It has been a while since I updated the Blog, but things have been far from quiet.
The Good News:
We should publish in time for Little Wars Melbourne. It will probably be a 96 page A4 Hardcover
"Wargamers Guide to the Australian Civil War - 1933"
Now for the story.
I completed the edited draft of the manuscript in early December 2015, and gave it to someone for review and sought opinion from numerous people. It was running to 70,000 words (a 400 page novel is 80,000) and I had not completed the appendices. It included everything people had said they wanted to see, or at least my interpretation of it.
The general consensus was that it was a complete guide to the lead up to, and beginning of the conflict. People were startled at some of the detail I had found and learnt a lot about the period in Australia, but, there is always a but.
But it read as a piece of non-fiction, a history book. It was to detailed, too much information. Wargamers wanted a more quick reference guide they could turn to the various factions and understand its place, allies and enemies, potential uniforms, military capability and organisation. I admit I had set out to be as close to historically accurate as events would allow, and not prescribe where possible.
So, with a draft faction approved by all, it has been a rewrite and restructure. I hope to complete it by the end of January and get it into editor and reviewers hands. Writing and maps are going well, so here's to publication.
The information is not lost, I still intend to publish the history book as I now call it. It will probably be a PDF available through Wargames Vault, and will have about 50% new material.
Matt
