[BDG] d20 Modern Alien - Open Call for Writers

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Blue Devil Games is gearing up for a new book, and we need some alien critters to round it out.

We want:

1) Alien creatures. Any ecosystem role or creature type is acceptable, i.e., predators, cute'n'fuzzy critters, sentient races, etc. Anything goes. (This is for a "serious" game product, however, so no humorous entries please.)

2) Creatures to be written up using d20 Modern SRD rules. Note the "SRD" part. That's important.

3) Creature write-ups to be in the same format as the "Friends and Foes" section of d20 Modern.

4) NO PREVIOUSLY RELEASED OPEN CONTENT! Must be originals.

5) Submissions should be made in .RTF, .TXT, or MS Word document format. Multiple submissions can be made as part of a single document. Include your name as you want it to appear in the credit line, your e-mail address, and the physical address you want your payment sent to.

6) E-mail your submissions to justin[at]bluedevilgames[dot]com -- Put "Alien Open Call" in the subject line of your e-mail and at the beginning of the document submitted.

7) Submissions are due no later than July 31, 2004.

8) All submissions used become the property of Blue Devil Games.

In exchange, we will:

1) Pay $5 per critter, flat fee. We pay once we decide which critters we are using. We will NOT wait for publication.

2) Send you a free copy of any pdf product in which your submission appears.

3) Give you a credit line in any product in which your submission appears.

Thanks, in advance for your interest, and good luck.

[Samloyal23]

Are you interested in templates or creatures that are related to each other, like larval and adult forms of the same creature?

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Both sound like great ideas. Not merely acceptable, but the kind of imaginative material that would likely make the cut.

Thanks for your interest.

[JLowder]

1) Pay $5 per critter, flat fee. We pay once we decide which critters we are using. We will NOT wait for publication.

Justin:

Giving credit and paying on acceptance rather than on publication are both great. But $5 for all rights is not a good deal for a writer. For the small amount you're paying, and the fact that these critters are not based on an existing setting or even your own rules set, you should be buying first rights only and leaving the copyright with the writers.

Drop me a note off list if you want to talk about possible contract permutations.

Cheers,
James Lowder

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Giving credit and paying on acceptance rather than on publication are both great. But $5 for all rights is not a good deal for a writer. For the small amount you're paying, and the fact that these critters are not based on an existing setting or even your own rules set, you should be buying first rights only and leaving the copyright with the writers.
I must respectfully disagree with your categorical assessment of my open call. It is certainly not a "good deal" for an established writer such as yourself. I have no doubt that you command much higher figures than what's provided for in my proposal. Indeed, I generally pay higher rates for freelance writers when I'm contracting for a particular project.

However, your error is in assuming that all freelance writers must receive the same deal. Many writers are just starting out and cannot--indeed, should not--command the types of rates you mention in the other thread. In fact, my open call terms are quite standard with one exception being that I'm paying a flat fee as opposed to a per word rate. (Though I suspect it would generally come out to about the same, per-creature figure; I used a flat fee to keep things simple.) You will be very hard pressed to find any publisher willing to accept only first-print rights for written material.

The very concept of an open call such as the one I posted is to give new and inexperienced writers an opportunity to get some of their work published, get a credit line for the resume, and make a little scratch on the side. Ironically, my last freelance writing work (before starting Blue Devil Games) was an open call for Bastion Press's Arms & Armor 3.5. (Who knows when that will actually be coming out?) My "pay?" A free copy of the book. And, yes, that was for the transfer of full publication rights.

In short, I agree that the open call is not for everyone. However, I think it is improper to characterize it as "wrong" in some way. By the same token, I'm always the first to admit when I'm wrong, and I would be curious to hear if other freelance writers felt there was something unfair by my proposal.

[Greenworld45]

As a freelance writer who has no great amount of expertise nor credit to have to admit the deal does not seem to terrible. Considering most RPG jobs pay around .02 cents a word, making 1,000 words around $20, it is not bad at all. That means an author needs only 4 critters to meet that amount of pay. I am seriously considering the deal (that is if I can come-up with some interesting aliens)

Dear BDS,
Do you have more information on the book availiable? I find its easier to write if I get an idea of the theme or "feel" behind the publication. Modern Aliens could be many things; ID4 type aliens, stargate type aliens, and conspiracy theory roswell aliens could all be considered for the book. Therefore I ask for some clarification.

