Progress Journal, January

Hello Mythicists! Welcome to 2024. I hope your January and year has gotten to a great start, with lots of solo roleplay :)

So what's in the works right now? As usual, quite a lot. Here's a rundown:

Mythic Magazine Compilations
After a long delay in getting the Compilations moving, largely thanks to Compilation #4 requiring a lot of extra formatting work because Adobe decided to pull the plug on some of the fonts in those Mythic Magazine issues, I'm happy to say the Compilations are back on track. Comp #4 went out last month, and Comp #5 went out this month. I don't usually like to have back to back Compilations appear, but considering how long it took to get #4 out I think this was necessary.

The magazine issues are available to make Compilation #6, which would include issues #31-36. However, I probably won't start work on that until next month. I have a bit of breathing room now so I don't want to rush into the next one. Besides, I need time for ...

Mythic Roleplaying Second Edition
I'm happy to say that work is proceeding on MRPG2e, although a lot slower than I had anticipated. The slowness is due to two things: getting wrapped up in completing other stuff, like catching up on the Compilations, and new and unexpected ideas entering the stage which needed to be explored. With the Compilations caught up, and the new ideas more and more getting incorporated into MRPG2e, I feel the project is moving along faster now. I need to get more stuff over to my fabulous and talented line editor Mel (hi Mel, if you're reading this *waves* I really am working on it!) :)

The World Needs More Jorge
I can't recall if I mentioned this before, and you may have already noticed it, but I'm using more artwork from Jorge Muñoz in Mythic Magazine. This was an editorial decision I made a few months back. Previously I had only been using Jorge's artwork for the cover, and Tithi Luadthong's work inside. I get Tithi's artwork through a stock art service, so I can't commission it and although there is a lot of it it's still a limited supply. I wanted more custom artwork in the magazine, and I wanted more of Jorge's distinctive style. Jorge has been working with me since way back with Mythic Variations in 2007. So we're talking 17 years there. He agreed to supply me with more artwork for the magazine every month, which I was thrilled about!

Print Editions
I'm working on a couple of print editions, including a POD version of Mythic Magazine Compilation #4. I usually try to get a POD version of my books out about a month after the PDF, but I'm lagging on that one. I'm hoping it comes together either by the end of this month or in February.

The other print edition I'm working on is an offset press edition of Mythic Game Master Emulator Second Edition. I know it's strange to consider doing a high quality, offset press edition a solid year after a book comes out, but when I published MGME2e I didn't have the finances to fund the offset costs. It's more feasible now, although I'm not sure how many people would want it at this point considering they likely have a POD edition if they want it in print. Still, I'm leaning toward doing it for the following reasons:

- I think I can fold the cost into my expenses (it has about a $20,000 price tag).
- MGME2e deserves a highest quality edition, even if no one buys it.
- Brick and mortar stores have been requesting MGME2e and this would give a ready resource to make that happen a lot easier.
- I'd like to get familiar with the offset printing and distributor pipeline to make this available and easier for future books.

I think in order of priorities right now is getting the POD of Comp #4 out, then I'll focus on the offset version of MGME2e.

I think that's about it, although I'm sure I'm missing something. I'll take this opportunity to promote some of our online communities. For those of you who aren't aware, I want to invite you to join the Mythic communities at Discord and Reddit. The Reddit community generally focuses on individual questions and topics, while the Discord community is very active and friendly. Either or both are great places to meet other Mythic players, share ideas, and just generally see what others are doing or thinking in this space.

Reddit Mythic Game Master Emulator community: https://www.reddit.com/r/mythic_gme/
Discord Mythic Game Master Emulator community invite link: https://discord.gg/vc2YZ9n

I want to take this moment to thank the moderators and admins of those communities who created those spaces and keep them orderly and active. I appreciate what you do a lot :)

Now, that's about it :) I hope everyone has wonderful roleplaying throughout the rest of January, and 2024!

Happy adventuring!