I'm wondering whether anyone would pay for a printed version of my tables webage (//www.apolitical.info/webgame/tables).
Some extra information that might be relevant -
NOTE: please see my post of March 13 below
it would be made and sold by me, rather than Lulu or similar (because they don't do recycled paper). People would pay through PayPal.
it would probably be black and white.
it would be illustrated (by me buying one of those fantasy clipart sets, and/or from public domain pictures).
it would just be a printed version of what's on the webpage: I wouldn't be taking the free version down, or having 'exclusive extra content' etc. The only content in the book that wouldn't be on the webpage would be things like the table of contents and index.
This probably doesn't help but I have more questions about this idea. Is it going to be set up to where people can write their own adventures or are you going with the fighting fantasy feel...where everything is locked together in order to make a solo game?
2. Hardback, softback, Kinko bound:)? Number of pages, etc.
3. I guess it wouldn't hurt to put out some feelers and see how many people might preorder your project.
Just a couple of random $.02 thoughts.
If you are going to do it yourself, I say, no. It's a waste of your time, effort, and money. If you can go through something like Lulu (obviously not Lulu because you are not a fan), where you spare your wallet a hit, then I say, Go for it.
Thanks for replying. Follow-up question: what's the gap between what I've got, and similar commercial products (eg AEG's 'Toolbox')? What could I do to make what I've got as good as them?
I can't answer the follow up but I can reiterate that Lulu would be a good option. I know people who like to have the book in their hands at the table, rather than a printed PDF. Not only does it feel nice to have but it also gives a certain level of authority from the player's point of view. A book that is nicely printed and bound is a lot more impressive than a self-printed bound version.
Another follow-up question:
would it make it more buyable if it was converted for a particular system? And if so, which one?
The rest of my comments about the distribution of it still apply (I'd probably have a free pdf version on the site).