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To celebrate Paizo’s new Pathfinder Tales Fiction Line, Pathfinder Chronicler and Wayfinder proudly announce our first fiction contest for fans of Pathfinder Chronicles. Do you have “a knack” for writing fiction? Are you a Pathfinder fan? If so, fire-up your favorite word processing program and get your creative juices flowing, because this is the contest for you. A single winner will be awarded a $100 Paizo Gift Certificate and a reserved spot in the next Wayfinder fanzine, including a three page spread with extra art! Two runner ups will receive $50 Paizo Gift Certificate. If that wasn’t enough, none other than Paizo’s James Sutter (their fiction editor) will be one of the final judges. Currently he’s only reading solicited fiction from well-known authors with agents. What’s an opportunity like that worth to you? Head over to PFContest for details.
More information about the rules can be found here
Darn your rules! *shakes fist at that not published bit*
;)
This is very exciting. Out of curiosity, can this short story be based upon one of the Pathfinder (GameMastery) Modules... or should it be a somewhat more original work. If it can't be a story based on one of the modules itself, could it be a story taking place after the assumed events of the module?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Now... to think of a story. :)
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
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Todd, Epic Meepo, I would love to have you around. But the turth is that the purpose of the contest is to help people decide to write, to jump into the ship and giving them a fair chance. That is something I personally had been advocating for a while and I think most of those of us involved agree on that.
But you knwo, extra judges are always welcome if someone else wants to participate :)
Steelfiredragon, the idea of the contest is to make it a challenge, your ideas are good, they need a bit of work... but that is the contest for, to give everyone a chance to go for it with an aim and a chance to win, so I can only say try to go in, the experience will do you good.. and it has no charge so there is only things to win and nothing to lose.
Todd, Epic Meepo, I would love to have you around. But the turth is that the purpose of the contest is to help people decide to write, to jump into the ship and giving them a fair chance. That is something I personally had been advocating for a while and I think most of those of us involved agree on that.
But you knwo, extra judges are always welcome if someone else wants to participate :)
Sounds interesting :)
And it's not my primary email, but ping me at crossdressingarcanaloth@gmail.com with the details, and I'd be more than happy to take part. And I'll continue with that story I'm already working on, will just release it somewhere (LJ probably) for the heck of it. ;)
Montalve, not sure if I qualify: I had 4 contributions in Goodman's 4E 'Azagar's Book of Rituals,' and I've been published a few times in 'Knights of the Dinner Table.' I have no idea how many copies of those have been made. I was also a finalist in kq's King of the Monsters contest, though I wasn't paid for that. Hope you can help.
Thanks,
CK
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But you knwo, extra judges are always welcome if someone else wants to participate :)I'd be interested in joining on as a judge. Is there an email address I can contact to discuss that further?
Epic Meepo, you can contact both Montalve and I through pfcontest@pathfinderchronicler.net.
There will be two judgings going on in this contest. The first will be done through Aug 15th until September 25th. At that time a consensus will reached and five finalists will be determined to go on to the final judging. James Sutter will be on the finalists panel to determine the winner.
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Montalve, not sure if I qualify: I had 4 contributions in Goodman's 4E 'Azagar's Book of Rituals,' and I've been published a few times in 'Knights of the Dinner Table.' I have no idea how many copies of those have been made. I was also a finalist in kq's King of the Monsters contest, though I wasn't paid for that. Hope you can help.
Thanks,
CK
We will have a ruling on this fairly quick. My suspicion is that you can't participate in this contest if you earned above "X" dollars for any given project as well as having your name associated with 5000 copies printed. Having met both those benchmarks, you would not be allowed to participate. I will have to confirm this however.
We will have a ruling on this fairly quick. My suspicion is that you can't participate in this contest if you earned above "X" dollars for any given project as well as having your name associated with 5000 copies printed. Having met both those benchmarks, you would not be allowed to participate. I will have to confirm this however.Montalve, not sure if I qualify: I had 4 contributions in Goodman's 4E 'Azagar's Book of Rituals,' and I've been published a few times in 'Knights of the Dinner Table.' I have no idea how many copies of those have been made. I was also a finalist in kq's King of the Monsters contest, though I wasn't paid for that. Hope you can help.
Thanks,
CK
Thank you. Please let me know if you need any more details. I write as Charles W. Kiley III.
CK
I might just have to try my hand at this, it looks exciting.
It does, however, fall in with my leaving exam period... But I'm anything if not a procrastinator, so you may get something out of me. :P
Not to be a pest Montalve,
But have you and your comrades reached a decision concerning original stories vs. aftermath of a published (Paizo) module?
I'm on vacation this week, so I'd be able to start something, but knowing which way to go with it would be helpful.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
It'd like to try it too, but I'd be afraid to subject someone to my "writing," which is only slightly less horrifying than Vogon love poetry.
This sounds like a job... for Alcohol!
It'd like to try it too, but I'd be afraid to subject someone to my "writing," which is only slightly less horrifying than Vogon love poetry.
This sounds like a job... for Alcohol!
Isaac Asimov once said something very smart: don't let anything ever rot in your desk drawer.
