This is probably a strange topic... not really a topic as much as a notice. But I've now been contacted by four different people all wanting to translate In the Balance into four other languages. It's puzzling and even a little daunting. All of them found me via TalismanIsland, the FFG forums, or both. With this happening, I figure this is at least a place to post notice should anyone else have such a notion. That's all this is really about, and I apologize if anyone thinks I'm misusing the forums.

There are legal concerns in translating anything I create, as I'm an author under contract to an agent, a primary publisher, and through them several non-USA publishers. In order to keep them out of it, and not try to claim I'm giving away stuff they have a right to, I must keep rights and control of my freebie work. It's not just to protect me, but obviously to protect others, so they don't go after anyone else. As long as I retain all rights, and I chose to keep my Talisman related work free of charge by my own choice, they can't touch it or anyone who uses it or helps out in expanding upon it. And should some commercial interest be shown later (yeah, right), then there is also protection of myself and others in any negotiations of rights.

Anyone wishing to translate any of my work needs to follow these steps.

1. It's assumed that you have already downloaded the English version from TalismanIsland.com.
2. Contact me through www.NobleDead.com and tell me of your interest and what language you wish to translate into. It's possible someone else is already working on that language, though in the end, they may not complete the work. If no one is presently working in the language you proprose, then likely I'll tell you to go ahead.
3. Start a word processor document that will contain all card text in sections. I can accept most worldwide document formats, but Microsoft Word (2003 or earlier) and RTF are best.
4. Begin each section with a card's English language Title, followed immediately by the non-English version, and then a blank line. Next comes the card Type and any Subtype (found in the middle bar) in the new language, and followed by a blank line. Proceed through the rest of the card's text in like fashion, so that I can relate text in the new language in blocks to those in English. Then repeat for each card, all in one document.
5. Once completed, be certain all text is proofed for typos AND grammatics. I am pathetically monoligual, except for minor academic knowledge of some Gaelic tongues and Latin. I will not know if something is wrong in another language.
6. Next, you should consider translating any documents that came with the expansion. At the very least, do the Notice's page and instructions for use with the expansion. You can skip House Rules if you wish.
7. When all is completed, contact me again via email and arrange to send the two documents.

I will copy all text for cards into my Photoshop templates and generated clean non-English versions. The completed new version of the expansion will be publicly hosted for worldwide access and download.

All translators will be given credit in the documents translated that are package with the new language version of the cards.

Thanks for listening, JC