Tales of Peril [currently out-of-print]

[Zenopus]

Here's exciting news for fans of Boinger and Zereth. I've been authorized to share a teaser for a compilation of their stories to be released in a few months:

BLACK BLADE PUBLISHING’S NEW PRODUCT LINEUP

Tales of Peril - The Complete Boinger and Zereth Stories of John Eric Holmes - edited by Allan T. Grohe Jr.

Tales of Peril is Black Blade’s first foray into publishing fiction, and collects all of the Boinger and Zereth dungeon adventure stories written by John Eric Holmes (best known for editing the first Basic Set in 1977). Featuring the novella The Maze of Peril, eight other short stories, and Holmes’ seminal article “Confessions of a Dungeon Master”. Allan Grohe, Chris Holmes, and Zach Howard contribute introductions and the annotated Holmes bibliography. Coming in June 2015.

(From the back cover of Black Blade Publishing's reprint of Rob Kuntz's module CAS2 Tower of Blood)

More info to follow in the upcoming weeks. Also posted on the blog.

[roaktheunknowable]

Thanks for the head's up Zenopus! I can not wait! This should be awesome. Cheers

[Vile Traveller]

Can't wait ... will be interesting to see if there will be any editing (such as changing "Xereth" to "Zereth"). I hope there will also be an ebook! Although I actually have one for all the short stories already because I typed them up myself.

[grodog]

Thanks for your interest, guys.

Vile: the initial release will be print, but we are investigating .mobi and .epub formats too. As part of editing, I have normalized the spelling of Zereth.

And you don't have _all_ of the short stories: one in the volume is previously unpublished

Allan.

[Vile Traveller]

Actually I doubt I even have all the stories minus one.

[roaktheunknowable]

This keeps getting better! A new story? That is great news. I think I have read the ones I have over and over but they never fail to bring a smile to my face. Thanks again Allan for doing this. It is a great Tribute to J Eric Holmes and Chris! Much thanks to them as well. Cheers

[Merctime]

Man, I'm all over this!

[kenmeister]

I will definitely be purchasing this.

[roaktheunknowable]

Any updates on this? I know it comes out in June but I can't wait! Thanks in advance. Cheers

[grodog]

May 25, 2015 15:35:17 GMT -6 roaktheunknowable said:

Any updates on this? I know it comes out in June but I can't wait! Thanks in advance. Cheers

We slowed down the production process when it became clear that we wouldn't make it to print in time for NTX, roaktheunknowable. That'll allow us to complete the book properly, instead of risking its quality by rushing the book to press for the con.

We knew that trying to get it for early June would be pushing it (and it was), so I'll let you know when we have a more definite timeframe.

Allan.

[Merctime]

Eagerly awaiting further news when it comes available here!!!

This may well in fact become required reading in my home game

[roaktheunknowable]

Thanks for the update Allan. Will be checking in for any updates. Looking forward to this very much. Thanks again! Cheers

[Vile Traveller]

Any updates on the publication date, Allan?

[roaktheunknowable]

Hey there! Also interested in any updates available. Know it takes time so no worries if it is still a ways off just excited about the book. Cheers

[grodog]

Here's some more info about the book, for those who haven't seen the previews on my blog @ grodog.blogspot.com/

==

Front Cover artwork by Ian Baggley:



Tales of Peril: The Complete Boinger and Zereth Stories of John Eric Holmes

Published by Black Blade Publishing
Printed in the USA

334 pages
Signed and Numbered Limited Edition Hardcover with Dustjacket
200 copies signed by Chris Holmes, Zach Howard, Allan Grohe
46 signed, non-numbered copies (comp and contributor copies, spares for losses in the mail, etc.)

ISBN 978-0-9842870-7-9
BP5000
$35

Contents

Table of Contents
List of Illustrations and Artwork
Introduction by Allan T. Grohe Jr.

FICTION

Preface to The Maze of Peril by Chris Holmes
The Maze of Peril
Entrances
Dark Water
Green Cloak
Centaurs and Clerics
Theft and Pursuit
An Unusual Ride
The Second Descent
Battles in the Dark
Visible and Invisible
Breakout
Resolutions

Alarums & Excursions Campaign Materials
“Warrior for Hire”
“Were-Shark”
“The Adventure of the Giant Chameleon” by John Eric Holmes and Chris Holmes
“Adventure of the Lost City, Part One”
“Adventure of the Lost City, Part Two”

Dragon Magazine Stories

Preface to “Trollshead”
“Trollshead”

Preface to “The Sorcerer's Jewel”
“The Sorcerer's Jewel”
Preface to “In the Bag”
“In the Bag”

Unpublished Short Story
Preface to “Witch Doctor”
“Witch Doctor”

NON-FICTION

“Confessions of a Dungeon Master”
“Boinger & Zereth Player Character Summaries and Character Card Scans” by Chris Holmes
“My Time as Murray” by Eric M. Frasier
“The Writings of Dr. J. Eric Holmes” by Zach Howard
“Annotated Bibliography for J. Eric Holmes, 1930-2010” by Zach Howard
“Afterword” by Chris Holmes
Contributor Biographies

Allan.

[foxroe]

Nice! Approximate release date?

[grodog]

May 23, 2017 0:10:01 GMT -6 foxroe said:

Nice! Approximate release date?

June 1st, Todd

Allan.

[roaktheunknowable]

This is all so awesome! How do we order and can we preorder? Thanks again for this wonderful update! Cheers

[grodog]

Black Blade Publishing received shipping confirmation from our printer for _Tales of Peril_, and it will arrive at the North Texas RPG Con the day before the convention opens! =)

roaktheunknowable: We'll post when the book is available for sale after we return from the NTX RPG Con (1-4 June). So, Jon or I will make an announcement through the usual social media channels sometime after 6 June, or so.

Allan.

[roaktheunknowable]

Thanks Alan! I sure want to get a copy and a hardcover signed by you all! Forgot to say I really love the cover art! The galley and deep ones are awesome! Thanks again!!! Cheers

[grodog]

May 26, 2017 17:47:35 GMT -6 roaktheunknowable said:

Thanks Alan! I sure want to get a copy and a hardcover signed by you all! Forgot to say I really love the cover art! The galley and deep ones are awesome! Thanks again!!! Cheers

You're quite welcome, and thank you for your interest!

Allan.

[Zenopus]

It's in print! Allan posted this picture from the Black Blade booth at North Texas just a little while ago:



Update: I wrote a blog post to go with this photo: Tales of Peril in print!

[Vile Traveller]

Can't wait for this to become generally available.

[roaktheunknowable]

Jun 2, 2017 0:17:42 GMT -6 Vile Traveller said:

Can't wait for this to become generally available.

I second and third this! Wow! It looks beautiful. You all have done a wonderful job and I know J Eric would be most proud. Thanks for all the hard work. Boinger and Zereth Lives!!!! Cheers

[foxroe]

This is gonna be good.

[roaktheunknowable]

Hope we will hear when these beautiful books become available. I know what I want for Father's Day!!!! Cheers

[roaktheunknowable]

Any news yet? Cheers

[kenmeister]

[grodog]

Jon and I need to finish the postal shipping options research, but we're pretty close. Should have an update soon!

Allan.

[grodog]

Jun 15, 2017 11:39:38 GMT -6 kenmeister said:

Yes, unfortunately the web site is still hosed, and will likely remain so for the near term. We'll post details on ordering Tales of Peril both here in the forums, and on G+ and FB, and likely in my blog too.

Allan.