[Community Project] Wayfinder #13 Call for Submissions

[Jeffrey Swank]

This -- is -- so -- cool, mind explodes!

[CrinosG]

Plus the Beast of Lepidstadt, a self aware flesh golem.

[kevin_video]

Garrett Guillotte wrote:

I don't know exactly what I'm submitting but I'm pretty sure it'll be something owlbear, something robot, and something shadow plane.

Damn! Maybe all three at once. That's basically Predator, right?

OMG! Do this! It'd be like the ultimate slayer.

Jeffrey Swank wrote:

This -- is -- so -- cool, mind explodes!

I was hoping you'd put your two cents in on this.

[Kobold Catgirl]

Hm...I was just recently thinking it'd be nice if more Plant creatures had plant companion versions...

[Timitius]

Alrighty, folks....take your #14 discussions HERE

[He'sDeadJim]

Garrett Guillotte wrote:

Lantis wrote:

I wonder if there is any precedent for spontaneously self-aware constructs in Golarion.

You're looking for Brigh and maybe androids.

There is a self-aware Flesh Golem in Magnimar in the Rise of the Rune Lords. Uses a nightmarish scythe. Yuck.

[Andrew Eakett]

Any idea of when we might hear if our submissions are in or out?

[kevin_video]

Andrew Eakett wrote:

Any idea of when we might hear if our submissions are in or out?

Some time around the end of the month was what was hinted at.

[Timitius]

Oh, yes. We need time to wade through these articles, first.

Bear with us...we are buckling down to get through them. When we make the selection, we will assign the articles to editors, and get art assignments for each one sent out. That's looking like the end of the month here....

Editors will likely let you know if they are working on one of your articles.

We will try and let people know, but no timely promises. We have lots to work on, and I can't really set a firm date or method that we'll let people know...

[Paris Crenshaw]

Attention Wayfinder Editors!

We sent out the "Editor Roll Call" for Wayfinder #13 on Sunday. Tim and I should have articles selected by the end of this week. I would really like to have articles assigned for the first round of editing by Sunday night (February 1st). Please check your e-mail. If you haven't responded to the roll call, please do so.

We certainly understand if folks are too busy to help, but we need to know who we have onboard for this issue so we can make the assignments. We have a very tight timeline to work in. Article edits need to be complete within the month of February.

Thanks again for your hard work and support of Wayfinder.

[Timitius]

I will follow Paris by talking about the art assignments....

Attention Wayfinder Artists!

I sent out the Art Roster Call a few weeks ago, and I got a wonderful response from the roster. Currently, we have enough artists to basically give you each 1-2 pieces for this issue. It might not get spread out that evenly, but the bottom line is that we definitely have the art support necessary to illustrate this issue.

Now...timing. I've been pretty busy with work and family life this month, and Paris and I have been trying to review all 132 submissions and make our choices (Paris has been doing the lion's share of the work so far...I've got a lot of catch-up to do this week). Those final choices will be THIS WEEK. SO....

Art assignments will be going out the first week of February.

Given that I indicated that the deadline for this art would be March 15th, I'd still like to stick to that target date. However, if you artists feel like 5 weeks is not enough time...we can shift that date a bit.

I'm super excited for this issue, folks. The art roster we've built up is full of amazing talent, and I think the Ustalav theme is going to give us some absolutely creepy art!

[Timitius]

I also want to convey my deep appreciation for the artists that illustrate for us. One of the posts going around on Facebook is about how artists are always asked to do art for free, citing that it's about giving them more free exposure, and we never ask other professions to do that.

I wholeheartedly agree, and that post makes me feel...conflicted. I wish I COULD pay each artist, editor, writer, and layout designer that donates their time and talents to pulling off each issue. Hell, I wish I could pay myself! So, my goal as art director is to try and showcase and promote all these great artists in the fan community, in hopes that other publishers and fans see their work, and send them commissions.

