104 replies to this topic

[maverike_prime]

Hey all, been working on my work space lately and in the process I had to move some shelves that held a lot of my old White Dwarf and older warhammer publications and such. Well surprise surprise, I started reading them and I remembered why I used to buy White Dwarf. The hobby support and information. Now White Dwarf seems to be little more then a "Here's the latest hotness you should spend money to buy!" and little else. I miss the battle reports, the fluff bits, the army project reports, the conversion articles, and seeing the characters people made for their armies.

 

So, is there a fan publication like that? And if there isn't is there interest in making one? I'm not talking about publishing a magazine for sale or anything. But maybe a digital magazine that's online. Put out a full issue once a month, or maybe even every 2 months perhaps depending on work load, but still have it set up to allow the individual articles to be searchable. Various authors who each write articles in their own specialty. Converters, painters, gamers, campaigns, stories. Thoughts?

 

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

I don't know of any ongoing, warhammer-general fanmags. I believe Cool Mini or Not has a painting-specific one, but that's not quite what you're going for.

 

I'd be willing to contribute to a Warhamme fanmag. Could provide short sculpting (manual or digital) tutorials, maybe tidy up some of the fanon/art I have lying around, bit of homebrew rules etc.

[Brother Tyler]

We would be amenable to supporting a B&C fanzine. In fact, the mods and admins have had several extensive discussions on this over the years and we've had a few variations appear (e.g., The Dornian Heresy, the Legio Imprint 2: The Eye of Terror, etc.). We've also had failed attempts, such as a recent effort to collect and present fan-fiction. Any project like this requires some degree of organization.

Even if we don't conduct this is a regular ongoing effort, we could have one-off efforts with short term specific goals (such as both of the examples above). In that case, see the Special Projects forum and the basic requirements to conduct special projects. Even if a single member or small group of members want to pool their efforts to create something, I'm all for enabling that via the B&C.

[maverike_prime]

We would be amenable to supporting a B&C fanzine. In fact, the mods and admins have had several extensive discussions on this over the years and we've had a few variations appear (e.g., The Dornian Heresy, the Legio Imprint 2: The Eye of Terror, etc.). We've also had failed attempts, such as a recent effort to collect and present fan-fiction. Any project like this requires some degree of organization.

Even if we don't conduct this is a regular ongoing effort, we could have one-off efforts with short term specific goals (such as both of the examples above). In that case, see the Special Projects forum and the basic requirements to conduct special projects. Even if a single member or small group of members want to pool their efforts to create something, I'm all for enabling that via the B&C.

 

Well, okay then. Can I just post the starting post in the special projects forum? And is it cool if I spam blasted the other forums with a message to get people attention for it? If no to the later, is there another option for getting the word out?

[Rev. Tiberius Jackhammer]

It might be useful to keep each issue short and sweet (4 articles, each 1-3 pages in length?). Would help build up momentum, don't want to spend all enthusiasm/effort on a monumental Issue #1.

[Aqui]

I might be interested in this. I used to do a hard copy Anime fanzine (all written stuff - I can't draw if my life depended on it ) in the UK scene back in the day. I'm rather rusty, but I could help with layout, or copy reading if not submitting something

As for announcements, I can't speak for Brother Tyler, but a topic in News/Rumours might be in order to start with at least Individual members or Moderators could then link said main topic if need be

[maverike_prime]

It might be useful to keep each issue short and sweet (4 articles, each 1-3 pages in length?). Would help build up momentum, don't want to spend all enthusiasm/effort on a monumental Issue #1.

 

My thoughts for the set up was basically 3-5 people, with 3 of them acting as the authors of the articles, 1 acting as... I donno what the publishing term would be but the person who reads the articles to check for accurate info, proper punctuation, grammar, ect. and then the 5th person acts as the producer in terms of making sure everyone is on the same page (no pun intended) they know when the deadline is, posting the stories to the release which I guess would mean scheduling the posts via the Word Press back end since thats what I'm familiar with. So that way we'd get 1-2 Wargamming articles (Battle report/in-game story/special scenarios), 1-2 modeling articles (paitning, converting, army project, special squad projects) and then 1-2 'fluff' articles (stuff about Abaddon's background,  back stories from campaigns, ect). If we can get that going I'm thinking we shoot for 8 releases in a year (roughly every 6 weeks) to get started and hammer out kinks and problems.

