Fred Hicks
@deadlyfredly.bsky.social
President of Evil Hat (I publish Fate, Blades in the Dark, Monster of the Week, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, &c). Liberal in politics, reposting, & use of the block button. Be advised, I limit parasociality when I can. Permanently in AMA mode (so ask).
Pinned
Fred Hicks
@deadlyfredly.bsky.social
· Oct 25
And perhaps most importantly, there is no "right" level of appetite for risk. It's something you'll have to come to on your own and, should circumstances change, possibly revise.
The thing you *shouldn't* do is find someone successful and emulate their posture.
The thing you *shouldn't* do is find someone successful and emulate their posture.
The fact that I am here and able to share numbers and give looks under the hood is because we’ve survived.
Survivor bias is in effect. If you’re not also learning from companies that failed you’re ignoring a ton of relevant data.
Survivor bias is in effect. If you’re not also learning from companies that failed you’re ignoring a ton of relevant data.
No shade to those who haven't, but I beg you, please don't sign on for royalty payment deals without an up-front advance payment made against those royalties. Looking at the whole field, many projects never "earn out". Advances give you *something* even in that case, otherwise, you worked for free.
February 9, 2026 at 3:50 PM
No shade to those who haven't, but I beg you, please don't sign on for royalty payment deals without an up-front advance payment made against those royalties. Looking at the whole field, many projects never "earn out". Advances give you *something* even in that case, otherwise, you worked for free.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 AM
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
Reposted by Fred Hicks
(update 2/9): i accidentally conflated two emails received (one in August and one in December). i've corrected the relevant paragraph and made a note of the error. i apologize for the mistake
February 9, 2026 at 3:08 PM
(update 2/9): i accidentally conflated two emails received (one in August and one in December). i've corrected the relevant paragraph and made a note of the error. i apologize for the mistake
Reposted by Fred Hicks
She got spousal rape banned in California. Now 85, her fortune went to building a million-page women’s history archive — and to a Ponzi scheme.
Laura X got spousal rape banned in California. At 85, she scrapes by in a Berkeley hotel room
She got spousal rape banned in California. Now 85, her fortune went to building a million-page women’s history archive — and to a Ponzi scheme.
www.berkeleyside.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
She got spousal rape banned in California. Now 85, her fortune went to building a million-page women’s history archive — and to a Ponzi scheme.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
February 9, 2026 at 4:47 AM
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Good grief. What a read. Polygon on why the Vecna Eve of Ruin adventure (and so much more) fell flat.
www.polygon.com/dnd-5e-final...
www.polygon.com/dnd-5e-final...
D&D’s version of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ was supposed to close 5e, but we’ll never see it
Ever wondered about all those obelisks in 5e?
www.polygon.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Good grief. What a read. Polygon on why the Vecna Eve of Ruin adventure (and so much more) fell flat.
www.polygon.com/dnd-5e-final...
www.polygon.com/dnd-5e-final...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
There is probably a megathread coming about modularity and modern game design, and I want to boost this because it’s a great frame of what I mean by “modular”, and an acknowledgment that this definition is not universal.
I see modular as a game design where core subsystems can be added, removed, or replaced with minimal cascading changes to other subsystems, without breaking game's functionality.
February 9, 2026 at 11:49 AM
There is probably a megathread coming about modularity and modern game design, and I want to boost this because it’s a great frame of what I mean by “modular”, and an acknowledgment that this definition is not universal.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
To be very clear, that lady in the NYT article is not making any money with her hundreds of AI slop books.
She makes money by *convincing people* she makes money that way and getting them to pay her to teach them how to do it.
It's an evolved MLM, and the NYT is helping market it.
She makes money by *convincing people* she makes money that way and getting them to pay her to teach them how to do it.
It's an evolved MLM, and the NYT is helping market it.
February 8, 2026 at 8:03 PM
To be very clear, that lady in the NYT article is not making any money with her hundreds of AI slop books.
She makes money by *convincing people* she makes money that way and getting them to pay her to teach them how to do it.
