Writer's Pay

[Kid Charlemagne]

Some years back (at the end of the TSR era, and the beginning of WotC), it was suggested on multiple mailing lists at the time that author names were, in fact, one of the least noticed and valued aspects of a product.

Nice to see that this has changed a bit - it certainly allows for the consumer to get a better guage at the product's quality (in terms of consistency, if nothing else).

I argued the point that we would see the evolution of the "Star Designer" several years ago just as Monte and SKR left WOTC. I still feel that with the proliferation of companies, and the prevalence of freelancing, the best method to use in purchasing products is to go by name. If you know a guy does good work, you can assume a lot about his future work. It takes time to build that kind of reputation. I still hope that this is how things work out. I know most people disagreed with me at the time.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Then we must not be reading the same open calls, because the ones I see say "send us something, and we'll accept it after we read it". I sent material to Bastion Press (not what prompted this inquiry, btw), and I haven't seen an acceptance, let alone a contract.

I've never in my life seen an open call like that, and if such a horror does exist, I pity whoever got stuck with the development job. I can't think of a single person I know in the industry who'd be willing to develop something like that; you wouldn't believe how long it would take, and how much of a headache it'd be.

All the open calls I've seen--including CCIV, which I'm currently developing--say "Send us a proposal, and we'll hire you based on that." And if we know the idea we're getting, but not the substance, you can bet we're paying more for people we know produce solid work.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

I've never in my life seen an open call like that, and if such a horror does exist, I pity whoever got stuck with the development job. I can't think of a single person I know in the industry who'd be willing to develop something like that; you wouldn't believe how long it would take, and how much of a headache it'd be.

All the open calls I've seen--including CCIV, which I'm currently developing--say "Send us a proposal, and we'll hire you based on that." And if we know the idea we're getting, but not the substance, you can bet we're paying more for people we know produce solid work.

Heh, i could use the credit, and the pay, i'd prolly give it a shot just to be tenacious.

 

[Nellisir]

I've never in my life seen an open call like that, and if such a horror does exist, I pity whoever got stuck with the development job. I can't think of a single person I know in the industry who'd be willing to develop something like that; you wouldn't believe how long it would take, and how much of a headache it'd be.

All the open calls I've seen--including CCIV, which I'm currently developing--say "Send us a proposal, and we'll hire you based on that." And if we know the idea we're getting, but not the substance, you can bet we're paying more for people we know produce solid work.

I may not have been clear -- I meant, "send us something [related to this theme], and we'll look at it and get back to you."

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=71721

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=74895

I'm not trying to be snarky or rude. I asked the initial question because I was curious, and had just seen an open call for submissions, not proposals, (not one of the above) that flat-out said experienced writers would be paid more. I've been aware of it, but hadn't had it called out quite so explicitly.

I certainly have no problem with proposals; I sent a few to Dragon years ago (published one; rejected more) before moving, the breakdown of TSR, home renovations, marriage, and life put my writing on hiatus. Things have finally (since Christmas) gotten to the point that I can make an honest commitment to writing (for publication), and I'm gearing up and giving it a shot.

Thanks for the input,
Nell.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

For the Record, Bride of Portable Hole is an unpaid project, unless it goes to print. (And i'm not the one to discuss payment with anyway, i'm just organizing the submissions for Dextra.)

 

[Mouseferatu]

I'm not trying to be snarky or rude.

Oh, I know. And my apologies if my own reply came off as abrupt. I'm just shocked that anyone would want to see an entire submission right off the bat, rather than a description/proposal, unless it really is something as short as a feat or magic item. As I said, I'm handling the open call for CCIV, and I can't imagine having handled things that way. But then, monster entries are a tad longer/more complex than a feat.

 

[Napftor]

...As I said, I'm handling the open call for CCIV...

Not to break off on a tangent (although things look to be settled here anyway), when is this call going out for CCIV?

 

[Mouseferatu]

Not to break off on a tangent (although things look to be settled here anyway), when is this call going out for CCIV?

Umm...

It was a few months ago, man. We're only a few days away from deadline for first drafts.

Sorry you missed it. We had notices on all the boards and everything...

 

[Napftor]

Umm...

It was a few months ago, man. We're only a few days away from deadline for first drafts.

Sorry you missed it. We had notices on all the boards and everything...

Whoops! I had been writing my solo book at the time. Pretty much ignored everything else that was going on. Maybe I'll notice when CCV pops up.