Spend your ammo! You invested in it, you might as well empty the clip.
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Not to be a pest Montalve,
But have you and your comrades reached a decision concerning original stories vs. aftermath of a published (Paizo) module?
I'm on vacation this week, so I'd be able to start something, but knowing which way to go with it would be helpful.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
ok Dean, sorry for making you wait.
and for anyone to listen.
Its highly encouraged to bring new ideas and stories, that is what we would prefer to see. But you won't be disqualified if you write about a module or its aftermatch, still I (an in personally) would discourage this, mostly because I would hate people getting too many spoilers over adventures and modules they might be playing in the future.
But if you bring an awesome tale to the table, it doesn't matter if its your idea or you are working it around your character's experience, all are in, and all are welcome.
So bring it on. :)
Not to be a pest Montalve,
But have you and your comrades reached a decision concerning original stories vs. aftermath of a published (Paizo) module?
I'm on vacation this week, so I'd be able to start something, but knowing which way to go with it would be helpful.
Thanks in advance for your time.
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
ok Dean, sorry for making you wait.
and for anyone to listen.
Its highly encouraged to bring new ideas and stories, that is what we would prefer to see. But you won't be disqualified if you write about a module or its aftermatch, still I (an in personally) would discourage this, mostly because I would hate people getting too many spoilers over adventures and modules they might be playing in the future.
But if you bring an awesome tale to the table, it doesn't matter if its your idea or you are working it around your character's experience, all are in, and all are welcome.
So bring it on. :)
Montalve,
Thanks for the quick reply. I'll do my best to "split-the-difference" and not write about an adventure in and of itself... in fact, probably not at all... but the story I'm thinking would be in the Mwangi region. I have (what I think) is an interesting idea for a short story.
Best Regards,
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
PS: And Good Luck everyone! :)
If by rules you mean the ones in the Core Rulebook, they include next to nothing on Golarion- a better source of information would be one of the Chronicle or Companion books. The ones I find most inspiring so far is the Campaign Setting (which I'd have found a bit pricey when I was 13), and the Guide to the River Kingdoms.
And if you didn't mean the Core Rulebook I apologise for making a wrong assumption.
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I would love to enter, as it's the first opportunity for me to actually try and get something I've written out into public view. Unfortunately, my writing lends itself to stories concerning long periods of time.
And I know next to nill about Golarion, but I'll check out the rules.
I've been somewhat silent here (I don't like to get involved with the qualifications side of the contest--I'm more chaotic than lawful) but I have a role to play with the Chronicler contest, so let me add a couple of thoughts (and these are only MY thoughts:
Almost any epic fantasy story you have in mind can be squeezed into Golarion. You just need to know the basics about the races (if they are included in your story at all) and maybe pepper in a couple of names to place it in Golarion. My stories are filled with canonical references only because in reading Paizo's stuff, story seeds are planted like weeds and I can't hold back. But if you read some of the stuff on the Chronicler site, you'll find that the setting is just a back drop, a place to put the events. Of course, the more you know the easier this is to do.
Also as to the module question (and I agree with everything Montalve posted) you can use play experiences as the jumping off point for good stories, but you really don't want to retell the mod. Consider Montalve's own story in Wayfinder #3 (p.60).
I am excited about the excitement (??) for this contest and can't wait to read the great submissions.
Sit down, write, rewrite and submit.
Writing is one of the most difficult human activities, but it is also one of the most rewarding (though not always monetarily :) )
you can contact both Montalve and I through pfcontest@pathfinderchronicler.net.
Shot you guys an email the other day :)
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Just want to be clear to all interested at the start of this thread. We have just made a decision on the rules concerning eligibility.
The Contest is open only to those who have[not been] professionally published. Professional fiction publication (a story, not an adventure or an RPG product) is deemed to be at least 5 cents per word, from Paizo or another major publisher.
But what does this mean?
It means,unless you have a story that was published and you were paid 5 cents a word, you can enter.
So, Todd. So, Epic Meepo. You still want to judge or do you prefer to write some good fiction? This was an important ruling and I really didn't want to lock you two in as judges given your talent. Shoot me an email expressing your wishes at zuxius@pathfinderchronicler.net.
Jocundthejolly, I see no problem for you to participate given the latest turn of events.
The_Minstrel_Wyrm, I know Montalve has recommended against it, but I will reaffirm that doing fiction off a module that Paizo has released (though flattering) may not be the best bet. I am sure Sutter would ding you for it, if it lands in spoiler territory. Sometimes, even dancing around spoilers can leave holes for PCs to figure out in the adventure. In my opinion, I wouldn't take such a risk. The only time I would write a companion piece to a module is if the Publisher asked for it.
Shooting to Paizo publishing should be high on your list. I wouldn't send a basketball story to Paizo. I also wouldn't attempt to stomp too near their bread winning works. Look at the pieces of fiction they have published so you can properly guage the needs of Paizo publishing. This will help considerably.
3000 to 4500 words....
the pathfinder wiki isn't complete
I can't edit for the price for the price of tea in Tian......
lacking info... can I make stuff up? that's assuming I write something and enter......
I'd loose anyway even if I did.
