One Bookshelf, the managing company for RPGNow and DrivethruRPG, has been working with Lightning Source to setup a print on demand service for RPGs. I am not sure if they are out of their select customer phase yet but they are finally out of their long development process.
A while ago I uploaded a print version of the Majestic Wilderlands to RPGNow. So if you have access to the print on demand feature you can buy it in print.
I ordered a test copy and it was nearly the same as Lulu. Also because of the different page count cutoff* I added some more material as an appendix. Basically some more general maps (wind, current, climate). The short price list, and Calender. I posted both here and here for those of you that doesn't have them.
I also set it up so that the PDF comes with Softcover if you choose. Note that you HAVE to select this option explicitly. I don't have the option to remove the Softcover only option.
Unfortunately I didn't enable this right away and somebody already bought the softcover prior to this date (12/24/2010). So if you are that person and want the PDF email me and I will get it to you (by a comp copy on RPGNow).
For a buyer's perspective, the Great Pendragon Campaign, see Chicago's Wizard blog post. Finally I can get a copy of the Great Pendragon Campaign.
While it is was a bummer that their b/w wasn't any better than lulu (because they use half toning for greyscale like lulu) I am excited at their color prices which are WAY better than lulu's prices. Which means I can offer affordable books with full color maps and the like. The Lightning Source connection means they have different formats options than Lulu and best of all for the smallest page count they have a single fixed price.
*Printers work in units of 4, 8, or 16. When you get print on demand done if your manuscript isn't the multiple they use then there will be a bunch of blank pages at the end. Mind you are not paying for those pages but I like the more professional look of having the book completely filled. So for the RPGNow print I modified the Majestic Wilderlands to include material on those pages.
Rob, thank you for the more technical information regarding the PoD process with RPGN/DTRPG.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Hi Rob. Just popped in to say Happy Christmas to you, Kelly Anne and the kiddos.
ReplyDeleteSo I take it you have an overall positive take on the Onebookshelf Print on Demand service?
ReplyDeleteYes I think it will be a major plus for the RPG Industry and Hobby
ReplyDeleteThis is some keen info my man. I was looking at Lulu for my upcoming project but may branch out as it were.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holiday and thanks for the heads up.
Thanks for the link! Overall, from a consumer's perspective, I was very pleased with the experience. I didn't like the weight of the interior paper, but that's probably because I'm spoiled a bit on the nicer books. I wouldn't hesitate to use the DTRPG POD because of it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with selling more MW's!
It was me who ordered the print copy on Dec 21st...but don't worry I already have it on pdf.
ReplyDeleteI've actually been hankering after a print copy for a while but for some reason Lulu made this only available as a 'printed in the US' option. This made the shipping to the UK more expensive than the book itself.
RPGnow's shipping, on the other hand, is very low and so I'm mighty pleased to finally be gettting a print copy!
@Wulfgar - I am glad to hear that foreign shipping is reasonable and enjoy your book!
ReplyDelete