This month GM Games released The Manor, Issue #8 which helped drive sales. The Flayed King was downloaded over a 100 times. Here are the total sales of the month of May.
The 8th Manor sold 93 copies in the first month which is incredible. After I crunch the numbers and see how the other Manors sold, I think issue #8 is going to be at the top or near the top in first two months available. However, this release of the Manor so a large decrease in the number of back issue bought. In the past when I've released an issue, there would be a small surge of back issue sales, but it didn't translate into that this time. I'll have to check back and check the old number and come back with something more concrete that we can compare.
Because of Issue #8, it was a great month. GM Games sold 71 print units, sold 58 PDFs and there were 206 free downloads for a total of 129 paid sales and 334 total sales. I'll take it.
If anyone has any questions about my sales or curious about the behind the scenes activity just IM or post a comment. I open with this business and like to share what I'm doing and my experiences.
I checked, September was the last time I did a sales report. I've been slacking. Here is last months report. Since September I've released Manor #7 (and #8, but that won't be on this report since it was released in May), Stone Fields of Azoroth and Starter Adventures. Oh, and the Flayed King. I'm glad to see the different products because I always think I'm not doing enough.
I don't have any grand totals because I have to calculate the previous months. I post something about that later. Last month highlighted The Flayed King that was released for Swords & Wizardry Appreciation Day. Over 600 PDF downloads and I sent out about 150 print copies.
Starter Adventures had a nice bump in sales because of the Lulu 30% discount and then I had cut the price by 30% also.
The Manor sales were anemic, but those sales really feed off of new releases. I believe the 7th Manor was released in August '14. So over eight months between new issues will flatline your sales.
So it looks like I sold 38 units and had 669 free downloads. I'll have more details once I calculate the numbers and do a retro sales report.
Thanks to those who support my stuff. I hope its fun and useful.
On the eve of the dying year I've decided to write one of those look back posts. Which I actually don't mind. I think they are interesting when I read others. I haven't written one for the past couple of years. So you have been warned this will be filled with favorite lists, sales number, games played and other such things. Turn back now.
Random Category List
Most Popular Post: Short Bitch & Moan Post (2229 hits)
Apparently like hearing me complain...or it had short in the title.
Interviews
I was interviewed three times this year. That is three times more than any other year. Two were video interviews. The first one was at Gaming Ballistic with +Douglas Cole. I think he lost a bet to +Erik Tenkar and Doug was obligated.
The final interview was a quick question and answer post at the Otyugh Talk, +Matt Borselli facilitated the interview.
I have to say this was surprising to me. I don't think of myself as someone, anyone would interview. Just ask my gaming group, they can barely stand talking to me more than once a week. It was fun, even though I tend to ramble and not answer questions asked. I may have a big future in politics.
Conventions
I went to two conventions this year. I was a fucking social butterfly. I went to Origins for the second time and to Con on the Cob, also for a second time. Origins was okay, but I was maxed out on people when I went so I wasn't in all that great of state of mind. Con on the Cob however, was a lot of fun. I got to game with our Monday night crew around a table.
Gaming Groups
There is the Monday Night Crew is color. We've been gaming on Monday Nights for 5 or 6 years now, only missing a few Mondays each year. I am bias, but it is a blast gaming with these guys. We have such a good time. We've recently added +Joshua Macy and +Douglas Cole into the Monday night crew and it's only gotten better. Oh, and the dude doing the double devil horns is +Roy Snyder, our illustrious GM for our DCC session, it ended up in the bar because we were kicked off our table due to a witches ball that was about to begin. Gotta love con life.
I joined +Erik Tenkar's group, also called The B Team. Whisk says the B is for Buttheads. Can't argue with that. We play on Fridays when we can. We are traipsing around the +Joseph Bloch's mega dungeon Castle of the Mad Archmage. So far the team has included +Douglas Cole (this is his third mention in this post and he did not pay me), +Peter V. Dell'Orto, +Joe D, and cast of others. It's been great getting to know these guys.
As you can see, a strong OSR tinge to it. I still want to see how some of the other games work.
Games I GMed
Esoterrorist - 1 session at Con on the Cob. I got the GM this around the table with the guys. I had a lot of props that seemed to have a good effect on the crew. Freaked Rob out a little bit. He kept asking "Is this real". I am really enjoying this game.
My own concoction of a system - 2 sessions on Roll 20. First sessions exploded into a big party fight. Second session ended ended in a demon being released on purpose. With so many cool GMs in our group Monday night space is a premium and we have three current games going so I just wait for my turn.
Favorite New Game (to me)
Esoterrorists. I just dig the setting and premise. Its a great break from the fantasy genre. If I were to run a new game it would be using this system.
