RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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Two years ago I went to PaizoCon and decided that I wanted to make writing for games something of a career. The one piece of advice that was given that year and year after was to submit, submit, submit. Well, for two years I have only submitted to Wayfinder, mostly spending time organizing life and learning to be a better writer. Now I feel that I am ready to start submitting and pitching ideas.
The problem is that I don't know where to go to do that. I know of Wayfinder and Pathfinder Society Open calls, but I am not really aware of who else to pitch things to. I also don't know how to pitch ideas.
Because I am uncertain, I want to start some type of list of companies and publications that people can submit work and pitch ideas to. This wouldn't just be for me, but for anyone else who wants to work on getting into freelance writing.
If there is a list already, could someone point me towards it?
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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No one?
Are people at least aware of places one could look into submitting?
On my own I have found that Kobold Press and Pathways both have good places to start. Kobold press has a web blog and Pathways is a free webzine like Wayfinder.
Keep an eye on the Compatible Products subforum here - there have been several open calls for writers posted or cross-posted there.
BTW - something you might want to give a look at.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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What kind of things are you interested in writing?
I dabble in almost everything. I am currently finishing up a ruleset compatible with the Kingmaker kingdom building rules that allows players to expand their castle from a small keep on a hill to a grand palace castle.
I write a great amount of material for my own home games, so I feel confidant in my dungeon, encounter, and NPC design skills. I am also decent at magic item design and submitted an item to RPG Superstar.
I am also a storyteller, so I know how to write a story either as a module or a piece of prose.
So to properly answer your question: Anything I can get published.
As Herosbackpack said, keep an eye out for open calls. Also, check publisher's websites. They usually have a page or FAQ for freelance writers concerning pitches and whether they're actively looking for new talent.
Also, talk to people at the cons. That's how I managed to get my foot in the door.
It took me around three years and several thousand pages of material posted online, and two years or so of submitting pitches to Dragon and Dungeon before I got a chance to write anything for publication. After that it got much easier once editors knew who I was.
Be patient, keep writing, submit to things like Wayfinder, RPG Superstar, Open Design projects, and look for open calls from 3PP. The former Dragon and Dungeon, now e-zines, are worth a try, though in my experience it takes a rare planetary alignment to get in now. Also it couldn't hurt to get to know anyone else who does freelancing, because for instance I've been asked to refer other writers by a 3PP.
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It took me around three years and several thousand pages of material posted online, and two years or so of submitting pitches to Dragon and Dungeon before I got a chance to write anything for publication. After that it got much easier once editors knew who I was.
Be patient, keep writing, submit to things like Wayfinder, Open Design projects, and look for open calls from 3PP. Also it couldn't hurt to get to know anyone else who does freelancing, because for instance I've been asked to refer other writers by a 3PP.
Also, other freelancers can hand out advice and such.
Writing's a grind; it's the hardest work I do.I put together a portfolio of work for showing industry people at PaizoCon. Often the 3pp people are the easiest to buttonhole since they aren't super busy much of the time. I had to choose between PaizoCon and GenCon, but if you can afford both, do both.
Making connections is always easier in person.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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It took me around three years and several thousand pages of material posted online, and two years or so of submitting pitches to Dragon and Dungeon before I got a chance to write anything for publication. After that it got much easier once editors knew who I was.
Be patient, keep writing, submit to things like Wayfinder, Open Design projects, and look for open calls from 3PP. Also it couldn't hurt to get to know anyone else who does freelancing, because for instance I've been asked to refer other writers by a 3PP.
Also, other freelancers can hand out advice and such.
Writing's a grind; it's the hardest work I do.
I put together a portfolio of work for showing industry people at PaizoCon. Often the 3pp people are the easiest to buttonhole since they aren't super busy much of the time. I had to choose between PaizoCon and GenCon, but if you can afford both, do both.
Making connections is always easier in person.