So far, it seems to be working. I happily recommend artists to my publisher friends, and I love it when I get a response from an artist during the art roster roll call that says they are too busy with commissions to help this time. THAT is a success for me.

I have a tremendous amount of pride for the fan community that gets involved with each issue, and with the artists especially. I get a big smile when I read an article submission that hits home, and an even bigger smile (and most times a gasp or cackle of glee) when the art that I assigned comes back and absolutely NAILS IT.

So, please know that I don't take this "free work for Wayfinder" lightly. Without that donated talent (all of it...art, writing, editing, layout), Wayfinder would not exist. However, with each and every issue I've worked on, my goal has been to try and make it all worth it for everyone involved. I hope we've been accomplishing that.

[RuyanVe]

Absolutely!

Ruyan.

[Snorter]

How does one become an editor, if one wishes to expand one's CV?
I accept that you may have already got enough people assigned for this issue, but if not, consider this an offer.

It's not all altruistic; I confess I do have an itch to see what gets submitted, especially for #14.

[Timitius]

Snorter wrote:

How does one become an editor, if one wishes to expand one's CV?

I accept that you may have already got enough people assigned for this issue, but if not, consider this an offer.

It's not all altruistic; I confess I do have an itch to see what gets submitted, especially for #14.

Bob, I will make a note of your interest....but, we often give our prospective volunteer editors a spin by having them participate in a proofreading round of the draft issue, first.

So, expect to hear from us in April....for #13.

Tim

[Fashion Goblin]

I'll proofread too, if you're still looking for volunteers.

[AinvarG]

Fashion Goblin wrote:

I'll proofread too, if you're still looking for volunteers.

As will I.

[Wurzel McFurzel]

"You can count on MY steel!"

[Timitius]

Finally selected our final article choices for #13. Looks like we have 50-51 articles kept for this issue, plus 2 more articles to fill the 3 pages (so far) in the PDF version, due to the Paizo.com reviews on the product page!

Keep those reviews coming, and we'll keep adding on pages to the PDF!

[kevin_video]

Timitius wrote:

Finally selected our final article choices for #13. Looks like we have 50-51 articles kept for this issue, plus 2 more articles to fill the 3 pages (so far) in the PDF version, due to the Paizo.com reviews on the product page!

Keep those reviews coming, and we'll keep adding on pages to the PDF!

When articles are picked, how do the writers find out? Is everyone contacted with a "congrats you're in" or "sorry, please try again"? Or you only find out if there's something that needs editing on the article?

[Timitius]

kevin_video wrote:

Timitius wrote:

Finally selected our final article choices for #13. Looks like we have 50-51 articles kept for this issue, plus 2 more articles to fill the 3 pages (so far) in the PDF version, due to the Paizo.com reviews on the product page!

Keep those reviews coming, and we'll keep adding on pages to the PDF!

When articles are picked, how do the writers find out? Is everyone contacted with a "congrats you're in" or "sorry, please try again"? Or you only find out if there's something that needs editing on the article?

It's been evolving, actually. Initially, the only way to find out whether you made it or not was when the 'zine was released. It's a very simple reason why, too....Wayfinder volunteers don't usually have a lot of time to personally contact everyone, because they are too busy trying to get the issue done!

When I took the helm, I tried to send accept/reject letters out to everyone. It took a LOT of time, and time is something I didn't really have a lot of. It ended up being a bigger task that I could take on.

So, now we release the list of names of people who got one of their submissions accepted. No, we don't say which ones. If the authors manage to get an editor that contacts them, and works with them to get their article into shape, then the will find out then, but if not, then they get to wait until the release to find out which one.

Also, if you don't make the cut, and want to know why, I will provide feedback, if you want it. Just email, and we can tell you why it didn't get picked, although the biggest, more obvious reason is that someone else wrote a stronger article.

[kevin_video]

Yeah, I don't suppose it'd be very professional to send a bulk e-mail saying you didn't make the cut. Still, it's nice to know either way. It's a bit of a stressful wait.

