COPIES ARE COMING MY WAY
about 13 hours ago
– Tue, Jun 16, 2026 at 09:53:02 AM
A big update!
1. Domestic Copies Ordered
Proofs have been recieved and look great, so we went ahead and ordered Domestic Copies! It'll be a few weeks until we get them. This is (still) the exciting "waiting" part. I can't wait to get them so I can get them to you. We are primed and ready to start sending these out the day we get them.
2. DriveThruRPG
We have uploaded These Bloody Sails to DrivethruRPG for PDF purchases (rest assured, no one is getting physical copies until backers have theirs). We figure PDF is fine as you all already have access to yours.
In addition, we have granted all PDF recipients of the These Bloody Sails Kickstarter a link to a free DriveThruRPG copy.
Why do this? Two reasons.
First, because we know some people like to keep their PDFs in one place and a lot of people use the DriveThruRPG library as their one stop PDF holder.
Second, we can't get reviews from you all otherwise. I know, it's pretty self-serving, but doing Kickstarter cuts our product off from the gluttonous algorithm's need for feedback to then put it in front of future customer's eyes. So, we gave you all free copies in a place where you can leave feedback.
-
Do you need to? No. Not at all.
-
Should you? Not really. We will be fine without it.
-
Do I consider it a personal favor, letting the world know your thoughts? Absolutely. Heck even if your thoughts aren't so nice (we hope they are), feedback is a gift and we would appreciate it.
3. We still need 6% of you
The Backerkit Survey is out (check your email) and we are at 94% completion. This is awesome! But we don't want to miss ordering enough copies for everyone, so for those of you who have not filled out the Backerkit survey, please get those done.
You must complete the Backerkit Survey to receive your rewards.
The Backerkit Survey was sent via email.
You'll get your digital downloads pretty soon after (hours at most), and remember, the survey is your last chance to add items to your pledge! And we have added some good stuff to the add on section, such as a...
4. A FEW QUICK STOPS ALONG THE WAY
While Josh has been busting his butt on layout, I reached out to two good friends and great writers, John Baltisberger (hey that's our editor) and Steven Hamilton and tasked them with helping me make a PDF of new Pirate Borg Mini Adventures. We call the project A Few Quick Stops Along the Way. We are super happy to see over 270 of you have nabbed it and we hope it lives up to expectations for great Pirate Borg content.
Also, did you know it is 20% off if you buy it through Backerkit vs DriveThruRPG?
Did you also know purchase of it gets you a free DriveThruRPG copy?
5. Stickers on their way
The sticker sheets are also on their way. I can't wait to slap some of these on my laptop.
6. A (reminder of a) Small Issue with Lulu (International Backers)
We got thrown a curveball on Lulu, who we are using for international fulfillment. Lulu won't let us do saddle stitched. We made the book every too slightly too big (sort of. Lulu doesn't allow inner cover printing, therefore, the book got bigger). Lulu is having us use perfect bound binding. The other option is to remove 4 pages from the book, and we really don't want to do that.
So, we have made the decision to go ahead with the perfect bound for international orders. Perfect bound binding for the most part is fine. Most soft cover books are perfect bound, it uses glue to put pages in. The issue is that sometimes that glue comes undone and a page falls out of the book. With the choices we have, we figured it better that there's a small risk a page falls out than an assured loss of four pages.
Proofs are still on the way.
Ok! That's it.
Have a great day and we will catch you all soon
Domestic Proofs have arrived!
8 days ago
– Mon, Jun 08, 2026 at 12:27:43 PM
Domestic proofs have arrived and they look good
We are doing our domestic print run using Mixam. We thought they wouldn't arrive for another week, but they are here and they look good (to me. Josh still needs to check his copy). If he gives the thumbs up, we will be ordering the run and then once those arrives, domestic fulfillment should begin!
Check it out!
Dont worry international backers, your proofs are on their way.
-William 'This Effin' GM' Tramp
Proofs Ordered and More News!
14 days ago
– Tue, Jun 02, 2026 at 05:53:01 PM
Hello all! Another Update. Got a lot to cover in this one.
1. Proofs Ordered
Proofs have been ordered and are currently being published, but it'll be a few weeks until we get the copies to look over. This is the exciting "waiting" part. I can't wait to get them. Oh, also, we updated the cover. It's going to have a nice satin-y feel. Mmmmmhm.
A Small Issue with Lulu
Actually, we should talk for a second about proofs because we got thrown a curveball on Lulu, who we are using for international fulfillment. Lulu won't let us do saddle stitched. We made the book every too slightly too big (sort of. Lulu doesn't allow inner cover printing, therefore, the book got bigger). Lulu is having us use perfect bound binding. The other option is to remove 4 pages from the book, and we really don't want to do that.
So, we have made the decision to go ahead with the perfect bound for international orders. Perfect bound binding for the most part is fine. Most soft cover books are perfect bound, it uses glue to put pages in. The issue is that sometimes that glue comes undone and a page falls out of the book. With the choices we have, we figured it better that there's a small risk a page falls out than an assured loss of four pages.
2. We still need 10% of you
The Backerkit Survey is out (check your email) and we are at 90% completion. This is awesome! But we don't want to miss ordering enough copies for everyone, so for those of you who have not filled out the Backerkit survey, please get those done.
You must complete the Backerkit Survey to receive your rewards.
The Backerkit Survey was sent via email.
Due Date to complete is June 5th, 2026.
You'll get your digital downloads pretty soon after (hours at most), and remember, the survey is your last chance to add items to your pledge! And we have added some good stuff to the add on section, such as a...
