Micronomicon: A Compendium of Magic for Tiny Dungeon 2e

Update: Soaring
over 3 years ago – Fri, Oct 23, 2020 at 10:49:07 PM

Hey, gang.  

Not a full update, but just wanted to share the happy news that the last really big writing job is done.  Today I finished up the Teleportation Mage chapter (which, as it turns out, is super fun).  This means every single chapter (all 34!) in this book is written.  

Now, there are still four or five setting chapters where we've identified gaps that will need filling.  And about as many more that need (mostly light) edits.  Not to mention some art that hasn't come in yet, etc. 

But even with all that in mind, I am just flying high right now.  Hooray!

Happy Halloween, and more good news coming soon!

--JDP

Pumpkin spice update
over 3 years ago – Thu, Oct 01, 2020 at 04:28:59 PM

Hey, gang.  Just wanted to drop you all a line and let you know that things are still progressing, if slowly.

The time demands of the kids' remote learning have settled down a bit, which is good because it was pretty grim there for a while.  And the baby is sleeping a lot better these days, which is a blessed miracle.  Hopefully these trends will continue (or accelerate!), and I'll get some more working hours in October.  

Anyhow, here's what's been happening with the Micronomicon lately: 

Writing. This has probably been my slowest writing month in a while, but I did manage to finish off enough stray sentences and paragraphs to get three chapters text-final and ready for layout.  There are a few other tiny bits here and there that need finishing, plus that one last chapter (Teleportation Mage) that needs some heavier lifting.  But we're very close to having final text for both Parts I and II (Traits and microsettings), and I am trying my hardest to reach this milestone. 

Editing. As ever, the editing and proofreading team are totally on top of things, and have finished off their tasks as soon as text has come to them.  Great work!  Thanks, guys!

Art.  We still need to get the final versions of a few essential pieces, but I feel optimistic that they will be coming soon.  And while we wait for those critical illustrations, I continue to commission new ones from our team of talented artists.  Here are a couple of pieces that have come in since our last update, just to whet your appetite: 

Layout.  As soon as writing, editing, and art are all finalized, chapters go into layout.  And chapters continue to come out of layout at a steady pace, looking gorgeous.  I'm just so excited to see them all stacking up.  

Once again, I want to thank you all for your patience and support.  And a special thanks to our awesome playtesters-- your continued feedback is absolutely invaluable.

I wish we were putting this book together faster, but I don't think we could put it together better.  I'll touch base with you again in October, and let you know how things are going.  

Happy Wednesday, and may all your pumpkins be spicy!

Back to school and other news
over 3 years ago – Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 11:57:19 AM

Hello again, my micronomi-comrades.  

Each month brings fresh challenges, such as my new role as teacher's assistant / tech support for the kids' remote learning.  But production on the Micronomicon is moving forward-- slowly, but with purpose and resolve, like a soldier inching on his belly under barbed wire toward an enemy machine gun nest.  

And in case you want something less metaphorical and more concrete, here's what we've been working on for the last month:

Writing. I didn't get that week long retreat, but I did get some good writing time.  At this point here's only one chapter (Teleportation Mage) that needs more than a paragraph from me.  So we are quite close to having final text for Parts I and II (Traits and microsettings).  

Editing. Once again, proofreading and editing is complete as far as the text has been finalized. Hooray!

Art.  Still waiting on a small number of essential pieces, and hoping to get them soon.  In the meanwhile, the art team keeps cranking out incredible new illustrations. (Check out this Treefolk sea captain and Psionic yoga girl from Reed Hill.)  And I will keep commissioning new pieces as long as I can, to pack this book full of gorgeous art.  

Layout.  The work continues, with new chapters coming out of layout at a steady pace.  Every one looks fantastic, with loving attention to the little details.  I wish I could share them with you now, but I am confident you're going to love them when you get them.  

As I've said before, once all the chapters are through layout, the book will be submitted to the license holder for review, and then we will find out if any revisions are necessary.  After gaining approval, we do a quick round of PDF proofing, and then electronic rewards will ship.  So we are still a few months away from getting the book in your hands, but it is coming.  

I appreciate all the (private and public) expressions of support, and I hope you all can forgive the continued delay.  This is the best RPG fan community I have ever seen, and we are doing everything we can to make sure this is the best supplement we can make, delivered in all deliberate haste.  

Thank you for your patience, and be well. (:

Chewing this elephant
almost 4 years ago – Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 12:40:16 PM

Hola, amigos!  Hope everyone is staying healthy and safe and relatively sane. 

So in my last update I said I would be in touch again before the end of May.  Here's why I didn't.  A few days after that update, a family medical disaster crashed into our lives and I spent the rest of May and most of June dealing with that.  That's now behind us, and life is returning to normal, whatever that means these days. 

The bad news is that I lost a lot of working time (including a planned week-long writing retreat) in those months.  The good news is that I had enough work in the queue that art, play testing, editing, and layout chugged along just fine without needing much input from me.  So we got more chapters through the assembly line, which is really good.

Now, here's what's left to do:

Writing.  The vast majority of the writing is complete, but there are a number of chapters where play testers or editors have identified a paragraph or page that needs to be added.  (And I'm still trying to cram more spells into Archmage.)  There is also one Trait chapter that I need to finish drafting. Next week I have arranged for a five-day work retreat, and my goal is to get all text finalized.   

Editing. Proofreading and editing is completely caught up and waiting on writing.  Great job, guys! 

Art.  There are some essential pieces that I am still waiting on, but I am optimistic that they will be delivered soon.  While waiting for these, I continue to commission small pieces from a few different artists who are doing a great job delivering on short deadlines.  Adding more art to the book seems like the least I can do to make it up to you all for the long wait.

Layout.  Chapters continue to move through layout, and I am very pleased with the results.  (Wish I could share them with you!)  Progress has been steady, and has more or less kept pace with text and art.  Once all the text and art is in, we will ramp up layout and chew through the remaining chapters.

After everything is laid out, we go to licensor approval, then any revisions that might be required, then PDF proofing followed by POD proofing.  Bottom line, I think we're looking at a few more months for sure. 

Once again, I'm very sorry for the ongoing delays, but I am excited to share what I think will be a really amazing book with you, just as soon as we can manage.  

Thank you for your support, and for your patience.

Production update
almost 4 years ago – Sat, May 16, 2020 at 07:42:10 PM

Hey, all! I'm sorry to have been incommunicado so long.  There are a couple of big milestones we are close to passing, and I keep waiting to pass them so I can share the news, but you all need an update one way or another.  So, bottom line: As you may have noticed, we didn't get the book to you in April, but we're still pushing forward.  

When will the Micronomicon be done and in your hands?  Boy, I wish I could give you a firm date.  The best I can do for now is to say that the work continues, and everyone involved is pressing forward.  I'm really sorry we have not delivered this to you already, but please believe me when I say there is no one who wants this finished more than I do, and I am doing everything in my power to make that happen. 

What's left?  Every chapter (except Teleportation Mage) is written and either through edits or in the editing and revision process.  Most chapters have either gone through layout and proofreading, or are out for layout.   Almost all the art is in, but we are still waiting on some of our original commissions. While we wait, we're commissioning and receiving some awesome new illustrations-- including the ones I'm sharing here.

If you have more specific questions about any of the particular Trait chapters or microsettings, just holler at me (here, or on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, whatever) and I will be happy to get a little more granular.  

I'll send out another update by the end of the, rain or shine, and let you know how things are progressing. Hopefully shiny! 

Thank you, everyone, for your patience and your support. I really hope that when you get your books, you will agree that they are worth the wait.  

Happy Friday, and be well.  :)