Overdue Update and Something about the Pardoe Graphic

(This chart s from Blaine Pardoe. I asked Blanie's permission to use this as a springboard for this blog entry, hense, the Pardoe Graphic.)

I did not realize how long it has been since  I put up a blog post -- 8 Months! Not a single post in that entire time! I am ashamed of myself! Especially since I'm sticking close to home these days, due to COVID-19!

Now, where to start? The Kickstarter, I guess. At the end of the Kickstarter, There were 11,277 Backers that put in $2,586,421. That's impressive, But, if you add the late backers in, those who backed the project after time expired, the results are even more impressive -- as of the time I write this, it's 14,271 Backers and a total of $3,054,525! Now, I know there are backers who chose to back this twice, but those are impressive numbers!

Now what does the successful Kickstarter mean? It means Catalyst is now trying to pull everything together, and while I'm not directly involved in the Kickstarter, I do know people are working hard on it and it's taking up much of their time. The COVID-19 Pandemic hasn't helped, but as far as I know, thinks are moving along. I can't give you any dates, but what problems that are are things beyond Catalyst's control. I have seen the questions and complaints about characters, and this is something above my paid grade.

Now, a word about Shrapnel, the new Battletech Magazine. I don't know when Issue #1 come out, but I do know it's a lot closer to being done than not. I have a story in it and I hope it is the first of a regular feature in the magazine. I also write an article for the Magazine. I haven't seen anything more than glimpse of it, but it looks good.

So, what else have I been doing? Writing. I have a couple of things submitted to Catalyst (beyond what will be in the Magazine) that might see the light of day this year, but when and where is out of my hands. There is new fiction being written, that much I do know, but I have no idea when any of it will come out.

Which comes to the other part of this post. Blaine Pardoe posted the graphic above on Facebook. While it is amusing, there's a lot of truth there. I have done almost everything on that graphic, from trying to find the right reference (Either in a physical copy in PDF form), to looking up pointless trivia on Sarna.net, to slipping in Easter eggs into stories (Not every story or product I've been involved with, but enough), to The position of figure (I've actually rolled dice in a quick and dirty Hit/miss and location -- In one published story I wrote, I rolled Boxcars for a hit location, and thus a Warhammer quickly died without a fight.)

(Though I do admit that when I tell the editor that I have a great plan in store, they sigh, pat me on my head and walk away, shaking their head. I also have to admit the Fact Checker voodoo dolls are a bit dusty from disuse.)

I occasionally engage with fans on Social Media, but I don't go out of my way to get involved with them. I am approachable, so if you have a question or comment, don't hesitate to post it!

Above right is my nomination certificate for IAMTW 2019 Scribe awards. (Still a little bummed that Travis and I lost out to a Warhammer story) Took a while, but it's in my hands and as soon as I am able to, I plan to get a good frame for it. Doesn't it look fantastic?

That's all for now, back to writing!

Later

Craig