, come up with a good idea and get free stuff.  Easier than falling down.  Can't wait to hear what you come up with.  Talk to you later...

LPJ Design signs SIX writers and new Pathfinder Venture Captain to do work on NeoExodus...

We have been very busy over here at LPJ design on all the cool things we are doing and planning. One of the cool things we can announce is we just signed SIX all new writers to work with LPJ Design on NeoExodus!!! This finally gives JP Chapleau some time to rest and focus on his duties as creative consultant and work on the very special projects we have planned. In addition to these six all new writers, we have also sign another of JP’s brethren, the Pathfinder Society Venture Captains, to work with up at LPJ Design on NeoExodus. We think this Venture Captain will be an excellent addition to our already growing and impressive list of writers, artists and editors to the upcoming LPJ Design projects.

Plus we have had some of the classic LPJ Design writers come back and have interest in teaming up with LPJ Design on some Pathfinder supporting projects and materials. Lots of old faces and good friends coming back to do a lot of fun work to help support Paizo and Pathfinder, what could be better?

We all this going on at LPJ Design, we still managed time to build our 2011 – 2012 product releases and it looks like if everything goes well we will be releasing at least one new LPJ Design product every week for a year starting in late August / early September. We are just trying to raise the frequency and quality of our work that of other 3PP Pathfinder supporting superstars like Rite Publishing, Open Design and Super Genius Games.

Plus with all this going on, it looks like we MIGHT have finally gotten everything ready for our secret Kickstarter idea / project. If this work out we plan, this will be the BIGGEST project we have done at LPJ Design in the last few years. Keep your fingers crossed. This next 12 months are going to be a great time to be a Paizo and Pathfinder fan! Talk to you later…

LPJ Design raise its freelance writing rates

So after much discussion here and here, LPJ Design has decided to increase their standard rates for writers. While I will not be telling what that rate is to the general public (You might be able to better negotiate a better rate if you do it right), LPJ Design will be looking for writers who are looking to are looking for long term freelance writing commitments for Paizo's Pathfinder material for our NeoExodus: A House Divided line (Make sure you read NeoExodus Chronicles: World of Exodus before sending us your resume, CV or background) and some generic Pathfinder material..  So if you always wanted to write some Pathfinder material and get paid for it, you should contact LPJ Design.  Good luck, you are going to need it.  Talk to you later...

Working with RPG Writers - A look behind the curtain to see how some really feel about you...

Ok here is an actually conversation that I had with a writer this morning about some work he had submitted to me.  This conversation has not been edited or changed to fix grammar.  It is 100% raw footage.  I wanted you to get the full impact of what is going on is all it raw form.  Enjoy!

5:03am Writer X: Sent you an email. Time to sleep.

5:04am LPJ Design: I know. I will get back to you on this later.

5:05am  Writer X: i'm sure you will

5:07am  Writer X: I'm assuming you're talking about the side bits and whether or not to include them and not the product as i haven't given you a rough or a final yet

5:07am  LPJ Design: Don't assume.

5:08am  Writer X: is this where you and I differ over the definition of hazard?

5:09am  LPJ Design: No. This is where we differ of what will actually sell and what will not.

5:10am  Writer X: too esoteric or too original?

5:11am  LPJ Design: Will people find it interesting enough to put down money? When writing that his to be a focus area. If it is cool but people won't purchase then it is a failure.

5:12am  Writer X: so if I want to do things that haven't been done before, I'm going to have to line it with drek that's been statted up a hundred times for safety's sake

5:14am  Writer X: is the set of hazards a standalone or is it part of a larger product?

5:15am  LPJ Design:  No. You have to think, "Why would someone actually give me money for this?" Being cool and interesting in not enough. Is it useful? Can I add it to my campaign? What issues will it be if I use it in my campaign? How far does it bend the rules? Since it is not a Paizo product, will they ignore it? Things sell for LOTS of reason that don't make logical sense.

5:16am  Writer X: the problem is, I'm better than the mouth-breathing masses. Everything I listed is a thing I either thought up and decided would be neat (two of which as things to center plots around) or looked for in products and could never find rules for that I liked.

5:17am  Writer X: which is why half the list was really easy to come up with and the other half took the better part of 3 hours

5:17am  LPJ Design:  Those “Mouth breathing masses” are the ones you want money from. How do you service your customer is the mantra you need to adapt if you want to make sales.

5:18am  Writer X: yes well it may take time for me to write to their level and until then i'll agree to take the criticism that I'm an elitist pig if you'll agree to read the full copy before telling me it won't sell. I'm not going to say you're wrong, I'd just like you to read the full copy once i've got it for you. as i understand it, making it usable is my job, making it pretty is yours

5:20am  LPJ Design: I am not saying that. What I am saying is remember how you customer is and how you can help get him what he wants, a more enjoyable gaming experience.