[Snorter]

And don't worry if you don't get in, with your first submission;
I didn't.

Don't take rejection personally, it could be for a simple reason, like that particular article type was over-represented, or the subject you wrote about was actually covered elsewhere in canon.

If you get feedback, use it to improve your next entry. If you don't get feedback, you can still put the article aside and look at it with fresh eyes, when you're less emotionally invested in it, and issues will jump out at you that you didn't notice before.

[Bardess]

Ok, so when can we have the list? (I'm expecially worried about my performance for this issue...)

[Timitius]

Sometimes, the submission doesn't quite fit the theme, but DOES fit the theme of an upcoming issue. We are starting to get that happening more and more....

But, many times, it's failure to follow the guidelines. Word counts, no header info at the top, format style for the article type completely out of whack....

The important thing is the it really isn't personal. When we have 20 pieces of, let's say, fiction, and we are only keeping 4 of those, AND we are on a really tight deadline, we need the best stories that are ready to go NOW, with minimal editing. I cannot tell you how many stories I've read that are very good, but the ending falls apart. I want to take it, but that means a rewrite of the ending, and we just don't have the time to do that. That's why we encourage people to seek out writing groups, so what you send us is polished and ready to go.

That holds true for all articles, though. We want good ideas AND solid mechanics. We want articles that HAVE checked the setting, and are in line with canon. Because we really cannot take on big reworks.

[Timitius]

Bardess wrote:

Ok, so when can we have the list? (I'm expecially worried about my performance for this issue...)

I have the list, I need to check it over with Paris to make sure it is 100% accurate first.

[Timitius]

So, our authors for Wayfinder 13 are:

Alex J. "Canada Guy" Moore
Andrew Hoskins
Andrew Umphrey
Bran Hagger
Charlie Bell
Christoph RuyanVe Gimmler
Christopher "Acre" Lockwood
Christopher Wasko
Cole Kronewitter
Dylan "SteelDraco" Brooks
Garrett Guillotte
Ian "Set" Turner
Jacob Trier
Jake Burnett
Jason "Herzwesten" Keeley
Jeff Evans
Jeff Lee
Jeremy "He'sDeadJim" Clements
Jessie Staffler
Joe "Ignotus Advenium" Kondrak
Joe Smith
Joseph "RainyDayNinja" Kellogg
Kalyna "LightSprite" Conrad
Kiel "theheadkase" Howell
Laura "LauraBow" Sheppard
Mark "Morphemic" Nordheim
Matt "Helio" Roth
Matt Duval
Matt Morris
Matthew Medeiros
Michael Riter
Nate Love
Neil Spicer
Nicholas S. Orvis
Ron Lundeen
Ryan Crossman
Sarah "Ambrosia Slaad" Counts
Scott "GM Lamplighter" Young
Stephen "mechaPoet" Stack
Thomas "Kilrex" LeBlanc
Wojciech "Drejk" Gruchala

Congrats to everyone!

[Doombringer the DM]

:3 This is bloody excellent! Congrats to everyone who made it!

[Kobold Catgirl]

Ah, darn. Well, y'win some...

Congrats to those who made it in! Can't wait to read your articles. :)

[Timitius]

Kobold Cleaver wrote:

Ah, darn. Well, y'win some...

Congrats to those who made it in! Can't wait to read your articles. :)

Cleaver, you need to resubmit yours for #14, dude. ;-)

[Set]

'Joe Smith' is totally an alias. He thought that would be a believable name for a human person, like 'Ford Prefect.'

In other news, I shudder in anticipation of what from my submission gets illustrated...

[Paris Crenshaw]

Congratulations to all the writers whose work was selected for publication in this issue! Our editors will soon get their hands on your work and begin working their magic to make each piece truly sparkle!

And thank you to everyone who submitted to this issue. Although we can't showcase everyone's hard work, it's humbling to think that each of you is willing to put your creative work before us. That's an act of courage that only a writer or artist really understands. Thank you for your trust in us.

