Fate of Atlantis novelization - Page 2

sinus · 11-29-2010, 02:38 PM

thanks for the tip (epubli.de).

whipwarrior · 11-29-2010, 06:34 PM

Maybe you guys can get away with printing stories based on copyrighted intellectual properties in Europe, but I'd be afraid to try it here in the U.S. However, if there is some legal loophole that permits such printing, I would be very interested in having a small run of FOA books professionally printed up as gifts to those who contributed to the story. Perhaps a limited 20-copy print run. Depends on the cost, but it would be the coolest thing ever!

Laserschwert · 12-01-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whipwarrior

but I'd be afraid to try it here in the U.S.

Do you think they read each and every PDF file uploaded, just to ensure there's no copyright protected character in there?

whipwarrior · 12-01-2010, 12:50 PM

I have no idea, but I'd rather not risk it. Odds are, the printing company would take one look at the professionally-designed cover with the Indiana Jones logo, and contact Lucasfilm. It's like using any copyrighted character for fan fiction: As long as the work is distributed for free, then everything is fine. The trouble begins when money is involved (whether trying to sell it, or having it replicated for print). With the free PDF version, it simplifies the problem for anyone who cares to print out a copy for their bookshelf at home. I plan on making a dozen home-made copies to give out as thank-you gifts to everyone who contributed to the story (even though it will cost me a small fortune in paper and computer ink cartridges).

Laserschwert · 12-01-2010, 03:24 PM

Well, you're right, better be on the safe side.

Still, it's highly unlikely that the first thing they'll do is contacting Lucasfilm or LucasArts. They'll contact YOU, and you would give them the run down about it being your novel and a print run of maybe 20 books not being something to squeeze high profits from (with each book printing costing around 15 bucks, I wouldn't even know how to sell them for profit).

But again, I'm talking European standards here, where the first thing that comes to people's minds isn't sueing each other's asses off.

whipwarrior · 12-01-2010, 06:12 PM

LOL!!! Well said.

Snugglecakes · 12-02-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laserschwert

But again, I'm talking European standards here, where the first thing that comes to people's minds isn't sueing each other's asses off.

Hahaha!! I recently got back from a trip to the USA, I genuinely worried about this. If I accidentally hit someone who is trying to steal my wallet I'm done for. Thankfully I've escaped every time I've been there so far. Good thing most people are actually very friendly there.

P.S. The deep south isn't like in the movies at all. It's far worse.

Whipwarrior: Thanks yet again, I'm printing it out right now for tonight's reading session!

whipwarrior · 12-02-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Thanks yet again, I'm printing it out right now for tonight's reading session!

Finally caving into the pressure, eh? I don't blame you, and I congratulate you for holding out as long as you did. I promise that the story is well worth the wait.

And yes, the deep south is much worse than it's portrayed in Hollywood. I should know, since I've lived here for most of my life (and I'm thoroughly sick of it!). One day, when I've saved up enough money, I'd like to get the hell out of here and move back west, to Texas again, or perhaps Arizona or New Mexico.

Laserschwert · 12-02-2010, 07:41 PM

I think you're confusing him with me... I'm still not caving in

whipwarrior · 12-02-2010, 09:25 PM

Oops! My bad.

Guess I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue. LOL!

BloodnoseThePirate · 12-11-2010, 01:41 PM

Ive also been holding off on this until its finished. can't wait.

Gabez · 12-11-2010, 04:21 PM

I think it's nonsense not to print it out for private use, even in book form which you've paid money for. The difficulty comes from people making a profit from the book (and therefore the copyrighted characters) and even then it would have to be a reasonable profit to bother with doing anything.

Just look at Youtube. Most of the stuff there violates copyright, and occasional things get taken down, but only if they're too popular and the copyright holder has some issue with it -- and even then there are no recriminations.

whipwarrior · 12-13-2010, 05:54 PM

Earlier this year I tried my hand at home bookbinding, and I came up with a reasonable facsimile of a perfect-bound trade paperback, so I might go that route, although it will take a considerable amount of time and computer paper to do. Also, I'm a perfectionist, so each book must be near-perfect in order to satisfy me. We'll see if my patience holds out long enough for me to accomplish the minimal 8-book run for my inner circle. The PDF version will be available for the general public, if they actually deem the story worth printing out.

Gabez · 12-14-2010, 04:59 AM

I used lulu.com recently and thought it was good (though the P&P is high, only it doesn't go up if you order lots of copies, so it's cheaper to order in bulk). I could change the look of the whole book very easily, and it printed out in good quality. The book itself, around 150 pages, is only £3.60 to buy.

ThunderPeel2001 · 12-14-2010, 11:06 AM

Lulu is your best bet. I know several self-published authors that use it.

whipwarrior · 12-18-2010, 02:33 PM

That was the first option I checked out, and while it looks promising for original fiction, I still think they would put the brakes on a copyrighted property like Indy. The only thing that would make me happy is to have it printed up EXACTLY like the Bantam Indy novels from the 90's: trade paperback size, with the same exact typesetting and font face, cover style (which Krede copied brilliantly for the artwork), and chapter front logo. Like I said, I'm going to try my damnedest to make it myself (and I will post pics here if the product looks suitably professional).

For those following the story, chapter 16 will be posted soon, so stay tuned.

Lambonius · 12-20-2010, 12:39 AM

Whipwarrior, I wanted you to know that I registered here just so I could tell you how much I've enjoyed this novelization you are working on.