5:20am  Writer X: that's good advice, and I will take it to heart. I'd like to get the same devices into the product, i'll try and find more mouth breather friendly names for them.you didn't answer as to whether this was a part of a larger release or not

5:21am  LPJ Design:  Hey can I place this conversation up at my blog. I think a few people would find it interesting.

5:22am  Writer X: as long as my name isn't anywhere near it sure. I'd prefer that when I do finally get the fame that my ego deserves, it not be associated with me calling my fanbase a bunch of mouth breathing cretins.

5:24am  LPJ Design:  I give the Writer X tag.

5:24am  Writer X: cool.

5:25am  Writer X: I'm sure publishing would be a lot easier without writers. we're whiny egotistical unfeeling and stubborn.  at least I recognize this and talk to you during the creative process so we can do less of this after you get my copy 

5:27am  LPJ Design: Writers are the easy ones. Artists are a lot worst.

5:27am  Writer X: seriously

5:27am  LPJ Design: Oh yes. Artists have problems following instruction and turning in work on time. I only work with a small group of HIGHLY reliable artists. It has taken YEARS to find them though.

5:28am  Writer X: there we go. John C Wright. That's the writer I was going to bring up. Bah I hate being mildly OCD. I have problems with deadlines, but only usually when pressed to give them. I usually try to give something on time.

5:30am  LPJ Design: The magic to selling anything is like being a great lover: Ask the person what they want. Do what they ask. Ask them if they liked it. If they did, do it again. If not, Ask them what they like. Pretty simple.

5:30am  Writer X: see that's a hard sell for me. I was born a great lover. never really got into sales though different technique. You can't play a customer like an instrument.

5:32am  LPJ Design: But you can treat them like a lover and they will forever LOVE you and what you do.

5:32am  Writer X: but I want my customer to be able to walk. otherwise they won't be able to come back. as fascinating as this metaphor is, I'd rather you send me an email with which points you think are unsaleable and I'll work on making them worthwhile with the copy and i'll go to bed

5:33am  LPJ Design: Will do!

Now who Writer X is isn't important. What is important is how he feels about customers and selling.  As a writer, what his bottom line? Selling what he wrote. As a RPG publisher, what is my bottom line? Customer satisfaction. And that makes all the difference.  Talk to you later...

Pathfinder Fantasy Writer Needed

Louis Porter Jr. Design and Devil’s Workshop (http://www.lpjdesign.com) is looking for writers to contribute to its Pathfinder Role Playing Game Fantasy PDF gaming lines. The qualifications for the freelance writer positions are that the writers must have an advanced understanding of the Pathfinder Role Playing Game rules as stated in the PRD.  You can be an experienced long term writer or a first rookie, it does not matter to us.  We just want people who are looking to do great work.  If you would like to gain employment with LPJDesign or Devil’s Workshop please send samples, resume and/or your references via e-mail or a website to Louis Porter Jr. at LMPjr007 at aol (dot) com. If you would receive additional info please see the web site at www.lpjdesign.com. 

What am I going to have to do to get a writer for Undefeatable: Rogues?

For some reason, the last project of the Undefeatable line focusing on feats for rogues has lost ANOTHER writer.  We started writing this product over two months ago and it does not seem to want to come out.  The first writer; who will nameless; turned in TWO sub-par attempts on the topic.  On a scale of 1 being bad and 10 being perfect, his work was a -72.  No the last writer attempting to take this as a last minute rush job as a favor to me, now can't do it due to personal issues coming up.  So I am back to square one and no writer for this project.  So I am sending out a general call to anyone if you want to make a quick couple of bucks on a 2,000 work project on feats for rogues for the Pathfinder Roleplaying game, let me know ASAP!!!!  Talk to you later...

Neal Bailey is the hardest working RPG writer I know…

Neal Bailey has done a lot of work for LPJDesign over the years he has worked for us. Whenever I need something done I will ask Neal first before anyone else especially if it is about mechanics or game design. I am a huge fan of his work. Neal’s latest project is the all new Race Creation Cookbook for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. This will be a great additional to the LPJ Design products. This post is just a little thank you to all the hard work he does. Thanks again, Neal for all your hard work. Talk to you later…

PATHFINDER ADVENTURE WRITERS NEEDED .. like badly!!!

