Happy Birthday, @RedPenOfDoom!

Today is my friend Andrew’s birthday. I know Andrew because he read my blog a million years ago (in internet time) and saw that I was a fan of various Steve Jackson games. At the time, Andrew worked at SJGames on some projects you may have heard of, like Chez Geek, Munchkin, GURPS 4th Edition, and several others. Andrew e-mailed me and offered to take a look at what was then the first draft of Dancing Barefoot, and we’ve been working together ever since. Andrew has played a significant part in everything good I’ve ever written, including my 2007 PAX keynote, my story Cura Te Ipsum in the second Star Trek Manga, and, of course, The Happiest Days of Our Lives.

In the acknowledgments to The Happiest Days of Our Lives, I wrote:

I couldn’t have done this without the tireless assistance, guidance, and magnificent red pen of my editor and friend, Andrew Hackard. I’ve worked with several different editors in my brief life as a full-time writer. Until I started working with Andrew, I didn’t understand why some authors would follow certain editors to the ends of the Earth to keep working with them. I also want to thank Andrew’s parents, Jim and Sandra Hackard, for creating him, making him the person he is today, and for being so supportive of our work together.

I treasure Andrew’s friendship, and I wouldn’t be half the writer I am without his Red Pen of Doom. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve called or e-mailed Andrew in a complete panic, because I just can’t find the end of something, or I’ve been working on something so long I’ve gotten too close to it and can’t figure out why it doesn’t feel right. Every time, Andrew talks me off the ledge and makes my writing better. I’d love it if everyone who reads my blog took a moment to join me in wishing him a happy birthday.

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45 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, @RedPenOfDoom!”

  5. Happy Birthday, Andrew! Thanks for playing such a nice part in getting Wil’s books from out of his head and into my bookcase at home 🙂

  20. Happy Birthday Andrew! I am glad Wil appreciates you both as a friend and editor. My birthday wish for you is that the relationship continues to be a good one and that you both prosper from it.
    Happy Holidays and have a great new year to everyone.

  23. Happy Birthday….Wil’s blog (and thus his writing) has made life at a somewhat boring writing gig a lot more bareable.
    Here’s hoping THE MAN doesn’t block the site.
    Keep up the good work.

  24. Happy Birthday….Wil’s blog (and thus his writing) has made life at a somewhat boring writing gig a lot more bareable.
    Here’s hoping THE MAN doesn’t block the site.
    Keep up the good work.

  28. A most joyous of occasions made even better by the b-day of a man who has contributed to much of my favorite gaming stuff. I take a moment to be in awe, give the mandatory “I’m not worthy!”s, and wish many more!
    F

  29. Happy Birthday Andrew!
    Thanks for shining the light so Wil can find his way when he thinks he is lost.
    BTW Red Pen of Doom is an awesome handle!

  33. Happy Holidays Wil. Thanks for the constant reminder that writers must write.
    To you and your family I wish the best non leaking roof holiday ever.
    Take Care and Be Well.
    =jason
    Ah, I have decided that you and Marc Titus of Club Trillion should both be on Bill Simmons B.S. Report whilst Ronald Jenkees composes.
    =jason

  34. Happy birthday, Andrew!
    Merry Christmas to Wil and to everyone else out there.
    “Good night, good luck, merry Christmas, and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth.”

  35. I had the opportunity to play-test the great game from Steve Jackson, Car Wars, many moons ago, at OwlCon (Houston, Rice University) in 1981. Played Ogre and expansions. Played Melee and expansions.
    You know, the cheapie plastic bag packaging, with the rule book illustrations, as packaging art? No die cut counters…bust out the scissors!

  45. Happy Belated Birthday, Andrew! A Christmas Eve baby – I hope your birthdays have not been overlooked with all the holiday rush… because it seems someone as special as you deserves to be celebrated on your day. God bless.

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