It's an evolved MLM, and the NYT is helping market it.
She makes money by *convincing people* she makes money that way and getting them to pay her to teach them how to do it.
It's an evolved MLM, and the NYT is helping market it.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Anne Frank died from a typhus epidemic that spread through the concentration camp where she was imprisoned.
Two active cases of tuberculosis and 18 cases of COVID-19 have been identified at a massive immigration detention center in El Paso, according to the local Democratic member of Congress.
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/07/i...
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/07/i...
Two tuberculosis cases detected at Camp East Montana ICE facility
Eighteen cases of COVID-19 were also identified. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar on Friday visited the 5,000-bed tent facility on the Fort Bliss Army base and said she saw many "chronic issues."
www.texastribune.org
February 7, 2026 at 11:35 PM
Anne Frank died from a typhus epidemic that spread through the concentration camp where she was imprisoned.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Here is the segment. Get on it Magic community. Need to see a Casual Magic interview and a Shuffle Up and Play with her stat!
youtu.be/5sg9awJFZ0c?...
youtu.be/5sg9awJFZ0c?...
February 8, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Here is the segment. Get on it Magic community. Need to see a Casual Magic interview and a Shuffle Up and Play with her stat!
youtu.be/5sg9awJFZ0c?...
youtu.be/5sg9awJFZ0c?...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
FAMU can't use the word Black on anything posted around campus related to Black History Month, to stay in compliance with Florida state laws against DEI. Black students can't use the word Black at their Historically Black College during Black History Month.
February 8, 2026 at 2:28 PM
FAMU can't use the word Black on anything posted around campus related to Black History Month, to stay in compliance with Florida state laws against DEI. Black students can't use the word Black at their Historically Black College during Black History Month.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
^^This^^
Even with concerted effort to move sales to retailers and consumers direct, it's really hard to replace a single distribution customer who is buying a few hundred to several hundred titles every month.
Even with concerted effort to move sales to retailers and consumers direct, it's really hard to replace a single distribution customer who is buying a few hundred to several hundred titles every month.
February 8, 2026 at 3:57 PM
^^This^^
Even with concerted effort to move sales to retailers and consumers direct, it's really hard to replace a single distribution customer who is buying a few hundred to several hundred titles every month.
Even with concerted effort to move sales to retailers and consumers direct, it's really hard to replace a single distribution customer who is buying a few hundred to several hundred titles every month.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
To come back to the “losing money on the Kickstarter” angle - one reason this practice works for established publishers (and is a bad idea for others) is that they can have a high level of confidence that they’ll be able to move their inventory.
February 8, 2026 at 3:44 PM
To come back to the “losing money on the Kickstarter” angle - one reason this practice works for established publishers (and is a bad idea for others) is that they can have a high level of confidence that they’ll be able to move their inventory.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
This is a big part of why businesses seem to obsess on finding the right price point. No one wants to be forced out of business by a success, and that is DEFINITELY true of RPGs. Underpricing a book can really hurt you.
Ok, so why does that matter?
Ok, so why does that matter?
February 8, 2026 at 3:17 PM
This is a big part of why businesses seem to obsess on finding the right price point. No one wants to be forced out of business by a success, and that is DEFINITELY true of RPGs. Underpricing a book can really hurt you.
Ok, so why does that matter?
Ok, so why does that matter?
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Reposted by Fred Hicks
I have fucked up good and proper many times in my life and in RPGdom, and there are folks with legitimate beef, but nobody has ever *mythologized* me as evil the way they do for the queer artists I know who've had commercial success, *especially* Jay.
It's always wild to watch.
It's always wild to watch.
February 7, 2026 at 5:35 PM
I have fucked up good and proper many times in my life and in RPGdom, and there are folks with legitimate beef, but nobody has ever *mythologized* me as evil the way they do for the queer artists I know who've had commercial success, *especially* Jay.
It's always wild to watch.
It's always wild to watch.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Fred Hicks
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
It is kind of delightful to me that the entire nation is now getting to learn the name of our (excellent) county executive.
