Today, Tomorrow
Well hello, how have you been? I’ve been good. Busy with a contract and updating my personal site on top of everything else life demands. I haven’t forgotten about Little Fears though. But, that’s not really enough, is it? Not forgetting is a far cry from actually producing more material. To that end, I will not promise and I will not tease. Just know that I take the game seriously and, though I have other pressing commitments currently, Little Fears is never too far from my heart.

GenCon, Beyond
For those interested, I will be at GenCon! I’m not working a booth or anything, but I’ll be wandering around the floor, hanging out with friends, playing games, and having a great time. I’ll probably be chilling at the Cubicle 7 booth (#315) for at least some of the con so stop by (and not just for me)!

If I could, I would update this site every day with cool new stuff but as it is, I’ve been swamped by much-needed and much-appreciated opportunities these past few weeks. I haven’t forgotten about Little Fears though, not in the least, and am toiling away at something I hope to announce (and release) very soon. I won’t make any more promises beyond “I’m working on it” as I’d hate to break them as I did with Campfire Tales.

I do have a bit of a teaser for you though. When I can, I’ll add more information about what’s cooking in the pot.

Talk to you soon.

You put out the book in October with all this talk of support and whatnot but you’ve left us hanging? What’s the deal?

I know! Man, trust me, I know. When I put out Little Fears Nightmare Edition, I had every intention of having at least 3-4 PDF supps out by now. But, honestly, releasing the game was a huge drain on me. By the time I bounced back, some paying gigs came my way. As someone who earns his keep through writing, I had to make those the priority.

But if you release stuff, we’ll pay you. And then you’ll have money. Paying gig. See? Just as easy.

True, but this was immediate need-type pay and I just couldn’t turn it down. The cash and reconnection with old friends was the upside. The downside was having to let LFNE support slide.

Enough excuses. Where’s our stuff? Where’s Campfire Tales! We were promised Campfire Tales!

You were! Not just promised but some of you are owed a copy. My intention (lots of intention here, you’ll notice) was to release Campfire Tales #1 in November, in the middle of that holiday hubbub here in the states. It was slated to include three holiday-themed adventures and folks who pre-ordered would get free copies.

That didn’t happen.

And it won’t.

WHAT?!

Hear me out! Campfire Tales is intended as a series of episode supplements, packed with advice, tips, rules variants (where necessary), and a few ready-to-run episodes. Having just cleared a bunch of stuff off my plate, I was all set to write that when I was inspired to create a different type of supplement.

I’ve been reading a lot of player-focused stuff lately, supplements that expand games with new information about the characters or the setting and I’ve been wondering what I could create that would have that kind of utility for Little Fears Nightmare Edition players (not just GMs but all players). It was on a trip back from Noble Knight that I found the answer.

Awesome! What’s the answer?

I’m not going to say just yet! But it’s exciting and I think it adds a whole new dimension to the game. It adds new character potential, new parts of Closetland, new monsters, new good guys, and includes a ready-to-fun episode.*

And you folks who pre-ordered will get download codes via email.

Well, okay, that’s pretty cool. But what about Campfire Tales?

You’ll get that too. When it’s done. Which may not be until next holiday season as I’d also like to get some motion on Behind the Door, the Closetland supplement and a couple other projects I’m working on.

So when’s this supplement coming out?

I’d estimate early summer. I’m not committed to a date until the thing’s in the can. But I’m already a good deal into it and I think you’ll find what it’s in there to be pretty excited. You fans of the old version will find some of that flavor coming back in this supplement.

Anything else you gotta say?

Thank you all, each and every one, for your patience and support. Now enough questions, I have to get back to writing!

*I’ll be running that episode at Madison Games Day 4 if anyone in the area wants to check it out.

About a month and a half ago, the good folks at the Jank Cast interviewed me about Little Fears Nightmare Edition. They just posted the interview along with a review of the new edition. If you’re interested in hearing me ramble, check it out!

In the time between posts, I ordered more books, sold out, and have had to order even more books! I have copies of Little Fears Nightmare Edition currently in stock and, if you’ve ordered a copy, expect your order to go out soon, if it hasn’t already. If you haven’t ordered a copy, wouldn’t you feel awesome if you did?

Campfire Tales #1 continues to vex me as we slowly work through it. I’m currently thinking of a few ways to make it up to you guys once the PDF is out. I’ll post more info as soon as I can.

