How to start getting published in the RPG Industry?

[dreaded_beast]

Hopefully this question hasn't been beaten to death here, but I do not have access to the search function and maybe people can add some fresh perspective since the last time this question has been asked.

For those of you that have been published for a while or just got started, how did you start? Any tips? I don't plan to try it myself, just curious to see how it all started for you.

This could be anything from writting an adventure to creating an illustration for a product.

 

[Voadam]

For me, seeing an open call and submitting stuff.

Then repeat.

 

[reveal]

Monte Cook posted a very good article on this very subject a while back.

http://www.montecook.com/arch_lineos70.html

 

[Mapleaxe]

For me, seeing an open call and submitting stuff.

Then repeat.

That's my claim to fame, so far--I have 5 monsters in Sword and Sorcery's CCIII because of their open call on that project and some more freelance material in an unannounced NDA project from another open call.

 

[Rasyr]

Well, I got started with a politely worded letter of complaint. (I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that I did not have all the information so made an incorrect assumption)

Seriously, I did! That got me talking with the CEO, and time went by, and I now work for the company full time. In fact, I even authored their newest game (its up for an Ennie this year!) called HARP -- http://www.harphq.com - check it out -- and I am heavily involved in the creation of a new setting to go with it (due out in a couple of months).

But then again, mine was also an atypical situation (something of a common occurance for me heheh).

The best advice is that which has already been given. Answer the open calls, submit to online ezines (The Guild Companion is always looking for articles, while primarily Rolemaster, they do publish d20 articles as well (I have a few up there) -- http://www.guildcompanion.com --), submit to dragon, subit to dungeon, pyramid, and other magazines and ezines.

The more credits you have, the more willing companies are to take a chance on you.

 

[philreed]

Currently, Ronin Arts is searching for new authors to work on our "Dozens" series. Since these are between 2,000 and 4,000 words they make a nice entry project for an author looking for some publishing credits.

I can be reached at roninartspresident@yahoo.com if you've got any questions.

You'll need to be familiar with some of the releases in this series to do the work properly.

http://www.rpgnow.com/default.php?manufacturers_id=352

 

[Darrin Drader]

My best advice is to read Monte's article. Once you're done, read it again. He mapped out exactly how I broke into the industry (minus the fact that I'm employed by Wizards, but obviously working there is not the only way to get in). My experience is that things start slow and then over time build to the point where you get to choose which projects you get to work on and who you will work on them for. For a full list of my published credits, check out my website at the following URL: http://www.darrindrader.com/About.htm.

Additional advice I can give: don't get caught up in the politics of the industry. I have an opinion about the Origins awards and this last round of ENnies. I won;t be sharing those opinions with anyone publicly. It really doesn't help if you anger the people who could potentially be offering you work down the road.

Don't claim to be an RPG insider when you're just breaking in. Heck, even as an "insider", I often still feel like an outsider. Don't assume that you've earned the respect that you think you've earned until someone has nominated you for an award, a publisher comes to you, or you have a group of fanboys following you around quoting your opinions.

Take breaks. Once you get going you will get burned out. It will turn into a job, just like any other one. While this may be fun and exciting to begin with, after a wile it is just another article, another book, another paycheck.

Finally, don't let the reviews get to you. So far I've actually been extremely lucky in that most of the products I've worked on have been well received. Wrack & Ruin, which I was the lead developer on, received an honorable mention for an ENnie this year. Even if it that means its the 7th best product of the year in that category, that means a lot to me considering the sheer number of products available in that category. On the other hand, there will be those reviewers who will want to pee in your cheerios. When that happens, take whatever criticism they might have, see if you can use it on your next project, and move past it. To quote George Clooney, you're never as bad as they say you are. Once you are succesful, you are never as good as they say you are.

 

[Sir Elton]

Well, I got started with a politely worded letter of complaint. (I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that I did not have all the information so made an incorrect assumption)

Seriously, I did! That got me talking with the CEO, and time went by, and I now work for the company full time. In fact, I even authored their newest game (its up for an Ennie this year!) called HARP -- http://www.harphq.com - check it out -- and I am heavily involved in the creation of a new setting to go with it (due out in a couple of months).

Tim Dugger,

They are lucky to have you.

Now I'm working on a little project that is essientially a d20 Modern adventure. It might be better if it were written for Feng Shui, but I've been discouraged working for Atlas Games as of late. So far, I put the climax in the middle, and now I have a whole new adventure to rewrite. After all, I put a DRAGON in the middle of the adventure and I would have commited a writing sin it I didn't catch it early.

 

[Terry Edwards]

First off I would suggest posting this in the D20 publishing forum and even perusing past threads in that forum.

As for my personal experience, I have done well with Dungeon and Dragon Magazine. For Dragon I would suggest reviewing their submission guidelines and finding a "familiars" article that interests you and submit a few ideas to them in a query. They're great people and very forgiving of my poor grammar. I haven't submitted to Dungeon in a while but it was my "first break" project so I know they're willing to work with newbies.

I've tried to contribute to several open calls in the d20 forums but have had no luck there so I personally can't recommend that route.

For illustration I have only been published with Direkobold.com. I pushed some art along with an adventure and did the cartography while I was at it. Very fun project.

 

[GMSkarka]

Don't assume that you've earned the respect that you think you've earned until someone has nominated you for an award, a publisher comes to you, or you have a group of fanboys following you around quoting your opinions.

Speaking from experience, I'd say that even when you've gotten to that point, it's probably best not to assume it anyway. Fame, even in our small niche, is a dangerous thing, and has a nasty tendency to go to your head.

Finally, take breaks. Once you get going you will get burned out. It will turn into a job, just like any other one. While this may be fun and exciting to begin with, after a wile it is just another article, another book, another paycheck.

This is perhaps the most important point, and one that folks don't often consider. This *is* a job. It may seem fun and exciting, but if that's your reason for doing it, DON'T. The blush of getting paid for writing doesn't last very long, and you're soon faced with the realities of deadlines, scheduling, tracking down payments, hunting for your next assignment, etc.