Pathfinder Chronicler Fiction Contest

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

For a long time, the most common question people asked me about Pathfinder fiction was, "So when will we see novels?" Now that we've finally answered that one definitively—in just a few weeks, with the release of Dave Gross's inaugural Pathfinder Tales novel Prince of Wolves—the most common question is, "So how can I submit some Pathfinder fiction?" On that front, there's good news and bad news.

The bad news is that I have no idea. While I'd love to do an open call someday and review submissions in search of completely undiscovered authors, right now everyone around here is editing so hard they're bleeding from the retinas. So I might have to wait quite a while before I can open that particular can of worms.

The good news, however, is that you don't have to wait! As of late last week, the good folks over at Wayfinder and Pathfinder Chronicler have teamed up to bring you the first-ever Pathfinder Fan Fiction Contest. In addition to two runner-up prizes, the grand prize winner will receive one hundred dollars in Paizo gift certificates and have his or her story published in its entirety in Wayfinder and on Pathfinder Chronicler!

Here's how it works: Any author who hasn't been professionally published for their fiction (and if you aren't sure, you're probably eligible!) can submit a story of between 3000 and 4500 words, set in the Pathfinder campaign setting. The carefully selected judges from Wayfinder and Chronicler will narrow the submissions down to the top five stories, which will then be passed on to me. I'll review them blind (meaning without access to the authors' names), and judge the stories according to the same criteria I use when evaluating our professionally commissioned Pathfinder Tales stories. The winner and two runners-up will then be announced on October 1st.

Further details on the contest can be found at www.pathfinderchronicler.net. The contest opens to submissions August 15th, and closes September 12th. So what are you waiting for? Start dusting off those old story ideas or favorite game characters, and steel yourself for a literary battle royal! Many stories will enter, but only one will leave with the grand prize, carried out of the arena on the virtual shoulders of the Pathfinder community.

Do you have what it takes?

James L. Sutter
Fiction Editor