So I have a manuscript, what next?

[Tolen Mar]

I apologize now if this has been asked hundreds of times before (as I imagine it has), but I cant afford to spend any extra wampum just to get a search option...

Ok, a friend of mine and I have been working on our campaign setting for 3 years now (maybe longer). I have almost everything in a manuscript form.Everything is there that a player would need to play in my world, and I started this project with the intent of getting it published eventually.

So I have a manuscript, what next?

I would like to do some playtesting outside of our group, but don't know how to get started doing that. Do publishers prefer a playtested product, or do they want to do it? (they'll probably do it anyway, regardless).

Does anyone know of anyone who is looking for a new setting? I could draft a query letter for them if I knew where to send it.

In short, where do I go from here?

 

[Zenon]

Monte Cook has the article for you in his Line of Sight this time, called "Getting Started".

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

 

[jezter6]

I'm not sure how many people know the answers to your questions here, but Sue Cook has a good board for writers and potential writers where you can post some questions for other industry folks as well.

There's a link there for a RPG writer service that puts out monthly PDF's of publisher addresses and policies for submissions, might be something to check out (althought the subscription does cost money).

Here's the link: http://pub79.ezboard.com/bforwritersandeditors90779

 

[thg jim]

I have to agree with Monte on this one. I know of no one who will even take entire campaign settings submissions. The best way to get in the business is starting small, like contests, mailing individual publishers, trying to get into the freelance biz, submitting to Dragon or Dungeon...stuff like that. I know that many publishers are looking for dependable writers. Give it a shot. Good luck.

 

[Y.O.Morales]

Just my two cents:

I also agree with Monte. There are a lot of people who want to get their work published (who doesn't?) and most publishers have a limited budget, meaning that they will always give priority to the best talent, especially if it comes from an experienced writer and designer. And I say "writer and designer" because I have encountered a lot of people with good ideas but poor writing skills.

So my recommendation is that you take a portion of your campaign setting that could make a good article in Dragon (take the Campaign Components as an example). This could be your first step, since getting a whole campaign setting published is very hard. One reason is because most people will not replace their whole homewbrew campaign setting with a published one. As DMs, they always take portions or look for new rules featured in such setting, so make sure that you have included some in your manuscript.

Well, Tolen Mar, I wish good luck and hope that these two cents could help you in any way.

 

[Abulia]

Sadly, I find it unlikely that anyone would be interested in printing your setting in its entirety, as is. Even if someone was interested there would probably be a fair number of changes. This, of course, presumes that your writing is up to snuff and the manuscript isn't an editor's nightmare mired in pages of passive voice. A large majority of writers in the industry write what is assigned to them--most companies already have their product schedule for the next year (or two) outlined, or already have ideas of what they need written.

Don’t fret, however! In this digital age of electronic publishing, the barrier to entry has been significantly lowered. You and your friends, with a modest investment, could conceivably publish your setting on your own as a PDF. You'll find plenty of resources around here to help with that. Natural 20 (an ENWorld imprint) might even be interested…

Regards,
Don Mappin
Freelancer for Hire