Looking for Traveler writers for published work

mdavidj

Mongoose
Greetings, everyone.

My name is David Jarvis, and I run Reality Deviant Publications, a small press PDF publisher.

I'm looking to develop quality products for the Traveler game system, and am holding an open call.

I can pay 2 cents per word, payable within 90 days of publication.

Right now I'm looking for writers to do a number of products including planet sourcebooks, races, new ships, adventures, and especially, a conversion of a Cyberpunk setting to the traveler rules.

Interested parties should contact me at:

mdavidjarvis@yahoo.com

Thanks for your time.
 
Are you just looking for general submissions, or do you have a set of guidelines.

Book length, or short to mid article length?
 
Will your works include art?

And if so, a ballpark figure pay for said art?

Just asking incase you forgot to inlcude it. :)

(Note: I'm not an artist.)
 
kristof65 said:
Are you just looking for general submissions, or do you have a set of guidelines.

Book length, or short to mid article length?

I'm looking for general submission, short -to mid-length articles to start, though what I'm very interested right now is getting someone who is knowledgeable enough in the rules to do a conversion of one of my titles.
 
Dave Chase said:
Will your works include art?

And if so, a ballpark figure pay for said art?

Just asking incase you forgot to inlcude it. :)

(Note: I'm not an artist.)

The books will include art, though I'd prefer to discuss the financial issues with the artist in question via email.
 
mdavidj said:
Dave Chase said:
Will your works include art?

And if so, a ballpark figure pay for said art?

Just asking incase you forgot to inlcude it. :)

(Note: I'm not an artist.)

The books will include art, though I'd prefer to discuss the financial issues with the artist in question via email.

Sounds good. I just wanted you to be aware that there are several different artist that hang out around here too.

Didn't want you to miss out on any opportunities.

Looking forward to your products.

Dave Chase
 
Thanks, I appreciate it!

I've already talked with one artist, and am certainly interested in talking with others.

I want my traveller books to have a_distinct_traveller feel to them, while, of course, retaining my company's own style.
 
Im interested to know more about what your looking for, time to take a glance over on your site.

Rog.
 
mdavidj said:
I want my traveller books to have a_distinct_traveller feel to them

I think you'll have to define up front what you think that "feel" is, as nobody seems to be able to agree on what a "distinct Traveller feel" would or should be.
 
Well, maybe I should just define what I want for_my_products then.

For starters, evocative science fiction artwork.

3-d rendered ships will be important, as will nice deck plans. Interior artwork will probably be limited to greyscale or inked black and white work. Covers will obviously be full color

Graphic design will go for a simple, straightforward approach similar to how the core books are done. Pdfs will be easy on (home) printer ink.

Writing needs to be engaging and full of hooks, regardless of subject matter. if I do a product that is simply about a ship for example, I want to see ways to use that ship in a game. The same goes for locations and things of that nature.
 
EDG said:
mdavidj said:
I want my traveller books to have a_distinct_traveller feel to them

I think you'll have to define up front what you think that "feel" is, as nobody seems to be able to agree on what a "distinct Traveller feel" would or should be.

mjd/avenger have it nailed.
So do bits.
 
Traveller style. LOL

That's like using the phrase, Travelller Cannon. :evil:

I would reccomend that you spell out in more detail what you expect things to be like for your products.

You have made a good start with your short overview.

You don't have to make all the details public but I would suggest that you have them down in writting for those that you 'hire' or use.

For example:
Please let us know the game set that is being used. Even in you are assuming that it is Mongoose Traveller because you are posting on a Mongoose forum, it is still important to note that because there are many who play (use) a bit of all Traveleer versions, fromats.

Please define what you are using or referring to as the Core Books.
Books 1-3, Any books printed by Mongoose, etc

On the writting style,
Do you have a preference? Are there to be charts and work forumlas?
Is the work to be storyline, linear?
Is the work background in depth or general?

First, once again you don't have to tell us the general public, but it would be very helpful to have these written down so that you can tell others what you are working with.
Second, Are you attempting to develop your own line/company/style of products or just going into the publishing business?
Third, Weclome aboard the Traveller forums here on Mongoose. Don't let any of our questions annoy you (much). We all are fans and some even have some indepth background in Traveller products.

