A sure-fire way to sell more [I]HERO[/I] books

[Dr. Anomaly]

Dear Darren, Steve, & Co.:

Well, thanks to your Comic Book Legal Defense Fund initiative, I have purchased a total of 5 -- yes, FIVE -- copies of Millenium City: one for myself and one each for every friend whom I had included in the book.

Never have I had anyone be as thrilled with any gift I've given them as these guys; it was, it seems, the next-best thing to actually having their dreams come true in Real Life. THAT is a mighty good feeling, let me tell you! :D

So...any time you guys would like to get another great flippin' wadge of my hard-earned cash outta me, just do this sort of thing again. I've got a couple of 10-year-old nephews who I think would be thrilled to be comic-book-style superheroes, and a business-owner friend who'd make a perfect Kingpin-style Master of Crime.

P.S. Never before have I effectively dropped $200+ on what amounts to a single game item (i.e. one book). I'll do it again in a heartbeat if you let me!! :cool:

[Crimson-Hawk]

Hey, Doc, just out of personal curiosity,

Whose names made it into the book because of your contributions to the CBLDF? And where are they in the book?

[Darren Watts]

That's great to hear, Doc! And of course, it's all in a good cause. You'll be glad to know the CBLDF/Get Your Name in a Hero Book project is still continuing, since the response was so good and I've still got a collection of names to use. The names we're collecting now will probably all go in the *next* book I write, which will be the UNTIL Sourcebook. That one will need a pile of names for administrators, agents, and assorted UN heroes and international villains, so if you want to see your name (or your friend's, or your favorite store, or something else) permanently added to the Hero Universe, head over to the company store elsewhere on this site and support the First Amendment! dw

[Dr. Anomaly]

Originally posted by Crimson-Hawk
Hey, Doc, just out of personal curiosity, Whose names made it into the book because of your contributions to the CBLDF? And where are they in the book?

p. 42, 2nd Column, "Museums", 3rd para: "John Cauwenbergh, notorious adventurer" -- a lawyer working for the State of Missouri in real life, John always wanted to be an archaeologist or anthropologist; making him an Indiana-Jones-type just made his day like you wouldn't belive!

p. 45, 1st Column, "The Academic World", 2nd para: "world-reknowned nuclear physicist Charles Carver" -- Charley is a nuclear physicist in real life, but he works in the medical field -- devising cancer treatment plans, etc. While personally fulfilling, it's not exactly the "glamour" side of physics (is there such a thing?) and he really enjoyed being "world-reknowned."

p.52, 2nd Column, "Futurescope", 1st para: "brilliant young a.i. researcher and programmer Scott Gray" -- that's ME! :)

p. 63, 2nd Column, "County Prosecutor", 1st para: "Louise Watson-Carver" -- Louise is an attorney in real life, specialized in Constitutional Law and prosecution. At one time she was an Assistant Federal Prosecutor for the Federal Prosecutor in St. Louis. She assures me the description of the County Prosecutor is dead accurate -- it's a political position, and that person rarely appears in court (just like the Federal Prosecutors). She also tells me that an 80% conviction rate is phenomenal. I got the impression that's the prosecutor's equivalent to being Tiger Woods in golf. She was quite pleased!

p. 66-68, "Teknique": "Leah Reece". Leah is an editor in real life, but wanted to be an FBI agent. She did apply to the FBI program, but was turned down for physical reasons (bad back) though she passed all the other requirements. Being a super-powered FBI agent was just the icing on the cake!

[Dr. Anomaly]

Originally posted by Darren Watts
That's great to hear, Doc! And of course, it's all in a good cause. You'll be glad to know the CBLDF/Get Your Name in a Hero Book project is still continuing, since the response was so good and I've still got a collection of names to use. The names we're collecting now will probably all go in the *next* book I write, which will be the UNTIL Sourcebook. That one will need a pile of names for administrators, agents, and assorted UN heroes and international villains, so if you want to see your name (or your friend's, or your favorite store, or something else) permanently added to the Hero Universe, head over to the company store elsewhere on this site and support the First Amendment! dw

Darren,

I'm glad to hear it was a success and will be continuing! Do you have an estimate for when the cut-off date will be for the UNTIL Sourcebook? I evidently need to start saving money NOW...!

