Starting now, for the next three weeks or so, I will be accepting pre-orders for Polaris my rapidly forthcoming role-playing game.

I would like to get at least 15 pre-orders, which will cover printing costs for me, hopefully.  Here are some anticipated questions.

What is the first edition like?

This first print run of Polaris will be the All Men Are Brothers edition. It will be limited to 108 copies, each one will be numbered, and have the name of a protagonist from the novel All Men Are Brothers (aka Water Margin aka Outlaws of the Marsh) inscribed in the cover in both Chinese and English. All copies will be signed by me, either written in English or stamped in Chinese or both, depending on my whim and your preferences if you ask.

Exactly 106 copies will be available for sale (one goes to me, the other to my mother, the rest for sale.)

The books will be digest-sized, and around maybe 100-200 pages, depending on how layout goes.

If I pre-order, when will I get the book

I will be sending the books either right before GenCon or right after, so US customers can expect the books before the end of August.  International folks will get it before the end of September.

I'm going to be at GenCon.  Why should I pre-order?

Well, for one, you get the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping me out with printing costs.  But, in addition, pre-orders will allow you to select which book number you like, and also request various sorts of signatures and personal messages.

You can pre-order the book now and then pick it up at GenCon, if you like.

Why should I buy the game?

If you think you'll like it.  To make this more clear, see the teaser text on the website.

How much does it cost?

The pre-order price is $22, which includes free shipping anywhere in the whole wide world (even hand-delivery if you happen to live in Plainfield, Mass ; Indianapolis, IN ; Heidelberg, Germany ; or Helsinki, Finland.)

Do I get a copy for free?

Unless you are my mother, no.

Please?

No.

What's this about "heavenly stars" and "earthly stars?"

In the novel "All Men Are Brothers," 36 characters are more central to the story than the otheres, and are classified as "heavenly stars."  The remaining 72 protagonists are secondary in the rest of the story, and are referred to as "earthly stars."

In honor of those folks that helped out with the writing, playtesting, development, and promotion of the game, I will be offering the first 36 books exclusively to them.  Of course, if they don't want them, they will go on sale to the general public.  #37-108 are going to be generally available.

If you have a question about whether or not you count as a Heavenly Star, chances are that you do.

If you aren't someone who helped with the game's development, but you really want #17 or something, feel free to request it anyway.  You'll probably get it.  It's just that others will have priority.

Any questions should be sent to taogames@gmail.com  If you wish to pre-order, please PayPal money to that same address.  If you don't have access to PayPal, but want to pre-order, let me know and we'll work something out.

yrs--
--Ben

You got a deadline on those Heavenly Stars?

Just pre-ordered. Looking forward to it.

Larry wrote:
You got a deadline on those Heavenly Stars?

Sold, American!

-Rob D.

Well, how have I done after a week?

I am amazed at the number of pre-orders I've gotten.  Not quite amazed enough to do a second printing before GenCon, but close.

By my count, I've taken in 30 pre-orders.  That's $660 before PayPal fees, which is just about enough to cover my printing expenses (they'll be a little higher, but only because I can afford some nice bells and whistles now that I've got the cash on hand.)

I've taken orders from 7 countries: America, Finland, Canada, Israel, Portugal, France, and Norway.  I've had two requests for translation license.

The following numbers have been claimed: 4, 5, 7, 12, 13 (maybe), 16, 17, 18, 24, 55, 77, 101, 108.  Most people didn't claim a number, but most people want both the Chinese stamp and the English signature.

Thanks so much to all of you for your support of my printing and your interest in my game.

yrs--
--Ben

You can  count UK in as well (and I'm actually Danish, so, hey, bonus!) :)

Cheers!

Per

I'll be preordering too, once I get home. The layout looks gorgeous.

Ben wrote:
The following numbers have been claimed: 4, 5, 7, 12, 13 (maybe), 16, 17, 18, 24, 55, 77, 101, 108.  Most people didn't claim a number, but most people want both the Chinese stamp and the English signature.

Yeah, stamp and sig for me as well, indifferent to number.

-Rob D.

Guys -- Do not tell me your preferences here, in this thread, because I will surely forget them.

Also -- I have the proof in hand.  We're fussing with a couple of things (the color I chose for the cover is too dark) but damn, it's a book.  A pretty nice looking book, at that.

yrs--
--Ben

Preferred method? For lo, I most certainly forgot to comment when I ordered.

-Rob D.

preferred method is e-mail.

But, if all you want is both signatures and you don't care about the number, don't bother informing me.  That's essentially the default.

I'm really grooving on this proof.  Matt's layout is extraordinary, and it really is a nice bookish object.

yrs--
--Ben

Will these be autographed by the author, or will that have to be requested in person?

All pre-orders, unless specified otherwise in the order, will be number, signed, and stamped by yours truly (as it says above).  Also, they'll have some chinese characters and an english name from the novel All Men Are Brothers, which you will only get if you're a China geek like me.

If you want me to write a special message in the book, I'm happy to do so.  But you have to tell me what it is.  Of course, you may just get a special note anyway.

yrs--
--Ben

After a wonderful two and a half weeks, I am closing the Polaris pre-orders effective tomorrow (Sunday) at noon (so, if you still want to order one, you've got a brief shot at it right now.)  The pre-orders have wonderfully exceeded my expectations, totally 54 books and totally covering my entire production expense for the first run (printing, editing, and layout).

In fact, since I've already sold half of my first run, I'm also printing a second (non numbered, non inscribed) edition of 100 copies, titled the Up Above the World edition.  The fact that I had to do this is astounding to me.

I am certain that I will sell out the remaining 54 copies rather quickly -- if not all at GenCon, then shortly thereafter on my Finnish book tour or the first few IPR orders.  In short, if you want a numbered edition, order it right now, 'cause I can't make any other promises.

You guys have made me very happy.  Thanks a ton.

Congratulations!

Thomas

Congrats!

I'm having a friend pick up a copy for me at Gen Con, just to explain why you haven't seen my name on a pre-order.

I just got mine in the mail.  Thanks Ben, it looks nice.  Also, anyone who got theirs stamped, careful not to smudge the stamp!

ben-

i arrived back from 3 gameless months in Southern Mexico to find the Polaris book waiting for me at the apartment.

The design and artwork, as well as the literary way you presented the work - all of that is aces.

I look forward to playing it with my group, though it may be a while (there's a long list of books that we have on deck), I promise we'll get to it.

peace

mmt

Hey Ben,

finally got round to ordering today (moving house has put a crimp in online activities of late). Part of me hopes your GenCon went so well I'll have to wait for the 2nd run, part of me wonders if number 99 is still available...

-Matt