Now, I know that the first issue isn't out yet, but I'm going to go ahead and give you guys the heads-up:
As of now, I will be accepting submissions for articles, artwork, even webcomics to the Campaign Builder's Guide's second issue.
I'm going to throw a few ideas out there:
This issue, it's my opinion that we should try to shoot for an overarching theme. Since the issue will be released in October, I have selected "Horror & Just Plain Spookiness" as the general theme-- articles of all varieties will be accepted, of course, but any fitting the theme will be looked at with special interest.
Also, I think it'd be interesting to have monthly contributers with regular features-- columnists, basically. It might be a bit premature at this point, but if someone has any features that they think they could provide monthly content for, contact me.
If you have any questions or want to bounce article ideas off of me, feel free to PM me or e-mail me.
The current deadline is Friday, September 22nd, so you have plenty of time to think up articles and write them. Just don't wait to long, or submit them all at the end-- it makes it easier on the editors to get a steady stream, rather than a single block.
E-MAIL: elvendoritos(at)gmail(dot)com
Domoarigatomroboto?
Wow, I bet you don't get much spam...
I'd be willing to do a column on... uh... mechanics, maybe? As in, setting mechanics? Or something?
After our previous newsletter conversation, I jotted down a number of topics on which I could write some sort of column. Don't know if I can spin any of them in a "spooky/horror" direction, but they're there, nonetheless.
What kind of wordcount are you looking for in these article submissions?
I signed up for Ishmayl's CAV thread, and i'll definitely have some stuff that I could contribute here. Especially NPCs or maybe monsters.
But i'll echo Luminous Crayon's question of desired wordcount range. It's an important thing.
Right-- the previous article wordcount limit was around 1500-2000 words, and that should be more than reasonable; if your article runs over or under, feel free to ask me about it anyway. If it's good enough, we might run it anyway.
There are two things I need to stress:
PLEASE, use the best grammar and spelling possible. If we have to rewrite half the article, it makes it less appealing to run. Although this isn't a professional magazine, using good grammar and spelling is a good incentive for us to run the article.
Also: We need art to accompany articles. If you are an artist (or know one willing to work for the Guide), contact me-- We need all the help we can get in this area.
-ElDo
Another thing-- people wanting to do long-term columns will need to talk to me specially. For a monthly column, I'm going to need to see who's the best qualified, meaning I'm probably going to ask for a sample article to see if your writing style and your ideas are suited for a monthly column, or whether they could be summarized in a single, expanded article instead.
I would love ot contribute, but I still have to do a VERY similar thing for our friend Meepo and haven't found the time. I would like to write a regular column but it will probably not be until the next one. I'll get back to you on that.
You can expect a review of the Gates of Hell from me. Hell seems resonably creepy enough.
Hey, folks. I've got a few more positions that the more-ambitious Guide could use:
Interviewer: For now, there are some in-site interviews that would make fine additions to the Guide, but we lack a skilled interviewer. Eventually, we hope to expand to other figures in the gaming industry, as well-- PM me if you're interested.
Cover artist: I'd be more than willing to compare cover-making skillz with other members, and will concede this position if someone shows aptitude and willingness. :)
Artist/Art collector: We could use either an artist, someone who has an artist friend willing to do work for us, or someone who has a copius amount of Public Domain images we could apply to the Guide.
That's all for now, folks. Keep them submissions coming!
So what is the news about issue #1?
It's coming very, very soon.
As in, a matter of days.
[quote Elven Doritos]We could use either an artist, someone who has an artist friend willing to do work for us, or someone who has a copius amount of Public Domain images we could apply to the Guide.[/quote]
I do happen to have copious amounts of public domain images and I'll even bust 'em out from time to time, but 90% of the public domain stuff has little or nothing to do with fantasy themes. Thus far, I've gotten more mileage out of good, old-fashioned Microsoft Office clip art than I have from the public domain.
What the CBG really needs is a dedicated fantasy artist.
i am an excvellent artist but alas i have no time to do comissions a sof yet, and am not entirely sure if i am even skilled enough for "pro" work. rowing and school take up all my time. i mostly draw manga nowadays anyway.
Inside interviews sound totally cool. As an outsider to the actual interior workings of the CBG, I'd be interested in doing this (at least once). You'd have to give me some idea of who I'm supposed to interview and what sort of questions to ask, though. PM or mail me if you're interested. To be clear, I don't claim to have any actual skill in the area, though I'm known to have some aptitude for writing formal stuff.
