Sourcebooks' page count

[MGBM]

I've made this topic before, but I see there's been interest recently about this topic.

I was wondering, what do everyone here thinks about Shem and Argos And Zingara page count. Do you think 96 pages is enough? Do you want more pages, even if it means paying more?

Personally, I would love to see at least the regional sourcebooks with a 160-page plus count again, like in Across Thunder River, Aquilonia and Stygia.

What's your opinion on this? More pages or keep the same page count?

 

[Faraer]

There's no objective best length for coverage of these nations. I'd like to see books that include what Vincent wrote, not cut down to size and not padded up to size either. Aquilonia and the Picts, relatively well detailed by Howard and others, both easily justified 200 pages; Brythunia doesn't.

On another hand, 96 pages is too short for a hardback book, with the boards as thick as the pages.

 

[The King]

160 pages books are comparatively less expensive than 96 pages books, anyway.
I would also like an adventure or two in each regional book to get the feel of the kingdom.

 

[Axerules]

There's no objective best length for coverage of these nations. I'd like to see books that include what Vincent wrote, not cut down to size and not padded up to size either. Aquilonia and the Picts, relatively well detailed by Howard and others, both easily justified 200 pages; Brythunia doesn't.

On another hand, 96 pages is too short for a hardback book, with the boards as thick as the pages.

Like I wrote it in another thread, I think that Mongoose should do a better editing work. If they publish sourcebooks of 96 pages with 15 to 20 pages of reprints, it's too much. I can accept those 15 or 20 pages in a well written 160 pages sourcebook. And if they cut some of Mr Darlage's good written text ( which shows IMO a lack of respect for the author) at least they could cut the reprints and not the new material. So I vote for 160 pages ( Ruins of Hyboria, Across Thunder River were VERY good and 160 pages long).

 

[MGBM]

In fact, Across Thunder River was 190 pages long.

 

[Axerules]

In fact, Across Thunder River was 190 pages long.

I didn't have my copy at hand when I wrote the post but you're probably right. Perhaps an entry I want 200+ pages sourcebooks :wink: could be added to the poll to further convince mongoose ?

 

[Majestic7]

I'd definetely appreciate if the books were a bit fatter. The 96-pages books just feel too thin of content, especially for hardbacks. I've left the short nation books unbought for that very reason. I'm with Axerules here - I don't really have anything new to add, just wanted to voice my support.

 

[Axerules]

There's no objective best length for coverage of these nations. (...) Aquilonia and the Picts, relatively well detailed by Howard and others, both easily justified 200 pages; Brythunia doesn't.

On another hand, 96 pages is too short for a hardback book, with the boards as thick as the pages.

I do agree about Brythunia alone : but if they release sourcebooks with more than one country : a Brythunia/Nemedia (or Border Kingdom, or all three in one) sourcebook could be 160 or 200 pages long, don't you think so ?

 

[Garet]

I voted yes to 160 pages. If say Vincent turns in 140 pages, publish it. If he turns in 180 pages pages. Dont' edit them down. Publish whats turned in and the maps, its been mention that maps were left out a few times.

 

[Padre]

The pagecount should depend on the amount of good material available. If it's 96 pages - publish 96-page book. If it's 200 - publish 200. Don't add or edit out stuff just to fit the format.

 

[The King]

What I also appreciate in the books (and shouldn't be thus edited out) is the reference to canon or canon material.
I think it is always interesting to know if something is inspired from Howard or from a pastiche author or even from comics.
Indeed I prefer it when all sources are mentionned (even if I don't believe this takes so many pages).

 

[Axerules]

What I also appreciate in the books (and shouldn't be thus edited out) is the reference to canon or canon material.
I think it is always interesting to know if something is inspired from Howard or from a pastiche author or even from comics.
Indeed I prefer it when all sources are mentionned (even if I don't believe this takes so many pages).

I do agree. It seems that Vincent Darlage attributed his sources, but they were edited out in some books (Why?). Look at this thread at Conan.com, where Dale Rippke and Vincent Darlage talked about it.