[Yamo]

I like this idea!

Hey, DoJ guys:

Throw a Will Mistretta in a HERO book and I can personally guarantee you'll sell at least three or four more copies than you would with a different name there. :)

[Darren Watts]

Originally posted by Dr. Anomaly
Darren,

I'm glad to hear it was a success and will be continuing! Do you have an estimate for when the cut-off date will be for the UNTIL Sourcebook? I evidently need to start saving money NOW...!

You've got plenty of time. I should finish UNTIL sometime in late August or early September- except for a handful of notes I haven't even started it yet. Gotta get Battlegrounds and Reality Storm out the door first! dw

[Crimson-Hawk]

Originally posted by Dr. Anomaly
p. 63, 2nd Column, "County Prosecutor", 1st para: "Louise Watson-Carver" -- Louise is an attorney in real life, specialized in Constitutional Law and prosecution.

Does anyone else see the delicious irony of Ms. Watson-Carver's RL specialization in regards to how she appeared in the book (i.e. because of a contribution to the CBLDF)?

Way to go above and beyond, Scott! You're a much better man than I. I've yet to contribute... I want to catch up with my HERO collection first (which includes getting Hero Designer) before I delve into this. And I wouldn't know how to add my name to the Hero Universe, since I'm already living vicariously through Darren Davenport/Crimson-Hawk in the Meriquai Falls setting.

I'm looking forward to seeing your nephews in the UNTIL Sourcebook! :)

[JohnTaber]

This is a great idea Darren. Just wanted to let ya know. :) I missed the part about getting your name in a book! Wow...I'm gonna go do that now...who needs a Hero polo shirt...I'll contribute instead. ;)

[Yamo]

Could I get details on this program and how to participate in it, please?

[Derek Hiemforth]

Originally posted by Yamo
Could I get details on this program and how to participate in it, please? Check out the "Hero 5th" section of the Online Store, and read the full description of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund item (by clicking on its name). It describes the whole thing there. :)

[Crimson-Hawk]

Yamo,

Follow this link:

https://secure.compnetco.com/herogames/browse.jsp?categoryID=1

And scroll down to "Comic Book Legal Defense Fund." It's just after "Ninja Hero." Clicking on the descriptive link on the product title will give you the details on what Darren is looking for.

To elaborate:

There are a lot of people who are easily offended by the artistic freedoms enjoyed by comic book artists, writers, publishers, and retailers today. Many have been taken to court over issues that, at their core, violate the First Amendment rights of the artists, et al. Quite a few have lost their cases, despite their First Amendment rights, because local laws or ordinances were observed above the basic rights given by the Constitution.

As many can imagine, comic book artists, publishers, retailers, and hobbyists aren't the most affluent people on the planet. Defending oneself in court is expensive. Which is why The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (http://www.cbldf.org/) was established. Follow the link to learn more about this necessary charity.

Darren has been an extremely strong supporter, emotionally, vocally, and economically, to this charity. The First Amendment rights are extremely important to the basic structure of American society. Which is why Darren has established this kewl service to Hero fans. By making a contribution to the CBLDF, you can see your name, or the name of a friend or loved one, in a Hero Games supplement. You get a kewl ego boost and you contribute to a charity that helps protect one of the most basic rights of an American citizen, all in one fell swoop.

How much more "feel good" could you possibly want? :D

EDIT: Now, if I can learn to type faster than Derek.... :D

[Dr. Anomaly]

Originally posted by Crimson-Hawk
Does anyone else see the delicious irony of Ms. Watson-Carver's RL specialization in regards to how she appeared in the book (i.e. because of a contribution to the CBLDF)?

Way to go above and beyond, Scott! You're a much better man than I.

Yes, I think it was quite choice, myself! :)

CH, I don't think I'm a "better man" -- I simply decided to use my "hobby money" in this fashion, is all. There's no moral or ethical value judgment given or implied in that! Besides, in all honesty, I'd never HEARD of the CBLDF until it was mentioned here...along with a nifty-keen opportunity...! :D

[Blue]

Never noticed that CBLDF item before. Very cool idea. Count me in!