GM Games Stats
Now onto bid'ness. It has been a very good year for GM Games. Surprisingly so.
New Business
In June I started a Patreon page writing micro-adventures. I've been pleased with the success of it. I'm up to $56 an adventure. I have put pretty much all I made back into the gaming community and The Manor.
In December I participate in the first Mythoard box, an idea thought up by the mad man +Jarrod Shaw. I created an exclusive for it, The Stone Fields of Azoroth, which I believe will become on ongoing world.
Products Produced
Manor #6 was released in May. It was a fantastic collaboration of a ton of great folks.
Manor #7 was released in August. This issue I took the role of editor and collected a batch of grea articles.
Starter Adventures was released in December. A project I've had in the fire for four years that just kept getting put in the backburner.
Stone Fields of Azoroth for Mythhoard. This came out in December also.
18 Micro-Adventures for Patreon. I had a lot of fun doing these. I mean I draw maps all the damn time I might as well write an adventure around them.
Sales
Just over 900 sales.Holy shit. It's fantastic to see that number. Most of my sales game from two things; when I offered the bundle of print Manors and when I did the Buck a Manor PDF sale recently. Those two account for about 40% of my sales. If I wanted to cheat I sold 100 copies of Stone Fields of Azoroth to get me over the 1000 mark. Okay, let's say I did cause those count also. New chart is needed.
That's better.
Free Stuff
I also I had quite a few free product downloads this year.
So 676 free downloads. I've sent out a crapload of other free stuff, but I'm lousy at keeping track of that kind of thing. I just do it because its fun. Gaming is fun. Or its supposed to be when people aren't pissing on someone else's leg...or their own.
GM Games 2015
2014 was a great year for GM Games. While I like getting the sales the whole point is to put out something fun and useful. My favorite posts to read are where someone used one of my adventures/whatever in their own game and describe how they tailor fit it to their game. It's flattering and fantastic to hear how they interpreted and changed the content. Onto what I'd like accomplished in 2015.
To get 4 issues of The Manor out. One a season. I would love to do this. Not sure if I can. But that is my goal.
I have a compilation of Manors, 1 thru 5 ready to be released on Lulu. I'll offer it in hardback and trade paperback. Since Lulu is friendlier with getting print books out this should be fairly easy. Plus, I've had this kick ass cover sitting around from +Johnathan Bingham and his wife Daisy.
I would like to produce a couple of full-fledged adventures. Like Knowledge Illuminates, but broader in scope. More involved.
I want to collaborate more with folks. I've had the pleasure of working with a great bunch of folks, but their are a few I'd like to join forces and do something.
Continue building my Patreon. Complete at minimum 2 micro-adventures a month. I love doing them.
Do a limited run full magazine, Super Sized Manor! I got the printer to do it!
Get Whisk to do art for a series of kids adventures and help me write it. This would be the best one.
Lastly, a huge thanks to all of you who stop by to comment, give me a +1, and purchase my stuff. I do appreciate the support.
Another month of sales in the books. Another very good month even though the last thing released was in July. I had a total of 88 sales. Many of those came in bundle sales in both print and PDF.
Interesting Number
I've sold 1459 issues of The Manor. Holy crap. I don't have the numbers of how many were print compared to the PDFs. But nearly 1459 zine sales is just fricking awesome for this backwoods dude in Pennsylvania.
Red numbers indicate the number of free downloads.
News
This month I released a 4-month subscription plan for The Manor. Once I release issue #8 I'll have to increase the prices of the issues to $5 for US, $5.50 for Canada and $6 for international orders. If you get the subscription you get a break on the price now. Postage has been a killer lately. You can get the subscription by pushing that little button off to the side.
Future Products
Issue #8 of The Manor is in the works. And a renewed old project is getting another look.
Thanks to all the people that ordered this month. Your support is very appreciated. Onto a new month, October, probably the coolest month of all.
July 22nd saw the release of The Manor #7. The great thing about this issue is I got to meet and work with several people I'd never met before or hadn't spoken to before. I mean +Jim Magnusson comes out of nowhere and just kicks ass all over the place with his creepy cover and fantastic interior art. Then I meet +Jarrod Shaw, again out of nowhere, and he provides me with the coyote and mind flayer picture. Both them were great to work. I threw them out generic ideas and they ran with them and produced some amazing stuff.
In the way back when The Manor was just an idea, blank folded papers with no words, my biggest worry was the art. I have no ability to draw. None. And as Christian Walker's Loviatar was my inspiration, +Jay Penn did the art for every issue. I did not want to produce something that lacked the standard Christian had established. But I wasn't sure how to find and contact artists and I had nothing in my piggy bank to spare. And here's what makes the OSR so fucking cool, before long I had offers from top-notched artists like +Jason Sholtis and +Johnathan Bingham offering to help me with my zine. And since then I've had several artist assist making my The Manor a fun read. Look at this line-up of artist that I've had the privilege to work with.
