WotC Open Call for Novel Proposals

[Abulia]

Abulia -- I don't have "credentials" as such (do I need them?). I work as a writer full time (making a good living), have published technical, literary, non-fiction, academic, and gaming-related stuff. I have not yet published a novel, but am working on it, as are many other people.

The only reason I asked was because, in your very first post to this thread, you passed yourself off as a published author. You made no mention, however, of what those credentials were. Thus, you passed yourself off as an "expert" in the discussion as it relates to centers of power (expert, legitimate, coercive, referent, and informational).

For those curious about the leadership power types and influencing others:

Expert power comes from your knowledge in a specific area through which you influence others. You have expert power because your subordinates regard you as an expert in your rating. Subordinates may also have this type of power. When you combine expert power with other types of power, you will find it an effective tool in influencing others. However, when you use it by itself, you will find it ineffective.

For all we know you could be Terry Brooks, Mike Stackpole, or some other notable author in which case I would happily defer to your expertise. Telling people that their first draft needs to be "final publishing-worthy prose" is just bad information, IMO.

Sorry you thought I was being snarky; it wasn't my intent. I simply disagree with much of your advice and observations as to the nature of this open call. (Doomed!)

 

[Abulia]

So roughly how many words in length is the average novel? Does anyone know?

I provided the figure of 60K (the bare minimum I'd say) and the more realistic 90K. You can certainly go longer but I'm not sure that's realistic given the timeframe.

As others have said, there are no hard, fast rules on word count for a novel.

 

[Abulia]

The twist being that this open call is for genre fiction, not gaming material in specific. The winner might end up being an already-published writer, but not necessarily published in the gaming industry.

Yes, but how many fiction writers frequent the Wizards web site, in particular the very poor novel news section? (Rhetorical question, none of us know for certain.)

It's been a bit since I've flipped through Writer's Market, but I'd hazard to say that Wizards of the Coast isn't on the rotation for most aspiring fiction writers for submitting non-setting specific material. Also keep in mind the nature of the open call: to wit, I've seen notifications here, Gaming Report, RPG.net, and the Wizards message boards. No mention in, say, Writer's Digest, as an example.

My point being is that the hobby and gaming industry is incredibly small and not well known. I'm not sure how many people outside of "our realm" have heard about this open call. Furthermore, assuming the word does eventually trickle out to more the more mainstream avenues, precious time will have passed by then.

Industry authors also have pre-existing commitments and deadlines; they have to work their current schedule into fitting the open call in there somehow. I'd hazard to say this is your main source of competition.

Those are simply my opinions so take them as you will. I think everyone's chances are better than one might think on the surface. It's all rather academic if you can't produce 90K of material to begin with, though.

I apologize for my tardiness in responding to this thread; I was traveling on business plus the site outage made it difficult to get caught back up.

 

[takyris]

Actually, it's come up on Speculations, the writing messageboard I visit on a regular basis. It's on the SFF.net market report as well. If it's on these two sites, it is effectively common knowledge for anyone who regularly looks for new markets, because those two areas are pretty much the bigguns for news about new writing markets. (Ralan is a third, but this doesn't really fit Ralan.com's field of interest.)

And, as someone else noted, I was completely wrong about them wanting all rights and you not owning the world anymore. Wizards clarified their statement in response to a query e-mail. They want hardcover and paperback rights, and plan to negotiate for more. Which means that it's now not a horrible idea to send them the novel whose world you intend to use for your ten-book series.

As far as percentages and chances of getting in, I think it's important to remember an important idea from an editor at Tor: There are no flat percentages in fiction-reading. It's not the lottery. If you can't write at all, you have a 0% chance of getting published. If your writing is mediocre, you have a very bad chance of getting published. If your writing is fantastic, your chances are much much better than one-in-however-many-submissions-there-are.

Fundamentally, though, this isn't a competition. You can make it one, but it doesn't have to be. I mean this in the same way that I mean that the hundred-yard dash is generally not a competition, and neither is the high jump or any swimming event except water polo. In a game of football or baseball or water polo, someone else is opposing you, trying to stop you from doing well (pitching to make it harder for you to hit, hitting as hard as they can in hopes that you won't catch their ball, etc). In a sprint, a marathon, a golf tournament, or a diving competition, all you're trying to do is get your best possible time. The award goes to the person who did the best, so it's competitive in that sense, but ultimately, your only real competition is yourself.

