Paris, Your concerns about time are definitely understood. The same think kept me from putting proposals for the first open call together (that and I didn't realize how easily I could crank out 750 words). This tiem around, I have the twin advantage of being on vacation and having a wife who is more than happy to simply sit on the beach or by teh pool while I write.
All of this of course begs the question...if a proposal is accepted, how long do we have to produce the finished adventure?
Chad
About six weeks.
Cool...that's very feasible.
Chad
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Thanks, Chad.
This whole "free time" thing is becoming a rather annoying refrain in my life, lately. The last open call opened up a flood gate of creativity for me, prompting me to join a long-time friend's writers' group and to launch myself into writing a six-part "short" story. (My desire to turn one submission into a story is the reason that I didn't post my submissions to the "non-selected" threads, by the way.)
I finished the first part of that story and submitted it to the group for critique. I got some great feedback...and promptly got so busy that I haven't had time to do anything with it since. Very frustrating.
Oh, well. I'm hoping that things will slow down this weekend...but wait...My in-laws fly in on Saturday for a two-week visit, my wife has to set up the "Christmas Boutique" at my daughters' school on Sunday (while the rest of us venture out on a Costco expedition). Oh, and we're in the process of buying a house, which will mean moving while I'm transitioning to a new duty station. That, of course, includes preparations for going on a six-month deployment after the first part of the year...during which I'll be serving as the ship's Information Systems Officer.
You know...when I put all of that stuff in one place I have to wonder: even if I were fortunate enough to be selected, would I actually have time to write a scenario for publication?
I need to give that some serious thought. I absolutely do want to write for Paizo. (Any company whose editors actually take the time to give helpful critique to a bunch of unknowns has got to be awesome to work for.) I see these open calls as the best possible chance to get my foot in the door. But perhaps I should pull back and focus on developing my writing skills in a less formal environment until my schedule allows for a more structured deadline scheme.
Hrmmm...(as if the rest of the day hasn't been frustrating enough)...
Paris,
Good luck with everything going on in your life. It sounds like you have have a lot going on at the moment. I can sympathize as my job keeps me busy about 60 hours a week (just over a year ago, it was 80+ hours a week). I also remember well the frustrations of selling and buying a house on top of that. I guess all I can say is good luck, and hang in there.
Chad
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Compensation is usually discussed in general terms (i.e., the current market rates for freelancers as compared to Wizards of the Coast all the way down the line). If you want specifics, that generally doesn't come until a query submission is accepted and a contract is offered. But if you want to know the going rate, it falls anywhere between 1- to 6-cents a word, depending on who you're writing for as a first-timer. Named authors command more, but since Paizo is looking to groom "new" authors, that doesn't apply here. So, a company like Wizards is on the 5-6 cents per word scale. Paizo is usually just under that, I believe. And many fly-by-night PDF publishing outfits crawl along at the 1-2 cents a word rate.
Oh wow, so even writing 50k words a month is only 24k a year? That seems painful, is there usually bonuses dependent on numbers sold? This isn't deterring me at all as money isn't my goal, but I'm just a bit shocked. Googling though it doesn't seem too out of line, I always thought it was more along 10-25 cents of every copy sold went to the author.
What you're talking about is a royalty and that's a rare thing in this industry.
Oh wow, so even writing 50k words a month is only 24k a year? That seems painful, is there usually bonuses dependent on numbers sold?
It is true, writing adventures won't make you filthy rich.
Don't quit your dayjob ;>
Oh wow, so even writing 50k words a month is only 24k a year? That seems painful, is there usually bonuses dependent on numbers sold?It is true, writing adventures won't make you filthy rich.
Don't quit your dayjob ;>
As Mr. Jacobs put it...RPG does not mean "Rich Paying Gig." :)
So, i've sent in my version of Skeleton Moon.
I didn't do the demon hunt in the end, due to having been on a course all week and not really knowing enough about the demon in question.
I just wanted to wish every one else the best of luck.
Oh wow, so even writing 50k words a month is only 24k a year? That seems painful, is there usually bonuses dependent on numbers sold? This isn't deterring me at all as money isn't my goal, but I'm just a bit shocked. Googling though it doesn't seem too out of line, I always thought it was more along 10-25 cents of every copy sold went to the author.
Royalty-based compensation is not only a rare thing to find in the industry, it's actually a less-preferred method of payment for freelancers, because it's dependent on number-of-copies-sold. It's far better to have a set amount you're due...get paid for it upon publication...and have it banked. Then, it's in the hands of the publisher to manage artwork, editing, marketing, etc. to make it a successful seller. And your compensation isn't dependent on all those other factors over which you have little to no control.
Also, as long as we're on the subject (and I apologize if this is a threadjack for anyone), writing 50,000 words a month isn't something you'll find with most freelancers. It can be done. But the industry average is about a month to turn over what's called a "module unit" which equates to around 32,000 words. There are freelancers who generate and manage far more than that, of course. But, as everyone else is pointing out, freelancing doesn't make anyone rich. Most freelancers just do it for the love of the game, the creative outlet, the peer recognition, and the knowledge that people out there are using and enjoying their stuff. Or, at least, some mix of those things. The money gets thrown in there, too, of course, but it's rarely the primary motivator.
Another two-cents,
--Neil
so even writing 50k words a month is only 24k a year?
Another $24K a year. Sign me up as long as I can keep my day job.
Count me out for this submission. I couldn't think of a solid plot, and, to be honest, I've been busy painting miniatures lately.
Maybe next time.
