A friend of mine and I are bouncing ideas around for potential submissions. I've been poking around the boards for a few hours (at work...wheee!) and have learned a lot about what to do and what to avoid.
However, I haven't (yet) seen a guideline for how to format queries. I assume the editors have a preferred format for, say, adventure queries, and I'm keen to make their (and our) lives easier. Is there a linked document or thread someone could point me towards?
Thanks!
Check out the Dungeon writer guidelines at: http://paizo.com/writersguidelines/dungeon_writer_guidelines.pdf
2 pages, double spaced, 1000 word maximum, put the working title, your name, and page number on the top of each page.
Double spaced is no longer necessary - though it's not in the guidelines yet. So, 1000 or fewer words; no more than 2 pages. Cover all the important points - history, plot, adversaries, rewards, estimates, etc.
Check out the Dungeon writer guidelines at: http://paizo.com/writersguidelines/dungeon_writer_guidelines.pdf
2 pages, double spaced, 1000 word maximum, put the working title, your name, and page number on the top of each page.
Double spaced isn't a requirement anymore.
Search for "Tips to Contributors" and restrict it to messageboard posts... you should find the appropriate thread... Luke Fleeman, I believe, compiled the current advice into a single post toward the end of that thread (which was started by James Sutter)
- Ashavan
Hey thanks for the info! I had already read the submission guidelines (like a good boy), but I was looking for an outline for a query...ie:
Title
Authors
Key Points
Highlights
Synopsis
Etc
I just didn't know if there was a preferred format for presenting information in a query. However, 1000 words in 2 pages is fine...I guess that's all I need to know.
Thanks!
Here's the format I've been using. Keep in mind that so far I'm oh-fer-two on adventure queries.
In the header of the document, I put my name, e-mail address, the level of the adventure, and the estimated word count. This allows that info to print on every page.
Next, I've been going with a short paragraph, sort of like what you see at the beginning of the adventures in the magazine. The idea is to offer a teaser.
After the teaser, I include a section I label "History." This includes a very summarized version of the backstory. If this goes past the halfway point of the page (give or take), I shorten it.
After the history, I "bring in" the PCs. I generally do this under a section I label "plot." This is where I describe the action. If you have any secrets, here's the spot to spell them out for the editors.
Next, I include the major foes. This is where I talk about the mechanics of the boss - for example, in a query one of my rejected queries (see the "Critique My Query" thread), I had a wizard/alienist as the boss bad guy. So this section gave his level, race, etc. I don't spell out every person or creature the PCs will face. For example, in my opinion it's OK to say, "There are several guards the PCs must contend with prior to reaching the final encounter. blah blah blah."
After the foes, I cover the rewards. I only mention anything special here. For example, if my alienist had an amulet of natural armor +3 it wouldn't get mentioned. The fact that there are spellbooks to recover does get mentioned. I also try to include rewards that aren't money or objects. For example, in my first query one of the rewards the PCs gained was a sort of fame status in the small village, which garnered them free meals, room and board, and so on.
I close with an "estimates" section. This section mentions the level of the PCs and word count (even though they're in the header). It discusses how many maps I think I need, and what those maps are about. If I know of any sidebars I'll be including, I list them here. If your adventure will need an appendix (for example, if you have a new monster), here's the spot to mention that information.
And believe it or not, so far I've been able to cram all that onto two pages. ;)
Here's the format I've been using. Keep in mind that so far I'm oh-fer-two on adventure queries.
So is this like a "Don't Do What Johnny Don't Does"? ;)
That's for you to decide, I guess. ;) I'd like to think my format is good...
For other formats, check out the Critique My Query thread. There's queries in there from folks who have had better luck than me getting things published.
There isn't a 'form letter' to fill out with monster x and treasure z. Take time to look at the thread 'Critique my Query' and look at all the various ideas on formatting a query. Look at the difference between GGG's super-short thrifty version, and my very backstory-focused rambling version, and a few other peoples tries using various lengths and contents inbetween. That has made me try to cut and cut wordiness in newer proposals. Somewhere (I think it is on that same thread) Mr Sutter said that the proposal that is easier to accept for the ed's is one that highlights some 'wow' factors in yer story as well as tell the 'behind the scenes' workings of the plots and interactions.
You should come away with some sort of influences and new ways to shape what you send in. Mostly look for passive voice in sentence structure. You will be surprised with how much more dynamic your writing becomes while just eliminating those plain sentences.
There is no spoon.
I know you'd love to find the magic formula... heck, I asked Richard Pett and Greg V. for the magic forula for queries when I first started submitting... both answered that despite their successes, they hadn't really found one yet.
Everybody writes queries a little differently. Check out the Critique my Query thread and pick out the ways people are writing queries that work for you, discard the ones that don't, and focus on getting queries in front of the editors.
- Ashavan
I know you'd love to find the magic formula...
- Ashavan
Ha! Yeah...that'd be nice, but we all know that ain't gonna happen. ;) I was really just looking for a 'suggested format' that might be easier for the editors to read and judge (one way or the other).
The critique my query thread has been very helpful! Thanks to all who pointed that out to me.