Sincerely,
George Peckham-Rooney

PS. Do you have a template concering the write-ups? I notice you want ecosystem etc., but an example would appreciated.

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Do you have more information on the book availiable? I find its easier to write if I get an idea of the theme or "feel" behind the publication. Modern Aliens could be many things; ID4 type aliens, stargate type aliens, and conspiracy theory roswell aliens could all be considered for the book.
I can't give too much detail at this time, unfortunately. But, I can say that it involves humans but also takes place in a distant galaxy. So, using your examples, ID4-type and stargate-type are both fine. Roswell aliens would not work, at least in terms of the specific context of an Earth locale.

As far as a template for write-ups, use the format from friends and foes in the d20 Modern book or the write-ups found in the Menace Manual. Thus specific entries for ecosystem (or culture, language, weapons, etc.) are not essential for every entry. However some of these may be relevant to fully describe any given entry. You only need to do what is necessary to describe your alien.

[pawsplay]

Space opera?

[JLowder]

In fact, my open call terms are quite standard with one exception being that I'm paying a flat fee as opposed to a per word rate. (Though I suspect it would generally come out to about the same, per-creature figure; I used a flat fee to keep things simple.) You will be very hard pressed to find any publisher willing to accept only first-print rights for written material.

A lot of game publishers feel they are justified in taking all rights for essentially no money. In genre publishing, first rights are the standard contract.

New and inexperienced writers should look at market sites like http://www.ralan.com, where most of the professional markets (3 cents/word and up) only buy first rights. I edited anthologies for Eden Studios, Green Knight, and Guardians of Order, all of which included first-time authors, all of which paid at least 3 cents/word for first rights. They were all "open call" projects, too. Amazing Stories--now published by Paizo--pays 10 cents/word for first rights, and they have open submissions, too.

You are not requesting these monsters be tied to some existing setting, or to be derived from your IP. It would be easy for you to create a contract that does not demand all rights, yet gets you the publishing rights you need to make the book work--and considering your pay offer, that would be the only fair contract to offer.

Or, to put it another way, WotC buys all rights, and pays a lot more than you're paying. They offer a writer a lot of exposure. You can't offer the same rates or the same exposure. Why, then, are you demading the same contract terms?

Cheers,
James Lowder

[Justin D. Jacobson]

James, I'm happy to have this discussion with you. We seem to be having this discussion on three different threads now.

But please don't hijack my thread in the process. This thread is for my open call. I suggest that you or I (or someone else if they are of a mind) start a new thread to discuss the topic. I think it's an interesting one and worthy of discussion. Just not here.

[lifespeed]

I'll be the first to admit that I've not the most experiance in the field, only being published once so far, but I've still noticed a few things.

For one, writers, unless they've proven themselves with huge success (read: Rowling, King, etc.) always get paind for beans. It's really awful in the RPG market, because artists get paid so very much more, and, as far as I'm concerned, do less work. I'm not saying that a lot af artists (most of the ones I've seen on here so far) aren't worth what they get paid, I'm saying that writers should be getting paid in the same manner. I think that raging inequality is the first to be addressed.

Second, not everyone who answers an open call like this need be out to make a living. I certianly intentd to submit some creatures, should I come up with anything amidst my shcedule. Obviously, $5 for what could run from ten minutes to a few hours of work isn't worth it for somebody that's doing this professionally. But this brings me to my third point.
Everyone on this forum, and I should think this certainly applies to Blue Devil, who've had some success in the RPG market, knows what fair pricing is. Face it, they aren't asking for a lot, and it's a good shot for somebody who does this RPG thing as a hobby or is new and willing to whore themselves out (like myself in both cases), and I'm pretty sure that's the kind of writer their aiming this at. So, if everyone knows this, why do people insist on hijacking every thread with what they think is poor payment? If you don't want the job, then don't bother posting. I know if I felt that this wasn't worth my time, I wouldn't be posting anything.

And for Blue Devil, expect at least one submission from me before the deadline. Thanks for the opprotunity, however small it may be. It's still better than nothing.

