I've put a lot of hours into playing Skyrim, but haven't spent a lot of time creating mods. For my first foray, I thought I'd try remaking the "No Tint and Desaturation" mod that's up on Nexus (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/648//?), as it was made pre-CK and the author has had no activity since Jan 2012 (and I like its affects but want a proper esp made with the CK).

I downloaded the "NoTint.esm" file, and opened it in TES5Edit, and then remade the same changes in the CK to a new plugin I called "NoTintRemake.esp". When I was finished, I compared my .esp to the original .esm; they matched. Added it to my game and it works beautifully (if I do say so myself ).

So, here's where I have questions:

First, I was thinking about putting the mod on Nexus (with credits and links to the original); should I attempt to contact the original mod author or after a year and a half of inactivity assume no need?

Second - once you've saved the .esp in the CK, how do you generate the bsa/archive that then gets uploaded to Nexus?

Any other advice or information I should know before making my mod public?