... and you've ever wanted to get published in an RPG book, then I need your help.

The simple truth is this - I've bitten off more than I can chew. I wanted to release SHAINTAR: IMMORTAL LEGENDS at Origins this year.

I made a big deal out of it in a number of places, not the least of which being the Great White Games Savage Worlds forums. I did so to push myself to really get it done, but the tactic threatens to backfire in my face in a pretty major way.

Between things really heating up at my job (we just went live with event registration, and that's been my personal black hole for a few weeks now) and the big move into the new house, I've had a serious depletion of both time and mental energy.

Aaron Acevedo, AKA acestatic, is the Publisher/Managing Editor/Poor Bastard In Charge at Talisman, and a dear friend who is desperately pushing me to "git `er done!" I've told him that I am not sure it's a realistic goal anymore. I've even come up with a Plan B, by which I will get the "Player's Guide" version* of the book done by Origins and shoot for having the rest of it done by fall (with a push for Christmas sales).

He's not satisfied, and has asked me to consider getting help. He's got a stable of excellent writer/designers to call on, not the least of whom is Aaron Rosenberg, who I'd be damned lucky to have work on anything to do with Shaintar.

Except.

Except that Aaron Rosenberg's never "lived" in Shaintar. Writing material for an essentially classic fantasy setting would be relatively easy for anyone, but that wouldn't be the right thing for Shaintar. The only way to present Shaintar as something other than a "classic fantasy setting," the only way to breathe that spark of life that makes it something more, and makes that "something more" truly magical, is to know how it feels to live in Shaintar.

This is why I need your help. Those of you who have lived in Shaintar for any time at all, or even those who have followed the exploits of Shaintar and her heroes all these years - you are the people who know this place best, and who might be able to help me bring her finally to published life.

It fits, really. As I've said elsewhere, Shaintar is mine, but she is more than mine. She is the product of so many wonderful imaginations that have come and gone through the lands over the years.

So here it is - if you want to help me and you'd like to get yourself included as either a "With" (for pages of material) or "Additional Material By" (for less), here's your chance to join the ranks of those deluded fools who cast their wit and their words across the ether for little more than kudos and an occassional signing.

I am going to actually post the Outline here on my Live Journal, with indications of what is needed. If you want a section, you'll let me know and I will make sure you know more about what I want and how I want it.

There it is. My lack of ability to manage my time has created yet another "interesting writing project." Anyone interested is welcome, but obviously experience with Shaintar is greatly preferred.

(Oh, and if someone really steps up and writes a huge amount, I will find some way to pay you...)


* - The part of the book that deals directly with character creation and other game rules material, useful to Savage Worlds fans who may want that stuff but not be all up in Shaintar otherwise.