Timewaster's Guide Archive
Departments => Books => Topic started by: 42 on March 05, 2003, 09:41:56 PM
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So Wizards of the Coast is placing an open call for novel proposals.
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/fx20030305x
So what does everyone think of this procedure?
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This seems like an odd trend they're starting. World proposals I can understand, but novel proposals? I mean, why not just start accepting novels instead?
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It seems that they are looking for a new series writer.
My understanding is that writers tend not to stick around too long on writing series since it is too easy to get labeled by a series. WotC may not have the infrastructure to start excepting normal novel proposals in that they publish for a rather specific market. Anyways, I do find this to be sort of odd, but a good oppurtunity for aspiring novelists to get a foot into the publishing field.
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On our way home from the last WFC we rode on the plane with a guy who got started as a novelist from an opportunity almost identical to this one. So, it can happen.
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Wow. Now that I've read the full guidelines for the submissions, I'm intrigued. I know very little about the Maiden of Pain, and even less about the Forgotten Realm setting, but the idea is pretty fascinating--it's obvious why they want you to avoid certain elements, but I have to wonder why they're so specific about including other elements. They just really want a book about Priests that involves the Maiden of Pain? How did they come up with that?
Anyway, the little I do know about the Maiden of Pain makes me very tempted to do some research and see if I can come up with a cool story. Challenges like this trigger my puzzle-solving instinct. Who among you has the Forgotten Realms book and the Faith and Pantheons book? (I know Eric does, but since he lives in the far reaches of Virginia that doesn't count.)
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It doesn't hurt to try, does it? I think I'll give it a shot. I have a week off work specifically for writing, so I'm sure I'll be working on this.
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So, I'm curious. Did either of you ever write proposals for this?
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I didn't get around to it. my week off for writing turned into moving and unpacking. And i've been working on a sample chapter for a nonfiction book right now, and focussing on short stories otherwise. Although my best ideas come back to one of my novel ideas, lately, so I'll probably be working on that again.
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I never got hold of the requisite background reading, so I didn't bother. Too bad, though, since it sounded like fun. I hope they do more of these in the future.
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deadline hasn't passed, has it? I'd scan something for you, but my scanner's broken.
I've actually thought about looking up the material, but I'm tired.
Also, I'd make an excuse, but I'm not very clever.
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The deadline is July 1st.
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That's enough time to do a one-page synopsis, but probably not enough time for a 10-page sample.
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? Oh, come on. That's a lamer excuse than the 'I don't have an excuse' excuse. We both know you could write up ten pages of prose with your eyes closed, Fell.
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I agree, ten pages doesn't take all that long to write. Given a week and you should have it perfected.
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Unless you're ADD. Like me. However, I did get a page of my play written. 8)
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Sure I could whip up 10 pages of classic Fellfrosch prose, but do they really want The Maiden of Pain to be a comedy about bungling idiots? If I write about characters who aren't bungling idiots, it takes me a lot longer.
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I dunno, the term "maiden of pain" calls up a whole series of bungling idiot scenarios
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Oooo. Fellfrosh does a D&D S&M dark comedy. Now THAT's a book I would read.
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It would definitely have twinkies in it.
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I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'd read it too.
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Well, I know one person who is actually submitting. His idea sounds pretty good too. I'm not sure if it will make it. My biggest concern is that WotC books seem very formulaic and should include the dice rolls in the margins.
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The other concern would be the competition. Even a good idea has a slim chance, considering all the submissions they're going to get. Normal novel-publishing avenues are competative, but the fact that you generally have to write an entire book to submit keeps out a lot of the fluff. Ten pages, however, is doable by every 14-year-old fanboy out there.
Of course, this competition will be more favorable to the experienced than the last, since there's an opportunity to send an actual writing sample.