In a holding pattern

The manuscript for the Chronicles print version is complete and accepted by the printer. At the moment things are hanging fire over the cover art. I'm working with a cranky program - Microsoft Photo Standard 9 - and a cranky slow PC. Still, I'm persevering! I'd like to get this out the door soonest so I can return to some wargaming projects for a change.

Not forgotten...

Let no one tell you producing a print book is ever easy. The Chronicles will see the light of day, but certain problems arose in formatting them for print publication. I'm addressing these, and will post an update soon.

Serendipity II

*

When my wife and I were out for a walk in summer last year we came across this table. Someone in the neighborhood had put it out for garbage collection. Since local policy is "if you want it - take it" we took it. As you can see it's a pretty sturdy affair and must've cost a chunk of change when new. Sadly, whoever owned it didn't treat it very well. The decorative painted spandrels in the corners are worn, and there's a slight warping of the wood on one edge. A large right-angled strip of white paint and several paint-pot rings mar the fine wooden surface. It once had a separate leaf that could be inserted in the middle, but it's missing.

Even so, we can find a use for this! This morning I brought it up from storage and I now have a table free for wargaming purposes. My wife can also use it for her sewing machine. The figures currently gracing the table are RSM95 Prussian Dragoons (the Rumtopft Dragoons to be), now flash-free and soaking in their detergent wash.

The Print Version - work in progress

*

Having explored several options, I decided on a printer for the Hetzenberg Chronicles. The first steps are complete. All being well the print version should be out soon! Check here for details on release dates. Meantime, here's another great - if slightly tongue-in-cheek - review of the Chronicles.

"Stirring, non-stop action! With the mustached rogues, 10 inch mortars and naughty nuns, you won't be able to put this book down. I changed rules sets straight away!"

James, Québec, Canada

Thank you, James!

The pdf version is available now at just $5.95. PayPal accepted only.
Contact: asap.productions3(AT)gmail.com
(Substitute @ for (AT))
A copy will be dispatched within 24 hours.

Developments and designs.

It's Twelfth Night and a slow-ish start to the new year here in St. Louis. A severe winter weather warning is going out on TV, with three-four inches of snow expected in pretty short order. It's nothing to get excised about but I'm not looking forward to driving in it. The way some people drive in good weather around these here parts doesn't exactly fill me with confidence!

*

I'm still looking into options for publishing the Chronicles in paperback form. Obviously I want the book to be available to readers for a reasonable price. Finding a printer who will produce books without them costing an arm and a leg is proving tricky. However, I've a number of avenues to explore, and I'm sure the book will appear soon. In the meantime I'm pressing ahead with revisions and writing new material for Volume Two: The Heat of Battle. I even have a new source for photographs to go with the text. Watch this space...

*

On the conventional wargaming front I expect to return to my painting desk from next week onwards. I have a regiment of dragoons and two artillery batteries to prep and paint. I'm going to make up a jar of Future/Klear polish with some sepia and black ink added for dipping purposes. Making it up in small doses then brushing it on is good but a little time-consuming, and the dip method has the advantages of consistency and handiness.

*

I was sad to note the sudden and unexpected demise of the Blasthof Blog, a site dedicated to the originators of the Old School wargaming style. John Preece, one of the contributors stated it has been decided to wrap up the blog in its current form. I guess we can hope it'll reappear in another guise.

A Happy New Year!

Another New Year upon us - where does the time go? I've had a few thoughts on future wargames projects in spare moments amongst all the jollifications.

* Work toward completing at least the nucleus of the Hetzenberg and Dunkeldorf-Pfuhlian armies. This will be a regiment of dragoons, two of infantry, one of light infantry and two artillery batteries for Hetzenberg: Two regiments of cavalry, one of guard infantry and two batteries for Dunkeldorf-Pfuhl. Anything else will come over the course of time.
* Set up a blog dealing with my wargames projects in eras away from the 18th century.
* Model more Victorian sci-fi/steampunk stuff.
* Continue publishing the Chronicles in paperback and .pdf.

No doubt I'll stray down various highways and byways over the course of the year. In the meantime I wish all of you a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!