+Jason Sholtis has the cover art in the 1st and 6th issue of The Manor. Did interior art for issues #2, #3 and in #4 he did a mini monster collection for me. Without hesitation, Jason is one of the main reasons why The Manor has been successful.
Emily Burnette did the cover for #2. She was a co-worker who did fantastic portraits. I saw her doodling during a boring training and afterwards asked if she would like to draw for me. She was thrilled to participate. Her portrait of Hugo and his crew are some of my favorites.
My wife did the cover and interior art for issue #3. First she made a skeleton who looked very happy. Jazz hands happy. I said, "Ummm, can you draw a scary skeleton?" The next skeleton was frowning and looked sad. I asked, "Why does this one look sad?" She replied, "Because someone took his blueberry muffin." So we had a few glitches to work out. I really like her style, I think if I write an adventure for young ones, her artwork will be perfect. She loves to draw cartoons. And maybe the adventure will about finding the sad skeleton's blueberry muffin.
I recruited another co-worker, Mike Varhola, to help me with some artwork. He's another doodler during training (that doesn't sound right). I guess the lesson here is don't doodle next to me or I'll put you to work. (Hmm, that doesn't sound right either). Mike worked his butt off trying to get the picture just right for me. Originally he was just going to do the cover, but then drew this other picture that just came to him and I saw it and said you just gave me the conclusion to the adventure.
Issue #5 I was able to recruit +Jay Penn himself, the man who inked all the art for Loviatar, to do my cover. I gave Jay this simple photo of a door and asked him if he could make it creepy...ha, hell yeah he did. I loved it. Jay even sent me the original art for it. I have it hanging on my wall now.
Issue #6's cover was done by the already mention Jason Sholtis, and OSR alumni did some creepy ass artwork for me, +Dylan Hartwell. His pictures set the mood to the adventure perfectly. Dylan also did all the art work for Knowledge Illuminates. This is again, is one of those times, where I thought the adventure I wrote was good (I liked it at least), the artwork just brought it to another level.
And finally the latest issue #7, getting to work with +Jim Magnusson and +Jarrod Shaw has been fantastic. Probably too good because I plan on recruiting them again!
Oh. Yeah. This is supposed to be a sales report. Here are my numbers for July. There is of course,, always a big jump in sales when there is a new release, even at the end of the month. I had a total of 4 sales until I released Issue #7. For the month I has total of 103 sales.
Another pretty decent month for GM Games. Although I haven't released anything in two months GM Game still managed to bring in 61 sales. Bundles drove the sales.
I added a new feature to the monthly sales report, total all-time sales column. This way you can also see the total tally of sales. I sometimes wonder about it and have to do too much math. If I do it every month it should be easier to track.
Manor #7 is done except for my introduction. I'll finish it this weekend and then send it off to the proofreaders. I'm hoping to release it mid-August.
Over the past few months I've had several folks contact me about wanting to start their own zines. There are a lot of great things coming out of the OSR these days. I'll write a in-depth post about the new zines that I've had the fortune of reading.
Here is my monthly sales report. No new releases this month. I've been working on getting issue #7 of The Manor completed. I've had several requests for folks wanting to get into the zine which has been fantastic. It's also got me to thinking if I continue to get inquires to have some sort of guidelines. But guidelines in a very loose way. I want people to bring what gets them excited to the zine even if it doesn't fit within the parameters of the guidelines. I guess that will be a different post.
Interesting Numbers
Manor #6 has become my best selling issue in the first two months of sales. Manor #1 sold 93 copies. Manor #6 sold 105 copies.
A total of 1112 copies of the first six Manors have been sold. When I added the number I was floored. I had no idea. Manor #1 accounts for 355 sales alone. Can't wait to get the next issue out.
Here is the break down in sales last month.
I had 45 sales. All the print sales came from 3 bundle orders at the beginning of the month. PDF sales trickled in throughout the month. The PDF bundle of the Manors was the major selling point also. It makes sense, when I bundle stuff together these is usually a cheaper price attached than buying them individually.
Thanks to everyone for the support. I'm hoping July will go well. It'll be tough to get through all the 5th edition D&D noise. And I know I'll be distracted by checking it out.
I know, it's almost sacrilege to speak about that abomination called money in this field, but I'm gonna. I know there are lot of people who are already into making their own stuff or thinking about it. Here's what it looks like in my corner of the self-publishing world. I've calculated the gross, the cost and net of the past month. This gave me, I had a bit of an idea, but not really sure until I ran the numbers, of how much I made and how much was going out. These numbers are about as accurate as I could get them. When I send out comp copies and freebies it's difficult to track their costs.
