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Post by bloodbeasthandler on May 8, 2021 19:49:14 GMT
Jonathan Green hasn't written a Fighting Fantasy gamebook for ages, has he? It's been over a decade now. He's still actively writing gamebooks under his Ace series so I imagine he wouldn't mind turning his hand to a new FF if the opportunity came his way. I agree with you. In which case what has been stopping him? A focus on his own Ace gamebooks or something else?
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on May 8, 2021 21:27:27 GMT
In which case what has been stopping him? You make it sound like it is only his inaction that is stopping him. Scholastic have to *want* a new book from him first. I've no evidence, but I imagine that Scholastic are more interested in seeking out more well known names (Higson, Pratchett). This is probably for two reasons: (1) a well known author brings their own fanbase with them, some of whom *might* stick around and read other FF titles; and (2) it helps differentiate their FF range from Puffin/Wizard if they only use SJ&IL's stuff plus new titles.
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Post by tyrion on May 8, 2021 21:52:06 GMT
Jonathan Green has got his Dracula gamebook due for publication soon. Also he has Kickstarter for rpgs based on his ace gamebooks.
Dave Morris has so many irons he hasn't got enough fires to put them in.
I think Jamie Thompson concentrates on his children's novels.
I don't know if Paul Mason has any inclination to write another gamebook? I'm sure he'd tell us if he had.
I've taken the opportunity to look at other gamebooks; all of Dave Morris's back catalogue for a start, with golden dragon, fabled lands and bloodsword, there is loads of well written stuff to have a go at. Then there are a load of new gamebooks to look at, like The Demon Sorcerer, anything by Mark Lain, and so on.
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kieran
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Post by kieran on May 8, 2021 23:44:32 GMT
He's still actively writing gamebooks under his Ace series so I imagine he wouldn't mind turning his hand to a new FF if the opportunity came his way. I agree with you. In which case what has been stopping him? A focus on his own Ace gamebooks or something else? I think he hasn't been asked.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on May 9, 2021 10:31:47 GMT
In which case what has been stopping him? You make it sound like it is only his inaction that is stopping him. That wasn't the intention at all. The opposite in fact. I think it is factors external to him which are the reasons - like the ones you say below in fact. Scholastic have to *want* a new book from him first. I've no evidence, but I imagine that Scholastic are more interested in seeking out more well known names (Higson, Pratchett). This is probably for two reasons: (1) a well known author brings their own fanbase with them, some of whom *might* stick around and read other FF titles; and (2) it helps differentiate their FF range from Puffin/Wizard if they only use SJ&IL's stuff plus new titles.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on May 15, 2021 14:26:49 GMT
In fact Dave Morris and Jamie Thomson will be releasing at least one gamebook later on this year as part of their Vulcanverse project, so keep an eye out for them.
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on Jul 3, 2021 2:55:19 GMT
Just a moderators note to let everyone know I've merge the Scholastic thread with this one.
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sylas
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Post by sylas on Jul 9, 2021 19:26:47 GMT
In which case what has been stopping him? You make it sound like it is only his inaction that is stopping him. Scholastic have to *want* a new book from him first. I've no evidence, but I imagine that Scholastic are more interested in seeking out more well known names (Higson, Pratchett). This is probably for two reasons: (1) a well known author brings their own fanbase with them, some of whom *might* stick around and read other FF titles; and (2) it helps differentiate their FF range from Puffin/Wizard if they only use SJ&IL's stuff plus new titles. I asked Jon about this at the FFFest 3 and he basically said Scholastic haven't approached him about it. It really sucks as some of his books are among the best in the series but at the same time, I don't believe Scholastic intends to include gamebooks that may be considered too complex for the younger target audience.
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on Jul 9, 2021 21:16:44 GMT
From a comment by Ian on Twitter it sounds like no new title this year, but plans are being made for the 40th anniversary next year.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jul 11, 2021 13:06:50 GMT
Here's the tweet Alex B just mentioned And a tweet about a hypothetical artwork book
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Post by philsadler on Jul 11, 2021 20:28:17 GMT
My answer to the second question would be 'Nothing from the new releases.'
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Jul 11, 2021 22:38:20 GMT
My answer to the second question would be 'Nothing from the new releases.' A lot of the Scholastic illustrations really are poor and not worth including. They would dominate the field in a 'Worst FF Illustrations' Thread. Since I've already got all the books and can simply go up to the bookcase and open them up and look at them, I'd like to see some new artwork done by the old artists and depicting scenes from the books they were originally commissioned to do. Malcolm Barter for FF3, maybe doing the Boulder Beast or maybe Yaztromo in his tower. Alan Langford depicting unillustrated scenes from Island of the Lizard King, Battleblade Warrior, Creature of Havoc and all the rest of them, Tim Sell for House of Hell... Russ Nicholson has loads of books to choose from starting with WoFM. That sort of thing.
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on Jul 12, 2021 2:07:11 GMT
I think Jon G still runs the FF website, so this would likely be a project of his via Snow Books.
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Post by dragonwarrior8 on Jul 12, 2021 22:56:32 GMT
A-ha! So they are saving the new Steve Jackson book for the 40th anniversary! I knew it!
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Post by daredevil123 on Jul 13, 2021 9:24:40 GMT
Ian has mentioned collaborating with Steve on a Firetop Mountain-themed book for the 40th anniversary. That said, I'd much prefer a solo effort from Steve!