[thele]

James, I'm happy to have this discussion with you. We seem to be having this discussion on three different threads now.

But please don't hijack my thread in the process. This thread is for my open call. I suggest that you or I (or someone else if they are of a mind) start a new thread to discuss the topic. I think it's an interesting one and worthy of discussion. Just not here.

Funny. He hijacked my open call too. He said the exact same thing.

I wonder who james works for?

`Le

[JLowder]

But please don't hijack my thread in the process. This thread is for my open call. I suggest that you or I (or someone else if they are of a mind) start a new thread to discuss the topic. I think it's an interesting one and worthy of discussion. Just not here.

You're making a call in a public area for writers, which means that public comment on the terms and conditions you're offering should be expected. So this isn't a hijack. It's fair comment, with facts about the other opportunities out there for writers.

If a writer reads those comments and still submits, you're actually better off. That writer is far less likely to feel badly about the terms he accepted some time down the road, when he finds out about things like the rates paid for open call submissions at Amazing or the Eden zombie anthologies. They'll take on the work from you more fully informed as to what they're getting into.

But having made the comments, I won't belabor the point, and will let the subject rest in this thread.

Cheers,
James Lowder

[JLowder]

Funny. He hijacked my open call too. He said the exact same thing.

I wonder who james works for?

I said the same thing because you offered pretty much the same bad contract.

I'm a writer and editor with fifteen-plus years experience in the industry, working both as a staffer for places like TSR and a fulltime freelancer since 1994. I've worked for most of the major RPG companies and many of the smaller companies, and done work for some of the fiction houses (Del Rey, CDS) in NY and comics publishers, too (DC, Moonstone).

And it's not hijacking. When you claim that you are doing writers a favor by publishing them, that the industry standard is all rights for little pay, you are mistaken. I am offering a counterpoint based upon my years of firsthand experience in publishing, as both an editor and writer.

Cheers,
James Lowder

[lifespeed]

I've worked for The Le, in fact I responded to that very thread of which you speak, and I don't feel as if I've gotten the shaft. In fact, I've got future deals pending with The Le that could work out pretty well for me.
I'm not sure about 15 years ago, but it seems that breaking into fiction and the like, which I'd very much like to do, is pretty hard, mayber harder or easier now then it was, but personally, any chance I get, I'll take it. If I have to work for little pay at first, I'm willing to do that, because it's still better than not getting paind to do something I like.
What I think you should do, based on your rather extensive experiance, is to start a thread, or better yet, a website, to share your experiances with the rest of us that haven't been around as long as you. I'm sure you've got a lo of helpful stuff to say, but I to know the pain of a thread going off in a direction (even if this direcetion is related) other then you intended it to. You may have good intentions, but it's still "hijacking" of sorts.
Sorry if I was short before, and thanks for the help you have provided.

[pawsplay]

Spin-off thread to discuss James Lowder's concerns:

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=132954

[ZenDog]

when he finds out about things like the rates paid for open call submissions at Amazing or the Eden zombie anthologies.

Links please I know Eden but not sure who Amazing are. Cheers.

[Jason J. McCuiston]

For one, writers, unless they've proven themselves with huge success (read: Rowling, King, etc.) always get paind for beans. It's really awful in the RPG market, because artists get paid so very much more, and, as far as I'm concerned, do less work. .

Lifespeed, I really have to take exception to this statement. I do freelance art and writing, and I have to say, there is a lot more that goes into the artwork than the writing. You have to do prelimenary sketches, rough pencil sketches, revisions, finished pencils, revisions, and finally, inks for each piece. The process is even longer for color work. In my experience this takes a whole lot more time and energy than the self-editing process involved in writing.

Believe me, I'm not slamming writers at all; I'm just saying that we both need each other in a symbiotic relationship. How many of us have passed over a book just because we thought the cover art sucked? And if there wasn't a manuscript to illustrate, how many of us would have to sell our brushes to eat?

My point is, art isn't as easy as some people think.

And to get this back on topic, I am declaring that I intend to submit as many as seven alien races for Blue Devil's open call. (Sorry for the temporary sidetrack).