(And, yes, the campaign signs WERE a little odd to see at first.)
(And, yes, the campaign signs WERE a little odd to see at first.)
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
I stand with County Executive Calvin Ball as he signs emergency legislation today prohibiting privately owned buildings from being used as ICE detention centers.
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
February 7, 2026 at 3:24 PM
It is kind of delightful to me that the entire nation is now getting to learn the name of our (excellent) county executive.
(And, yes, the campaign signs WERE a little odd to see at first.)
(And, yes, the campaign signs WERE a little odd to see at first.)
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Just to hit the numbers, the freelancers here were paid in full (though a payment was delayed), and over $2 per word, and when a buyout was offered as a way to get a 2nd edition going, asked for $20+/word further as their opener, then lowered it to an extra $2.50/word, then back to an added $6/word.
a response to the @rascal.news article on yazeba's bed & breakfast, clarifying some misunderstandings and (hopefully) providing a clearer explanation of what happened
possumcreek.medium.com/a-response-t...
possumcreek.medium.com/a-response-t...
February 7, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Just to hit the numbers, the freelancers here were paid in full (though a payment was delayed), and over $2 per word, and when a buyout was offered as a way to get a 2nd edition going, asked for $20+/word further as their opener, then lowered it to an extra $2.50/word, then back to an added $6/word.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
I feel like Levi has hit the nail on the head here, because while it’s really clear that there are a lot of emotions in play here, the *business* story here was pretty mundane, and not terribly persuasive of anything nefarious.
This is not to say these people can't possibly have some kind of legitimate beef with Jay. Maybe they do! But these numbers ain't it, and they certainly don't make any other complaint paired with or springboarding off them them look *stronger.*
February 7, 2026 at 3:34 PM
I feel like Levi has hit the nail on the head here, because while it’s really clear that there are a lot of emotions in play here, the *business* story here was pretty mundane, and not terribly persuasive of anything nefarious.
Look, I had some very reasonable concerns about the new growths.
Friday night D&D, and we hit 3rd level, and our Sorcerer is trying to determine if the scales sprouting across his body are some manner of health risk. The Warlock is *pretty* sure they're not lethal.
February 7, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Look, I had some very reasonable concerns about the new growths.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
... and you can play Gentleman Scoundrel, a solo+ Blades in the Dark poetry RPG, with these beauties 💅
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
February 3, 2026 at 8:20 PM
... and you can play Gentleman Scoundrel, a solo+ Blades in the Dark poetry RPG, with these beauties 💅
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
Reposted by Fred Hicks
This is a great thread from Tim on how graphic design and layout can speak to your readers.
In celebration of the imminent Blades ‘68 campaign, I thought I’d talk a bit about its graphic design.
BUT FIRST let’s compare and contrast with the graphic design of Blades in the Dark, a landmark in the history of RPG layout.
Type nerdery ahoy 🧐
BUT FIRST let’s compare and contrast with the graphic design of Blades in the Dark, a landmark in the history of RPG layout.
Type nerdery ahoy 🧐
February 3, 2026 at 9:26 AM
This is a great thread from Tim on how graphic design and layout can speak to your readers.
Reposted by Fred Hicks
Blades '68 launches Tuesday! This official expansion for Blades in the Dark twists the kaleidoscope of tone and genre.
Subversive spy games, daring heists, and paranormal mindbenders await you under the radiating light of an artificial sun.
Enter the Bluetime:
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Subversive spy games, daring heists, and paranormal mindbenders await you under the radiating light of an artificial sun.
Enter the Bluetime:
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
February 4, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Blades '68 launches Tuesday! This official expansion for Blades in the Dark twists the kaleidoscope of tone and genre.
Subversive spy games, daring heists, and paranormal mindbenders await you under the radiating light of an artificial sun.
Enter the Bluetime:
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...
Subversive spy games, daring heists, and paranormal mindbenders await you under the radiating light of an artificial sun.
Enter the Bluetime:
www.backerkit.com/call_to_acti...