From: [t g ceditor] at [aol.com] (TGC Editor)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.advocacy
Subject: ATTN: SMALL PRESS/FANZINE PUBLISHERS!
Date: 8 May 1995 00:48:36 -0400

  To all of you fanzine publishers, APAzine central mailers, prozine
editors, freelance writers, small press game publishers and the like; I
would like to invite you to check out the Small Game Publishers
Assocaition! We are a growing group of amateur and professional publishers
dedicated advancing the roleplaying hobby and helping the small press game
and 'zine publishers through the pitfalls of self-publishing.

  We have many members active on America Online, and we even have our own
folder in the "Game Company Support\Publications" area. We also have
non-AOL members. All membes are treated equally, and each has an equal
voice in the association. For example, any company that joins names just
one employee to be the "voting member" of the SGPA, so your vote will not
be drowned out by another member just because they have a staff while
you're working alone.

  The Small Game Publishers Association (SGPA) Guidelines are available
upon request. It's about 4 pages of text, and forms the foundation of our
association. The Guideliens outline our goals, mission statement, and
basic "rules" (which are basic and few). If you'd like a copy, you can
either send a SASE to the address below, or send a request via e-mail to
me ([T G CEditor] at [aol.com]) and I will send them to you via e-mail.

  So far, our members include: Alderac Entertainment Group, Goldtree Ent.,
Last Unicorn Games, The Familiar Magazine, Gold Rush Games (the previous 5
being the founding Board of Directors), Brass Dragon Games, The World
Builder magazine, Bootstrap Press/Adventures Unltd. magazine, Crunchy Frog
Ent., Grey Ghost Press, Inc, Fat Messiah Games, Omni Gaming Products,
Kenzer & Company, Chris Seaman (Other Hands MERP fanzine), Donald Redick
(Fractal Dimensions), Visionary Games, Xanadu Games, and TaleWind
Productions.

  Some of the benefits include:

  * A quarterly newletter, called "Press On!", which contains tips for
publishing, recommended sources of information, such as books, etc.,
updates about the association, and so on.
  * A database listing of more than 130 distributors, both domestic and
foreign!
  * A "start-up" kit, containing blank forms for registering a copyright
or obtaining an ISSN or ISBN, plus an "ISSN/ISBN" fact sheet (FAQ).
  * Significant advertising discounts with member publications, including
The Gamer's Connection and The Familiar Magazine.
  * A 30% discount on the Storm Press publication, "How to Publish Your
Own Game."
  * and more!

  What's the catch? Well, there are membership dues to deal with. How
much? $20 per year. That's it! Just $20 per year gives you all of the
benefits mentioned above, plus we are working on more, including:

  * Access to group rate health insurance; a discount health plan just for
being a member of the SGPA!

  * A group table at major conventions, beginning in 1996; just pay your
"fair share" and you can display your product for less than you think!

  If you are interested, have any questions, or would like to see the SGPA
Guidelines, just e-mail me. Thanks for your time, and good gaming!

  Sincerely,

  Mark Arsenault
  SGPA Administrator
  P.O. Box 2531
  Elk Grove, CA 95759-2531 USA
  (916) 684-9443 (Voice/Fax)