Louis Porter Jr. Design is looking for writers to work on Pathfinder Roleplaying Game rule based PDF adventures. The rate we pay will for these type of projects will be between 1.5 to 3 cents a word, dependant on your writing experience. If this sounds like something that might interest you and your schedule is not that busy, please feel free to contact us at LMPjr007@aol.com at your earliest opportunity.

Monsters by Design: A Project/Contest for Fans of Pathfinder Roleplaying Game by Fans of Pathfinder Roleplaying Game!

What makes a monster cool? Is it the cold and boring mathematical stats it possesses OR is it the vibrant, energetic, highly descriptive and exciting back story of the monster themselves? Of course it is the back story! One of the toughest things about making a good monster is making and creating an interesting and exciting back story. Drow Elves have interesting stats but it is their back story that makes this interesting, the same way that a Beholder, Mind Flayers, Githyanki, Yuan Ti and other memorable monsters are.

So LPJ Design has decided to do is created a project/contest called Monsters by Design. In this contest, LPJ Design will supply contestants with three (3) different stat blocks of monsters to use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. The contestants of the Monsters by Design Project/Contest will create the cool and interesting parts like appearance, back story, combat tactics better known as “The Fluff” for these stat blocks. Anyone is eligible to submit an idea for the Monsters by Design Project/Contest. The fans of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game will be able to vote direct in the forum thread at Paizo.com to determine the top three winners of the Monsters by Design Project/Contest.

The top three winners will have their monsters re-created with a professional layout and profession artwork and best of all LPJ Design will be paying you for winning this contest. (Not a lot of money. I remind you, we still are a small 3rd party publisher). This in turn makes the winners all officially professional published RPG Game Designers!!! If you have every wanted to be a professional RPG writer, well know is your chance!!!

Best of all, the winning three monsters will be able for sale exclusively at Paizo.com. The winning three monsters will be 100% Open Content and anyone can use in their home games or even professional products! Don’t miss the opportunity to live out your dream as a professional RPG writer.

The official start date and deadline is coming soon. Stay tuned in to this form post. Talk to you later…

Back from Baltimore…

The Baltimore Comic Con was a great convention both business-wise and just for old fashioned fun. Here is the list of some of the people I spoke to and talked to this time.

Laura (DePuy) Martin - I have met Laura several times at MegaCon, so now she recognizes me. Always interesting to speaking to her about color theory and digital coloring in general. I have a secret “comic geek” crush on and her my wife thinks it is cute.

J. M. DeMatteis - I have been a fan of his works since I first started reading comics. It was a profound pleasure to meet him and he gave me some incredibly inspiration words about writing.

Kris Straub, Dave Kellett, Scott Kurtz and Brad Guigar from Half Pixel.com, Webcomics Weekly.com and Webcomics.com - All were all great guys to talk to. Brad is even funnier in person. Best of all, they all signed my copy of How to Create Webcomics. Real nice guys.

Jamal Igle -  This was one of the big ones, because Jamal has actually read my Suicide Squad 8 page pitch I did and gave me great comments on it. We talked a while about comics, having children, what is it like to have Geoff Johns kill a character you created and lots of cool stuff. I hope to pitch him something that we could work together on. That would be great.

Jim Chueng - Told him that my wife had a crush on him and I loved his work. He told me that there "should be" an announcement about Young Avengers soon.

Matt Fraction - Really a nice and funny guy. For some reason I thought he might be an assclown. Very wrong about that. Lots of good writing information and inspiration. He gave me the best reason why he writes: “I have a 2 year old who needs to be feed.” Funny part of me talking to him, Brian Michael Bendis is his the booth behind him Fraction reading emails in his IPhone looking up to see what we were talking about.

Steve Ellis - Very cool time. Got his card and looks like we might be talking and doing some business together. Still very hush-hush and in beginning stages, but it is nice to know that he is really interested.

Like I said, a great con. Can’t wait until next year. Talk to you later…

What's it's like to work for me...

A new writer just started working for me, just sent over his first written project. I don't think the work was up to par. Here are some of my editorial comments about the work:

• "Way to powerful for a 1st level feat. Rethink or create a new one from scratch.
• "Where is the game mechanic with this feat? Why could this be done better with a skill roll?"
• "Seen this one a million time. Rethink of create a new one from scratch."
• "Boring!!!!! Need to rethink or create a new one from scratch."
• "Reflecting spell at 3rd level, doesn’t that seem a little powerful to you?"
• "OK, but not really exciting."
• "Not exciting. Need to rethink or create a new one from scratch."

I sent it back to him with a lot more comments. He has some work ahead of him. And you want to be a RPG writer? Talk to you later...

