So you want to write for a role-playing game but don’t know how to get your foot in the door? Have I got an opportunity for you! Why am I posting this? Because writing isn’t a competition. Just because you get published doesn’t mean I won’t get published also. Besides, it’s been forever since I played the games in question, so I need to get back up to speed on the latest versions before I submit my own proposals.
Steve Jackson Games (SJG) is looking for new talent, mostly writers. The details can be found on their website.
Now, sit down, take a deep breath, and let it out slowly while you read the rest of my post.
If you’ve never done paid RPG writing before, pull out a piece of paper and pen and write down the following:
1) Read the submission guidelines
2) Read all the links
3) Read the wish list
4) Research the game(s) I want to write for
5) Play the game(s) I want to write for
6) Read the submission guidelines
7) Write the query
8) Edit the query
9) Have someone I trust (and knows this game) read, edit, and approve the query
10) Check the query against the submission guidelines
11) Double-check the query against the submission guidelines
12) Send in the query
13) Hoot, hollar, and dance around the house until the nervous energy goes away
14) Write up the next query while waiting to hear back on the first one
Notice how many times I point to the submission guidelines? There’s a reason for this. SJG specifically states: “Read everything in this section, because we consider it an intelligence test.” (emphasis mine).
Submission guidelines exist for a reason. It’s how publishers (not just SJG) filter out the junk subs and lazy wanna-bes from the people who actually want to write. It’s a fact of life that we authors cannot check the submission guidelines often enough. I still make mistakes on my queries when I get tired, and usually get rejected unless I know the person I’m querying.
If you don’t know what to write, that’s okay. Just check out the wish list. Be warned, though, that SJG much prefers authors starting out with magazine articles than with modules. It’s how they vet the incoming writers, the ones they want to establish a strong working relationship with.
So, sharpen your pencils, warm up your keyboards, and get ready to step into the fun world of RPG writing. Good luck with your submissions. And let me know if you hear of any other public opportunities that I can post about. I love sharing writing opportunities.
NOTE: I do not currently work with or write for Steve Jackson Games.
