[PAID WORK] Open call for lead writer for our first Campaign Gem

[OldKingdom]

At Old Kingdom Games we want to invite writers (no artists at this time please) to express their interest in a paid assignment to complete approximately 20,000 words for our first book in our upcoming Campaign Gems series of supplements for the d20 system.

This is a small press publication for PDF release.  Payment terms are OKG's standard 50% before starting work but and 50% upon completion of contract.  The work will be published after this.  Rates are available upon completion of a confidentiality agreement.  This is not a royalty arrangement, however please be aware that this is a small press, PDF release and small press rates will apply.  We are a new company however financial references for previously paid freelancers are available.

This project has a setting / theme outlined. The setting is near future earth, there are shades of horror, and characters are on the run in our world from a malevolent intelligence that has enslaved them in the past. A more detailed overview is available after NDA and contract assignment.  You'll be expected to take this overview and make it your own.

Due to the nature of the book, the entire work is to be offered to a single freelancer with ideal (although no set in stone) completion of writing to be by the end of July / beginning of August to allow for a end of Q3 / beginning of Q4 release.  There is some movement in this, but not a great deal.

You will:

-   ideally have knowledge of the d20 system / license
-   be able to take an idea and expand upon it considerably
-   be expected to provide descriptive text but no game mechanics.  Mechanics are done in house
-   be expected to deliver the setting, character class descriptions, technology descriptions, games master background information, NPC/Antagonist descriptions and adventure ideas
-   be comfortable writing for a near modern, near future setting (think Minority Report movie levels of tech to some degree)
-   be able to work a hint of dread, desperation and horror into your writing
-   feel comfortable in coming up with your own ideas
-   be prepared to take payment by paypal or moneybookers (makes life easier all round)

To submit your interest please:

-   send and email to chris AT oldkingdomgames DOT com (away with you spam!) confirming your interest
-   include an example of previous work you think we will find relevant (keep this to one page or less please)
-   expect to be required to sign a confidentiality agreement by return
-   expect to be required to sign a contract
-   expect responses from me during this open call once daily (in case of high volume)

Many thanks in advance, I look forward to working with one of you :)

[greyorm]

Greetings Chris,

How much of this is "fleshing out" and/or "cleaning up" existing ideas/text (and how much of each would you characterize it), and how much of it is having to write your own ideas (which, I assume, would be bought outright by OKG rather than licensed from the writer)?

Also, How much knowledge of the D20 system is ideal (passing, expert, etc)? And will the mechanics be available at writing time so as to make certain the fluff text supports and/or does not contradict them? Will the project have an editor (you or someone else)?

Finally, can you tell me why your company deems a signed confidentiality agreement necessary before you release your payment rates to a prospective writer? To my knowledge, this requirement is a very non-standard request for a publisher, whether gaming or (non)fiction -- payment rates are very much a publically available thing.

Thanks!

[Ben Lehman]

Yeah, a company not wanting to post their rates publically strikes me as deeply unprofessional.  I'm going to work for a rate or not -- making me jump through hoops just to hear it will just make me annoyed.

yrs--
--Ben

[OldKingdom]

Hi there Greyworm.

Thank you for your reply :)

In answer to each of your questions:

How much of this is "fleshing out" and/or "cleaning up" existing ideas/text (and how much of each would you characterize it), and how much of it is having to write your own ideas (which, I assume, would be bought outright by OKG rather than licensed from the writer)?

No text currently exists that is going to be used in the project.  A set of basic 'premise' ideas exist for setting (as in time period / genre), key antagonist, and a 'process' which happens to player characters in game which is fundamental to the setting (but again, not set text just ramblings for consideration by the writer).  A book 'chapter' guide is available, but relatively flexible.  The chapter guide exists purely to give the writer some indication of how to space out word count between topics required in a Campaign Gem Book.

It may sound a little restrictive but you have considerable free reign.

Also, How much knowledge of the D20 system is ideal (passing, expert, etc)? And will the mechanics be available at writing time so as to make certain the fluff text supports and/or does not contradict them? Will the project have an editor (you or someone else)?

Intricate knowledge of the d20 System is not required, however a familiarity with the elements of the license that covers theme standards (the 'family friendly' clauses about excessive gore etc) would be beneficial.   This can be brought to a suitable writers attention.  Game mechanics are being completed separately and are not available to the writer at this time (and will likely be the last section completed on the book - the way we're doing this is the mechanics bods will work hard to fit the writers vision, creating new mechanics if necessary).  The project will have an Editor (that would be me), who is supported by an assistant.  Communication for the entire project would be through me.

Finally, can you tell me why your company deems a signed confidentiality agreement necessary before you release your payment rates to a prospective writer? To my knowledge, this requirement is a very non-standard request for a publisher, whether gaming or (non)fiction -- payment rates are very much a publically available thing.

