I've seen a lot of disscussion on these boards concerning submitting articles to Dungeon and Dragon magazines for publication, but I'm curious how many of you are also interested in submitting novels to WoTC. They have an open call now from September through end of December. They ask for the first three chapters as a writing sample, but also say that if your submission is accepted, you have to send the entire manuscript to them within 10 days! This seems very odd to me - apparently one must write an entire novel, then try to have them publish it. I don't understand why you can't pitch and idea for a novel, and wait to write the thing until it's been given the green light (just like the magazines do). Any opinions on why it works like this?
I don't understand why you can't pitch and idea for a novel, and wait to write the thing until it's been given the green light (just like the magazines do). Any opinions on why it works like this?
There might be a hole in the schedule that needs filling. Also many untried talents often can write a few great chapters, but can't live up to their commitments. I've done passible well with D&D writing contests this year (won one, made the short list on another), perhaps I'll give it a go.
GGG
Almost no publishing company wants to see a novel proposal unless you can produce the entire novel in a timely fashion (I say this as someone who has been shopping a novel around). They don't want to waste time with someone who thinks they can write a novel but can't. If you don't have the whole thing done they're not very interested.
I submitted mine to the WotC open call, but am still waiting for a reply.
-Amber
Warhammer just recently had a fantasy universe short fiction contest and a bunch of sobering things were posted on those various threads...i dont have links but the jist was that like Medesha said above. The novel USUALLY comes from someone who has had several shorter pieces published through a company. Every once in a while there is an 'Eragon' or someone else that hits all the right eyes from the slush pile (or someone in the family owns a publishing house). That does NOT mean stop writing or it's all useless...keep at it. Put some shorter scripts in a .pdf publication or magazine and rewrite rewrite rewrite rewrite that novel. As you build a rapport with a company or editor as well as an audience, you will find that 'novel' door a little more open to your script.
So, go ahead and send it in...but do NOT take a rejection personally... or two... or fifteen. Keep writing!
Good luck
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As drunken_nomad wrote: keep writing! If i may suggest a book covering this very topic: Stephen King's 'On Writing' is excellent. ISBN #0-7434-5596-7. Stephen goes into detail about all his rejections and the wisdom he learned over time. Anyone serious about writing and getting published MUST read this book. Thoughtful, entertaining, and well worth the read. My 2 cents.
Thoth Amon the Atlantian Mindflayerian
On Writing is really good. I also highly recommend:
Zen and the Art of Writing (Ray Bradbury)
Telling Lies for Fun and Profit (Lawrence Block)
How to Write Science-Fiction and Fantasy (Orson Scott Card)
-Amber S.
I'm glad I saw this thread because I'm almost through with my book that I've been writing. I would be ever so grateful if I could get a link to the submissions page. Thanks, and good luck to all who send in their novels!