The Shadow of Yesterday nears completion, as most of my art is in and the text is nearly finished. This is a Good Thing, as it's supposed to be out in five weeks.

Through superhuman effort, I will have it published at GenCon SoCal in what I'd like to call a "pre-release special edition." That means it won't be edited as well as it could be, and I'll revise it before making a huge print run. Right now, it should be about 42,000-45,000 words, and be a 6"x9" book at about 96 pages.

To be upfront, I've run into that oldest and most annoying snag: I've got to pay to get it published, as well as manage to get to GenCon. Because of this, I'm accepting pre-orders for this special edition. Be aware that pre-ordering this is just as much giving me a hand getting it done as actually buying a copy, which will bring you my eternal goodwill. The pre-order price will be $18, which includes shipping. This is a reduction from the $20 cover price. (As a special bonus, however, this edition will be hand-printed, gathered, and perfect-bound by the author in a professional print shop.)

Pre-orders are accepted at Anvilwerks Online. I appreciate all the support I've gotten in the past, and hope to see some of you at GenCon SoCal!

Do we have to attend GenCon SoCal to get this special edition, or will you be shipping copies, too?

I'll be shipping them right after GenCon SoCal, on the 6th of December. Apologies if that wasn't clear. I will, however, have them with me at GenCon SoCal, so if you'd like to pick yours up there, let me know.

I'm planning to be at GenCon SoCal, and will definitely be signing up for a copy.

How about if we want to buy in on (preorder) the eventual edited mass-release version?

Sure, it's a couple months off and all, but still, Color Me Interested (or Badd). Plus, the money gives you a boost, etc.

-Andy

Andy,

I'm glad you asked, because I've got some new notes about the game.

First, the page count is upped from 96 pages to 120, minimum. Realistically, I think it's going to be about 150 pages. I'm done with the layout of the first "book" - the core rules, without the setting - and it's at 75 pages.

Second, through the good will of Wilhelm Fitzpatrick, and my girlfriend, the game is going to be edited in this edition.

So, what will be different between this, and the edition that I might eventually try to get in stores?

1. This edition exists. The other doesn't yet, and is subject to my vagaries and economics.

2. There may be more art in a re-issue. That's a big maybe - I'm pretty happy with my art right now.

3. I'm printing these myself. If I was going to do a bigger print run, I'd use another company. These are - and I can't emphasize this enough - professionally printed. Myself and three life-long printers are spending the weekend in a print shop doing this by hand. We're pretty old-school in Louisiana.

To answer your question, I'm not making any promises on a re-issue, especially since this one looks so good. If there was one, though, I would certainly be giving those who wanted to "upgrade" a signficant discount.

I received my copy the other day, and there is only word for it: RAD. The book looks great and the cover... DAMN. So fine.

The game is nestled snuggly between Dogs and PTA on my game shelf, but it will be coming off the bench very soon as the next game I run. TSOY is not a book to be thrown on the pile, it screams out to be played.

Thanks, John! Did you like that original art sketch of a mohawked warrior on the envelope?

Now you know why I didn't do the art, at least. :)

Yes! I forgot to mention the kooky envelope art and the very nice inscription inside. Gotta love the personal touch.

Also, I have copy #1. The rest of you can be jealous now.

John Harper wrote: Also, I have copy #1. The rest of you can be jealous now.

None of you have the special "OMG I'm sending a copy to a girl I've had a crush on for four years" copy, though. (Matt has that one, although my love for him is purely platonic.) It's the best copy yet.

And with that, I'm off to sell the rest at SoCal! Be sure to check out the sample adventure that didn't make it into the book online, and feel free to make new adventures. If you send 'em to me, I'll format and post them as samples.

Hey,

I get home today from work and Bamn! in the mailbox is my fancy new copy of TSOY. Nicely done Clinton. Nicely done.

Oh and Matt, you have possibley the greatest quote about a game ever...

Plays like doing shots with Robert Howard back-stage at a punk show.

Keith
Of to read it again....

I just got The Shadow of Yesterday TODAY.
No. 17. Very fun.

(The cover was glued to the mailing envelope and tore it a bit, but it's still great!)

Good job. Nice size, nice little day and night graphic of the ocean! And I like the bold, black architectural image on 70. It's going right next to Burning Wheel. Now to find time to sneak off to read it all.

I did read The Grammer of Power section, about the Mystery of Zu. Whoa, this is very cool. It this gives me some thoughts on where to take evolve hacks in Unaris. Perhaps something about word length or number of syllables equaling the power output of a word of power. It's nice to read something stimulating.

Gary

I looked on your site for pre-ordering information, but couldn't find anything. The store link only took me to Donjon. Am I just an idiot?

Hey, friartuck -

It'll be for sale this weekend. I'm moving everything to the excellent Indie Press Revolution, where you'll be able to order it.

Received #18 yesterday. Looks great; it started sucking me in, to the detriment of the novel I'd been reading.

Very nice.
--Scott