Actually, its not so unusual.  I have a successful commercial background outside of the RPG publishing industry and rates / complete product brief etc. will always be covered by and NDA.  This is a point that is non negotiable.  This isn't to say we "must keep our terribly poor rates a secret! (tm) ", we divulge a lot of information to prospective freelancers after an NDA is signed, rates being one of many items and an NDA ensures that no-one is disclosing our ideas.  We take extra care to ensure that our open calls include special mention that we are small PDF press and that this should be used as an indication for rates.  We also make a point of detailing our history on our website (i.e. we're new, but fully funded, don't do royalties, pay 50% up front).

I this answers your questions?  Let me know if you would like me to answer any further questions :)

Best Regards

[OldKingdom]

Yeah, a company not wanting to post their rates publically strikes me as deeply unprofessional.  I'm going to work for a rate or not -- making me jump through hoops just to hear it will just make me annoyed.

yrs--
--Ben

Hi Ben.

Thank you for your post.  You beat me to it - I was replying but you're quicker on the keyboard than I :)

Although I've been roleplaying for a very long time, my commercial experience is from outside the RPG industry where confidentiality agreements are a given before entering any commercial discussion - not having an NDA is considered quite unprofessional.  So on this point I'll politely disagree :)

As I mentioned in my previous reply, rates and full project brief and specific answers to any respondents enquiries are all covered by this NDA which can give writers and the publisher some confidence and equally a measure of protection should they feel they need it in the future.  This is as much for the writers/artists benefit as it is for the publisher - and to date we've had compliments on our NDA and the way we communicate (we also have financial references available from other writers/artists should freelancers require them).

Having said all that, I completely understand and respect a freelancer who does not feel comfortable reading or completing an NDA before discussing rates.  That is your right, and I respect that, however we will not be able to discuss any element of a project outside of what is listed on an Open Call without an NDA completed.

Thanks again, I appreciate your responses :)

[Ben Lehman]

Chris --

I've worked a lot in publishing, fiction and non-fiction.  I have friends and family members who have spent their entire lives working in publishing.  I've never, ever, seen anyone not disclose their per word rates in public before* -- anyone who wasn't a fly-by-night company, that is.  It's a humongous warning sign to any author.

Now, this may be different in whatever business you worked in previously.  But, frankly, that doesn't matter, because you're not working there anymore.  Writing has its own rules and customs.

Now, I'm not a freelancer.  I have a basic policy of not writing unless I keep IP rights or am getting paid, well, more than any RPG company can afford.  So I'm talking to you as one company owner to another company owner:  You're shooting yourself in the foot here.  The only writers you're going to attract with this offer are those who are so desperate to "get published" that they don't care what they're paid and then, well, you'll get the quality of writing that you'd expect from such people.

yrs--
--Ben

* A book publisher, with a negotiated advance, is different of course.  But that's not what you're doing -- you don't pay royalties.  And, even still, the advance is negotiated before anything at all is signed.

[OldKingdom]

Chris --

I've worked a lot in publishing, fiction and non-fiction.  I have friends and family members who have spent their entire lives working in publishing.  I've never, ever, seen anyone not disclose their per word rates in public before* -- anyone who wasn't a fly-by-night company, that is.  It's a humongous warning sign to any author.

Now, this may be different in whatever business you worked in previously.  But, frankly, that doesn't matter, because you're not working there anymore.  Writing has its own rules and customs.

Now, I'm not a freelancer.  I have a basic policy of not writing unless I keep IP rights or am getting paid, well, more than any RPG company can afford.  So I'm talking to you as one company owner to another company owner:  You're shooting yourself in the foot here.  The only writers you're going to attract with this offer are those who are so desperate to "get published" that they don't care what they're paid and then, well, you'll get the quality of writing that you'd expect from such people.

yrs--
--Ben

* A book publisher, with a negotiated advance, is different of course.  But that's not what you're doing -- you don't pay royalties.  And, even still, the advance is negotiated before anything at all is signed.

Hi Ben.

Thanks for your continued responses, I appreciate it :)

We must have had very different experiences to date .  I've found the quality of submissions varies certainly however there are many high quality submissions - the overall volume of responses has been surprising (given the short time since the open call was placed) with quite a number of previously published writers for well known RPG companies, so I don't think we've shot ourselves in the foot.  We're also not 'fly-by-night' (not that you were suggesting that, I know) and we can provide freelancer references for our record on payment to reassure prospective freelancers.

On a site note, regarding the 'royalties' - given the RPG industry is niche (at best), I spent a great deal of time learning about writer and artist experiences with various formula's for earning their due's and 'royalties' appeared to one method that generated a great deal of negative opinion (due to companies overconfidence in the commercial viability of the product) - we decided to simply pay freelancers for their work and ensure payment is before publication so everyone is happy.

Feedback so far has been in stark contrast to your comments and advice, but thank your replies I'll bear them in mind.

[Ron Edwards]

Hello,

This thread topic is entirely not a Forge topic. This discussion stops here. Do not post again.

Best, Ron