--JJM

[bigsimon]

Despite my reservations about rights, I wouldn't mind submitting a few races for this... however, I'm not entirely sure what it means to be written according to "d20 Modern SRD Rules". I'm not finding anything in the d20 Modern SRD that actually describes creating creatures... so are we just talking about using current creatures available in the SRD as templates and guidelines?

[Justin D. Jacobson]

I'm not entirely sure what it means to be written according to "d20 Modern SRD Rules". I'm not finding anything in the d20 Modern SRD that actually describes creating creatures... so are we just talking about using current creatures available in the SRD as templates and guidelines?
Yes. Sorry that wasn't clear. To clarify, the mechanics of the aliens need to fit the d20 Modern ruleset. So--admittedly, this is a weird example--but I wouldn't want an alien who had a favored class of sorcerer. Also, and I would hope this is quite clear, they should not be writtern for GURPs, FUDGE, or any of the other fine systems out there.

Thanks for your interest.

[JLowder]

Links please I know Eden but not sure who Amazing are. Cheers.

http://www.paizo.com/amazing

A link for Amazing Stories and many other paying genre markets (fiction and non-fiction) can be found at http://www.ralan.com.

Cheers,
James Lowder

[Steve Conan Trustrum]

James, I agree with you in that the rate is also far too low for me to try contributing to this work.


HOWEVER


I also accept the fact that the pay and the conditions are going to be acceptable to other people. Why? Who knows? Their reason could be as simple as money not being as important as exposure, or it could be something else entirely. What is important, though, is that they DO have a reason for submitting for that amount of cash. While it isn't a lot of money, he is still offering it. Period. That makes it acceptable for this forum, as I understand the forum's purpose to be: giving publishers the opportunity to talk with freelancers looking for paid work. I've yet to see a rule outlining how much has to be paid in order to post an open call here.

The fact that people are considering such a relationship with this publisher means their priorities as a writer are currently not the same as you, me, and anyone else who won't submit for the same reason. You've provided information and links to information that supports your points and now you should leave it to those interested to make up their own minds -- if they don't want to work for a small press publisher who can't afford the going standards for larger companies then that is their choice to make. Stop telling the publisher that he's wrong for making the offer in the first place.

Arguing beyond the points you've already made -- and saying it in multiple threads --is indeed hijacking the thread and does not reflect well on you, regardless of how many years you've worked in the industry or who for.

[JLowder]

Arguing beyond the points you've already made -- and saying it in multiple threads --is indeed hijacking the thread and does not reflect well on you, regardless of how many years you've worked in the industry or who for.

Apart from answering specific questions, I've moved the discussion to a single thread. I did so, in fact, after Justin asked me to, quite some time ago.

Cheers,
James Lowder

[Steve Conan Trustrum]

Apart from answering specific questions, I've moved the discussion to a single thread. I did so, in fact, after Justin asked me to, quite some time ago.
Which doesn't change what else was stated in my post.

[JLowder]

Which doesn't change what else was stated in my post.

That people write for various reasons? I agree. However, I've been focusing my comments on whether or not these PDF offers are good deals for people who want to use the credits to move up to pro gigs, and whether or not they reflect the publishing marketplace as a whole. If they don't care to move up to the majors and don't care that they are signing deals that are very poor compared to the market at large, my comments won't impact their particiaption one bit. I didn't deny such carefree souls existed, though.

Beyond that, your criticism of my posting was answered by the move to the single thread.

Which is what you shoud probably do with any reply to this post. Thanks.

Cheers,
James Lowder

[Justin D. Jacobson]

Just a reminder that subissions are due by July 31st. (Although I will be out of town until August 2nd, so that's a de facto two-day extension.)

I will also add some additional information regarding the project in which we hope to use the material.

You may have seen posted elsewhere our announcement for Dawning Star, a campaign setting for d20 Modern and the upcoming d20 Future ruleset. We are feverishly working on the fluffy bits now and will incorporate the d20 Future rules once they are released. Our goal is to release a pdf version of the setting within one week of d20 Future hitting the SRD. We will then collect errata and other feedback and prepare for a print release for the 1st Quarter of 2005. The print book will be a full-color publication, so we're expecting to release a top-notch product.

Can't wait to see what you guys have come up with.