With the release over there is this weird lull in production. Usually I have three things going at once so if I get stifled on one project I can work on another to keep me going. But I noticed a couple of weeks after a product release I just need to take a step back and take a breath. Hell, I didn't even go to my Monday Night gaming session this week.
Like I said, this is not uncommon. But I still find it strange to need a break from gaming. With that said I have one piece done for the next Manor, a micro-adventure nearly done (and an idea for a series of them) and a project that needed completing a while ago. In addition, I've been messing around with modern, supernatural themed type adventures.
A Random Topic Change
Another subject I wanted to bring up was subscriptions. I just fulfilled my first subscription. It was a six issue run and at times I wondered if I would ever get there. But I was talking with a fellow ziner, +Daniel Sell who produces the wonderfully creepy Undercroft zine, and we were discussing subscriptions. And it got me to thinking of doing another round of them.
I wanted to just get an idea if there would be much interest. Here's how I would handle it this time around.
- Like last time I would open subscriptions for a window of time. I don't want to have to manage staggered subscriptions. So if I opened it up again the subs would all start with issue #8.
- This time around I would do a 4 issue subscription. Seems less daunting and I have a better chance of completing them before the post office increases their rates.
- I haven't worked out pricing. I'm thinking $16 for 4 issues for US folks and then on up for Canadian and other worldly orders.
I can certainly understand getting burned out, however briefly. It's always good to take a break.
ReplyDeleteCount me in for the subscriptions.
ReplyDeleteAnd by all means take a break! Wait a couple of months before you start the next round of zines to give yourself some breathing room.
I'll certainly do the subscription again. I did the first one and was glad I did!
ReplyDeleteI think you should try for the four-issue cycle. That makes it more doable for you, and it makes people who miss the cycle not have to wait for as many issues before they can hop in on the next cycle.
Many years ago when I was doing zines after we got an issue mailed out we would have a lunch off the profits (yeah profits enogouh to feed 2 guys lunch every 6-8 weeks) and play a mess of video games and board games that day or the next, the "celebration" kept us sane and fought off production fatigue.
ReplyDeleteCount me in for a subscription. Or two.
ReplyDeleteYes, subscriptions please. And Chris C. makes a good point about the number of issues that I don't think has come up: Lower means people can get in on it sooner if they miss it (in addition to all the other advantages).
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely sign up for another sub, and I won't mind if you need to take a two or three microsecond break before starting the next issue...but no more! The need for my fix makes me impatient.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably subscribe; I'm less likely to get stuff like this _at all_ if I can't get it in bulk. Mostly due to my own laziness.
ReplyDeletecount me in.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any plans to do a single volume print compilation of past issues? I've been purchasing such books from bloggers on Lulu and am enjoying them a lot.
ReplyDeleteCompletely on board for another subscription when and if you decide to offer it again.
ReplyDeleteIn :)
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in a subscription
ReplyDeleteI fully understand what you are going through. Last year I started up a hundred projects, along mapping, doing Chubby Monsters stuff, my own little zine type things, running games....frankly I just forced myself to stop. It got to be too much alongside having a real job and a family.
ReplyDeleteTake a break!
Dude, after gaming for 18 years I had to take a break for 6 years. I completely understand. ;) Strange Races took ages because I decided (and promised) what was in it before I wrote all of it, and I couldn't switch off to something else. I'm not going to make that mistake again.
ReplyDeleteAnd re: subscriptions: I'd be very interested in yours, but I'm probably not going to offer one for Secrets, at least not immediately, for two reasons. 1) I want to do enough to make sure I can fulfill anything I commit to, and 2) I've learned I need to keep my rewards immediate to keep motived (part of my ADD). Getting money with each issue gives me a reason to keep writing. It feels like I'm making something, even if I'm breaking even or losing money.
ReplyDelete