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Post by philsadler on Jul 14, 2021 7:46:58 GMT
I wonder if Ian will have it ghostwritten again (and then wait until the ghostwriter dies so he doesn't have to credit him)?
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kieran
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Post by kieran on Jul 14, 2021 8:10:32 GMT
I wonder if Ian will have it ghostwritten again (and then wait until the ghostwriter dies so he doesn't have to credit him)? In fairness, he credited Carl Sargent in You Are The Hero which came out 4 years before Carl passed away.
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Post by philsadler on Jul 15, 2021 12:55:42 GMT
I wonder if Ian will have it ghostwritten again (and then wait until the ghostwriter dies so he doesn't have to credit him)? In fairness, he credited Carl Sargent in You Are The Hero which came out 4 years before Carl passed away.
That's true, but I wonder if his name will ever go on the cover of a new LOZ?
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Post by dragonwarrior8 on Jul 15, 2021 13:46:23 GMT
Ian has mentioned collaborating with Steve on a Firetop Mountain-themed book for the 40th anniversary. That said, I'd much prefer a solo effort from Steve! Im guessing its almost a near certainty that Warlock of Firetop gets released again next year?
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kieran
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Post by kieran on Jul 15, 2021 16:34:02 GMT
In fairness, he credited Carl Sargent in You Are The Hero which came out 4 years before Carl passed away.
That's true, but I wonder if his name will ever go on the cover of a new LOZ?
Given how complicated LOZ is, I could see Scholastic not bothering to reprint it at all.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Sept 11, 2021 19:31:29 GMT
The Seven Serpents is now in the South American River list of books to pre-order.
I do not know where to post this without being told off.
Does anyone know what is the classic release? My guess is Sword of the Samurai but that is a total guess.
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kieran
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Post by kieran on Sept 12, 2021 12:03:11 GMT
The Seven Serpents is now in the South American River list of books to pre-order. I do not know where to post this without being told off. Does anyone know what is the classic release? My guess is Sword of the Samurai but that is a total guess. Good to see the series hasn't completely been abandoned anyway. I wonder who will be on illustration duty.
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on Sept 13, 2021 22:54:57 GMT
The Seven Serpents is now in the South American River list of books to pre-order. Can you provide a link as I can find it on Amazon? I do not know where to post this without being told off. This is the right thread for that.
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Post by johnbrawn1972 on Sept 13, 2021 23:10:08 GMT
The Seven Serpents is now in the South American River list of books to pre-order. Can you provide a link as I can find it on Amazon? I do not know where to post this without being told off. This is the right thread for that. I am not sure how to post a link but type fighting fantasy into the South American river website and I think it is on page 1 or 2 but a long time in the future I think it was April 7 2022. I am finding the ambiguity rather amusing. Am I being told I am in the right thread or am I in the right thread to be told off?
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Post by The Editor (Alex B) on Sept 14, 2021 7:16:21 GMT
I am not sure how to post a link but type fighting fantasy into the South American river website and I think it is on page 1 or 2 but a long time in the future I think it was April 7 2022. Click on the icon that looks like a blue/green globe with a piece of paper to the bottom right. Then paste the link in where it says URL. Am I being told I am in the right thread or am I in the right thread to be told off? Not being told off. This was the correct thread for that information. Here is the post for The Seven Serpents: linkThe Crown of Kings is being published too: link
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Sept 15, 2021 20:14:19 GMT
Good to see the Sorcery series is (rightly) getting finished off. As for who illustrates them, I hope they look at the originals and make a note to include what is needed - I mean things like the price tags on the items in the trader's caravan, and the picture of the sweetheart of the Captain of the Guard.
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Post by Wilf on Sept 16, 2021 12:32:27 GMT
Good to see the Sorcery series is (rightly) getting finished off. As for who illustrates them, I hope they look at the originals and make a note to include what is needed - I mean things like the price tags on the items in the trader's caravan, and the picture of the sweetheart of the Captain of the Guard. Not to mention the text on the Marsh Goblins' parchment... can you imagine if they changed or omitted that?!!
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Sept 16, 2021 15:46:40 GMT
Good to see the Sorcery series is (rightly) getting finished off. As for who illustrates them, I hope they look at the originals and make a note to include what is needed - I mean things like the price tags on the items in the trader's caravan, and the picture of the sweetheart of the Captain of the Guard. Not to mention the text on the Marsh Goblins' parchment... can you imagine if they changed or omitted that?!! Having seen that they missed out the rhinoman's numbered medallion in Creature of Havoc, yes. I can certainly imagine that. And if Sorcery 5 does ever go ahead, it should be John Blanche illustrating it. Full stop.
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Post by daredevil123 on Oct 14, 2021 11:18:25 GMT
I don't know if anyone has seen this already, but Wikipedia lists The Seven Serpents and The Crown of Kings as being released on 7th April next year, as well as two new books in August, one by Ian and one by Steve. The latter two have no citation though, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up.
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kieran
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Post by kieran on Oct 14, 2021 12:22:52 GMT
I don't know if anyone has seen this already, but Wikipedia lists The Seven Serpents and The Crown of Kings as being released on 7th April next year, as well as two new books in August, one by Ian and one by Steve. The latter two have no citation though, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. Yeah, I would be somewhat dubious, but you never know. Interesting that Crown of Kings is being released at the same time as Seven Serpents. I hope that doesn't indicate a rush to complete Sorcery before FF is dropped by Scholastic.
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