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This crossed my mind while I was shopping at Barnes n Noble for a good fantasy book that there were no books based on the Pathfinder Universe (and I don't mean like the Player handbook. I mean a good novel with a plot, Characters, and Suspense). Is Paizo allowing this and if there are any authors writing a book; any advice for a newbie? :)
There actually are several novels set in the Pathfinder Universe. Pathfinder Tales is Paizo's novel line, but I believe they're only looking to work with established fantasy authors.
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You might wanna check out the Pathfinder Tales section - http://paizo.com/store/fiction/pathfinderTales - and the Pathfinder Comics - http://paizo.com/store/comics/pathfinderComics - if you want some stories. Honestly no idea how one gets a writing gig for Paizo, although I know I'd sell other people's souls for the chance.
There's also some PF related books by 3PPs that while obviously not set on Golarion (=Paizo IP) "follow" PF rules, tropes, conventions. For example Rite Publishing's Coliseum Morpheon anthologyand their upcoming CM novel Lost in Dream. Clinton Boomer also wrote a few novels though I'm not sure if they can be considered PF fiction.
Also:
You may also check out Pathfinder Chronicler, which is a Pathfinder fan fiction community. It sounds like just the place for someone wanting to write in the setting.
The Pathfinder Tales novels are great so far. Check out the free web fiction from paizo for short stories/novellas and preview chapters.
Havn't read any of the pathfinder comics yet but if you have the first AP you will probably recognize the characters and setting. They're releasing the first comic for free on the blog bit by bit btw.
And while they're working with established writers there are a few newcomers to the scene too. Write a short story for the web fiction and submit it to Paizo or better start in the pathfinder chronicler (and check out their forums) or submit fiction to the Wayfinder netzine to prove your mettle...
Note: Paizo does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, so if you send them over something, the chances of it getting printed are zero.
Which is quite reasonable of them. Does this hold for the web fiction short stories too?
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Note: Paizo does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, so if you send them over something, the chances of it getting printed are zero.Which is quite reasonable of them. Does this hold for the web fiction short stories too?
Yeah, Sutter has said as fiction editor he doesn't have time to go through a slush pile. If you want to write, its best to get published writing non-golarion things, and then send him an email saying you would like a chance to write a piece and use your published pieces as your portfolio. He discusses this in his appearances on both Know Direction and Chronicles:Pathfinder Podcast podcasts.
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Yeah, Sutter has said as fiction editor he doesn't have time to go through a slush pile. If you want to write, its best to get published writing non-golarion things, and then send him an email saying you would like a chance to write a piece and use your published pieces as your portfolio. He discusses this in his appearances on both Know Direction and Chronicles:Pathfinder Podcast podcasts.
Ok challenged accepted then!
I personally have written many background stories for many of my characters and everyone who read them said they were great(and no they were not just saying that. I always expect honest answers from my viewers)! I even had someone from a neverwinter nights 2 server: The sword coast chronicles messaged me and my story woke him up better than coffee lol. So I know I have something to offer to the writing industry and I hope Ill be a successful writer myself.
But thanks guys for the info, hope I oneday get Sutter's attention. :)
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Don't forget about Pathfinder Chronicler (a fan fic publication). This is not a bad way to getting your writing out there (they do have a pretty thorough editorial process ... all writers are expected to edit others' works as well and each work will go through multiple editorial passes).
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That would help alot Kirstov thanks!
From this link:
For fiction, we're currently only commissioning books and stories from authors with professionally paid fiction publications--I'd love to do a full open call, but we just don't have enough staff to handle it at this point. If an author has sold some stories elsewhere, or published a novel with a professional publisher, he or she is welcome to email me at james.sutter@paizo.com with a few sample stories or chapters from a novel (not a Pathfinder one--their original work), and I'll check it out. If I think they'd be a good match for the line, I'll bring them in and work with them to figure out what they should write for us. I'm always looking for more writers, but fair warning: I only have so many slots, and the competition is fierce!
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That would help alot Kirstov thanks!From this link:
For fiction, we're currently only commissioning books and stories from authors with professionally paid fiction publications--I'd love to do a full open call, but we just don't have enough staff to handle it at this point. If an author has sold some stories elsewhere, or published a novel with a professional publisher, he or she is welcome to email me at james.sutter@paizo.com with a few sample stories or chapters from a novel (not a Pathfinder one--their original work), and I'll check it out. If I think they'd be a good match for the line, I'll bring them in and work with them to figure out what they should write for us. I'm always looking for more writers, but fair warning: I only have so many slots, and the competition is fierce!
Hmm...perhaps I should assassinate the competition and claim my place muaha...MuHAHAHA!
Only kidding of course. But thanks for posting this I really appreciate it! :)))
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Two other avenues to get noticed by Paizo are:
The RPG Superstar competition which just ended for 2013 and
Submission of a PFS Quest under the Open Call program.
Chief Technical Officer
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Two other avenues to get noticed by Paizo are:
The RPG Superstar competition which just ended for 2013 and
Submission of a PFS Quest under the Open Call program.
That'll help establish your game design chops, but fiction is really a different animal.
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Emphasis on what Vic said! Game design and writing fiction are completely different animals.
Okay, having just broken into Paizo as a contributor with "Pirate's Honor", I'll tell you how I did it. Keep in mind that this is not the only way it could happen.
1) Establish yourself as a professional fantasy author.
2) Read, learn, play and love Pathfinder.
3) Pitch yourself with a story or game element in mind. I chose nautical fiction not only because that is what I love to write, and have been successful with, but because PFT had not yet put out a "pirate novel".
4) Submit writing samples upon request, with emphasis on that last bit. I know James' post states that you can pitch with a sample, but personally, I would ask first. Deluging James with a bunch of e-mails with attached samples that were not requested will probably earn you a quick boot.
5) Wait and do not heckle!
6) If you are asked to pitch specific story lines for web fic (the typical starting point) be prepared with several pitches.
7) If James picks one of your pitches, give him your absolutely best work, and send it in.
Of the above, number one is the hardest step, but there really are no shortcuts. I put out ten novels before I pitched to Paizo.
Just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone for answering the questions before I got a chance to! You all know me so well. :)
Fiction's a hard road, but a rewarding one. Good luck, everyone!
And, not only does Pathfinder have it's own line of Fantasy novels, but the ones I have read and reviewed are damn good.
And, I am a book Reviewer IRL, too, so I kinda know what I am talking about.