When reading over the submission guidelines for Critical Treats I came across a couple questions.
The guidelines say limit your submission to a strict 750-1000 words. How do stat blocks play into this? Do they not count or do only the words count? What about when righting out the SA and SQ or a creature that has a long description of it's abilities?
The article I wish to submit uses a feat from Complete Warrior. Obviously the feat would be reprinted so the Threat would be useable to those without the source. Does the feat apply to the word count? Also in school 1 and 2 letter words, plus 'the' weren't to be counted on word count based essays, etc. How specific is Paizo on the 'strict 750-1000' word count?
My main concern is that I have a great history and tactics section that is hard to cut down without leaving a vagueness that could very well get the idea trashed. However when adding in the feat description and the word portions of his stat block the count is going to be kind of high (not necessarily over 1000), and this is without knowing if the numbered portions of the stat block count. Also I plan to submit a possible web enhancement on the guy. This optional information makes the villain much more usable but is completely optional. Will I been 'penalized' for including this extra portion since it will place me above the 1000 word count?
I know this can be a 'by the case' kind of question but I don't want to give away my ideas on the open forum. If Paizo needs more information to answer my messages please post where to direct my email and/or email me (I have automatic Spam deletion so I'd prefer you to post as well as email in case you don't go to my mailbox).
Thank you for your time.
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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The stat blocks count against the total word count. So do any reprinted feats or nonstandard rules items. Therefore, it is unwise to load your critical threat with such material. We greatly prefer "new" rules items to regurgitated stuff, especially when we're only talking about a 2-page article.
We are very strict on the word count. None of this "the" doesn't count business. It's a factor of how many words fit on a page. Use the word count tool in your software, and treat it as gospel. We'd probably consider something that went 50 words over, but we'll auto-reject anything beyond that.
It's an issue of physics, rather than preference.
Everything counts against your word count.
--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon
Thanks again for the clarifications. However will including the possible web enhancement cause a rejection? Keep in mind the article is not at all dependent on the enhancement and it wouldn't hurt anything if it isn't accepted with the article. I just know many have voiced their opinion on wanting the extra material when available.
Again thank you for responding Erik.
Thanks again for the clarifications. However will including the possible web enhancement cause a rejection? Keep in mind the article is not at all dependent on the enhancement and it wouldn't hurt anything if it isn't accepted with the article. I just know many have voiced their opinion on wanting the extra material when available.
Again thank you for responding Erik.
Rikkus - just a note... according to the submission guidelines (and I did check to make sure the current ones match what I had in my records) the word count for campaign workbook articles, including critical threats, is 1100-1250, so you should be okay.
Another word count/generic submission question... the guidelines suggest that an author's bio is mandatory on all articles, but the campaign workbook articles don't HAVE a printed author's bio section... do we need to include an author's bio in these? 25 words may not seem like a lot, but when you're only working with 1100-1250 words, it can be crucial.
Thanks,
Ashavan