[Kobold Catgirl]

Timitius wrote:

Kobold Cleaver wrote:

Ah, darn. Well, y'win some...

Congrats to those who made it in! Can't wait to read your articles. :)

Cleaver, you need to resubmit yours for #14, dude. ;-)

I can do that? Okay, I'll do that.

[Fashion Goblin]

Oh well.. next time. :)

Congratulations to everyone who made it!
I can't wait to read this one.

[Ignotus Advenium]

I'm elated and can't wait to see if one or both of my small submissions made it in.

Thanks Tim, Paris, and all the volunteers who make this happen.

Keep spreadin the word about issue 12, too.

[Yasumoto]

Set wrote:

'Joe Smith' is totally an alias. He thought that would be a believable name for a human person, like 'Ford Prefect.'

In other news, I shudder in anticipation of what from my submission gets illustrated...

;)

Stoked to make it in! Looking forward to everyone's submissions for #14 now.. :)

[Bardess]

Crap.
Seven in a row, and I miss this.
I "did" say I was worried...

[Michael Riter]

Quick! Everyone review the last Wayfinder magazine! That way more can be accepted!

[theheadkase]

Huzzah! I made it in! Now if only I knew if it was my spells or my gazetteer...or both!

[ChesterCopperpot]

Super excited! Can't wait to see this issue.

[kevin_video]

Appreciate the list. No longer have to sit on the edge of my seat and stress.

Congrats to those who got in.

[Thomas LeBlanc]

Congrats to all who made it! Now the wait begins...

[GM Lamplighter]

For those who didn't make it this time - keep submitting. The theme changes, so you should write new stuff - the more you write, the better you get.

[Cardinal_Malik]

I hate working so hard with writers groups AND STILL NOT getting in. Oh well. Congrats to everyone who did get in. You worked harder :) Looking forward to a spooky issue.

[Morphemic]

I'm happy my first ever submission to Wayfinder made it in. Looking forward to seeing the issue. Congrats to everyone else who made it!

[Canada Guy]

Oh man, I'm re-reading my article and I've noticed a bunch of minor grammar mistakes! Hopefully the editor will catch them for me. I typed "it's" instead of "its" a few times and wrote "the the" in one spot.

Anyway congratulations to everyone who got in, and good luck to the editors!

[Curaigh]

Timitius wrote:

So, our authors for Wayfinder 13 are:

Alex J. "Canada Guy" Moore
Andrew Hoskins
Andrew Umphrey
Bran Hagger
Charlie Bell
Christoph RuyanVe Gimmler
Christopher "Acre" Lockwood
Christopher Wasko
Cole Kronewitter
Dylan "SteelDraco" Brooks
Garrett Guillotte
Ian "Set" Turner
Jacob Trier
Jake Burnett
Jason "Herzwesten" Keeley
Jeff Evans
Jeff Lee
Jeremy "He'sDeadJim" Clements
Jessie Staffler
Joe "Ignotus Advenium" Kondrak
Joe Smith
Joseph "RainyDayNinja" Kellogg
Kalyna "LightSprite" Conrad
Kiel "theheadkase" Howell
Laura "LauraBow" Sheppard
Mark "Morphemic" Nordheim
Matt "Helio" Roth
Matt Duval
Matt Morris
Matthew Medeiros
Michael Riter
Nate Love
Neil Spicer
Nicholas S. Orvis
Ron Lundeen
Ryan Crossman
Sarah "Ambrosia Slaad" Counts
Scott "GM Lamplighter" Young
Stephen "mechaPoet" Stack
Thomas "Kilrex" LeBlanc
Wojciech "Drejk" Gruchala

Congrats to everyone!

Congratulations everyone!

[Snorter]

Congratulations to everyone on the list!

[Phil Greeley/Rochandil Calenlad]

I didn't make it in! *grumblegruntlerazzlesassenfrass*
Congratulations to all who did!

[Jacob Trier]

Awesome - in on the first try. Congratulations, everyone who got picked.