Funded The Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier by Terence Gunn

[Darsc Zacal]

This Kickstarter is for production and printing of a new edition of a book that the author had originally self published over a decade ago:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1155053944/the-fantastic-worlds-of-grenadier/description

 

I do have a few concerns about the way the Kickstarter is organized and laid out. I suspect the project creator has little or no experience with Kickstarter. No information about shipping costs and stating that there is no risk to backing their project, as well as a 60 day running time with an expected delivery date of only 3 months after the project ends all make me a bit wary.

I'm also concerned about him having the rights to use artists work from Grenadiers products in his book.

 

Having said that, the reviews I can find of his original book have generally been positive. It would seem interviews with a number of key people at Grenadier were missing, as well as several of their more well known sculptors.

 

So yeah. Tempted and interested, but also a bit wary. I'll be watching it to see if any of my concerns are addressed.

Edited August 25, 2016 by Darsc Zacal
Tag updated

[Dr.Bedlam]

"Zero risks?"

Eeeeyeah, right. 

[Bruunwald]

Also, he hasn't researched his own milieu very well. For instance, he says his book is the first and only book of it's kind, but there's a whole book about the Perry Brothers out there, just as one example.

 

Pretty sure there are others that at least talk about the sculptors, and many books about gaming in general that mention various miniatures companies.

 

GW toots its own horn all the time, and has published any number of books over the years about themselves.

 

And what's all this about Grenadier being the most innovative, influential and most expansive line in the history of ever? I love my old minis, too, but even at Grenadier's height, there were other companies competing with them that were putting out better product, and there were historical minis companies that had far more range than they did. Grenadier was important in its way, but I think we all know how much more influential Ral Partha was.

 

Too much hyperbole can put a brother off.

[ced1106]

Self-publishing experience is better than nothing. He might still have the previous edition in electronic format, and I saw it on a search for $15.

 

Still working on it and First Created, so expect the usual delays!

 

Hmm. Wonder why he doesn't have an eBook or PDF pledge level. That's free money right there!

 

Search on the book. Seems like it was favorably received.

[Darsc Zacal]

Also, he hasn't researched his own milieu very well. For instance, he says his book is the first and only book of it's kind, but there's a whole book about the Perry Brothers out there, just as one example.

 

Pretty sure there are others that at least talk about the sculptors, and many books about gaming in general that mention various miniatures companies.

 

GW toots its own horn all the time, and has published any number of books over the years about themselves.

 

And what's all this about Grenadier being the most innovative, influential and most expansive line in the history of ever? I love my old minis, too, but even at Grenadier's height, there were other companies competing with them that were putting out better product, and there were historical minis companies that had far more range than they did. Grenadier was important in its way, but I think we all know how much more influential Ral Partha was.

 

Too much hyperbole can put a brother off.

I had the same feelings as you when I read that. Hopefully the author can tone down the fanboyism and keep with a more even handed and factual account of the company.

[primeval]

I had the last edition, along with the cd with the images, and it was pretty well done. I don't recall it coming across as fanboy-ish despite what the campaign text might imply.  I think he would be well served to show some sample pages in the campaign as there probably aren't many who recall the last edition or know what he is doing. I hope it succeeds - I always enjoy the history of our hobby and the memories it brings.

[TollHouseGolem]

A revised print edition of Terence Gunn's The Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier has gone live on KS!

 

It's a wonderful book that is chock full of company background, information, and history, as well as pictures galore. Oh, and it is only $35 per copy.

 

If you missed out on the previous print edition, you won't want to miss it this time around.

 

http://kck.st/28OQkTC

[Darsc Zacal]

Merged the new thread. A reminder to please check for existing Kickstarter threads before starting a new one.

[Grefven]

I am usually quite supportive of small projects like this, but this project is terrible. The page layout is just a long text, which I, honestly, didn't have the strenght to read the first time (and I'd imagine others having same thoughts), and the text, honestly, just doesn't bring any value. I barely understand what I would be receiving if I was to support the project. The pledge levels? "Each pledge of $35 up to $140 will receive a book." it says in the description. But what will a pledge of $50 give, for example?

 

To be frank, this project needs to be cancelled, re-organized to be clearer, and then launched again. As mentioned above, pictures and reference-text of how the previous book looked like would help a lot. I am surprised that, when writing this, the project has reached already 15% of the funding. Imagine if the main page would have been constructed better.

[primeval]

Sample pages, they need to be on the KS page though.

 

https://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?cache=1&f=10&t=15911&c=1

[Darsc Zacal]

Sample pages, they need to be on the KS page though.

 

https://www.acaeum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?cache=1&f=10&t=15911&c=1

Totally agree. He should have at least a page or two up on the Kickstarter so potential backers have some idea of what they may be getting. What's showing looks pretty good. If I saw this book in a store rather than on Kickstarter I'd very likely buy it. It's the sort of thing I'd like to see from all the major old school miniature companies.

[Grefven]

+1 to what is said above. Those sample pages add a lot of value, and I'd be 100% more inclined to back out of those two sample pages compared to the main body of text of the KS project. Someone needs to have a chat with the creator and make arguments of how to improve the project.

[Mad Jack]

 Agreed - based on a quick peek at those pages, I'd probably take a chance and back it if I had some cash to throw at it...But the KS pitch doesn't inspire much confidence.

[icarus231]

Several sample pages are now in the updates

[Darsc Zacal]

Thought I'd check in on this to see how it's progressing, and it's really not.

Sad to see as I was hoping someone would help the project creator reorganize his Kickstarter but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

Again it's too bad, as the book is something I'd be interested in seeing if properly done.