Many of the questions that will be asked to you are more of interest in a Traveller product/concept and trying to be helpful.

Dave Chase
 
Thanks for the feedback, Dave. I really appreciate it.

1. Writers/Developers should focus on the main Mongoose Traveller rulebook for the time being, at least until I talk to Mr. Sprange about whether or not the other books ( Mercenary, High Guard, Scout, etc...) can be used/referenced.

2. I try not to cramp a writers style in terms of telling him or her how to write, but in general, if the work needs charts or tables and such, then they should be created where necessary. The actual writing, however, really depends on the subject matter.

If the supplement is about new careers, for example, there doesn't need to be much exposition in terms of storyline or "fluff," though a certain amount is expected to get people excited about the material being presented.

If, on the other hand, the content is for a setting source book or say, an adventure, then the writing needs to adequately convey the feel of that particular setting. This can be done in any number of ways. Linear storytelling is one, but I prefer more background exposition – It really just depends on the project. Again, in this regard, I try not to cramp a writers style by telling him or her how to write.

I am indeed going to be developing a number of product lines in support of Mongoose’s version of Traveller.

Two are conversions of my existing true20 Titles: Reign of Discordia, and Interface Zero.

Reign of Discordiais a space opera setting very much in the vein of older 1970’s shows like battlestar galactica (the old version) and focuses on what happens to an empire after it crumbles. It has a bit of a Serenity/Firefly feel to it… Shiny.


Interface Zero is an outstanding cyberpunk setting which will expand on the Traveller rule set, specifically in terms of computer hacking, programming and cyber combat. There will be a bunch of new items such as cyberware/bioware (termed upgrades, in the book), androids, power armor, etc.

IZ brings with it the feel of popular movies shows like Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, Appleseed and of course, Bladerunner.

I also want to introduce new rules supplements for the game, like an advanced players guide with options for developing the characters after they have been adventuring for a while. I’d like to put out new ship books (though these can get old quick) new equipment books, a Campaign folio to help referees keep their game on track, adventures, New event and mishap tables, new careers; These are just a few things off the top of my head that I’m going to be working on.

I also would especially like to see pitches from prospective writers themselves. Writers do their best work when they are working on things that interest them the most, so, while I may not want to see new campaign settings for traveler, I will be interested in looking at other ideas for a book.

I hope this helped.

About me and my company:

Reality Deviant Publications entered the RPG industry with the goal of becoming a winner in the True20 setting search contest, held in the fall of that year. We achieved that goal to an extent, being chosen as one of the four runners-up. Our flagship campaign setting, Blood Throne, was printed in Green Ronin’s True20 Worlds of Adventure in July of 2006. Since 2005, Reality Deviant Publications has produced nearly 60 products, largely in the PDF market at online retailers such as One bookshelf and Paizo. Our average customer rating is 4 out of 5 stars. Now, with our addition to the Flaming Cobra line, we are commited to bringing you the best possible print titles!

And thanks for the warm welcome! :)
 
This sounds interesting, though I have to be honest and say that potentially being in print is more attractive than being 'in PDF' ;¬)

I'm quite interested in the Interface Zero setting, not least because it sounds like the kind of thing I'd enjoy playing in (not to mention running).
 
Ive got both of your setting PDF's today and will have a look at them, both for £2.81 you cant go wrong at that price.
 
Gaidheal said:
This sounds interesting, though I have to be honest and say that potentially being in print is more attractive than being 'in PDF' ;¬)

I'm quite interested in the Interface Zero setting, not least because it sounds like the kind of thing I'd enjoy playing in (not to mention running).

I certainly can't argue with you there! :)

But, here's the thing.

I'll be submitting all of my larger books (like the traveller versions of Interface Zero and Reign of Discordia) to Mongoose for print in their Flaming Cobra Line.

I'm already on board with Shadows of Cthulhu

We haven't discussed smaller-sized books yet, but it's on my "hey what do you think of..." list of things to talk to him about.
 
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