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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 03:12:59
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quote:
The author's website
One of his other works of note was "Rise of the Blade" a novel written for the popular 'Forgotten Realms' series. Unfortunately the publisher TSR was bought out by rival company Wizards of the Coast and the novel wasn't published. Years later Rise of the Blade is now available as an eBook.
Further details about the novel itself are provided here. The first few chapters are free downloads.
The wording in this Wiki page suggests (to me) that the entire novel was once a free download, although - in the words of the author - "times have changed". It costs a few dollars less at the Kindle site, although I personally prefer to unconditionally avoid propriety formats and stick with pure generic PDF. I've never read that novel (the few Harpers books I did read bored me and Red Magic was particularly disappointing) but the mixed reviews seem to be generally positive.
I note the conspicuous lack of any official logos or trademarks on the cover; I'm not sure if this novel is at all sanctioned by Wizbro, it could technically be a piece of non-canon fanfic. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 01 Sep 2011 03:20:08 |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 03:29:20
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Thanks Ayrik! That's precisely what I was wondering about: non-canon, supposedly non-Wizbro novel for sale on amazon..??!?!?
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"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 04:03:59
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It isn't published by TSR/Wizards of the Coast, it isn't boldly emblazoned with the usual DUNGEONS & DRAGONS and FORGOTTEN REALMS logos, it doesn't even advertise itself as part of The Harpers series. I wouldn't personally consider it an official novel, regardless of any claims by the author (who has, incidentally, never had anything published by TSR/Wizbro).
Amazon is a vendor site, little different from a television commercial or used-car salesman in my mind - it's hardly an authoritative or accurate source of facts. |
[/Ayrik] |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 04:11:18
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From what I know of the Harpers series, this doesn't look like a book ever commissioned or bought by TSR. The author may have wanted it to be, and even submitted it . . . but I'd be astonished if it was ever even on the path to becoming an official Realms book. Mary Kirchoff or James Lowder would know for sure.
My guess is that it is fanfic.
love,
THO |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 04:58:47
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Interesting... so basically I could write my own "FR novel" and sell it on amazon (and label it as FR)?
Anyone interested in my awesome story about long bearded gem mining elves, being enslaved by an evil necromancer pony unicorn from the Hordelands and then being saved by a party of sauce-covered warlock broccoli from the semi-elemental plane of Ranch dressing (the latter is a little homenage to Giants in the Playground)?
Soon available on amazon in the FR eBook section...  |
"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 12:45:39
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quote:
Originally posted by skychrome
Interesting... so basically I could write my own "FR novel" and sell it on amazon (and label it as FR)?
Anyone interested in my awesome story about long bearded gem mining elves, being enslaved by an evil necromancer pony unicorn from the Hordelands and then being saved by a party of sauce-covered warlock broccoli from the semi-elemental plane of Ranch dressing (the latter is a little homenage to Giants in the Playground)?
Soon available on amazon in the FR eBook section...
You COULD do that, but its lifespan on Amazon.com's Kindle listings would be short. The Forgotten Realms is a licensed setting and no one can legally publish fiction without the consent of Wizards of the Coast.
I'm not an attorney, much less a copyright specialist, but judging from what I've read, it seems likely that a cease-and-desist letter will be on its way shortly. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 14:31:16
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It was published in 1998. 'Tis strange that WotC ignored/didn't notice it for years. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 14:39:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
It was published in 1998. 'Tis strange that WotC ignored/didn't notice it for years.
Dennis, that depends upon the definitely of "published." There's quite a difference between posting fanfic on your personal website and selling it on Amazon.com. Mr. Moffat is profitting from a company's IP. |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 15:33:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
It was published in 1998. 'Tis strange that WotC ignored/didn't notice it for years.
Well, few of us seem to recognize it at all. It's likely been so quiet it's off WotC's radar.
And Elaine's right, of course--illegally collecting a profit on a licensed IP is a recipe for legal trouble. Unless of course the author has an arrangement worked out.
I'm very curious as to the particulars, and I hope if any more info presents itself, you'll let us know?
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 15:56:44
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| Pierce O'Hiram! Could this be the Great Faerūnian Novel? |
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BARDOBARBAROS
Senior Scribe
Greece
581 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 16:05:50
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| Interesting !!! |
BARDOBARBAROS DOES NOT KILL.
HE DECAPITATES!!!
"The city changes, but the fools within it remain always the same" (Edwin Odesseiron- Baldur's gate 2) |
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JamesLowder
Forgotten Realms Author & Game Designer
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 04:34:48
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
From what I know of the Harpers series, this doesn't look like a book ever commissioned or bought by TSR. The author may have wanted it to be, and even submitted it . . . but I'd be astonished if it was ever even on the path to becoming an official Realms book. Mary Kirchoff or James Lowder would know for sure.
My guess is that it is fanfic.
I don't recall seeing anything by this author when I was editing the Realms line or the Harpers series. I, too, suspect it's just fanfic, though it certainly could have been submitted and rejected at some point.
Whether he uses the Realms logo or not, he's very likely going to get into legal trouble for making any sort of claim that this is material tied to the Realms IP.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 13:51:05
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quote:
Originally posted by JamesLowder
quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
From what I know of the Harpers series, this doesn't look like a book ever commissioned or bought by TSR. The author may have wanted it to be, and even submitted it . . . but I'd be astonished if it was ever even on the path to becoming an official Realms book. Mary Kirchoff or James Lowder would know for sure.
My guess is that it is fanfic.
I don't recall seeing anything by this author when I was editing the Realms line or the Harpers series. I, too, suspect it's just fanfic, though it certainly could have been submitted and rejected at some point.
Whether he uses the Realms logo or not, he's very likely going to get into legal trouble for making any sort of claim that this is material tied to the Realms IP.
Cheers,
Jim Lowder
Mary Kirchoff doesn't remember it, either.
It might be worth noting that THORNHOLD, the last Harper book, was written in 1997 and published in 1998. On his website, Mr. Moffat says he wrote his novel in 1998. At that point, the decision to end the Harper line had already been made.
He also indicated that the ms weighed in at 76K words, which is about 10K short for a Forgotten Realms novel.
The Candlekeep website's page on "Cancelled books" indicates that this book went through the first round of editing, but was cancelled when TSR was sold to WotC. Whoever's in charge of that page might want to check the facts and update accordingly.
I'd suggest going right to the source. The author has an online presence--a website, a facebook page, and so on--so it'd be easy to contact him. |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 14:08:24
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| In the inside part the author explains his book was cancelled and he couldn't publish it. As long as he thought changing the names wouldchange how it was meant to read it he decided to publish it as an e-book. He also talks about the copyright issue and that WotC has not contacted him to remove the book. |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
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Dark Wizard
Senior Scribe
USA
830 Posts |
Posted - 06 Sep 2011 : 05:07:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Faraer
Pierce O'Hiram! Could this be the Great Faerūnian Novel?
That's City of Raven's Bluff zaniness. |
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Unknown FR novel?
