The Game Design Round Table podcast discusses theme, mechanics, and the intersection of the two:

http://thegamedesignroundtable.com/2013/09/23/episode-46/

Showing up to a playtest prepared:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1043322/prepping-for-playtest-tips-and-tricks?

Toy & Game Expo Young Inventors Challenge

Registration deadline: Oct. 28, 2013

Event: Nov 2, 2012

Open to children ages 6-18

http://toygameexpo.com/activities/young-inventor-challenge/

The five basics of being a game design problem solver:

http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/ScottBrodie/20130701/195392/The_Five_Basics_of_Being_a_Game_Design_Problem_Solver.php

(Written for video game designers, but largely applicable to board games.)

How to manage toxic Kickstarter backers:

http://www.stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-58-how-to-manage-toxic-backers/

“Want to build a sense of drama into your game? Keep this quote in mind:
“Drama is anticipation mingled with uncertainty.” ― William Archer”

— Brett Myers (@brettspiel)

“Make it real! Take it to the end and at least make a copy for yourself.”

— Jessica Nida of Harpy Games (@geekthumb)

“My one word of advice would be ‘iterate.’ Don’t let your game be your baby. Iterate with large changes at first, then refine as you go.”

— Steven Cole of Escape Velocity Games (@steveongames)

Designer Mike Elliott joins board game university to discuss CCGs, DBGs, keeping your day job and more:

http://boardgameuniversity.libsyn.com/board-game-university-episode-17-mike-elliott

Richard Garfield discusses luck in games

A breakdown of different turn order structures, and their pros and cons:

http://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/23312/turning-the-tables-on-player-order

Where to find chits for prototyping:

http://boardsandbarley.com/2013/09/19/sourcing-game-components-chits/

It’s not Kickstarter’s job to give you backers:

http://www.stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-57-its-not-kickstarters-job-to-give-you-backers/

Thoughts on choosing a theme:

http://scottalmes.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/on-theme/

Advice for getting your game into distribution channels:

http://www.deadlyfredly.com/2013/09/dear-deadly-trouble-getting-into-distribution/

A look at three aspects of games that determine players’ experience: choice, path and luck:

http://thefarsightlens.com/game-design-choice-path-luck/

How to effectively research other Kickstarter projects:

http://www.stonemaiergames.com/kickstarter-lesson-56-how-to-effectively-research-other-kickstarter-projects/

“No-nos” in game design: A panel of publishers and designers discuss things to avoid:

http://www.genesisoflegend.com/2013/09/episode-23-no-nos-in-game-design/

Micro Game Challenge

Deadline: Nov. 18, 2013

Prizes: up to $150

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/micro-game-challenge

A Reddit discussion about when to give up on a design:

http://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/1mims4/dont_give_up_is_bad_advice/