- Zorg
Yeah, mine are done too, and I don't think I am going to make any last minute edits. I'm just sitting on them a bit longer.
Chad
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Just realised that the deadline is pacific time which if I'm correct is 8 hours behind UK time. So I might have a chance to put something together today. Would be a nice break from looking at the funding of education in England!
Which would you be doing? Or are you going to try for both?
Oh, and whilst your at it - give us some more Montessori (primary and secondary) schools! ;)Cheers! :D
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Just realised that the deadline is pacific time which if I'm correct is 8 hours behind UK time. So I might have a chance to put something together today. Would be a nice break from looking at the funding of education in England!Which would you be doing? Or are you going to try for both?
Oh, and whilst your at it - give us some more Montessori (primary and secondary) schools! ;)Cheers! :D
I've got ideas for both but as I thought Skeleton Moon was the most difficult I've put more thought into that and think I actually have an interesting idea for it.
[I would love to make some real changes but alas I'm just reviewing the primary education system and making recommendations.]
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I've spent too much of the last few evenings sleeping, so have fallen behind on my things to do while not sleeping, which include PFS submissions.
Between now and tomorrow morning I need to finish off 4 documents for work, attend a book launch, and finish migrating from my old little black book of cool things in London to my new one.
I'll quite probably be all writ out.
"The Little Siege Tower of Horrors" will probably get submitted, but I doubt that "Jeeves, There's a Demon in my Devilry" will.
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I've got ideas for both but as I thought Skeleton Moon was the most difficult I've put more thought into that and think I actually have an interesting idea for it.
I look forward to it - I was hard pressed with time and a smooth plot on that one.
I sent submissions for both scenarios. Already got receipt notification from Josh. Now starts the long waiting time while Mr. Frost works through all submissions.
Its not that long only 2.5 weeks. :)
Between now and tomorrow morning I need to finish off 4 documents for work, attend a book launch, and finish migrating from my old little black book of cool things in London to my new one.
Are you from London then?
Cheers! :D
My proposals for both are in, sent last night. Fingers crossed.
Chad
Scenario 19 is away ! Sadly I could not find any idea for 20 that I liked. Advice for everybody: double-check your spelling of all names before you submit, I almost sent a file with "Groteus" instead of "Groetus" :)
Yup, sound advice. I, unfortunately, discovered a similiar mistake and to had ask Joshua if I could resubmit ;<
Groetus eh? I used that too, guess a whole lot of people will ;>
So, how are you feeling about your submissions?
well mine is off. Good luck to everyone
I dare not look at present. After the weekend I'll probably spot horrendous errors and realise just how corny the plots are though. I've just got confirmation that they have been received so no going back now!
Yeah i feel that way a bit too.
I'm almost done with mine, but I have an interesting style question. I've got a name that ends with s, like Jesus. Do people prefer Jesus's Item, or Jesus' Item? I've looked it up and different places have indicated different styles. AP does it one way, Strunk and White does it another, etc. Does anyone know if Paizo has a style guideline?
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I'm almost done with mine, but I have an interesting style question. I've got a name that ends with s, like Jesus. Do people prefer Jesus's Item, or Jesus' Item? I've looked it up and different places have indicated different styles. AP does it one way, Strunk and White does it another, etc. Does anyone know if Paizo has a style guideline?
I go for Jesus', but that's just me.
Cheers! :)
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I'm almost done with mine, but I have an interesting style question. I've got a name that ends with s, like Jesus. Do people prefer Jesus's Item, or Jesus' Item? I've looked it up and different places have indicated different styles. AP does it one way, Strunk and White does it another, etc. Does anyone know if Paizo has a style guideline?
In general, either is considered correct, though Paizo might have guidelines.
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I'm almost done with mine, but I have an interesting style question. I've got a name that ends with s, like Jesus. Do people prefer Jesus's Item, or Jesus' Item? I've looked it up and different places have indicated different styles. AP does it one way, Strunk and White does it another, etc. Does anyone know if Paizo has a style guideline?
I had the same and went for Jesus' myself.
I had the same and went for Jesus' myself.
God bless you, brother! (or sister!)
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I'm almost done with mine, but I have an interesting style question. I've got a name that ends with s, like Jesus. Do people prefer Jesus's Item, or Jesus' Item? I've looked it up and different places have indicated different styles. AP does it one way, Strunk and White does it another, etc. Does anyone know if Paizo has a style guideline?
Since either is technically correct, I have always based the use of the apostrophe on how it would sound if read aloud. (Adding "'s" adds another syllable, where adding only the apostrophe does not.).
That's a pretty subjective measure, I know, but I have found it to be a useful guideline.
Cheers!
Paris
The Paizo editorial style is do "Lisa Stevens's" as opposed to "Lisa Stevens'."
Not that I'm going to ding someone for not knowing that incredibly tiny bit of Paizo editorial lore.
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RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Phew! I just submitted for #20. I never really thought of anything that clicked for #19, but with the time timeline on these, I think it's better to just pick one of the two and make the best submission you can for that one, instead of rushing through both and not having either turn out as good.
I just submitted my proposal for Skeleton Moon.
Good luck to everyone.
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The Paizo editorial style is do "Lisa Stevens's" as opposed to "Lisa Stevens'."
Not that I'm going to ding someone for not knowing that incredibly tiny bit of Paizo editorial lore.
Isn't the apostrophe afterwards only appropriate on plural nouns? I.E. The dogs' bones (bones that belong to many dogs) as opposed to the dogs's bones? (which just red underlined for me)