Warren Ellis is not a great comic book writer and I will tell you why…

I like Warren Ellis’ work. I think he understands what makes a story interesting and what is needed to keep it moving. But the one thing that keeps him back from really being a GREAT comic book writer and that is …

He has the weakest ending for all of his stories.

What do I mean by this? I mean Warren Ellis ends his comic stories horribly. My god! A writer with all that talent, and he couldn’t end a story strong to save his life. I am always amazed when he gets more work from comic book companies. Do they actually read the product he produces? Forget get the persona. Forget the attitude. Forget all the bullshit. Just look at his actual writing skill. Look at the list of work he has done and just ask yourself this little question, “Did this story end with the some power and excitement that is started off with?” The issue that really revealed his inability to end a story strong was Planetary #26. While the concept and idea to create Planetary was excellent and brilliant, the execution of it was not. Global Frequency is another one. Great concepts. All of them innovative and new. How does the series end, like oatmeal bland and boring.

Now I know I am breaking the hearts of many of you out there. Your love affair with Warren Ellis is everything to you in your little world. But let’s get to reality and tell the truth, Warren Ellis is like an OK race horse; great out of the gate and horrible finish. I am sorry I have broken the hearts of some of you. Now I am not saying that Warren Ellis is a bad writer. He always brings innovation to the next level. I am just saying he is a bad closer and like David Mamet said, “Put that coffee down. Coffee is for closers only.” Talk to you later…

Pay writers and artists what the RPG market will bear...

A few days ago I wrote this, and yesterday I go this response from a well known writer who has done work for the top companies in this industry. Read it here:

I saw on your website that you pay up to .02/word, and I know that advertised rates and negotiable rates are often different. I was hoping for a bit more. A recognized name can bring with it some sales, and that’s always the wager: Do the extra sales make up for the difference in pay rate? The XXX sold its first 10,000 copies in six days and went to reprint twice. A lot of people read or have read Dragon or Pyramid. My name’s not Greenwood or Cook, but some people do look for it. You, of course, know best what works for you. In any case, I enjoyed selling Haven: City of Violence when I was a retailer, and I’ve wanted to work with you for years. If you find yourself producing something along these lines for print and have the budget for it, please drop me a line. Until then, best of luck.

This kind of letter comes off to me as a "You need me" letter. He told me why he was qualified (and his is), he told me about his previous sales (which are true), he even tried to butter me up at the email (proving he is a good writer). Here was my response to it:

Our maximum rate for this project is .02/word. Since PDFs sale are very different from actual book sale, the most we will sell PDF wise is 100 copies so we have to keep that in context since we are primarily a PDF based company. The only people who seem to break this rule is Monte and Wolfgang where they will sell in the 300 - 400 copy range. Name recognition doesn't really have that same effect on PDFs. Sorry.

See, he made the fatal mistake. He assumed his bookshelf sale would translate into PDF sale and usually, they don't. Why? PDFs are a nich inside of a niche. They don't sell much so you have to keep cost down to make sure you make a profit. This is the thing, if writers and arttists were craftier they will take a lower rate and ask for a percentage of the sales. See when you ask for a percentage over a flat rate you are saying to me, that my name is such a draw and people will be interested in it it will be a better deal for us both.

Most publishers would not turn that down due to the high win / win factor; if the PDF does well the publisher gets more money and the writer gets more money. If the product tanks well the publisher will suffer lower losses and the writer doesn't get the reputation of "being overpaid" for what they got. The person should get paid what the market will bear and in this setting the market will bear a maximun of $.02/word. Think this sounds rough to artists and writers, try being the publisher. Talk to you later...

OGL Fantasy Writer Needed

Louis Porter Jr. Design and Devil’s Workshop is looking for writers to contribute to its OGL Fantasy RPG PDF gaming lines. The qualifications for the freelance writer positions are that the writers must have an advanced understanding of the D20 Fantasy rules as stated in the SRD. You can be an experienced long term writer or a first rookie, it does not matter to us. We just want people who are looking to do great work. If you would like to gain employment with LPJDesign or Devil’s Workshop please send samples, resume and/or your references via e-mail or a website to Louis Porter Jr. at LMPjr007 (at) aol (dot) com. If you would receive additional info please see the web site at www.lpjdesign.com.

The greatest book a writer can own…

The greatest book a writer can own is the Writer’s Digest Character Naming Digest and I’m not going to go in to all the greatness of this book because it will take WAY TOO LONG, but I will say if you want to created actually realistic sounding name that actually make sense, then you should pick it up. I have never seen a greater book for name people. I paid $40 for a book that original sold for $18.95 and it was worth every cent. Go get your copy, if you can find it. Good luck. Talk to you later…