Print Update and A Monstrous Retreat!
almost 2 years ago – Tue, Jul 12, 2022 at 10:25:54 AM

Hey folks,

With Mag of Holding - Gothic Horror taking WAY longer to get over the line than usual (due to everything that's been going on this past year), it took attention away from other projects.

Including A Monstrous Retreat.

Finding and setting up a relationship with a new supplier might sound easy.

But, as we found out, it takes a lot more time and effort than one might think.

Having received our sample copies, the graphic designer (Piotr), art director (Darren), and I combed through the book to make sure everything was okay.

And we hit a few more unexpected snags.

For the most part it was fine. The quality is amazing. And the art looks incredible in print.

But we had a few technical problems...like lines on page edges being trimmed too far back, and the increased spine crease eating into the gutter, making it difficult to read the columns in the middle without bending the book open.

We've worked on decreasing the spine crease (from 10mm to 6mm as it is in earlier Mag of Holdings) to create a better reader experience and make sure you don't have to break the spine (I know a lot of people who hate spine breaking).

As for the mass production print job, it's running.

Since this is our first product using the new printer, we really can't tell you how long fulfillment will take. But we're working on getting the shipment up through the Panama Canal to the East Coast to avoid further unnecessary delays.

A Monstrous Retreat

Work on this has been starting and stopping over and over...see above.

But we're putting finishing touches on the PDF right now and aim to send it next week.

And the print job for this will run on the heels of Mag of Holding - Gothic Horror.

A few samples spreads.

Bear in mind these aren't finalized.

We included a bonus alternate/extended ending in the appendix to thank you for bearing with us!

Cheers,

Paddy

D&D 5e Gothic Horror - First Look at Print
almost 2 years ago – Thu, Jun 16, 2022 at 07:29:05 PM

Hey all,

A solid update for the print run. 

FINALLY!

Between all the delays (from recent social and economic upheaval) then setting up a new system with a new manufacturer after the last one reneging on their promises to deliver and screwing us out of $1000 for the privilege,...

...we HAVE A BOOK!

And I can't be more excited.

Test prints are on their way to the art director, layout artist, and yours truly.

Though, I'm currently on the road for 6 months, so intercepting my copy is going to be interesting.

Anyway!

When the art director receives his copy next week, we'll get on a call, run a few quality checks, and make sure everything is okay before hitting GO on the rest of the print run.

Oh...

Almost forgot!

How about a video of our rep flicking a few pages?

(excuse the look of the cover, but the soft touch laminate tends to diffuse light on video...)

Beyond that...

The print job should take a week or two.

And then onto shipping.

We're paying to expedite shipping, but even still, things on that front remain wobbly. So I can't give you a solid date just yet. 

But we'll keep an eye on things and keep you posted.

I thank you again for your patience during the recent turbulent times and bearing with us.

And thank you again for supporting a wee indie company trying to make a splash in a VERY big pond!

We're getting there slowly.

But we ARE getting there!!!

This is the first of 6 back-to-back print jobs (we have SO many awesome books coming out). The next 2 months are going to be mental!

So, I better get back to work (August's Kickstarter beckons and it's gonna be a BIG one! Think Science Fiction. Think 3 books in one projects. Think free PDF and print book for all backers in the first 72 hours. Not to mention what 2023 has in store. So much EPIC. So little time! My head will explode just thinking about it!)

Until next time.

Cheers,

Paddy

CEO, Starcane Press

Update on the Print Run
almost 2 years ago – Wed, Jun 08, 2022 at 04:16:07 PM

Hey All 

Its been a bit of a crazy time especially with the backlog of projects all needing to hit the printer and along with that having to change up printers due to the paper shortages. With changing of printers comes changing standards which means the final file has been through a few back and forths before being ready to print and each time requiring changes but finally it is checked in and scheduled to start printing in the next few days.

Once we have it complete and have an eta on arrival at the distribution center we will send you another update

Till then 

All the best

Kyle Gray

New Print Run Snags
about 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 12, 2022 at 10:12:24 PM

Hey guys,

Just a quick update on this one.

I honestly don't have a ton of news, but I would like to keep you guys abreast of developments.

We hit a few snags with the initial test prints.

It seems that working with one print partners is very different from working with the next. Each printers has their own set of rules and measurements and ways of doing things. And since this is the first time we've used this new partner, it is only natural that we've hit a few snags.

That said, these guys have been great to work with so far and once we've worked through the initial growing pains, all future runs should be quicker.

The print job is still underway, so all good on the front. It's just taking longer than expected.

I hope to have positive news regarding shipping closer to the end of the month.

Sorry again for the delays and thank you again for your patience.

On a side note, after working through a backlog, Tales from the Lorekeeper should also be out by the end of the month. The PDF that is. The print will follow on the heels of Gothic Horror.

Any questions, please shout.

Cheers,

Paddy

Mixed News! Printing Job Has Begin BUT...
about 2 years ago – Fri, Mar 11, 2022 at 02:32:25 PM

Hey folks,

We finally got proper art for the prelaunch page!

Launch will be here before we know it. If you want the free print adventure and haven't already followed, you might want to do that now...

Gothic Horror Shipping Debacle

Long story short, as per the previous update, the printer in Canada told us on Feb 19th that they had a new roll of paper coming in with my name on it and that they would get me a new quote the following Monday.

The following Tuesday rolled around and they still hadn't contacted me, so I reached out. 

And got this:

To say I was livid would be an understatement.

We're sponsoring GaryCon this month and I promised Luke Gygax a few copies of these since he's running a horror game.

But MOST importantly, you guys have been waiting way too long for this print!!!

So I was left wondering what to do...

Digital printing is twice the price, so that definitely wasn't an option.

After some back and forth with this printer, they revealed that it could be as little as 4 weeks and as many as 3 - 6 months before they processed our job.

I thought about it for a few days.

In the end, I wasn't willing to make you guys wait THAT long.

So I cancelled the order.

And to rub salt in our wounds, we lost over $500.00 on the refund due to the exchange rate *facepalm*

The reason we don't print Mag of Holding in China is because we like to fulfill it fairly quickly.

Since that benefit no longer exists at present, I reached out to our manufacturing partner in China and asked if they could take care of it.

The good news is they have the files and are lining up the job as I type.

It should take 10 days to run the print job and about 4 weeks to ship.

If everything stays on track, they should start arriving in mailboxes well before the end of April.

Far from ideal.

But it's better than August or September.

Once the container hits the US, I'm hoping we aren't hit with pandemic-related shipping delays.

There's still a great deal of uncertainty around world events, but fingers crossed we get this over the line sooner rather than later.

Sorry again this is taking so long. We have so many awesome projects lined up, but these delays and supply issues are just sucking the enthusiasm out of me.

I just want to create cool stuff for great people playing a wonderful game.

And WE WILL PREVAIL!

It's just a matter of time.

As always, I will keep you all posted when I have more updates.

Cheers,

Paddy