I have always been a huge lifelong Indyfan, and Fate of Atlantis is just about one of my favorite adventure games (and Indy stories) ever, and you are doing an amazing job with it. I only recently discovered your adaptation, and I must say that I have been glued to it since the moment I started reading it. The way that you have enhanced, reconceptualized, and added to familiar scenes from the game is impeccable, and your characterization of Indy (and Sophia) is right on the money, in my opinion. And the project so far seems to be incredibly well-researched. I particularly love how you've managed to give the story all this added gravitas by really establishing it against the backdrop of the race for the atomic bomb--this is something that was only really briefly mentioned in the original game, but never expanded upon, and I think your version is vastly improved because of it. It just gives their quest so much more urgency. I love it. Great, great work.

I eagerly await the completion of this wonderful project. Also, I hope you don't mind--I took the liberty of posting the link to your work in progress at a few fan sites I frequent, including the Raven (raven.raider.net) which is probably the most comprehensive Indy fan site on the net, if you haven't been there. Anyway, thanks for reviving all these great memories in your project--it really is like experiencing the story all over again for the first time. Fantastic!

whipwarrior · 12-23-2010, 07:32 AM

Wow, thank you for the kind words! Yes, Fate of Atlantis is definitely a labor of love, and I hope it shows in the finished product. It's also gratifying when readers notice the research that I've put into a story (and believe me, I've definitely had my work cut out for me on FOA!). The decision to focus on the nuclear arms race was very intentional, believe me. After all, the plot device is at the core of Hal Barwood's brilliant storyline. Unfortunately, the ominous gravity of the situation was glossed-over in favor of pacing for the game. But I felt that it was essential to restore the sense of danger for dramatic purposes in the novelization, and it makes the narrative stronger, I think.

Indy and Sophia's chemistry is a result of playing FOA practically hundreds of times over the years, while the tone and style of the story are the product of my devotion to the official Indiana Jones novels, which I've also read countless times since the early 90's.

EDIT: chapter 16 is complete, and this one has it all: adventure, intrigue, a dash of humor, and a dramatic ending to rival any cliffhanger scene in the Indy books or movies! The remainder of the story will be posted when the novel is finished (due to the complexity of the Atlantis portion). I know it will be a tough wait, but well worth it when you see the final product.

http://newsradiofanfic.angelfire.com/Atlantis16.html

BloodnoseThePirate · 12-28-2010, 03:20 PM

I think im finally going to cave in. ive just recieved a kindle for christmas. im gonna catch up on the recent star wars books then start foa in hopes that the book will be done by the time i finish chapter 16.

whipwarrior · 12-28-2010, 06:33 PM

Well, my goal, as it stands, is to complete one chapter per month, finishing the book in April or May. Since I've been writing material for the Atlantis portion from the start of the project (June 2009), I already have one hell of a jump on it. Last week, I drafted a 2-page outline to organize everything, and it seems to work out really well. *fingers crossed*

So yes, read the Star Wars novels first, and then move onto FOA. Many of the chapters are rather lengthy, so it should keep you occupied for awhile, depending on how quickly you blaze through it. Still, any wait that must be incurred between now and the final 'publication' next year will be rewarded with a fantastic finale, I promise.

Happy reading!

UPDATE: Here is the beginning of chapter 17, so my faithful readers won't be left hanging for the next 4 months, worrying about our intrepid hero! So don't say that I never did anything nice for you guys!

http://newsradiofanfic.angelfire.com/Atlantis17.html

whipwarrior · 01-08-2011, 06:46 PM

Just trying to gauge the opinion of the FOA audience. What is your favorite / least favorite puzzles and/or locations in the city of Atlantis? As with the previous parts of the game, I must pare down unnecessary puzzles to streamline the narrative, and I'd like to see what I can jettison without causing too much disappointment. I've already decided not to use the crab-like raft, since it is too slow a mode of transportation. Don't worry, I've come up with a MUCH better (and cooler!) method of circling the inner city!

So, give me some feedback!

Ryback · 01-10-2011, 05:21 PM

Still haven't read the novel yet - going to try and hang on until it's all done. But I seem to remember Indy does a fair bit of tinkering about in and repairing Atlantean machinery, that could be cut down a lot. The orichalcum machine is cool, and important to the storyline, but having to carry a cupful of lava around to power it up is pretty unbelievable. Maybe a way to take out the guard holding Sophia captive that puts Indy in greater danger than just popping a bead in a statue?

Quite like the fragile lava tiles near the end, hope they stay...

***s-island*** · 01-10-2011, 05:29 PM

If you're ace at fighting with the keypad, it's possible to take out the guard using your fists. The statue solution is more fun though.

Or you could combine them and have Indy slip a bead into the statue's mouth during the fight as he's about to lose.

whipwarrior · 01-10-2011, 06:22 PM

Yes, I agree that Indy knowing how to spontaneously repair ancient Atlantean machinery is a bit unbelievable (he's an archaeologist, not an engineer!). The orichalcum machine is definitely staying, but carrying around a cup of molten metal by hand simply isn't practical, so I'll have to come up with something else. The sentry statue will also be present, but not in the dungeon room. I think the lava tiles will be used as scenery rather than the actual path to the colossus island, since no human being in his right mind would walk across crusted magma. That's just suicide!

But those are all good and valid points, and have been duly noted. Thank you all very much for addressing them. Please feel free to add anything else that comes to mind!

whipwarrior · 08-13-2011, 03:08 AM

Hold your breath folks, because we're taking the dive to Atlantis! http://newsradiofanfic.angelfire.com/Atlantis17.html

Remember that in the event of a hull breach, your fedora can be used as a flotation device!