I broke down the sales in the different categories so I could see where the money was coming in. The bundles represent the biggest money maker, but if you look at the per issue, single issues sold for $4.03 on average. Where the bundles included 6 issues, averaged $3.52 per item sold. Still, $685.50 for the month is great. But now let's look at the costs.
Some of the costs were estimated the best I could. Such as the ink and cardstock. I burned through 2 ink cartridges this month and into my 3rd, but since I do personal printing on the same machine I just averaged it as best I could. And the reason the paper was $0 was because I am very good at taking advantage of Staples rebates and all the regular paper I have has cost me nothing. All the different fees from Paypal, Lulu and RPGNow are accurate. Paypal has a fee system I don't quite understand. If someone sent in me in $4 for the latest Manor, I get charged a .42 cent fee. If someone sends in $20 for the Manor bundle Paypal charges an .88 fee. RPGNow is a straight 35% off the top of what you charge. Lulu, about the same.
So after a month of sales I was able to make $333.48 to the good. I figured out what the average gross sale price was for each unit sold, average cost of each unit and how much profit I made on each unit. These numbers are all based off of selling 208 units this month.
These numbers can be off putting. This doesn't include all the time I put into printing and mailing these issues. Which is a considerable amount. The other thing is most of my products are below the $5 mark so there isn't a lot of room for profit. But, I do this because I enjoy it. The profit I make allows me to buy other OSR books and populate my shelves with a few other goodies.
There are a number of folks who get pissy about people making a little money off RPGs...ignore them. People can figure out what they want to spend their money on without the help of those few griefers. People can vote with their money if they are interested in what you're doing. If your interested in publishing your own thing than I say give it a go. It's a lot of work, but good fun. I've met a lot of great folks because of doing this and have gotten a ton of support I never expected to get.
GM Games had a fantastic month of May. Actually it was the best sales month I've ever had. My previous record of units sold during one month was 118 set November '13. You guys smashed the shit out of that total with 208 total sales this month. A owe a big thanks to +Jeremy Smith for suggestion I redo my bundle print package for all six issues. I received sixteen bundle orders, that alone accounts for 96 sales. Thanks to everyone who ordered. It made the month a lot of fun.
Upcoming Projects
Starter Adventures will be hitting the virtual bookshelves this month. I have my help lined up and the tweaks are finished. So the sooner the better. Manor 7 already has a few entries lined up. Looks like this is going to be an advertisement issue so far. And they have interesting things to sell you.
Interesting Numbers
Manor 6 has already sold 91 copies. Only Manor 1 has sold more at 93, but that was over two months. So issue 6 has a great chance has a good chance of becoming the fastest selling issue.
Mentioned above, GM Games has sold over two hundred units in a single months. 208 to be exact. That is 90 better than the next closest month.
GM Games eclipsed 1500 total sales marker hitting 1517 this month. And there have been 1671 free downloads of various products.
It's time again to share some sales numbers. This is the the third month without a new release. I will change that this month damn it. *raised fist in the air* I need to dedicate myself to learn how to do the POD covers. That seems to be my biggest stumbling block now. I'm sure I'll find a bunch more along the way. Despite no releases sales have been steady in PDF form. The print sales fell off to nearly nothing. Only 2 this month. On to the numbers and news.
Milestones: The Manor #4 reach a 100 sales. Up Coming Changes: Printer: I'm getting a new printer. I finally got tired of my old Epson spewing yellow ink all over and wasting reams of paper trying to clean it up. Not to mention the money wasted on ink cartridges. I've got it narrowed down to a couple of different printers, but I still haven't made my decision.
Manor Covers: I've decided to go to red covers for the Manors. Instead of having 10 different kinds of card stock laying around. It will be cheaper for me. Save me time to go look for card stock. And It will give it a uniform look. Project Status Updates: Manor #6: Is completely written. I need to shoot it off to my proofreaders before the end of the weekend. I'm waiting on more awesome art from +Jason Sholtis and +Dylan Hartwell. I think this is going to be another cool issue.
Starter Adventures: It is edited, written, art finished and formatted. I need to learn how to make the cover in light source and then get test copies.
Manor Compilation, Issues 1-5: I received the final cover from +Johnathan Bingham and his wife Daisy and it look amazing. It is in the same boat as Starter Adventures. Waiting on me to figure out technology.
