Popular
d20 Author to Pen Solo Books and Coauthor With Monte Cook
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From
the cover illustration for Mike's book
Mystic Secrets: The Lore of Word and Rune
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December
11, 2003 (Renton, Wash.)—Monte Cook proudly announces
today that respected d20 System author Mike
Mearls will join him on the staff of Malhavoc Press
as a game designer in 2004.
This
is a first for Monte's publishing house, which has never
before had need for more than one full-time designer.
"Mike Mearls is, hands down, one of the rising stars
of the d20 industry—if not the rising star,"
said Monte. "At Malhavoc we've always wanted to be
able to publish more products while still maintaining
the highest standards of quality, and with Mike on board,
we will."
The
arrangement is also a first for Mike, who has written
or co-written more than 40 books in the game industry
since 2000—always in a freelance capacity. "Working
freelance is fun, but I feel like I've finally found a
home in this industry," said Mike. "I've always
had the deepest respect for Monte's work. Together, I
think we're going to wow a lot of people,"
As
a staff designer, Mike will write d20 material exclusively
for Malhavoc Press.
"One
cool thing is that Mike and I will be working together
on a lot of projects, and that's fun," Monte said.
The first of these books is Legacy
of the Dragons, a bestiary for Monte Cook's
Arcana Unearthed, due out in May 2004 (March electronic
edition). Next, the two are writing the 64-page Book
of Hallowed Might II: Portents and Visions, scheduled
for a July 2004 release (April electronic edition).
Some
of Mike's solo projects will be support products for Monte
Cook's Arcana Unearthed. "There's no one
I'd feel more comfortable entrusting 'my baby' to than
Mike," Monte said. Mike's first Malhavoc solo effort,
Mystic Secrets: The Lore
of Word and Rune, delves further into the variant
player's handbook's unique magic system, offering in-depth
material on ceremonies, runes, variant abilities, and
magical bonds, plus new spells, magic items, and mystic
sites. Look for this 64-page sourcebook on sale in December
2004 (September electronic edition).
Mike
is also scheduled to design or codesign at least four
other books for Malhavoc Press, plus create monthly Web
content for Monte's popular site <www.montecook.com>.
Mike
Mearls has worked as a freelance roleplaying game designer
since 1999. He is the most prolific writer in the business,
and his ability to maintain a high volume of work without
compromising on quality has won him a place on many gamers'
lists of favorite designers. Buoyed by positive reaction
to his first d20 works, he went on to produce a variety
of material for the leading RPG publishers, including
AEG, Atlas Games, Decipher, Fantasy Flight, Fiery Dragon,
Goodman Games, Mongoose Publishing, Necromancer Games,
and others. His work can be found in Dragon®
Magazine on a regular basis.
Malhavoc
Press is the publisher of the award-winning Book
of Eldritch Might and the bestselling Monte
Cook's Arcana Unearthed. Hallmarks of Malhavoc products
include unusual magic, monsters, and evocative game elements
that go beyond traditional fantasy, as well as a mastery
of the d20 System rules. The company was named Best Publisher
at the EN World d20 System Award ceremony held at Gen
Con 2003. Malhavoc Press titles are available at
this site, along with free game design samples. Print
versions are published by Sword
& Sorcery™.
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