If we can get that accomplished I think we'll have gotten enough of a base to expand with more writers and... um.... staff? I guess would be the word. Not trying to make this an actual job or anything like that. People are gonna expect to actually get paid then.

 

I might be interested in this. I used to do a hard copy Anime fanzine (all written stuff - I can't draw if my life depended on it ) in the UK scene back in the day. I'm rather rusty, but I could help with layout, or copy reading if not submitting something

As for announcements, I can't speak for Brother Tyler, but a topic in News/Rumours might be in order to start with at least Individual members or Moderators could then link said main topic if need be

 

Cool. I was hoping to find someone who had at least some real world experience with print layout and the like. I worked as a web master for a news paper for 4 months. Closest I've gone on that front.

 

I'm gonna wait till tomorrow morning to see if Brother Tyler responds again on this thread. If not, I'll just toss a message asking about it.

Edited by maverike_prime, 01 July 2015 - 07:04 PM.

[Aqui]

I think you mean a proof reader. I'll be happy to help as much as I can

Edited by Aquilanus, 01 July 2015 - 07:16 PM.

[Bryan Blaire]

The person that reads an article, checking for information inaccuracies, grammar and word use issues, and punctuation issues is an editor.

[CommodusXIII]

I'd recommend talking to JeffTibbets as well. He was the one attempting to publish the Fanthology, and might be able to help with tracking down some fan fiction to add to your publication. I know I'd love to resubmit my contribution!

[dusara217]

I'd be more than happy to help with either editing or fluff articles. I have at least a modicum of knowledge regarding every major faction (as well as some minor ones), and have performed extensive research into Space Marines, SM Legions, the War in Heaven, the Inquisition, and a few other "historical" topics. 

 

Edit: also, I love writing, if you need any help with fanfics, I can definitely help you out

Edited by dusara217, 01 July 2015 - 10:19 PM.

[Brother Tyler]

Before we start advertising anything, a solid plan needs to be in place. The Special Projects is the appropriate place for that.

[maverike_prime]

Before we start advertising anything, a solid plan needs to be in place. The Special Projects is the appropriate place for that.

Roger that. I'll put together a rough outline for the process and some mocks to get the discussion moving. Once I get them ready I'll make a post in the Special projects forums. Until then... well.... keep doing what we're doing here I guess.

[maverike_prime]

Actually, if you all have any other thoughts about the idea of the Fan-zine (Like a name for it please), please post 'em. Getting more info flowing helps me with building the mocks and outline.

[Brother Tyler]

Well, the Legio fanzine here at the B&C is the Legio Imprint, with each issue numbered titled based on its theme (if there is no theme, there's no need for a special title).

[maverike_prime]

Well, the Legio fanzine here at the B&C is the Legio Imprint, with each issue numbered titled based on its theme (if there is no theme, there's no need for a special title).

 

Never heard of Legio Imprint. Is it an ongoing fanzine (by the dark gods do I hate that word)? or something else?

[Dolchiate Remembrancer]

Just wanted to voice my approval and if it is advertised like the painting events are i would be a grateful reader!

[Brother Tyler]

It's something that we've only been able to do a few times (I provided links to two of them above), and those times only because of dedicated hobbyists, a solid plan, and organization.

[maverike_prime]

It's something that we've only been able to do a few times (I provided links to two of them above)

Der?!*# totally missed that. Sorry Brother Tyler.

 

Just finished skimming over the Dornian Heresy one. I can see why you haven't done more of them. at 80-something pages that thing is a monster for a volunteer group to put out. What I had in mind, at least to start is something considerably smaller and more compact. Maybe 30 pages in total if it were actually printed.

Edited by maverike_prime, 02 July 2015 - 02:42 AM.

[maverike_prime]

okay, so I've had just a super-crappy day and I had intended to write out this big detailed example of of my favorite articles from White Dwarf of yester-years and then encourage other folks to provide examples of their favorite articles but yeah... with the way my days been going I think there's a very real chance that the 7th Chaos God will manifest out of my monitor and infect my computer with a never ending video of dog porn or something. So I'm just going to cut to the chase and ask for folks to gimme examples of articles they liked from previous White Dwarfs. If possible issue number and date, if not please provide as much information about what you remember about the article including what it was about, why you liked it, and what you thought the high lights were.