So write your best, give it to your friends, get their opinions, fix what they said didn't work, and get it in. That's all you can do.

 

[Abulia]

We should set up a web-site where we can keep abreast of other authors' progress: words, pages, and chapters, and what date we hit our milestones.

I think that's a super idea! Additional motivation for those that choose to participate can only be a good thing.

Much like the November Novel writing event, you could do it by the honor system. A weekly stacked rankings of the writers by word count, their change in position, number of weeks on the chart, etc. What a hoot!

If anything it'd be nice to have a common area to share the pain, adulation, and trials of the process with your fellow writers.

 

[Abulia]

Actually, it's come up on Speculations, the writing messageboard I visit on a regular basis. It's on the SFF.net market report as well. If it's on these two sites, it is effectively common knowledge for anyone who regularly looks for new markets, because those two areas are pretty much the bigguns for news about new writing markets.

So write your best, give it to your friends, get their opinions, fix what they said didn't work, and get it in. That's all you can do.

Thank you for the information. Excellent post!

 

[smerwin29]

Actually, it's come up on Speculations, the writing messageboard I visit on a regular basis. It's on the SFF.net market report as well. If it's on these two sites, it is effectively common knowledge for anyone who regularly looks for new markets, because those two areas are pretty much the bigguns for news about new writing markets. (Ralan is a third, but this doesn't really fit Ralan.com's field of interest.)

And it has spread even beyond. I have writer friends who have no knowledge or interest in gaming specifically, but whose fiction fits into the categories covered in the open call, and they are aware of it through a number of different sources. In the world of novel writing, this is very enticing for almost anyone who works in those genres. Having a publisher actually asking to see your work, rather than having to work through a slush pile or getting an agent who can open some doors for you, isn't something to ignore.

Shawn

 

[DarkSoldier]

Does anyone know who I can ask at WotC if they accept dual-authored proposals?

 

[your father is]

^I don't see why they wouldn't accept a dual-authored story -- just make sure you fill out and sign one release form each (so two in total).

 

[kaiscomet]

Originally posted by Halivar:
We should set up a web-site where we can keep abreast of other authors' progress: words, pages, and chapters, and what date we hit our milestones.


There is actually a place that was set up on FMwriters.com for people who are trying to write specifically for WOTC after the Maiden of Pain open call. A few people have agreed to post threads and follow-up for nanowrimo specifically that is geared for this open call, with motivation, word count, etc.
If your interested, follow the instructions below on how to access the site.



If you do not have a membership to Forward Motion, follow these steps:

Go to http://fmwriters.com/ and join. Once you have that step finished, continue.


After getting your membership to Forward Motion, follow these steps:

Go to http://fmwriters.com/ and login.

Then, while still logged in, go to http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php

NOTICE: NONE OF THE FOLLOWING LINKS WILL WORK PROPERLY UNLESS YOU ARE LOGGED INTO FORWARD MOTION!

Look for the line that says:

Logout | FAQ | Search | Read new | User menu | Profiles | Rating | Calendar

Click on Profiles http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php?az=user_profiles

In the Search by Index box, click on Z http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php?az=user_profiles&index=Z

Click on Zette http://www.fmwriters.com/community/dc/dcboard.php?az=user_profiles&u_id=100007

Send her a message with the request to join the WOTC private board.

Use the title: WOTC private board: request to join.

WAIT PATIENTLY UNTIL SHE SENDS YOU A MESSAGE BACK! Zette is an extremely busy lady, and she'll get to these requests as she can. Don't be bugging her after your inital request. If it's been a week or so, send me a message(G for Gerri!), and I'll see what I can do.

Once she has confirmed your membership into the board, you'll find the board in the Forums in Discussion & Critique conference. This forum is the sixth one on the page. Within this forum, the WOTC board will be at the bottom of the list. YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO THE BOARDS IN ORDER TO SEE THIS CHOICE!

That should get you organized. Good luck.