City of Dredd - OUT NOW!

[John Caliber]

I've not had any personal experience with POD, so the previous comments do help calm my nerves somewhat. The production system leaves something to be desired, however. The dimensions they give for the cover and spine width are incorrect, which meant making over a dozen uploads (twenty minutes each time) of the cover art, nudging it back and forwards, to correctly align the spine (which contains text and a continuation of the generic megalopolis skyline).

[Dash Decent]

Ordered it last night!

On the subject of Lulu, I bought TV expert Andrew Pixley's book on the Goodies last year.  It has similar dimensions to your book and is a whopping 602 pages.  It arrived with no problems and looks great.

[John Caliber]

How long did it take Lulu to dispatch your 'Goodies' book? I presume they send an e-mail confirming the shipment?

[John Caliber]

Lulu has dispatched one of the copies I ordered from them, so at least we know they are processing the book.

[John Caliber]

My copy has arrived this afternoon. It looks better than I hoped for, and enjoys a top rate printing job, glossy cover, pin sharp text, adequate binding and decent interior paper. It's pretty heavy which is comforting. A second order, a batch of copies for my assistant Ivan Noel and the Nerve Centre has been shipped this afternoon. I'd assume other customers will see their copies dispatched early next week. Paying £6.99 shipping ensures a 'next day' delivery (at least mine did).

[TordelBack]

Pics please!  I'm all a-tingle!

[James Stacey]

arsom! Can't wait till pay-day.

[John Caliber]

Here you go (photos) at the bottom of the thread:

http://excoboard.com/PlayDredd/148346/1784060/1#5360906

[TordelBack]

Here you go (photos) at the bottom of the thread:

http://excoboard.com/PlayDredd/148346/1784060/1#5360906

Grud on a Greenie!  That's spiffy!  Want money to buy pretty thing now!

[Toni Scandella]

Top of my list of 'Must Haves' come pay day!

[John Caliber]

I'm a bit intimidated by the size of the book. I'm glad I didn't have a psi-flash of how big the finished article would be when I commenced work in April 2009, or else I'd have run in circles screaming before hastily undergoing a lobotomy by way of a screening of The Phantom Menace.

[Dash Decent]

John, I won't worry about answering the questions you asked me about Lulu as you've now got your own answer first-hand.

The photos look fantastic.  I know the writers will continue to invent their own street and block names forevermore, but I can imagine this being used as an in-house reference (to a degree).  I'm sure no one has a really firm idea of the MC1 boundaries or sector zoning, so to have something concrete they can look at will probably help define things, especially if there's a free one knocking about the office.  It certainly puts the "13 volume" MC1 Archive to shame.

Looking at the photos made me think about the book more, and raised a few questions in my mind.

Did you ever find instances where a block name had been used more than once, independantly of each other?  I suppose if they were contradictory (e.g. a Ronnie Reagan block existing in one story after it had been destroyed in another) it would be easy to assume they were in different sectors, or rebuilt, etc.

Are you considering whether to supplement the book in future?  If so, do you think you would simply issue PDF addendums, or would you revise the book?

Also, does BEYOND THE CITY OF DREDD simply cover locations on Earth (and in the sky, and on the moon) or does it cover other planets etc as well?  I recall you mentioning space locations somewhere but I couldn't find the reference.  I imagine non-Earth locations would be too few to require a book of their own (though I'm sure someone will prove me wrong).

Will BEYOND THE CITY... include any maps?  I'd particularly love to see a double page Cursed Earth map showing key townships and perhaps the famous route to MC2.  I think an improved world map would also be welcome.

[John Caliber]

Did you ever find instances where a block name had been used more than once, independantly of each other?  I suppose if they were contradictory (e.g. a Ronnie Reagan block existing in one story after it had been destroyed in another) it would be easy to assume they were in different sectors, or rebuilt, etc.

Yes, there were a new duplications. Some have been merged because neither had been locked down in a specific area of the city. Some share the same name, but have entirely different functions (multiple 'Jungle's, 'Maze's, etc). Some locations are documented as having been destroyed, but reappear later miraculously restored. The latter I suggested had simply been repaired.

Are you considering whether to supplement the book in future?  If so, do you think you would simply issue PDF addendums, or would you revise the book?

There is a parallel PDF-only version of CITY OF DREDD that continues to be updated every week, as new material is made available. Free copies go out to my colleagues on the PLAY DREDD group who help me run the roleplaying games, which is mainly why CITY OF DREDD came into being. The Directory and Progology chapters of CoD are freely available from the PLAY DREDD website and will continue to be updated. I could always revise the paperback in a couple of years. It depends how many I sell as to how enthusiastic I can get about going through another round of hellish edits. It really is a book too large for one man to proof.

Also, does BEYOND THE CITY OF DREDD simply cover locations on Earth (and in the sky, and on the moon) or does it cover other planets etc as well?  I recall you mentioning space locations somewhere but I couldn't find the reference.

If it's outside MC1's wall, it will feature in the sequel paperback, including all Earth locations, outer space and otherdimensions.

Will BEYOND THE CITY... include any maps?  I'd particularly love to see a double page Cursed Earth map showing key townships and perhaps the famous route to MC2.  I think an improved world map would also be welcome.

Yes, there will be a few maps including a world map and one of the Cursed Earth. I know some locations are locales in name only, with no clue as to where they should be sited on a map. I did experience a technical glitch with the city map in CITY OF DREDD, which resulted in it being of a smaller resolution than I would have liked. The text however is pin sharp and the map itself is acceptable, after I resampled it. The maps for BTCoD will look different, concerned as they are with a greater density of locations.

[Bat King]

I was stunned by the photos, that is one eye-catching tome.

I've seen early versions of Beyond, being a member of Play Dredd and that is one book I am really looking forward to. I think it is better than CoD, and CoD is a must have for my MC1 set games.

[John Caliber]

I wonder if a map of outer space locations is doable?