March 2014 Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 6 (12) Print: 0 Total Sales: 408 (213)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 2 Print: 0 Total Sales: 327
The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012
PDF: 2 Print: 0 Total Sales: 244
Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (12) Print: N/A Total Sales: (567)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013
PDF: 2 Print: 0 Total Sales: 150
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (13) Print: N/A Total Sales: (286)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 3 Print: 0 Total Sales: 100 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 2 (9) Print: N/A Total Sales:17 (194)
The Manor, Issue #5: released November 21st, 2013
PDF: 4Print: 2 Total Sales: 90
Execution Corner: released December 15th, 2013
PDF: 4 (16) Print: N/A Total Sales: 28 (131)
_________________________________________________ Total Sales for February 2014
PDF: 25 (62) Print: 2 Total Sales: 27 (62)
The cantankerous and inquisitive +Jason Zavoda asked how many sales were print. So I took off my shoes and began counting. Here are the results. These are total sales for the items I sell in print versions. All of which I make and assemble from my office. I have a few other print offerings like the Mini Manor and Where is Margesh Blackblood?, but those are freebies I give away.
Knowledge Illuminates: 27 print sales.
My first release, over three ago, keeps getting a handful of sales in PDF. However, the print version never caught on. I really like the look of it with Dylan Hartwell's artwork. He did a fantastic job that sets the mood for the adventure. I've got a follow up adventure brewing. Something to do with a certain chest.
Manor #1: 105 print sales.
This one did very well. There was a lot of excitement when it was released and I remember getting on my blog roll and saw 3 or 4 reviews for it at the same time. I was very nervous when I released it. It was great to see the reception it got and gave me the confidence to continue.
Manor #2: 91print sales.
I was able to follow-up with the second issue fairly quickly, I think only 2 months separated the issues. I really like this issue. Hugo is a fun guy to role-play. He's actually based on a PC from years ago. I've used him several times in games. The party always comes away either angry or amused.
Manor #3: 72 print sales.
It took a long time to get issue #3 out. I think it was 7 months between issues. And upon release there was less interest compared to the first two. I think by this time there were a handful more zines out there. While it struggled in the beginning, it continues to get sales, especially in the bundle buys.
Manor #4: 69 sales.
This one was a lot of work. Especially for +Jason Sholtis who made the mini monster section exceptional with his art. The adventure I wrote for this issue I never got to playtest. I rewrote it four times. Overall I like how it turned out, but still want to know how it plays out on the table.
Manor #5: 51 sales.
My latest offering. Each zine has sold a little less than the previous one, but they all continue to trickle in sales. The print sales seem to all come in the beginning. Then the PDFs continue to sell. Maybe its because I only sell my print issue from my home. Not sure. I'm curious as to what a compilation of Manors will do in print.
Total Print Sales: 415
This doesn't include the 10-12 comp copies each issue.
I have no idea how these sales stack up against the other great zines out there. Or OSR products in general. But I'm pretty content with them. It's allowed me to pay for art, get a few gaming items and gives me the push to continue making more adventures. I would be creating these adventures either way, but there is something very cool about selling them, sharing it with others and hearing feedback from it. I enjoy sharing what I do with others. Including the sales numbers. So Jason, you wanted the print sales figures. You got'em.
With the end of February comes another month end sales report. There were no releases for GM Games in January, but sales increased slightly. Knowledge Illuminates hit a stellar goal, over 400 have sold. Wow. I'll need to write the follow up adventure I always intended to write for it. For those brave or foolish enough to open up the chest.
Upcoming Releases
Manor Compilation: I'm going to release the first 5 Manors in a paperback and hardback addition on RPGNow and Lulu. +Johnathan Bingham agreed to do the cover and I am excited to see what he does with the concept I gave him. I think that's one of my favorite processes, when an artist creates what was in your head.
Expected Released: Umm, I would guess end of March or in April.
The Manor, Issue #6: This issue is nearly done. Again, I have contributions from other gamers. This time +matt jackson and +Ken H were generous enough to write pieces for the zine. Matt has created an unusual brothel and Ken has an interesting trio of puzzle rooms. I'm the one holding this one up. +Jason Sholtis is doing the cover. I'm excited to see his own book released with all his d12 tables.
Release Date: Sometime in March.
Untitled Adventure: I love writing adventures. It's probably one of my favorite things to do. I've got a couple in the hopper that I've been tinkering with, but I like to playtest them a couple times before I unleash one. This one is a side project I'm working on. It's a big dungeon. Over 300 rooms, but I'm not setting it up as a mega-dungeon, but rather a place where a GM can have the player do a delve and find the money, item or person, using only sections of the dungeon. There are different entrances to start with.
Release Date: Unknown. It's a side project I'm working on now and then. I'm planning on keeping it art free because I don't know how many pieces I would need for that big of a project. Plus, just want to keep it simple.
