Industry Questions Options

[krishcane]

Adam, would it be possible to take one of the freelancer submissions that were well-received and make it publicy available as an example of what a submission should be like? It doesn't have to have been a successful submission (although that'd be great) -- but just one that was felt to be appropriately written.

I submitted a concept last year sometime, and I never heard a word back. Either it got lost in the mail, or it just didn't stimulate anyone. I'd be neat to compare what I wrote to an "ideal submission" to see if it was missing major needs. I read the freelancer submission criteria meticulously, but perhaps I interpretated something incorrectly.

I'm also not sure how to submit on a project that I know is already being considered, such as the Critters behavior and "how to use" concept that was kicked around on DSF awhile back. I have ideas for that-- but how do I sketch a contribution to a larger project?

Thanks in advance for your kind reply.

--K

[Pistons]

[krishcane]

1. That would be awesome! Thank you so much! In fact, if Adam/Rob/you are cool with it, maybe it should even go on the srrpg.com webpage, now that I think of it. Regardless, I will enjoy reading it.

2. Good point. I should send a follow-up email. It was indeed an unsolicited book concept, which I know is the longest possible shot for freelancing. I just got inspired, so I sent it to start thoughts flowing.

3. Cool. Thanks. I'll need to sit down and put together my "Running Wild" concept contribution on animal behavior and psychology (ie. how to GM critters the cool way).

--K

[JongWK]

Adam, what's the exact release order and estimated ETA for Shadowrun's books? Some of us are interested in SotA:2064, and it wouldn't hurt to know when we should be pitching for it. :)

[Shadowrunner13]

Howdy. :)

I really like the addition of fiction to the Shadowrun home page. It gives people who might be considering picking up Shadowrun material a feel for the Shadowrun world, even if in small bursts.

How would one get involved in submitting a piece of fiction for the website? Will only certain writers be approached? Or if I had a story idea, or an actual piece written that I wanted to submit, could I?

Continuing on the hypothesis that I could get involved, are there guidelines for short story submissions? Length requirements, topic limitations, etc.

Thanks!

SR13

[Pistons]

How would one get involved in submitting a piece of fiction for the website?
You'd be talking to me. :)

Will only certain writers be approached?
Nope. I have a preference for current freelancers, but others may submit proposals to me as well.

Or if I had a story idea, or an actual piece written that I wanted to submit, could I?
Yep. I prefer story ideas, because they can be reworked more easily than an already finished piece if either aren't quite what I'm looking for, but I'll at least look at either.

Continuing on the hypothesis that I could get involved, are there guidelines for short story submissions? Length requirements, topic limitations, etc.
Absolutely.

In a nutshell, these are the guidelines:
* Length: Approximately 5,000 words maximum. It would be better to have fiction a little shorter than that, but I'm not going to turn down something just because it's approaching 6,000 words. Just shoot for that ceiling, and don't sweat it if you overshoot a little.
* File Format: RTF (rich text files), please. This ensures cross-platform readability. Most folks I know have Word 2000 or some other incarnation of MS Word for Windows, but I know some of you have Macs or other word processing programs. All platforms and programs, however, can use RTF. Using the default 12pt Times New Roman is preferred, as is using Arial or Helvetica. Single spaced lines, double-spaced between paragraphs, no indent. Attach and send it to me via email to: drgnfyre AT netcarrier DOT com.
* No novels, serial or otherwise. Right now, the fiction goes up every two months, and I'd like to have different stories from different people. You may tell stories that involve the same character each time, or even stories that are somehow linked in some way, but that's as close to novels as I want to see. :) If you want to go that route, just pitch each story and not the group of them at once. See the second sentence.
* Spellcheck. I'll be checking over each story before I hand them off to be put on the web. I expect that now and then, typos, an odd misspelling or grammar problem will pop up, and I will correct those. However, I prefer that you proofread your entries before you hand them to me, whether it is a first draft or final draft.
* Feedback: You can expect this from me. It may take me a while to send some to you, but I will at least send you *something.* Generally, I'll let you know what worked and what didn't, and give some suggestions on how to improve the story. If I send you no feedback other than "it's good," I mean just that, and it will likely be put on the web as-is (along with any of the aforementioned needed corrections).
* Proposals: As I said earlier, please send me a proposal first. That way we don't waste each other's time if I'm not sold on your story and you'd prefer not to change it. If you have a good story idea and are not sure how you want to develop it, I'd be happy to give you some suggestions. It would be better if you already know what you'd like to write, however. Your proposal can be as informal as "What do you think about this?" and giving me a rundown, or as formal as a synopsis and outline. In the case of the latter, please attach them to your email.
* What I'm looking for: Give me street. Could be high-end, could be low-end. Could be a newbie runner hitting the Stuffer Shack, with moral quandaries or hijinks ensuing, could be someone who breakfasts with Jaguar Guards... but make it believable. Make it feel real. Please don't give me a Mary Sue, because I can smell them from a mile away. :) Writing stories that use your own characters are okay, but see above. If you're not sure that you can use existing Shadowrun signature characters, then it may be better off not to use them. If you're still not sure, then ask me. Right now, I have a "hands-off" policy in regard to WizKids' Duels characters. This is for everyone's protection.
* Compensation: Yes, you get some. When I've accepted your story and handed it off for web publication, please give me your name and mailing address so that I can give it to Rob. He will send you a book (you may need to discuss with him which one -- sorry, I don't think he's got any copies of UB laying around :)), or, if you have all the books, you will get a $25 gift certificate.

I think that about covers it. If you have any additional questions, send me an email or PM.

[Shadowrunner13]

Sweet! Thanks, Pistons!

I'll be sending you a formal proposal soon.

SR13

[Adam]

[JongWK]

[Ditaki]

Hmmm...I'll seriously have to look into trying out for the writing...

*hurries off to make plans*

[XON2000]

Since we're talking about behind-the-scenes industry stuff, I thought some of you might like to see this article, from Pinnacle's web site:

http://www.peginc.com/ShootingBlind/Sparkt...SparktoPB01.htm

The most interesting part is the third segment, which discusses actual numbers of print runs, printing costs, and such.

X

[JongWK]

What follows is something Lou Prosperi told me while discussing some ideas, and that we agreed it would be best for all to know. I've heard this before from other writers, but Mr.Prosperi sums it up in a few paragraphs:

[nezumi]

Wow, this thread has been dead for a while...

My wife is currently attending art school and her teacher suggested working on getting published. She does mostly fantasy art. She prefers the Other Game/D20 mechanics, but has really fallen in love with the SR metaplot (she's been buying me modules like Harlequins Back, then asking me how everything ties together. I'm wondering why she doesn't just read the books herself, but whatever.) I mentioned that FanPro hires freelance artists, and has been taking a lot of flak for having bad art, even though art is ungodly expensive. Since she wants the resume buffer and experience more than the money, she'd love to do art for SR and would do it cheap. Unfortunately, the artist guidelines are pretty skimpy compared to the writer guidelines.

So I ask then, what should she do? Her work is largely computer generated, although she uses other things too (beyond crayons, I'm really not up with art. She has paints and really expensive pens she uses.) Are there any particular mediums FanPro looks for? Is there a particular style or content they want in the samples? Are the artists for the upcoming books already chosen? Would she get more consideration if she mentioned she'd accept lower pay? What is the average pay to begin with? She does a lot of fantasy stuff, but isn't so good with the mecha/cyber things yet, would that cause a problem?

In case anyone is curious, her website is www.tigerterritory.com , but looking over it, it doesn't look like she's added anything in almost two years.