World Forge Magazine: General Discussion - Submission Guidelines TripleAught - Apr 17, 2006 - 07:20 PM Post subject: Submission Guidelines
We are interested in a variety of writing and artistic styles for World Forge Magazine. Our primary focus is on creating and enriching game worlds. This is a broad focus, allowing writers to cover topics that are of interest to them, while also being applicable to our audience. Writers should read through these guidelines before submitting an article. These will help you prepare your article for publication and save us time during editing.
Currently we are accepting submissions for all types of content to fill our upcoming issues. Articles submitted may have up to a two month lead time to allow for proper review and editing of the piece. Send submissions to Zero00@gmail.com or use the automated submission form on this site.
Format
Submissions should be sent in MS Word, OpenOffice, or Text format. Please do not send in WordPerfect or HTML. If you have special formatting or layout requests, send a mock-up for evaluation.
Please include your name, email address, and article type at the top of the document. Documents can be sent as email attachments but should not be larger than 10MB. You will be notified of the receipt of your article but may have to wait up to two weeks for revisions to an accepted article. Please be patient and we will get back to you. If you haven’t heard from us in two weeks, you can email Zero00@gmail.com to check on the status of your article.
All submissions receive an initial review for spelling and grammatical errors. We understand that things slip by but submissions with extensive spelling and grammar mistakes will be returned. These articles will need to be re-submitted and will be subject to the full lead time upon re-submission.
TripleAught - Apr 17, 2006 - 07:22 PM Post subject: Article Types
Some of the articles we plan to run regularly are listed in this section. If you have additional article ideas, send an email with an outline of what you are interested in submitting. All article types include a suggested word count limit. You do not have to meet this limit. If you need to exceed this limit, email Zero00@gmail.com with an explanation of why and how much space you anticipate needing. Your article may be split across two editions if you need considerably more space for your setting.
The following list of article topics is not comprehensive. If you have an article that you don't feel falls into one of these categories, please pitch it to us.
TripleAught - Apr 17, 2006 - 07:22 PM Post subject: World Feature
World Feature – This 5,000 word article is the “cover story” of each edition and will be dedicated to providing details about a previously unpublished world setting. World settings should be original and unique. Submissions that are derived from copyrighted material will be rejected. You are certainly allowed to theme your world, or borrow elements from public domain sources, but recognizable material (i.e. a submission relying heavily on Greek mythology) should include specific generous amounts of game mechanics rather than just background. The following areas can (and should) be covered for each world submitted:
• Creation Myth/Gods
• Important Geography/Cultures/Kingdoms/Races
• Historical highlights and current world era*
• Magic system
• Other systems or unique aspects of the world
*While we understand that RP campaigns set in your world will shape the current era, do not submit transcripts of your campaign adventures. Showing major events and figures should be done objectively and not in narratives.
Editor's Note: If your world setting has been published before on another site or in another publication you must include that information in your submission. Please have a link or copy of the publication available for me to reference.
I am still willing to consider world settings that have been previously published, but I would want to work with the world creator to add new content to their submission.
Submitting a previously published world setting without reference maybe cause for rejecting your submission.
TripleAught - Apr 17, 2006 - 07:23 PM Post subject: Other Article Types
World Design Article – This is the writers chance to show off what they know about the workings of this world, or any world. Articles should take an in-depth look at one aspect of building a world, race, culture, kingdom, city, or some other element. Please provide examples of how your article can be used in a game world or role-playing campaign. (2,500 words)
World Campaign Modules – These are articles that provide an easy-to-set up adventure that readers can incorporate into their own worlds. Articles should include setting and background, major characters, encounters, rewards, and any other relevant information. (2,000 words)
Fiction – Fiction pieces can be about any topic desired by the author. Fantasy settings are most likely to be considered but are not a requirement. If your fiction is based in a specific world, please direct the editors towards information they can use to get a quick background on the setting. Fiction that references unique names should be accompanied by a name list for the editors to check the text against. If this is not provided the author assumes responsibility for correcting contradictions in the text during revisions.
This section is for writers to express themselves creatively. Your fiction can be as short as you’d like (Flash Fiction) or a full short story (2,500 words). Serial pieces (anything over 2,500 words) are considered but an outline must be submitted to the editor first.
TripleAught - Apr 17, 2006 - 07:26 PM Post subject: Artwork
If you are interested in submitting artwork, please send the pictures in JPEG format. Check with the editor for the sizes accepted. Artwork may be re-sized during publication.
TripleAught - Apr 17, 2006 - 07:26 PM Post subject: Revisions
Articles may need to be revised after their initial submission. Editors will comment on content that should be re-worked and the writer will make the changes. Writers will maintain control of the creative content of their work but may be asked for clarification, simplification, or other changes. Articles may include minor copy changes during publication after the author revisions are complete.
TripleAught - Jul 11, 2006 - 10:56 AM Post subject: Rights
A quick word on the Rights that World Forge Magazine will be purchasing now that we are going to be paying for articles. Note that this is not considered a contract or legal advise. If you want more information, please contact me or Orleron.
All article submissions will be accepted as Freelance work. Authors will only receive payment for articles that are accepted and published. Having an article published by WFM does not imply that you are employed by WFM or BlackParadox Inc.
WFM will be seeking first electronic publication rights (posting online) and first electronic re-print rights (creating the PDF) for all articles.
We may also seek exclusive rights to the articles for a period of time (TBD).
---Note: If you have something that you have already published, but feel it would be a fit for WFM, contact me and I'll review it.
Articles, including d20 System or OGL content, that are re-published in another publication (either online or offline) should include a reference to WFM that notes it was first published here.
Finally, the author will retain all copyright rights to their article.
--Special exception to this is Fan Fiction based in Avlis or any other established world setting. Again, contact me for details.