For the past few weeks I have been working on my “Secret Project”.  I have talked to several of my close friends, and discussed the idea with them, and all gave me very positive responses.  Inspired by my friend Philippe, aka The Chatty DM, I decided that I would jump off my own cliff, so to speak, and venture into the business side of Role Playing Games.

Selling XP

When I started thinking about what I would do, on the business side of the RPG world, I was sure that I did not want to write or publish anything (at least at this time).  There are plenty of people who do this, and it’s a labor of love, and not something that I think I am cut out for at this time.  I knew that the thing I wanted to do is what I have been doing with this blog, my work on Gnome Stew, and my various talks at GenCon, which is to help other GM’s.  So I thought about was the best way I could help other GM’s.  After some thought, I realized that best asset I have to offer is my experience as a GM.

Sure there are all sorts of written advice out on the blogosphere, and in numerous PDF’s and book, but those are all general advice, written by someone who is writing to a general audience.  Some of what they write will be helpful to you, and some won’t be.  What I really wanted was help GM’s who are having specific problems, and provide them specific answers.

Could I just hang out on a discussion board and help?  I could, and I have, in the past.  But discussion boards are not always the most productive forum, and are limited in the size of answers you can provide, and they are not as personal.  Besides, there are just some things about your game or your gaming group, you don’t want to post on a board.

So I decided that perhaps I could help a few GM’s at a time, I could in essence, become their private GM resource, one that they could tap when they needed some ideas, insight, etc.  A GM on call…a GM for Hire.

Who Needs A GM Fore Hire?

My idea for this service, is one that personal and specific, after all I would be working directly for you.  So rather than hijacking a discussion board post to make some tangential point, about the issue you are having, you would have a direct line to me, where you could tell me everything, in confidence, and I could council you directly.

Who can benefit from this kind of service?  Certainly newer or younger GM’s who are establishing themselves in the hobby.  After 26 years, I have seen and done a lot; ran a lot of different games, and I have a wealth of experience that I can draw upon in answering your questions, and helping you grow as a GM.  I have encountered all sorts of issues, problems, challenges, in the many campaigns I have run over the years.  There is a very good chance, that the problems you are having, I have experienced, and from my experience, I can help you resolve your specific issues.

I can be of help to more experience GM’s as well.  Most experienced GM’s are like me, older professional’s who are often married and possibly have children.  The amount of time that a more experienced GM has for session prep is limited, and the expectations of their group are much higher.  I can fill in some of that missing time for you.  I can brainstorm with you, helping you to generate ideas faster.  You can have me work up details on campaign elements that you do not have time to get finished before your game.  In this capacity, I am not solving as many of your issues, as I am helping you to generate ideas and providing material you will need for your session.

How Does It Work?

I have created a standing page on this site called GM Consulting.  This page contains the details of how I will work, and has a contact form at the bottom so that you can contact me if you are interested.    You can read all the details on the GM Consulting page.

Go ahead and read the page…I can wait.

Can This Really Work?

You got me.  I have no idea if there is any money in being a GM For Hire.  To be honest, I have a day job, that I am quite happy with, so I am not trying to make a career out of this.  Instead, I have set my goals a bit lower, and plan on using any money I make from this venture, to help fund my annual trip to GenCon.  Also, on the Consulting page, I do mention that I would barter my GM skills for some things I need for this site and for my Iron Heroes game.  Those things would be payment enough for me.

If my experience can help someone be a better GM, or help them create that great campaign, that their players never forget, then that is a worthy experience, in and of itself.  If I can make a few bucks from that, or get a new theme for my site, all the better.

What About Blogging?

I am still going to be writing here and on Gnome Stew.  None of that changes.  The GM ideas and advice that I write about here, is all generalized, and if it helps you in any way, that is great.  I enjoy writing those articles, and I enjoy interacting with the people who comment on them.

I will also be writing about my experiences as a GM For Hire, and I will let you know if there is any hope for this kind of business venture.  This will be a new experience for me, and by blogging about it, I hope to share some of that with you.

The Start Of A New Venture

So, spread the word, that there is a GM For Hire.  A GM who, for a few bucks, will share 2.5 decades of experience with you, who will work for you, to make you a better GM.

And if you are sitting there, reading this, and are at your wits end with your current campaign, gaming group, or have no idea what to run next week, contact me… I am sure I can help.