Just out of curiosity, how does one go about contacting some of the more established writers/authors for a 3PP product? Is it the material that draws in the writer, the company who contacts the author, or something completely different?
Anyone want to satisfy a curious mind.
It all depends on the relationship between the writer and the company. I would start with the company first, then move on to the writer.
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It all depends on the relationship between the writer and the company. I would start with the company first, then move on to the writer.Just out of curiosity, how does one go about contacting some of the more established writers/authors for a 3PP product? Is it the material that draws in the writer, the company who contacts the author, or something completely different?
Anyone want to satisfy a curious mind.
Thank you. It has always been something that I have been curious about. It finally grew to the point I had to ask since I am thinking of starting a company and was curious about getting established writers to help with the start up. I am not near that stage just yet but I thought I would finally ask.
The game writers I have known prefer have a trusted company screen contacts, just to filter out the distracting fanboys. Of those I'm on good terms with, they remember MY name, only 3 'trust' me with their private email addresses, probably because I never pester them. Another only lets the company have his 'writer' email, preferring to keep all others at arm's length. In the 'commercial writing' field, this is not uncommon, as a neighbor of mine does travelogue scripts and her family is clueless as to her real source of income. Same with a local romance writer, her next door neighbor is a big fan of hers and has no idea.
The way I have met all but one game writer has been to run amok in the dealer's room at the bigger conventions. Gygax, Arneson, Goodman, Mona, Baker, etc. all get forced into autograph booths, seminars, etc. Wave money in front of them and their eyes light up. No, really! It works! Ask JJ! Ask SKR!
Email them. ;)
Some of us have public email addresses, and the worst thing that could happen is you get a polite 'I'm busy' from a writer. Of course not everyone does this full time, and it varies by person if they're going to be interested in a given project, or have other projects already in place, etc.
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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Email them. ;)
Some of us have public email addresses, and the worst thing that could happen is you get a polite 'I'm busy' from a writer. Of course not everyone does this full time, and it varies by person if they're going to be interested in a given project, or have other projects already in place, etc.
Ditto from me.
It never hurts to ask, but be polite and not pushy. Freelance writers have cyclical schedules, and at any given moment they may have a big load of stuff coming due, or they may be in a valley with nothing going on. It probably helps to have a clear explanation of:
1. The project (subject, length, connections to other products)
2. The time frame (when do you need it)
3. The pay (what are you offering)
Any of the three could be a deal-breaker. It might be a subject the writer isn't interested in, or they just can't do it when you need it, or the pay you're offering isn't enough for them to justify doing your project vs. another project (or whatever other demands they have on their time in their life outside writing, be they family, job, church, sports, etc.).
I don't mean to discourage you from contacting whomever you wish, just to suggest that several things have to all be right for you to get the "Yes, I can do that!" reply you want. Be prepared with the information your target will need to decide, and you'll be several steps ahead of the game. Good luck!
I need to get established first. >__>
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First I would like to thank each of you for your responses. It has been very enlightening to say the least.
I need to get established first. >__>
Now Icyshadow are you saying that you one, need to get established within the writing community, or two, need to get established with the company first? I assume one, but everyone knows what happens when you assume.
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Email them. ;)
Some of us have public email addresses, and the worst thing that could happen is you get a polite 'I'm busy' from a writer. Of course not everyone does this full time, and it varies by person if they're going to be interested in a given project, or have other projects already in place, etc.
Ditto from me.
It never hurts to ask, but be polite and not pushy. Freelance writers have cyclical schedules, and at any given moment they may have a big load of stuff coming due, or they may be in a valley with nothing going on. It probably helps to have a clear explanation of:
1. The project (subject, length, connections to other products)
2. The time frame (when do you need it)
3. The pay (what are you offering)Any of the three could be a deal-breaker. It might be a subject the writer isn't interested in, or they just can't do it when you need it, or the pay you're offering isn't enough for them to justify doing your project vs. another project (or whatever other demands they have on their time in their life outside writing, be they family, job, church, sports, etc.).
I don't mean to discourage you from contacting whomever you wish, just to suggest that several things have to all be right for you to get the "Yes, I can do that!" reply you want. Be prepared with the information your target will need to decide, and you'll be several steps ahead of the game. Good luck!
Excellent advice!
I meant both. XD
I agree with all that's been said, especially by Jason.
Daigle, Hodges, Hall,
You did that on purpose, you Okie sonofabit...
=-)
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A lot of freelancers have contact information out on the web, somewhere. (My public is plastered an nearly every page I can manage to put it on). For those that don't, I suspect most companies that work with freelancers will be happy to pass along a request from a potential employer to a freelancer, as long as such requests remain polite, professional, and infrequent.
After that, I recommend going to big Game Cons. I have many levels of email (public, business relationship, friends-only), and nearly everyone who has received an email from me at a Con got one a lot more private than my general email.
You can also always put out a "Hey, can anyone contact Freelancer McWriterpants" posts on public forums. You don't want to make this your first resort or do so often, but even pros sometimes use this to find other pros.
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I am really glad I asked. You have all been really helpful. Now I can't wait to get to the point where I can start getting some help from professional/freelance writers.
@Icyshadow What subjects/genres do you like to write for? Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Post-Apocalyptic, Mystery, Romance, etc.
The reason I ask is cause I may be able to help you get started when I start looking for writers.
I am really glad I asked. You have all been really helpful. Now I can't wait to get to the point where I can start getting some help from professional/freelance writers.
@Icyshadow What subjects/genres do you like to write for? Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Post-Apocalyptic, Mystery, Romance, etc.
Fantasy for the most part, though no real other defining genres I could pin down. Then again, I think I've been just wasting time writing sloppy fanfics when I'm not creating homebrew things for D&D or actually writing the scripts for the stuff I do intend to publish some day.
Daigle, Hodges, Hall,You did that on purpose, you Okie sonofabit...
=-)
I was talking about the writer Brandon Hodges, not the Monkey Trainer Brandon Hodge (whoever you are).
:-D
Hi Greg sorry in advance for being off topic but I couldn't find a direct contact. I am playing "Hateful Legacy" but I'd like to stick to official pathfinder or pathfinder licensed material, so I won't use the Angel of Decay write up. Do you have ideas how to replace it? Maybe some monster from Tomb of Horrors or one of the Bestiaries?