What sorts of articles of the type that you regularly publish do you find that you get the least amount of submissions for?
I ask for the benifit of potential writers out there... I know from experience that it can be alot harder to sell an article to a magazine if they already have enough of that type of article to last for three life times... and conversely it can be easier to sell an article to a magazine if there is a general shortage of that type of article.
Creative Director
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As far as Dungeon goes... it seems that a disproportionate number of the adventure proposals we recieve are for 7th-level characters. The further you get from 7th-level, the more interested I get as a result. In particular, we're always looking for good 20th-level adventures, as well as good 1st-level adventures (especially those that give a framing device for a group of characters to get together for the first time to fight monsters).
As for Dragon... I personally would love to see more new monster articles and more bard stuff. But they don't let me near the Dragon slush pile any more, ever since the "incident" with the kobold samurai...
Thanks for the response James!
Contributor
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What sorts of articles of the type that you regularly publish do you find that you get the least amount of submissions for?
Well, we're usually looking for articles of the sections that appear every month (or nearly every month), such as Bazaar of the Bizarre, Class Acts, and Spellcraft. I think, although I don't know for sure (not being the editor in charge of those sections), that Novel Approach and Silicon Sorcery are typically by commission only. Fiction is always by commission only.
Otherwise, now that we have a new editor-in-chief and a new associate editor on Dragon, I'm not quite sure what sorts of features are en vogue. Just keep watching the feature well and look for new writers guidelines (someday) to get a better idea of what we're after. :)
I ask for the benifit of potential writers out there... I know from experience that it can be alot harder to sell an article to a magazine if they already have enough of that type of article to last for three life times...
The only thing I think we have too much of right now are advice articles aimed at novice players. If you want to write an advice article (for Class Acts or for features) make sure it deals with advanced stuff that long-time gamers might stop to say, "Hmm...good idea."
and conversely it can be easier to sell an article to a magazine if there is a general shortage of that type of article.
It's also easier to sell an article if you get in on an editor's good side: bribery, flattery, washing my truck...you know, the usual. ;)
Mike, your truck needs washed?
Don't know if my garden hose will reach all the way to Washington state.
Maybe if I point the nozzle straight up on the air ...
Mike, your truck needs washed?
Don't know if my garden hose will reach all the way to Washington state.
Maybe if I point the nozzle straight up on the air ...
Mike, remember that time I saved your life in 'Nam?
(yeah, yeah, what have I done for you lately...)
As far as Dungeon goes... it seems that a disproportionate number of the adventure proposals we recieve are for 7th-level characters. The further you get from 7th-level, the more interested I get as a result. In particular, we're always looking for good 20th-level adventures, as well as good 1st-level adventures (especially those that give a framing device for a group of characters to get together for the first time to fight monsters).
Jeez... the useful things you learn... I never would have suspected 7th level adventures would be so popular. Figures... my last query was for a 7th level adventure. <sigh> Oh well, back to the drawing board.
I think people choose to try to write adventures in the level 6-8 range because it allows them the flexability of using the most monsters (from cr 1-2 monsters with templates or class levels up to cr 10 or so creatures for big encounters), they do not have to worry about the party dying simply because of a bad die roll for the most part, and they do not have to worry about the implications of high level magic. all in all adventures for characters around 7th level can be the easiest to write, simply because you often have the most potential options.
The editors must still be trying to catch up from thier christmas vacations... I suspect that they got a lot of mail over the holidays while nodoby was there. I still haven't heard back from email article querries I sent them toward the begenning of December :)
The editors must still be trying to catch up from thier christmas vacations... I suspect that they got a lot of mail over the holidays while nodoby was there. I still haven't heard back from email article querries I sent them toward the begenning of December :)
cwslyclgh - Don't feel bad... I'm still waiting to hear on one from mid-November. When I checked in I was assured they were just backed up from the holiday. I figure that to a degree, no news is good news. I'm taking advantage of the time by coming up with ideas for my next query.
Thought this might interest people here: Over at EN World's forums, Erik Mona mentioned: "For Dragon features and Dungeon backdrops and adventures, we definitely process the queries and submissions in batches, mostly when we can manage to find free time not directly involved in putting out that month's issues. For recurring features in Dragon and Campaign Workbook articles in Dungeon, the turnaround is generally faster, and the time between submission and publication can sometimes be only 3 or 4 months."
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1951067&postcount=21
If the messageboards here and elsewhere are any indication, the Paizo stuff must be super-human or truly pumped up on caffeine to keep up with the flow of submissions and queries...(I've heard mention of Diet Dr. Pepper.)
I've contributed to their workload myself...an adventure, an adventure proposal, and a few articles at DUNGEON, and two queries at DRAGON.
Hey Mike,
I saw your shameless ploy to get your truck washed on a regular basis while reading through the newly posted writer’s guidelines, and I must say I am shocked and appalled.
That said, what type of wax do you prefer? I have Turtle Wax and Armor All…
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Contributor
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I saw your shameless ploy to get your truck washed on a regular basis while reading through the newly posted writer’s guidelines, and I must say I am shocked and appalled.
That said, what type of wax do you prefer? I have Turtle Wax and Armor All…
I don't know about shameless. I feel a little bit of regret for throwing that in. :(
Oh who am I kidding...no I don't! :D
To answer your question, though, Turtle Wax is the way to go. ;)