Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion

Link to the Kickstarter for "More Tales From The Magician's Skull"
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Pledge to the Skull! The Kickstarter is live! Extend your subscription or get just a few issues...up to 9 more! The Special issue depends on our involvement. Every 200 backers yields another story in that.

Link to 30min overview of all the details:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/11944964...

Ends in about 2 weeks. About Nov 18th

Backed!! The covers in particular look fantastic.

Indeed, that's some proper sword and sorcery art!

Didier Normand painted the Special Issue (he did the covers for a lot of Rogue Blades anthologies).

The other two are by Ken Kelly and Sanjulián (Manuel Pérez Clemente)

I decided to back the Kickstarter. Can’t wait. They’ve made some fine books in the past.

I’m going to have one of my Gunnolf tales published in an upcoming issue, but I haven’t a clue as to what one it will be. I will be supporting The Skull in this Kickstarter for sure!

Congrats Stan! That's fantastic!

Backed! I love Sanjulian's covers!

Hail, Mortal Dogs. The Skull has an update that will impact your lives. With one stretch goal down, He (yes, that is capitalized) interviews Warhammer veteran Nathan Long about his issue #6 Lankhmar pastiche (Leiber's Fafrhd & Gray Mouser). Listen in while you check out the campaign:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

I especially liked, "I, too, have fallen into holes!"

@Joy....yes. lol. That was a gem.

I just join Kickstarter at the $36.00 level and was hoping you knew what the digital editions will be?

David wrote: "I just join Kickstarter at the $36.00 level and was hoping you knew what the digital editions will be?"

Hi David. The first five issues came in PDF and Paperback.
With #6, they started offering PDF, ePub (not Mobi), and Paperback.
The electronic versions are typically available for download a few weeks before paperbacks arrive.

Your selection of "The Skull decrees that you shall receive five digital copies of his most glorious sword and sorcery magazine, which includes four regular issues plus the legendary Special Issue."...

....the default for this refers to:
Issue #7, slated for 2022
Issue #8, slated for 2022
Special Issue, slated for 2022 [available for Print only thru KS, but available electronically "forever"]
Issue #9 (most likely in 2023)
Issue #10 (most likely in 2023)

The Skull is trying to increase the frequency of publication, originally at 2 issues per year. It is tough to read how 2023 will go, but "He" (the Skull) seems to be hoping to push for 3+ issues per year (if possible).

Now, it may be possible to cash in your 5 credits for 5 past issues....but to confirm that, I will have to bug the Skull and get back to you.....

The Skull has cornered John C. Hocking and held his feet to the fire to reveal the secret behind his "Benhus" character's name. Also, an awkward discussion over fiber in breakfast foodstuffs adds tension. Update #2 arrived...and it even has a "S&S word of the day"!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Thanks I have issues 1-6 and was hoping 7 - 10 would be epub.

David wrote: "Thanks I have issues 1-6 and was hoping 7 - 10 would be epub."

Yes. Epub will be a thing for all issues going forward!

Also, I confirmed with Joseph Goodman regarding the issue selection. He wrote:
"It’s a preset subscription starting with #7 and continuing to #10 as well as the Special Issue. If they’d like back issues they can pick from those still available here:

https://goodman-games.com/store/produ..."

Thanks Seth.

Very glad there'll be epubs and not just PDFs.

UPDATE #3:
Sword & Sorcery Word of the Day - and The Skull Interviews Lester the Layout Wizard
LINK: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Learn about how Lester the Layout Wizard is inspired by the pantherish, magicians Norman Saunders!
And does the Skull really shred guitars and gongs? Is this a prelude to a future Skull music video?

What makes Tales From the Magician's Skull look so good? A lot of magic happens, and much of it is due to Lester the Layout Wizard. Let's hear what he had to say to the Skull!

With Update#4, the Skull corners Gregory D. Mele and highlights the S&S words of the day "Atavistic".

Greg's Howardian Meso-American tales are hitting a good stride in the magazine.
Check out the interview:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Update #5: The Skull Interviews Violette Malan

Violette's tales have now appeared in three issues of Tales From The Magician's Skull, as well as many other places. Let's see what she had to say to the Skull!

S&S Word of the Day: FLAGON

Learn how to pronounce her Parno and Dhulyn character names!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

At 398 backers (presumably subscribers), we approach the unlocking of a 7th story for the Special Issue.

Update #6: The Skull Interviews Chris Arneson, illustrator for the Skull, inspired by his father.
He'll be roaming Madison WI soon, so watch out!

Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
Today's Sword & Sorcery Word of the Day: Antediluvian

Update #7: The Skull Interviews Terry Olson
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Every issue of Tales from the Magician's Skull is graced with a collection of Dungeon Crawl Classic statistics with items, weapons, and monsters provided for each story! Read the tale, then incorporate elements into your gaming! And Terry Olson is the Statistics Master....listen to him get grilled by the Skull.

Sword & Sorcery Word of the Day: Stygian

What is this? Does the Skull rival Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor organ skills?

Fire up your BRAZIER (Sword & Sorcery Word of the Day) and listen to the Skull's masterpiece.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Update #9: The Skull Interviews James Enge
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

lol.....Enge is very inspirational. Who wouldn't want to watch a tragic hero (hunchback alcoholic!) constantly fall down stairs? I love Morlock's adventures.

Today's Sword & Sorcery Word of the Day: SHAGREEN

Rogues in the House Podcast (the Ultimate S&S Podcast), corners "Spine of Night" creators Morgan King and Phil Gelatt Nov 12, 2021

The Rogues are joined by creators and consummate Mongrels Morgan King and Phil Gelatt for a conversation about their new film "Spine of Night". Listener beware, such talk may Bloom into more maddening realities!

Also, the Skull interrupts the transmission ~8min into the introduction to cast a spell upon listeners.

Listen in! And watch "Spine of Night" too!
https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detai...

Only 5 days to go (the campaign ends ~Nov 19th)!
Update #11: The Skull Interviews the "Eldritch" Brad McDevitt

The Skull shines light on a key illustrator! Learn how weird fiction influenced the portrayer of the Skull!
Link:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

4 days left to support the Skull and secure subscriptions!

Greg Mele said his favorite moon was "Gibbous" in an interview with a Skull. Figures. Gibbous is now the S&S word of the day. And what is the Skull doing? Shredding guitars again? Organs? Nope. He's pounding the keyboard now.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

3 Days to Go!
Today's Sword & Sorcery Word of the Day: Sinuous

The Skull listened to backers and will make issue#0 into a PDF (that's the first KS special edition essentially). This was committed in the comment section.

The Skull was pleased that so many mortals appreciated his fine musical renditions. He has asked that we shower praise upon him, so he may discern which of his performances is most praise-worthy.

Go here to vote:
Update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Announcing Bitskull, cryptocurrency of the Immortal Skull
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

2 days left to go!

How To Obtain Your Bitskull Credit
We are pleased to announce another exciting stretch goal for this project. In addition to the two bonus stories already appearing in the Special Issue thanks to the number of backers, we are also going to give one Bitskull to every backer who subscribes to at least 5 issues. Just think of the appreciation possibilities, backers! You can get in on the ground floor for Bitskull!

Specific to format, er, we should specify that Bitskulls are actually being produced not as digital currency but as drink coasters. You see, they're just the right size. So once they're mined from the Skull's crypt, you can use them to keep your table surfaces safe from the condensation on your ale mugs, mead tankards, and even coffee mugs. Because that's how much Bitskull is worth...enough to hold your drink.

But Seriously Folks...
Free Bitskull drink coaster to every subscriber. How can you say no? Bonus stretch goal! Tell all your friends and enemies!

Backed. I knew I would from the first whisper of the announcement; however, I waited as I needed to decide between physical or e-form. I have every issue from #1 to present in physical form, and they are lovely, from the covers to that awesome feeling, thick interior pages, but, I need to downsize, so e-form it is at +9 more issues.

Ya Clint! The PDF/ePuB option will still be delightful.

Less than 2 days to go. At 522 backers, we have a finite chance of reaching 600 if there is a sprint, and that would unlock another story for the Special Edition (moving it to 8 stories).

Update: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Unfortunately for Clint, you won't get the newly released bookmarks (for print subscribers only). Then again, the Skull says:

"The Skull believes you should read his magazine straight through without pause, so he does not see the need for bookmarks. However, we were able to articulate the clear and pressing need for holding one's place when minions interrupt one's concentration, or in the event of attack by rival sorcerer. Therefore, the Skull has acquiesced to the bookmark request, and Lester the Layout Wizard has completed his rituals and summoned some glorious creations."

Toss a coin to your Witcher...or a Bitskull to your master!

Only one day left to help out chief editor Howard Andrew Jones and the Sword & Sorcery community cope with the Skull's dominance. Subscribe now to Tales from the Magician's Skull magazine!

With haste!

Get a print version of Special Issue....and with ~50mor backers, we make that issue larger with an 8th story.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

The Skull Expresses His Gratitude (which doesn't happen often)

Mortals, your actions have impressed even the Skull! The Kickstarter ended with 640 backers and unlocked and 8th story for the Special Issue.

Here the Skull closes the ritual with rare "thank you, mortal dogs!"
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...