Secret Project:I've been mumbling about this one for a while. I am in my final edits with it. There may be a few art tweaks, but it is on the last turn before completion. The only reason why I being coy, is every time I mentioned it before I failed to finish. When I get it formatted and getting proofs back from the printers I'll announce what it is.
Release Date: Soon. I think in March.
Now onto the numbers. A decent month for not having any releases in the past two months.
February 2014
Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 3 (12) Print: 0 Total Sales: 402 (201)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 3 Print: 1 Total Sales: 325
The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012
PDF: 3 Print: 1 Total Sales: 242
Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (22) Print: N/A Total Sales: (555)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013
PDF: 3 Print: 1 Total Sales: 148
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (9) Print: N/A Total Sales: (273)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 3 Print: 2 Total Sales: 97 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 1 (7) Print: N/A Total Sales:15 (185)
The Manor, Issue #5: released November 21st, 2013
PDF: 4Print: 4 Total Sales: 84
Execution Corner: released December 15th, 2013
PDF: 2 (12) Print: N/A Total Sales: 24 (115)
_________________________________________________ Total Sales for February 2014
PDF: 22 (62) Print: 9 Total Sales: 31 (62)
Nothing new released this month at GM Games. Still manages to squeak in a few sales. It's amazing how a new release can sell products in your back catalog. I've been playing around with laminated maps, note card sized, mainly for my own amusement. Issue #6 of the Manor is halfway done with the aide of +matt jackson's contribution. I've got a few pieces pending and need to figure out what I need for art and find someone to art it.
Upcoming projects. I'm planning on releasing a Compendium of the first 5 issues of the Manor. I've got +Johnathan Bingham on the hook to do the cover. He and his wife Daisy do some incredible covers for others I though I'd shoulder my into the fray. I think it will be cool to have a hardback version of the Manors. Even if I'm the only one who snags a copy. I plan to go through the all the Manors, clean up some of the typos that slipped through and possibly add a few pieces. I'll be releasing it on RPGNow and Lulu.
The other project has been a long standing project I've had on the back burner for too long. This project is the capable hands of +Tim Snider who is probably slashing away at my prose with more glee than Joffrey Baratheon smothering his first kitten. All the art is done, +Jason Sholtis and +John Larrey have went above and beyond on this one. And +Rob Conley added his artistic flare for maps. I'm not ready to announce it yet, because I don't want to jinx it. So I'm staying hush until I have went through the final edits and figured out how the whole POD thing works.
Onto the numbers. Thanks for the interest and those of you who were brave enough to buy one or more products of mine.
January 2014
Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 0 (16) Print: 0 Total Sales: 399 (189)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 1 Print: 1 Total Sales: 321
The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012 PDF: 1 Print: 1 Total Sales: 238
Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (12) Print: N/A Total Sales: (533)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013 PDF: 1 Print: 1 Total Sales: 144
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (7) Print: N/A Total Sales: (264)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 1 Print: 1 Total Sales: 92 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 0 (11) Print: N/A Total Sales:14 (178)
The Manor, Issue #5: released November 21st, 2013
PDF: 1Print: 2 Total Sales: 76
Execution Corner: released December 15th, 2013
PDF: 5 (9) Print: N/A Total Sales: 22 (103)
_________________________________________________ Total Sales for January 2014
PDF: 10 (55) Print: 6 Total Sales: 16 (55)
This is the last sales report of the year. Had a very good month, netting a total of 77 sales. I had a new release this month, Execution Corner. It is a map and one-page write up of a location to throw into your game. I plan on adding more to it real soon. I have another project that I'll be going through the 1st edits soon. I'll need another set of eyes to look at it for a 2nd pass. It will be the first product that will be POD. I'm looking forward to and dreading going through the set up process.
Here's hoping next year is just as fun. I want to GM a few more games. Learn how to use Roll 20. Playtest a few adventures I have in the hopper.
Enough of my babbling, on to the numbers.
December 2013
Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 5 (18) Print: 0 Total Sales: 399 (173)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 8 Print: 2 Total Sales: 319
The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012
PDF: 8 Print: 2 Total Sales: 236
Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (14) Print: N/A Total Sales: (521)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013
PDF: 8 Print: 2 Total Sales: 142
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (6) Print: N/A Total Sales: (257)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 8 Print: 1 Total Sales: 90 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 0 (14) Print: N/A Total Sales:14 (167)
The Manor, Issue #5: released November 21st, 2013
PDF: 14Print: 2 Total Sales: 73
Execution Corner: released December 15th, 2013
PDF: 17 (94) Print: N/A Total Sales: 17 (94)
_________________________________________________ Total Sales for November 2013
PDF: 68 (146) Print: 9 Total Sales: 77 (146)
November turned out to be a great month for GM Games. I believe it's the first time sales exceeded 100 without being associated without a store sale or Kickstarter. Issue #5 of The Manor was released for sale on the 21st and the driving force behind the sales. I know before I got into this, I read books about having a fairly regular release date because it will help the sales of earlier products. After doing this for a short time I can attest this does happen. Most of my titles hit double digit sales.