3. BRAND NEW PIRATE BORG COMPATIBLE PROJECT
While Josh has been busting his butt on layout, I reached out to two good friends and great writers, John Baltisberger (hey that's our editor) and Steven Hamilton and tasked them with helping me make a PDF of new Pirate Borg Mini Adventures. We call the project A Few Quick Stops Along the Way. We are super happy to see over 250 of you have nabbed it and we hope it lives up to expectations for great Pirate Borg content.
4. Typo Tracker has been Locked Down
We locked down the typo tracker and have put most of the edits into the book. Some were more suggestions and we took a bunch of those, though not all. But either way HECK YES, thank you so much for your help in that for those that submitted.
Soon enough, we will be sending out updated PDFs to everyone AND a single page PDF version for those who are more into reading on tablets or phones. We have a better product now.
5. DriveThruRPG
Once we get the addresses locked down, we will be uploading These Bloody Sails to DrivethruRPG for PDF purchases (rest assured, no one is getting physical copies until backers have theirs). We figure PDF will be fine as you all already have access to yours.
In addition, we will be granting all PDF recipients of the These Bloody Sails Kickstarter a link to a free DriveThruRPG copy.
Why do this? Two reasons.
First, because we know some people like to keep their PDFs in one place and a lot of people use the DriveThruRPG library as their one stop PDF holder.
Second, we can't get reviews from you all otherwise. I know, it's pretty self-serving, but doing Kickstarter cuts our product off from the gluttonous algorithm's need for feedback to then put it in front of future customer's eyes. So, we are going to give you all free copies in a place where you can leave feedback.
-
Do you need to? No. Not at all.
-
Should you? Not really. We will be fine without it.
-
Do I consider it a personal favor, letting the world know your thoughts? Absolutely. Heck even if your thoughts aren't so nice (we hope they are), feedback is a gift and we would appreciate it.
Ok! That's it.
Have a great day and we will catch you all soon
Almost there! We see the light at the end of the tunnel!
22 days ago
– Tue, May 26, 2026 at 06:51:55 AM
Almost There!
We are almost done with Backerkit and we are putting in the order for proofs this week and then we get the fun of waiting to see if we screwed that up. Hopefully we get it right the first time.
Three things I want to mention today.
1. WE NEED YOU TO GO TO BACKERKIT
The Backerkit Survey is out (check your email) and we are almost there! 88% of you have completed it, which makes our lives a lot easier. For those of you who have not, please get those done.
You must complete the Backerkit Survey to receive your rewards.
The Backerkit Survey was sent via email.
Due Date to complete is June 5th, 2026.
On this day, we lock it down and (assuming proofs are looking good) start placing the physical order.
You'll get your digital downloads pretty soon after (hours at most), and remember, the survey is your last chance to add items to your pledge! And we have added some good stuff to the add on section, such as a...
2. BRAND NEW PIRATE BORG COMPATIBLE PROJECT
While Josh has been busting his butt on layout, I reached out to two good friends and great writers, John Baltisberger (hey that's our editor) and Steven Hamilton and tasked them with helping me make a PDF of new Pirate Borg Mini Adventures. We call the project A Few Quick Stops Along the Way. We are super happy to see over 200 of you have nabbed it and we hope it lives up to expectations for great Pirate Borg content.
3. AMAZING WORK ON HELPING SUPPORT JOHN
Our good friend and editor John Baltisberger lost his job a few months back, laid off due to AI bullsh*t. We are not fans of AI here at This Effin' GM Games and we are also not fans of our friends and colleagues going through hard times. To this effect, we worked with John and put together two bundles on Backerkit of work John has done, with all proceeds going to John.
The response has been incredible. So far, you all have managed to raise over $700 for him and his family and we just want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You all are amazing.
Ok! That's it.
Have a great day and we will catch you all soon
OH WAIT ONE MORE THING
A few people have asked about when the edits from the typo tracker will be available in the PDF. Soon! We are gathering as many as we can and then planning on hitting it hard in one big swoop. We figured that would be better than sending out a new pdf for every edit we make. Before the end of this run (and before final copies are ordered from the printers) you will be receiving an updated PDF with all the fixes in.
Thank you so much to those who have given their time to help us make this the best Zine we possibly can make.
Ok, NOW I am signing off.
-Will "This Effin' GM" Tramp
What a Response!
30 days ago
– Mon, May 18, 2026 at 09:17:51 AM
What a response!
1. BACKERKIT SURVEYS ARE OUT NOW
The Backerkit survey is out and WOW, what a response! 75% of you have completed it, which makes our lives a lot easier. For those of you who have not, please get those done.
You must complete the Backerkit survey to receive your rewards. Due Date to complete is June 5th, 2026. On this day, we lock it down and start placing the physical order.
You'll get your digital downloads pretty soon after, and remember, the survey is your last chance to add items to your pledge! And we have added some good stuff to the add on section, such as a...
2. BRAND NEW PIRATE BORG COMPATIBLE PROJECT
While Josh has been busting his butt on layout, I reached out to two good friends and great writers, John Baltisberger (hey that's our editor) and Steven Hamilton and tasked them with helping me make a PDF of new Pirate Borg Mini Adventures. We call the project A Few Quick Stops Along the Way. We are super happy to see over 200 of you have nabbed it and we hope it lives up to expectations for great Pirate Borg content.
3. HELP US! THERE MAY BE TYPOS
Josh and I went over and over and over the PDF and we THOUGHT we got all of the typos. Boy were we wrong. A few of you helped us out immensely by submitting a fair amount and we are extremely thankful for your efforts. In fact, one of you thought I would hate you.
Oh no.
No.
I love you.
You are helping us to make the best product we can.
After you get your PDFs, if you have the inclination, please check them out for typos, grammatical errors, layout issues, etc., and please notify us through the Typo Tracker by Friday, May 29th. But don't sweat it if that's not your thing.
Not long now.
Will "This Effin' GM" Tramp
