Despite lots of diversions, I have been continuing to work on DEVELOPING THE PORTABLE WARGAME. At present it contains the following chapters and sections:
Sales of THE PORTABLE WARGAME continue to be healthy, and according to the latest sales figures, a total of 423 copies have been sold in the various formats available:
The book has now sold in at least fourteen countries (the figures for the EU are not split down by country), including Zambia! This is not at all bad considering that the only publicity the books has had is by blog (mine and various other people's), purchaser reviews on Amazon, and related topics raised on TMP (The Miniatures Page). The book has yet to be reviewed in one of the glossy wargame magazines, and one wonders whether or not it will be. (Copies have been sent to reviewers, and I know that at least one review has been written, but none have yet been published.)
- Introduction
- Pinning and Unpinning Units
- The Two Kills Option
- Army Lists, Balanced, and Unbalanced Forces
- Big Board – and Small Board – Gridded Wargames
- A few observations about Portable Wargame Rules: Ancients
- Portable Wargame Rules: Ancients
- Examples of generic Portable Wargame: Ancient Army Lists
- The Portable Wargame in Action: Some example from the Ancients Rules
- A few observations about the Developed Portable Wargame Rules: Early and Mid Twentieth Century
- Developed Portable Wargame Rules: Early and Mid Twentieth Century
- Adding another dimension: Some thoughts about Air Combat Rules
- Portable Wargame: Air Combat Rules
- The Portable Wargame in Action: Some examples from the Air Combat Rules
- A Simple Mini-Campaign
- Bibliography
- Endnotes
Sales of THE PORTABLE WARGAME continue to be healthy, and according to the latest sales figures, a total of 423 copies have been sold in the various formats available:
- 183 eBooks
- 51 Hardbacks
- 189 Paperbacks
The book has now sold in at least fourteen countries (the figures for the EU are not split down by country), including Zambia! This is not at all bad considering that the only publicity the books has had is by blog (mine and various other people's), purchaser reviews on Amazon, and related topics raised on TMP (The Miniatures Page). The book has yet to be reviewed in one of the glossy wargame magazines, and one wonders whether or not it will be. (Copies have been sent to reviewers, and I know that at least one review has been written, but none have yet been published.)
That's looking good Bob
ReplyDeleteThe Early and mid 20thC is my period at the moment. Got my army of British NWF troops (enough for 1HW) finished and Pathans assembled to base. :0)
Looking forward to buying the paperback.
Nobby,
DeleteFunnily enough I have actually written a paragraph in the preamble to the 'new' rules about colonial-style actions. It states:
'Colonial actions (e.g. in Iraq or on the North West Frontier of India) or wars (e.g. the Italian Invasion of Abyssinia) can be recreated by using a mixture of these rules (for the European and European-trained troops) and my LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY (INCLUDING COLONIAL) rules (for the Native troops). The only armoured vehicles that can be included in a European or European-trained army are Scout Car units and Light Tank units, and the latter should only be equipped with Machine Guns.'
It could almost have been written with you in mind!
All the best,
Bob
I thought it was written with me in mind :0)
DeleteI have 3 Vickers Light tanks, late marks, but equipped with mg's and 3 Carden Loyd carriers. I've also bought 3 'local made' armoured cars from a chap on eBay. They are quite interesting because you get a Lledo van and a set of white metal panels and a turret. You can buy just the panels, which I did for the last two, because I discovered 2 of the vans in the £1 bin at a local toy collectors shop.
All still to be built, of course, and I won't be sorry to not have to paint any horses for awhile.
Nobby,
DeleteIt was one of your previous comments that sparked the idea in my head.
The locally-made armoured cars sound interesting. Just the sort of thing that would have been used by the Indian Police or a local Indian prince.
All the best,
Bob
Good news on progress of new title. I am not surprised at the lack of reviews in the wargaming press - yours is a proper wargamers book, not a piece of coffee table frippery!
ReplyDeleteCarry on with the good work.
Barry Carter,
DeleteI want to get this book published by the time the summer holidays start ... and then I hope to begin work on a book entitled THE PORTABLE NAPOLEONIC WARGAME. This should encourage me to finish my Napoleonic project if only so that I can use the figures in the photographs I will need!
There are also plans afoot for an English Civil War version, which will be written by someone with more knowledge of the period than I have, but with my input.
I find the lack of reviews in the wargames media disappointing ... but I suspect that you are right and that the use of black and white images makes it less attractive to the sort of readers the magazines tend to cater for.
All the best,
Bob
I'm pepped. Sadly I haven't had much time to play anything due to exams and house improvements but your outline looks very exciting. My toy soldiers keep looking at me expectantly, hopefully we'll be able to spend quality time together soon with the new book.
ReplyDeleteStephen Briddon,
DeleteThe problem with real life is that it has a habit of stopping you from doing what you want to do because it keeps presenting you with things that you have to do! I have just the same sort of problems with lack of time even though I am retired and I am supposed to have loads of free time.
Hopefully you will be able to get your toy soldiers onto a tabletop and in action soon.
All the best,
Bob
Just wanted to let you know that I purchased your paperback, it will show that I purchased it in the United States, but that is where my mail goes through. I am actually working at the United States Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe so you have had copies go to Zambia and now Zimbabwe. Southern Africa is being represented in the purchases. I love it and will be putting in use in the next few days. Keep the books coming and more will be headed to Zimbabwe.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Unknown (John),
DeleteIts great to hear that my book is selling - and being used - in so many places. Its just the sort of encouragement that I need to spur me on to complete the next book.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob. Your next portable wargame book sounds exciting. I enjoyed the Portable wargame, so looking forward to seeing the next one.
ReplyDeleteJon Meech,
DeleteI hope that you will buy and enjoy my next book as much as you did the last.
All the best,
Bob