[Balok]

Originally posted by Derek Hiemforth
Check out the "Hero 5th" section of the Online Store, and read the full description of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund item (by clicking on its name). It describes the whole thing there. :)

Now my question is, did you purchase "Dirk Hiemthird", or did they throw him in on their own? ;)

[Darren Watts]

The CBLDF fundraiser has been a nice little sidebar so far- last time I looked we'd raised over $600. I got the idea from David Gerrold, writer of the Chtorr books, "The Trouble With Tribbles," "The Man Who Folded Himself" and a mess of other great stuff, who regularly sets up "tip jars" at cons for various charities for his signings, and for larger sums puts your name in one of his books. (As I understand it, most of the supporting characters in the Chtorr books are named after donors.) Since I'm always in need of names anyways it seemed a nice way for Hero fans to get involved.

I picked the CBLDF as the charity because I've been an admirer of their work ever since the Mike Diana case back in the mid-'80s, and I find their efforts to hold back the erosion of freedom of expression more valuable than ever. Check out www.cbldf.org for more info on this fine organization and what they do. Thanks to everyone who's helped out so far! dw

[Crimson-Hawk]

Originally posted by Balok
Now my question is, did you purchase "Dirk Hiemthird", or did they throw him in on their own? ;)

Dirk... what?

**begins thumbing desperately through Millennium City**

Oh! The guy who reported on Leo's Bar! Durh!!! Boy am I dense! :D

[Derek Hiemforth]

Originally posted by Balok
Now my question is, did you purchase "Dirk Hiemthird", or did they throw him in on their own? ;) Well, sorta both. :)

When the CBLDF dontation program was first announced, I thought about donating money for myself or my wife's name to be mentioned, but (if I remember right) I wasn't totally sure how she'd react, and I was trying to figure out how to find that out without spoiling the surprise. Well, time passed and it kinda got put on the back burner as something I still planned to do Real Soon Now(tm).

Then at DunDraCon in February, Darren mentioned that "Dirk Heimthird" was making an appearance in Millenium City. At that point, I didn't remember if I'd contributed or not, so I asked Darren, and he said he didn't think so... it'd just been his idea. Naturally, I thought this was cool, so when I got home from the con, I sent in a contribution to cover the mention I'd already gotten without the contribution.

So they threw him in on their own, but then I purchased him anyway. Clear as mud, right? :D

[Steve Long]

If the boards featured more unfriendliness and back-biting, we could get all kinds of donations by letting people donate to remove names from books:

"Hey, Derek! You know that guy Keith who's always insulting you on the boards? He just sent us $5 to include his name in Monsters, Minions, And Marauders. Send us $5 and we'll replace his name with yours."

:)

[Koshka]

Originally posted by Steve Long
"Hey, Derek! You know that guy Keith who's always insulting you on the boards? He just sent us $5 to include his name in Monsters, Minions, And Marauders. Send us $5 and we'll replace his name with yours."

:)

No, no, Steve -- bidding war! You get $6 from Derek, then you go back to Keith and ask for $7 .... :D

[Crimson-Hawk]

Originally posted by Koshka
No, no, Steve -- bidding war! You get $6 from Derek, then you go back to Keith and ask for $7 .... :D
"$10! $10! Do I hear $10? $12! Keith just bid $12! $15! Derek just came back with $15! And... Wait a minute, people! Mr. Vimes just chimed in with $80! $80! $85! Keith came back with $85! Uh-oh... Monolith's starting to dig in his pocket....." :D

I'd hate to be the auctioneer at that party!

[Steve Long]

Nah, if I run the price up, I start to scare people away. It's like playing poker -- bet conservatively to draw people in, then lower the boom. ;)

[Balok]

Originally posted by Steve Long
Nah, if I run the price up, I start to scare people away. It's like playing poker -- bet conservatively to draw people in, then lower the boom. ;)

Note to self: turn down any future offers for poker games from Steve Long.

"The thing is, if you haven't spotted the sucker in the first thirty minutes, you're the sucker."