 TSR decided to create a franchise , including modules , board games , lead figures , and — for the first time — novels . Weis had been hired as an editor ; with Hickman , she began working with the author hired to write the novels . They weren 't satisfied with the author , and decided they should be the ones to write the books . They collaborated over a weekend , writing the prologue for the first five chapters of the first novel , Dragons of Autumn Twilight , based on the module Dragons of Despair . TSR liked their treatment and gave them the assignment , firing the author . After two years of development , TSR released Dragons of Autumn Twilight as a supplement to the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game . TSR had doubts about the finished novel 's sales potential , and attempted to order thirty thousand copies , ultimately ordering the minimum print run of fifty thousand . The success of the novel prompted TSR to publish more copies to meet demand . Dragonlance eventually received ancillary products such as novels , calendars , computer games , and books of artwork . 