I was able to go to PaizoCon and GenCon in 2012 and plan on doing both again in 2013. At GenCon I hung out with Azmyth a bunch and met some of the Paizo Freelancers (The Werecabages?)I hope to make more connections in 2013 and build some good relationships.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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Okay, let me ask the same question with different words.
What would you like to write?
If you are asking what my dream project would be, the answer is doing a full campaign setting. I have one that I have been working on for a couple of years now that I would love to fully flesh out and publish. I ran a game at PaizoCon that took place within the setting, and it was very well liked. It involved airships and dragons.
If you are asking what I would enjoy doing the most, modules and adventures would be the answer.
Keep an eye on the Compatible Products subforum here - there have been several open calls for writers posted or cross-posted there.
This is how I got started and heartily recommend it. Also, keep an eye on Kickstarter. Some projects allow you access to the behind the scenes design process, allowing you to pitch ideas.
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You just missed Kobold Press' Vahalla Rising adventure pitch contest, but the voting and discussion of the pitches is going on right now, so that might be a place to learn a thing or two.
Other than that and what others have said previously, I'd also like to recommend checking out any upcoming Open Design projects. Being on the inside of one of those and collaborating is not only a good way to get a credit, but it's an amazing learning experience.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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I actually submitted to Vahalla Rising. It was my first experience writing a pitch. I wonder how good I did with it but I doubt they would do something like a "Critque My Pitch" thread there. Still, it would hurt to try.
Thanks for the advice on the Open Design projects. I will check those out.
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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Yeah, my pitch wasn't nearly exciting enough. Mine was based on the Grimm's Tale, "The Robber Bridegroom." It is my favorite of the lesser known tales in the collection, and would have covered what happened after the story. I don't feel too bummed out though, as the five finalists have really cool pitches and some really big potential.
Yeah, those are some pretty good pitches. I'd be interested in seeing the completed adventure for any one of them.
Mine might have come across as a bit muddled, with the PCs finding themselves in the midst of an escalating conflict between an expanding human barony and the indigenous centaurs of the region, with both sides being manipulated by an intellect devourer and a vampire that want things to boil over into a full-blown war.
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Yeah, my pitch wasn't nearly exciting enough. Mine was based on the Grimm's Tale, "The Robber Bridegroom." It is my favorite of the lesser known tales in the collection, and would have covered what happened after the story. I don't feel too bummed out though, as the five finalists have really cool pitches and some really big potential.
I'm glad to hear that you're keeping positive--everyone here has offered great advice, but I really want to emphasize to you (and anyone else out there who wants to freelance) that it's so important to not get down when things don't work out. In fact, perseverance is probably one of the biggest qualities to maintain as you break into freelancing.
As you keep trying, keep in mind that just because your pitch wasn't accepted does not mean it wasn't good; it just means it wasn't good for that particular opportunity. Maybe you were just one ounce of cool away from being selected. Maybe your idea just didn't fit what the judges wanted. You'll never know, but all you can do is keep writing, keep improving, get some feedback from friends and other players, improve some more; rinse and repeat. Eventually, your hard work will pay off.
Trust me. :)
Because I am uncertain, I want to start some type of list of companies and publications that people can submit work and pitch ideas to. This wouldn't just be for me, but for anyone else who wants to work on getting into freelance writing.
If there is a list already, could someone point me towards it?
Writer's Digest has a wonderful set of tools for aspiring writers including books with lists of publications looking for submissions. There are also guides on how to write inquiry letters, format submissions, etc.
One question to ask is, "what is the purpose of publishing your writings?"
Does that help?
In service,
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RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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Thanks for all the advice, it is very helpful to have such encouragement.
I am going to jump on Wayfinder #9 with a few submissions as soon as I can and then start moving through other open submissions. I have a few ideas for the Pathfinder Society open call, and I am very interested in the Adventure a Week. I am also going to check out Open Design a bit more, and see what I can submit to Pathways and Adventure Quarterly.