Information, Authors and Lists

From: Greg Stafford <glorantha1_at_zcTR9wywy5TbP0_O0YwmvyKehkfW246XQbDs6NydnCxQMZPnQAqxw_cPC0skWnFkM>
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2008 08:50:39 -0700 (PDT)

> I'm sure (no, I hope) that the editor communicates
> withe the authors,
> but he don't communicate with the fans

As former publisher and writer of games, I would like want to reply to this with some information.

If you expect authors to keep this list updated, please prepare yourself for disappointment.

Authors do not have any responsibility to post news of their ongoing work, or anything else, with the list. Many of the Glorantha authors may not be members of this list.

It's a matter of time and priorities. Most authors do this work in their spare time, and if it comes to a choice of writing the book or writing *about* the book, then the former should always win if the author is serious about writing a book.
When I was publishing, my constant advice to authors was to never write about their ongoing work--and especially never in a public forum, but to JUST WRITE THE MATERIAL. That alone is hard enough!! I estimate about 10% of the material that was proposed to me by potential authors was ever actually finished and submitted. *Once it's done* then the author has something about which to chat!

As for the publisher having a "responsibility" to let us know what is in the works--well, he will want to do this more than be required to do this. But Moon Design is a small outfit.

I am confident that Rick is aware of this, and will do something as soon as possible.

Greg Stafford
Game Designer                   

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