BackerKit is Live!!
over 1 year ago – Tue, Sep 27, 2022 at 12:35:10 AM

Hey backers!

BackerKit is now live for everyone. Check your email for the invite. We had an issue with the Smoke Test not allowing international backers to select their country, but that should now be resolved. If you have any trouble with your survey, please let us know by commenting down below. 

We added a bunch of add-ons to the BackerKit for additional zines and PDFs for a variety of systems. All of these are offered at really good prices and with discounted shipping for folks who are already paying shipping on Gary's Appendix. 

Oh and hey! We're done with the PDF and as soon as a good chunk of you complete the survey, we're going to start kicking it out your direction. 

Have at it!

- Jeff & Zac

Surveys are coming soon!
over 1 year ago – Wed, Sep 21, 2022 at 11:11:40 AM

My right-hand man, Zac Goins sent out the smokescreen surveys. That is a small sample to make sure nothing blows up. In the next couple days we (by "we" I mean Zac) will send out the remainders. 

Getting to this point is a relief because PROGRESS!

Grace and Peace,

Jeff Jones

Proof Copy Unboxing!
over 1 year ago – Mon, Sep 19, 2022 at 06:07:03 AM

The Boring News

I am waiting for Backerkit's team to review my setup and give the approval. Sorry for the delay, it sounds like we will not be sending out a survey until next week. 

The Fun News

This is an unboxing video for the Lulu POD proofs. I was a bit nervous. I am still waiting for the Mixam proofs.

[If you don't want to watch the video, here is the summary: there were some manufacturing defects with the book, but the overall quality of their product was good...better than I imagined. ]

Grace and Peace,

Jeff Jones

So...Where are we at?
over 1 year ago – Fri, Sep 09, 2022 at 02:29:36 AM

A flurry of activity, my friends:

• My Lulu POD test run ,with another book (SCOUNDRELS), was a success.
• Test DriveThru POD test run in in flight. Waiting for the proof copy to arrive.
• ---------These let me see how to "make the sausage" with the POD services. I did jump the gun an bit with the POD option for Gary's Appendix. I figured this would force me to figure it out...and figuring I am doing!
• Test POD for Gary's uploaded to Lulu. Waiting for it to be printed. This will be proof copies.
• I did find a resolution problem with a couple of the graphics and I will update the files once the last file is in hand.
• Once the graphics are updated I will upload to Mixam for proof copies.
• I am working on getting the Backerkit going. Much more complicated than I thought...but have not fear, Zac is guiding the dark path. 
• I *think* I will be sending out backer surveys next week.

I will provide an update next week as incremental changes are not that exciting for the backers.

Do you, or someone you know, want to write articles for Issue 2 (and beyond)?

• I am looking for people with a strong writing skills and a history of producing articles (I doesn't have to be RPG related).
• I am also looking for people with academic backgrounds capable of writing in an engaging manner about complex subjects. 
• If interested, contact me via Kickstarter, Twitter or Facebook and I will provide you guidelines and a list of possible subjects (but articles are not limited to that list). 

Grace and Peace,

Jeff Jones

We funded!
over 1 year ago – Thu, Sep 01, 2022 at 07:15:10 PM

First Things First!

Thank all of you for your support. At the start of a project we often work in faith, not knowing if others want the thing we are making. We put our heart and soul into our creation with the belief that at least somebody out there will see value in that work. For Gary's Appendix, that was a lot of somebodies. More  somebodyies than I imagined.

What is next?

Getting the zines printed. 

• I have decided to use Mixam for the US customers and will upload files to them in the next few days.
• No further update on the POD. But if Lulu works as I hope it will. I will upload files shortly.

Backerkit

I have never used backerkit. If it wasn't for me partnering with World of Game Design (via Zac Goins) I would be full nerves. We should get that set up within the next week.

What are the plans for Gary's Zine going forward?

There are definite plans for issue 2. While I wanted to solicit additional people for writing articles, it felt a bit of bad form to be putting energy into that before I got the first one tied up. The next issue will be more heavily weighted towards articles rather than the predominance of bestiary entries. The bestiary will continue from issue to issue, but I will adjust the ratio a bit. 

I do not know the frequency that this zine will follow.The tentative plan is to release two issues in 2023..that is very doable. It may be three. I don't know how many issues are too much before backers get overwhelmed with content. In the upcoming Kickstarter survey, there will be a question in that regard. 

Additional thanks:

Andrew Tryon and Travis Miller - They stepped into the gap and provided excellent articles for this issue. If it wasn't for their input, this may have just been a bestiary.

•  Zac Goins - I appiciate his help during this time with the Kickstarter but also for the great article he wrote for the zine. 
•  Megan Goins - For answering the last-minute call for proof reading. 
•  Dan Wilson - He provided solid encouragement when I presented him my idea for a different kind of bestiary. 
•  Jon Gilmore - Another source of encouragment through this whole thing.
•  Levi Combs - Who did the most magnicent "carpet bombing" of my project into the feeds of Twitter. I ain't seen nothing like it before. 
•  Perplexing Ruins and Dean Foster - for making stock art affordable enough to make a zine like this viable. 
•  All the many wonderful creators in my circle. Lou, Bob, Shane.....(the list goes on) who provided encourgment along the way. 

Thanks again!

Jeff Jones