Make stuff up, that's 90% of the fun in writing fiction. And in shared-world stuff the other 10% is pulling on, integrating, and expanding on stuff that other people have created for the setting already. As long as you don't write something that totally contradicts already published material in a major way, make stuff up I figure. Or pick somewhere to base your story where you could by default avoid needing to go into the details of prior published stuff.
But -and this applies to everyone- go for it. The more people writing stuff about Golarion the better for everyone who likes the setting. Some of the most evocative material I remember came from various fan/community sites where people wrote for the heck of it. And who knows, maybe Paizo will like some things that they see and look at those people in the future for published stuff. :)
I'd like to thank everyone for their advice (to me in particular) regarding what to do and not to do for a short story.
To clarify, I wouldn't have intended it to be a "companion" piece to the module in question, nor would I have "spoiled" anything.
But, all the recommendations, have certainly convinced me to err on the side of caution, and just "delete" any references to the module whatsoever. (Although it's still going to be a story set in the Mwangi Expanse. At least that's the current plan/inspiration).
But thanks everyone for being so patient with me, and taking the time to consider my questions and provide answers for them.
Best Regards,
Dean; The_Minstrel_Wyrm
G.I. Joe Slogan: ...and knowing is half the battle.
Goooooooooooooooo Joe!
Hey Lilith - I sent an email to your dm.lilith@g**** email account. If you still use that account can you respond as soon as is convenient?
Hey Lilith - I sent an email to your dm.lilith@g**** email account. If you still use that account can you respond as soon as is convenient?
It hasn't been convenient as of yet (busy with work, life, etc.), and this is not the thread to talk about a different project...I will hopefully catch up on emails by the weekend. I hope... >.>
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Steelfiredragon,
As Todd mentioned (and thanks for that), the fun of writing is making stuff, the trick of working in a collaborative work is not to contradict the stuff already in place... anything else, not only is allowed, but encouraged :)
That's it, I officially name the judge team, GI Joe Judges! If you aren't wanting to be a judge, PREPARE TO BE JUDGED!
but but the Baroness is with Cobra!!
we should consider to be Cobra Judges... or is that t ruthless? :D**********+
Jeremiziah,
we are all exited to have this response, believe me :)
Just want to be clear to all interested at the start of this thread. We have just made a decision on the rules concerning eligibility.
The Contest is open only to those who have[not been] professionally published. Professional fiction publication (a story, not an adventure or an RPG product) is deemed to be at least 5 cents per word, from Paizo or another major publisher.
But what does this mean?
It means,unless you have a story that was published and you were paid 5 cents a word, you can enter.
So, Todd. So, Epic Meepo. You still want to judge or do you prefer to write some good fiction? This was an important ruling and I really didn't want to lock you two in as judges given your talent. Shoot me an email expressing your wishes at zuxius@pathfinderchronicler.net.
Jocundthejolly, I see no problem for you to participate given the latest turn of events.
The_Minstrel_Wyrm, I know Montalve has recommended against it, but I will reaffirm that doing fiction off a module that Paizo has released (though flattering) may not be the best bet. I am sure Sutter would ding you for it, if it lands in spoiler territory. Sometimes, even dancing around spoilers can leave holes for PCs to figure out in the adventure. In my opinion, I wouldn't take such a risk. The only time I would write a companion piece to a module is if the Publisher asked for it.
Shooting to Paizo publishing should be high on your list. I wouldn't send a basketball story to Paizo. I also wouldn't attempt to stomp too near their bread winning works. Look at the pieces of fiction they have published so you can properly guage the needs of Paizo publishing. This will help considerably.
Well, I haven't gotten paid 5 cents a word, so I'm eligible, and will be entering.
will my avatar here turn into a ROCK if I mention STAR STONE???
no, drats PAIZO you need to fix taht, IF we mention SMURF in our posts, and avatar turns into one of those little blue roaches, how come if we mention STAR STONE our avatar don't turn into rocks.......
anyway, unless they plan on making any fan fic canon, which I doubt unless I misread something ......
I wouldn't write anything about bringing a missing/hiding/ dead aroden back anyway.
For him to return, either Cheliax or Taldor imo would have to proof themselves worth of him, Iomedae knows both countries are run by freakshows.
and you can tell the grand prince of TAldor I said he was a freakshow for all I care.
and misread it I did, and promptly will change my mind.... and will just leave it to rot on my hard drive....
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well, Aroden is a spicy topic...
specially since the oficial word... and in James Jacobs... is that Aroden is dead...
how, why, etc... is a mystery, but the devil is in the details...
as people say, you can write about what you prefer, just consider the judges judging :P
I for one want to believe that I try hard to move away from fan fiction and more intocreative use of the background offered, that is why i really try to keep away from most major plots and scenarios... Life in Korvosa not withstanding it was created using the city as backdrop :P
I think I am in on this. I won ENWorld Iron Fiction contest a couple years back, and the only fiction I was paid for was much less than five cents a word (it was a flat fee from an indy publisher) so I think I'm good.
Kraev Maga is calling my name...
must....find....way....to....make....story....over....3,000....words....lon g....
must...find...way.to.make...story...under...50,000...words...long...
;)