Updates

I wanted to share where things stand and what’s been happening behind the scenes.

The corebook went into final edit and review last week. This is the last major pass before layout, and it’s focused on tightening the text, consistency, and making sure the book reads clean and strong from front to back.

Over the last stretch, I expanded the book in some important ways:

In short, the book is bigger, deeper, and more usable than the earlier drafts.

On the art side, I’m actively working through it now. That includes the backer character art. Some of those have already gone out, and the rest should be wrapped up this week. At the same time, I’m continuing to push forward on the rest of the book’s illustrations and layout assets.

I know we’ve been delayed, and I do genuinely apologize for that. Work on the other books has been ongoing in parallel, and the plan is for those to move straight into editing as soon as the corebook comes back to me for layout. This hasn’t been idle time. It’s been a matter of making sure the foundation is solid before everything else locks into place.

I know waiting sucks. I know you’re excited. I am too. But I’m confident this extra time is paying off in a better, stronger, more complete book, and I think you’ll feel that when it’s in your hands.

Thank you, sincerely, for your patience and your support. It means more than I can easily put into words.

It’s been a busy month, especially with holidays. A lot of work happening behind the scenes, and most of it is good news.

The big thing: the corebook is shaping up to be larger than originally planned. I went into this wanting the core book to feel complete, not just “good enough until the supplements.” As I kept building, it became clear that what needs to be in the core ended up being more than the original scope. I’m okay with that. I’d rather deliver a solid, definitive book than rush something thin.

At this point, the manuscript itself is done and in review for the most part. What I’m actively working on now is the creatures and monsters, deciding what absolutely belongs in the corebook versus what makes more sense to save for regional guides and what really covers the core game needs. That’s taking some thought, and it’s one of the reasons for a slight delay. I know we’re running a bit behind, but I want this to land right.

On the art front:

Meanwhile, Lucus and Geoff are deep into reviewing the text. . . tightening, checking tone, consistency, and making sure everything holds together (and I am not rambling on incoherently). Once that pass is done, we’re ready to move straight into layout.

Right now, my target is to have Folklore Americana out in early February. Once the corebook is across the finish line, the other books should move along much faster since they’re already well into development.

As always, I appreciate the patience. I’m not dragging my feet, I’m making sure this thing is the book it deserves to be after wanting to make it for so long.

More soon.

 This collection of RPG products is up now, and every dollar helps local families and charities through my friend Taylor Hubler and a couple of hometown organizations doing real, needed work.

Grab your bundle here:
 https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/548711/WinterRelief-BUNDLE

This is a great way to pick up some of our products you might have missed as well as grab some great content from our friends and fellow publishers! 

Please share. Please spread the word.
Thanks to everyone who contributed and supported this effort.

—Rick

I want to give you a clear and honest look at where Folklore Americana stands. We are running a bit behind schedule, and that’s on me.

As I moved deeper into final development, I realized several sections I had previously marked “done” needed to be clearer, stronger, and more consistent. Instead of patching holes later, I chose to overhaul those parts now. That meant expanding multiple chapters, tightening the rules, sharpening the tone, and adding new material that genuinely enriches the game: additional Callings, more equipment, expanded folk magic, and a broader set of tools that will carry this entire line for years to come.

At the same time, the art is taking longer because I’m insisting on a unified look, one that feels lived-in, grim, and true to the era. I want every illustration to serve the setting, not just decorate it. That takes time, but it’s worth doing right.

So yes, we are delayed. But the delay isn’t from disorganization or lack of progress. It comes from investing fully in making this book exceptional, a foundation strong enough to support all the region guides, adventures, and expansions we have planned. The work is getting better, richer, and more comprehensive with every pass. 

I’ll continue updating you as we lock sections down and move through the remaining art and layout. Thank you for your patience, and I promise it will be worth it. I’m pouring everything I have into Folklore Americana, and I can’t wait to show you what’s coming.

More soon,
 Rick

Folks,

I want to address something directly and without dancing around it. One of our pledge levels listed “The full digital and PoD experience”, and its description mentioned “all Stretch Goals included.”
 
Our intention - internally, as the people building Folklore Americana — was always that this meant stretch goals tied to Folklore Americana itself.

However, many of you read that phrasing as everything unlocked across the campaign, including the optional Add-Ons. And that’s on us. Add-Ons have always been treated as bonus material: extra books, niche content, or older projects offered at a special rate. But when several people interpret a sentence differently than we expected, that’s a sign that our wording wasn’t as clear as we believed.

We weren’t trying to mislead anyone or pull a fast one. We simply made the classic mistake of assuming that what’s obvious from our side of the fence is just as obvious from yours. When you’re deep in the weeds on a project, certain distinctions feel second nature - until you realize they weren’t communicated plainly enough.

So let me say this clearly: I’m sorry for the confusion.
 
You deserve clarity, respect, and straightforward expectations, and you’ll always get that from me.

Folklore Americana is shaping up to be the biggest and most meaningful project we’ve ever done under Kids in the Attic. I want every one of you to feel confident in what you pledged for and proud to be part of this with us.

Thank you for your patience, your trust, and your support.

Stretch Goals as Included with the Pledge Tiers.

—Rick
 Kids in the Attic / Red Stag Media LLC