Alright, here are the numbers.
November 2013
Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 8 (12) Print: 0 Total Sales: 394 (155)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 11 Print: 2 Total Sales: 309
The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012
PDF: 11 Print: 2 Total Sales: 226
Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (12) Print: N/A Total Sales: (507)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013
PDF: 10 Print: 2 Total Sales: 132
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (7) Print: N/A Total Sales: (251)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 3 Print: 8 Total Sales:81 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 4 (10) Print: N/A Total Sales:14 (153)
The Manor, Issue #5: released November 21st, 2013
PDF: 16Print: 41 Total Sales: 57
_________________________________________________ Total Sales for November 2013
PDF: 66 (41) Print: 50 Total Sales: 116 (41)
Total Sales
1211 (1067)
116 sales in a month. It's very cool and exciting. Issue #1 of The Manor hit over 300 sales and Cave of Seiljua now has over 500 free downloads. Thanks to all those who have supported GM Games. I've gotten several very kind notes about my products and I'm trying different things to keep them coming and having fun with it. I've had 5 releases this year, didn't even know until I looked at the list. I'm hoping to get another one out before the end of the year. With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas steamrolling closer I hope to find the time. Again, my thanks for your support.
I'd forgotten to a sales report for a while. Not that there is too much to report. No new releases during the past two months. Yet I still managed to get a few sales. The numbers in black are sales and the red number are free.
September 2013
Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 2 (30) Print: 1 Total Sales: 380 (126)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 2 Print: 1 Total Sales: 293 The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012
PDF: 2 Print: 1 Total Sales: 210 Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (21) Print: N/A Total Sales: (479)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013
PDF: 2 Print: 2 Total Sales: 117
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (3) Print: N/A Total Sales: (240)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 2 Print: 3 Total Sales: 65 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 5 (26) Print: N/A Total Sales: 10 (130)
_________________________________________________ Total Sales for September 2013
PDF: 15 (80) Print: 8 Total Sales: 23 (80)
October 2013
Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 6 (17) Print: 0 Total Sales: 386 (143)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 2 Print: 1 Total Sales: 296 The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012
PDF: 2 Print: 1 Total Sales: 213 Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (17) Print: N/A Total Sales: (496)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013
PDF: 2 Print: 1 Total Sales: 120
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (4) Print: N/A Total Sales: (244)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 3 Print: 2 Total Sales:70 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 0 (13) Print: N/A Total Sales: 10 (143)
_________________________________________________ Total Sales for September 2013
PDF: 15 (47) Print: 5 Total Sales: 20 (47)
Total Sales
1095 (1026)
These numbers do not reflect the number of print comp copies I've sent out or given away. RPGNow is the only reason I can keep track of PDFs. I'm sure these are not exact numbers, but they are a good estimation of the sales.
The 5th issue of the Manor is in the final stages. I'll fire off a copy to my proofreaders this week. So I am guessing the 5th issue will be out before Thanksgiving. It's a cool issue, it turned out pretty good I think. With so many cool zines being produced these days I'm trying to put out something that is fun and useful. Even if you don't use a word of it in your game I try to make it a good read.
If anyone has any questions about my number or Manors please comment or sent me a message through email or Google+. You can get a hold of me fairly easy. Thanks to the folks who've supported my products and continue to do so.
At the end of July I released the 4th issue of the Manor (PDF & Print) and shortly after I offered a bundle package of all four Manors on RPGNow and a bundle print option. In August I reformatted and released a one-page dungeon, Where is Margesh Blackblood? I offered it as a free download, but also with the Pay What You Want Option. If someone throws a few pennies into my tin cup then it goes to buying other gaming products.
It was a steady month for sales, most of which came at the beginning of August. I divide the sales by print and PDF. This month saw a big old goose egg over at Lulu. No sales at all. Lulu only nets me a few sales each month, but I think this is because I have no print options theret. I know I go to Lulu for print products.
I'm adding the free products in the report along with the Pay What You Want products. Free download numbers are in red. The products are listed in chronological order.