Alright, back to work with me!

Just a quick note to let folks know that any and all orders for physical books that I have received have been processed and are currently in possession of the US Postal Service.

So, if you ordered a book from me (up to and including today), your book is on its way.

That said: I’m out of books!

You folks have cleaned me out of stock. Thank you! I’ll be placing another order with the printer soon and should have books in early 2010 or so.

Hey all,

Sorry to report this but I need to push Campfire Tales #1 out another month. If not for the holiday, I’d likely be able to get this out by year’s end but with potential travel and some other (good!) things taking my time, I can’t guarantee it.

My sincerest apologies. I know this is an inauspicious start to the Little Fears Nightmare Edition line but I will endeavor to get better at every turn.

Hey everyone,

Just a quick update about the status of Campfire Tales #1.

First, the good news: I recently landed some paying gigs in the layout/design and storybuilding/screenwriting fields which is a welcome influx of money and puts me on much better footing going into the holidays and into the new year.

Now, the bad news: My November was already full with Little Fears Nightmare Edition work. Unfortunately, that had to be shelved in order to fit in the new gig.

But! Good news: Campfire Tales #1 is slated for release on Monday, December 14th. Here is the rundown of its contents:

“Telling Stories by the Fire”: Some thoughts on running Little Fears Nightmare Edition in the Scary Stories mode.

“Camp Howling Wolf”: Tales of mischief and mayhem surround Camp Howland Rolf. Counselors and older campers tell stories of kidnapped kids, burned-down cabins, and giant beasts that only come out on a night just like tonight. The characters are far too savvy to take such easy bait but when the orientation dinner is disrupted by a camper’s disappearance, they discover there just might be some truth behind those stories.

“Trick or Troll”: It’s Hallowe’en in the quiet suburb of Amblin Way but there’s more to fear this year than needles in chocolate and flaming bags of poo. Out there amongst the ghosts and goblins is a horrific creature whose ferocious face is not a mask and whose hunger goes far beyond store-bought treats.

“Gobble Gobble”: The opening night of Crestfall Elementary’s “A Thanksgiving Story” is threatened by strange happenings: water pipes bursting in the bathrooms, the gymnasium floor cracking open, and the odd behavior of Principal Gibbons. When the lead actor sprouts feathers and starts pecking at people with her nose, folks start to wonder if this is a matter of strange coincidence or the result of foul play.

“Campfire Tales Character, Monster, and GMC Sheets”: Campfire Tales-inspired sheets for use in your game.

This supplement will be PDF-only and available through DriveThruRPG.com. Folks who pre-ordered will get their download codes the day of release.

All the books have shipped.

All of them.

If you ordered, pre-ordered, or re-ordered Little Fears Nightmare Edition, domestic or international, your copy is in the mail. Single orders were sent USPS First-Class. If you’re in the States, that means you should have your copy in 2-3 business days. Canada, give it 4-5 business days. Everywhere else, well, maybe a week or so. (You probably know better than I do.) For multiple orders, the books were sent USPS Priority Flat Rate (box or envelope depending) and should get to you in about the same time as a First-Class order would take.

The signing, stuffing, taping, and stamping took a long damn time—and I’m exhausted from it—but it’s a wonderful problem to have. You guys have been patient, supportive, and infectiously enthusiastic. I can’t thank you enough but I’ll keep trying: Thank you.

Of course, from the time I placed the order with the printer to the time I received the books, I got so many orders that I’ve near-exhausted the current supply. I already have another order in with the printer and I should have the books in a week or so.

Good!
The copies of Little Fears Nightmare Edition arrived yesterday!

Bad!
Every single copy had the wrong cover on it. The cover corrections I submitted were not processed prior to printing.

Good!
The books are being reprinted!

Bad!
Printers only print and binders only bind so fast.

Now, this delay shouldn’t be more than two weeks, but some of you have been waiting a month already for your books. And my retail partners are awaiting their copies as well! And I want all of you to get your books. You paid me for them; you should get them. But you should also get the correct books.

I am immensely sorry that this has happened but the mistake was not mine, I promise you. I ask you all for just a little more patience. Thank you for your continued support.

Note: Those who ordered the UK Edition through Leisure Games should be unaffected by this.