[Dolchiate Remembrancer]

Personally any Index Astartes and Battle Report(especially the fluffier ones) were my faves! But also, 12 year old me wasn't into the modelling and painting aspects like 28 year old me is now. So it might be different.

[maverike_prime]

Personally any Index Astartes and Battle Report(especially the fluffier ones) were my faves! But also, 12 year old me wasn't into the modelling and painting aspects like 28 year old me is now. So it might be different.

 

haha I think I can relate to the 12 years old me compared to the 28 year old me problem. Though in my case it's more like the 8 year old me compared to the 31 year old me.

 

for me it's a bit harder to really nail down what my singular favorite article from White Dwarf was. I loved the showcase articles that showed what a group of talented individuals could do with a given kit. Like after the current Space Marine Terminator set came out. They had a showcase article where 8 different hobbyists each took the kit and did their own spin with it. One did a squad of Black Templar Terminators that was all about painting character onto each model, while another did a squad of Ultramarine terminators where he talked about ornamentation and decoration on the models. Another section talked about his squad of Helion Legion terminators, a chapter where Terminator armor was a rare commodity so each terminator was himself a noted and individualized hero in his own right. The article also included Legion of the Damned Terminators, an Ultramarines and Sons Orar librarians and even one terminator that was 'corrupted' to the service of Nurgle. Each hobbyist was given about a page to showcase his efforts and talk about the methodology behind them.

 

The army based show case articles were memorable as well. The 5-8 pages were a given hobbyist talked about his efforts to create his Howling Griffons army, or his Iron Warriors army.  Oh and the kill-team and Campaign supplements, particularly the more story driven ones I still love to go back through my collection and re-read.

 

I think the single article that stands out the most in my memory though would have been a Space Wolves Vs Space Orks Battle report (Yeah that's right, the army was called 'Space Orks' back then, that should give you a clue how far back I'm going). I want to say it was issue 90-something. It had a pair of High Elves on the cover, mostly blue in color.  But the battle report was written from an in-world perspective, so instead of talking about armor saves and ballistic skills, it talked about grazing shots, blemishes to the paint, last minute strikes to end a combat and kill an opponent. I wish I could find that issue of White Dwarf. I would love to read that battle report again.

[HenricusTyranicus]

I too, love battle reports. Another thing I'd love is Homebrew rules, formations, etc, that had passed review of 10 or so players of many different factions. I bet you'd find a lot of people would love that. Especially if someone did regimental doctrines for guardsmen.

Edited by HenricusTyranicus, 03 July 2015 - 04:31 PM.

[maverike_prime]

I too, love battle reports. Another thing I'd love is Homebrew rules, formations, etc, that had passed review of 10 or so players of many different factions. I bet you'd find a lot of people would love that. Especially if someone did regimental doctrines for guardsmen.

 

Yeah, I would love to see that too. The challenge in that is getting that '10 or so' player to test them. There are 2 ways I can think of making that sort of thing viable on a regular basis:

 

1- having a team that is basically on-call for testing the rules/formations. So that literally, we call 'em on monday and say "Hey, we've got a formation we need to have play tested." and by friday of the same week they get back to use with the results of a dozen or so battles that used the formation/rule set.

 

Pros: Well, lets be blunt having a team that is dedicated to play testing and can get you a committed turn around on it would astoundingly awesome. Basically a game developers wet-dream.

 

Cons: The man-power angel. Having a team on hand means... well having a team on hand with the resources to do what we're talking about. Chances are unlikely we'd get the 10 or so people we would need for the group IN ADDITION to those who are already working on the publication itself.

 

2- any such material we do put out is handled on a "Here's these rules we've been talking about. Try 'em and let us know how they work out." basis.

 

Pros: Much easier to get a larger testing base with a greater possibility for compressive feed back.

Cons: much higher risk of the publications reputation being tarnished for putting out bad rules, previously tested or not.

 

number 2 is more likely the way we would have to start, if we did rules and supplements with the hopes that has the publication grows we could develop a reliable team to do play testing so that we in the future we switch from a 'Have fun and let us know how it works out' to something a bit more reliable.

[HenricusTyranicus]

We could subject it to a preliminary committee of just a few people, and THEN put it out with a notice of "Test This". My friend and I play once every week, week and half, sometimes more, and we both play guard, albeit I play guard as allies. We could easily give regimental doctrines a test run during one of our games, and then go ahead and go to option two. Kinda best of both worlds.