Knowledge Illuminates: released February 16th, 2011, print version released October 29th, 2012
PDF: 4 (10) Print: 0 Total Sales: 377 (96)
The Manor, Issue #1: released May 5th, 2012
PDF: 7 Print: 3 Total Sales: 290 The Manor, Issue #2: released July 4th, 2012
PDF: 7 Print: 3 Total Sales: 207 Cave of Seiljua: released September 9th, 2012
PDF: (98) Print: N/A Total Sales: (458)
The Manor, Issue #3: released released February 7th, 2013
PDF: 6 Print: 5 Total Sales: 113
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams: released April 19th, 2013
PDF: (18) Print: N/A Total Sales: (237)
The Manor, Issue #4: released July 28th, 2013
PDF: 9 Print: 10 Total Sales: 60 Where is Margesh Blackblood?: released August 12th, 2013
PDF: 5 (104) Print: N/A Total Sales: 5 (104)
_________________________________________________ Total Sale for August 2013
PDF: 38 (230) Print: 21 Total Sales: 59 (230)
A good month for sales overall. When I started doing the list with all the free and PWYW products included I didn't feel too bad. I am a slow poke and get distracted by shiny things easily and often feel I should be working harder. After looking at the list over the past couple years I don't feel too bad. I'm hoping to get two more releases this year. Another issue of The Manor and another product I've been working on for a while and hope to have an announcement soon.
It's been a month or two since I'd given my state of GM Games address so here is how July looked. On July 29th Issue #4 of The Manor was released in print. The PDF did not hit until August 1st so those numbers won't be included. That was the only significant activity for the month. So here are the numbers for July.
Knowledge Illuminates
RPGNow: 3
Lulu: 0
Print: 0
Manor #1
RPGNow: 0
Lulu: 1
Print: 2
Manor #2
RPGNow: 0
Lulu: 1
Print: 3
Manor #3
RPGNow: 0
Lulu: 1
Print: 3
Manor #4
RPGNow: N/A
Lulu: N/A
Print: 45
In addition to these I have two free products that continue to see activity on RPGNow. Also I will include how many times Knowledge Illuminates was downloaded for free since it a a PWYW.
Cave of Seiljua - 14 (361)
Faces Without Screams - 16 (258)
Knowledge Illuminates - 15 (86)
Future projects include of course the 5th issue of The Manor. I've already received some excellent contributions from +Chris Bard and +Sean Robson and I've completed one article so it has a good start. The next project though that I will complete is Starter Adventures. I plan to release this one in PDF, soft and hardcover versions using Lulu and RPGNow. I am also working on another adventure, but that one is still in the beginning stages.
On a separate item, +Pulp Mill Press is one month into accepting submissions. We would like to see more stories. The deadline for submissions is September first so if you have a great story send us a copy. Sean Robson, our editor has really been doing an incredible job.
I put Knowledge Illuminates on the Pay What You Want on RPGNow and now that its been over a couple of weeks I thought I would update how its been going. I know some are interested.
Nearly 75% of sales were free downloads. Of the thirteen paid sales I made $23.29 (not going to figure in the RPGNow cut). I averaged .46/sale.
This is a skewed result because KI has been out for a while and most who wanted it already got it. While the results aren't spectacular they are interesting. I appreciated who plunked some coins into the tin cup. All the sales I made went to ConTessa fundit. I'll keep KI on PWYW, but not sure if I would do it again. I do like having the option though.
Not much moving and shaking over here last month. On the 28th thru the 31st I had a 50% sale at RPGNow that scored a few sales. I'm still working on the 4th issue of the Manor. Ran into a snag. I had to reel the issue back a bit. It was getting larger and larger. While I want it to be the biggest issue yet, I need to be able to get my stapler through the pages. I've got it retooled now and I think I should finish it in June.
On to the sales.
Knowledge Illuminates
Print: 1
RPGNow: 12
Lulu: 1
May '13 Sales: 14
Total Sales: 326
The Manor #1
Print: 0
RPGNow: 7
Lulu: 1
May '13 Sales: 8
Total Sales: 259
The Manor #2
Print: 0
RPGNow: 5
Lulu: 1
May '13 Sales: 6
Total Sales: 178
The Manor #3
Print: 0
RPGNow: 6
Lulu: 1
May '13 Sales: 7
Total Sales: 81
Cave of Seiluja
May '13 Downloads: 20
Total Downlaods: 302
Mini Manor: Faces Without Screams
May '13 Downloads: 37
Total Downloads: 507
So last month I sold 35 units for an especially quiet month. I was really hoping to finish issue #4, but I guess that's what June is for. Everything I made and then some went back into buying cool gaming books. There is so much good stuff out there I need to make more stuff so I can afford to get them.
That's all the is going on over in these hills. Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek behind the sheer curtain at GM Games. If you have any question please just comment or find me on Google+.
Now I am off to the bookstore to buy an expensive coffee drink and continue my work on issue #4.
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