Túrin
Turin, I'm glad it sounds fun to you! He asked me, too, and I've found in the past that I really suck at interviews, but I really wanted someone to do this. There are a few giants on other sites with other works that I'm planning on getting some interviews for, but we need a good, dedicated interviewer first.
Well, I was uncertain at first, but after some PMs to ElDo I'm getting quite enthusiastic about this. I'd certainly like to do a couple more if this is a success. I'm uncertain enough though, especially when we'll start interviewing off-site, that I'll ask some of you to review my list of questions. Which off-site characters do you have in mind, anyway?
Turin, don't doubt yourself. You've already demonstrated an intuitive knack for questions and style that I would've never thought of. :)
And I'm as interested as you are about off-site interviews, but that will be in the future, probably-- once we continue to build our rep and cover our in-site bases. :P
~ElDo
"The Giant," Monte Cook, Morrus (at enWorld), and possibly Keith Baker (creator of Eberron) since he's apparently pretty easy to get ahold of. I've already emailed and received responses from 2 of those, waiting on the other 2.
:band: Rock on! :band:
That would be awesome to do. Dibs on interviewing them even if I'll never do another interview. Such an interview, by the way, would also be a great advertisement for our site, if we can somehow get the word out that we have it.
@ ElDo: Thanks. I'm glad you like my ideas.
Túrin
Man, the Giant is REALLY hard to get ahold of....
Isn't he at a convention or something? And besides, I've heard he has some scheduling issues...
Quote from: IshmaylMan, the Giant is REALLY hard to get ahold of....
I believe he's running the convention circuit or somesuch at the moment. He's a very, very busy guy.
Yeah, but I've tried getting in touch with him many times, through his admins, mods, and through direct emailing... oh well, I'll keep trying.
Getting a scanner soon.
Webcomic on teh way.
Though... maybe not in issue two.
ooh, what kind of webcomic?
Indeed! I'm very interested in what you've got in the works. :)
beejazz, if you don't have particular stories written yet, I've been working on some ideas for a webcomic; my problem is, I can't really draw the style art I'd want for it, but if you're interested in a bit of help, please PM me.
Guys, now that the first issue is out, I'd just like to remind you that there's a bit less than three weeks left to submit. :)
Who's writing up articles for this month thus far? I've received a couple, I'm just curious if anyone else is developing anything.
Quote from: Elven DoritosWho's writing up articles for this month thus far? I've received a couple, I'm just curious if anyone else is developing anything.
I had an idea for one. Got to work it oot some.
Someone should write an article on "the project".
Quote from: beejazzSomeone should write an article on "the project".
I think that it would be best, that if an article is ever submitted on the subject, for you guys to wait until you have a very firm framework to work off of.
I would say just talking about ideas we put forth.
"What's our character creation system"
"What's our magic system"
"What about advancing gear"
And so forth.
Just let them know what we considered.
When the two or three magic systems are fleshed out, maybe include them... or not. Just a thought.
Quote from: beejazzI would say just talking about ideas we put forth.
"What's our character creation system"
"What's our magic system"
"What about advancing gear"
And so forth.
Just let them know what we considered.
When the two or three magic systems are fleshed out, maybe include them... or not. Just a thought.
I think that the thread accomplishes that fairly well, and maybe deserves a mention in a newspost. I don't see it garnering a full-fledged article.
Well... not for *our* sakes, but I feel like showing off to nonmembers sometimes.
Just a reminder:
There is only one week left to submit articles to the Guide. We still need more articles.
once i get a beta read and word count, i have an article to submit.
unless you were already counting that....
Right now, I'm only counting the articles I have in front of me.
~ElDo
Quote from: Elven DoritosRight now, I'm only counting the articles I have in front of me.
~ElDo
thats what i figured, which is why i said i have an article.
the beta reading and word count are today, by the way :)
Just a reminder.
Less than a week.
Still not very much content.
Just curious, ElDo, how many actual articles do you have, not just promised ones?
I just turned in mine.
Quote from: Xathan, The ReturnedJust curious, ElDo, how many actual articles do you have, not just promised ones?
Right now, we've got two articles that we're running.
:( We gotta get on the ball with this... I wish I had time to just throw things out - I don't, but there are plenty of people here who constantly have new things to say that would work well in the zine.
Here's a sneak peek at Issue 2's cover (click to enlarge):
(//../../e107_files/public/1159410328_2_FT13158_guide_2_.jpg) (//../../e107_files/public/1159410328_2_FT13158_guide_2.jpg)
Quote from: Elven DoritosHere's a sneak peek at Issue 2's cover.
ok... that is freaking sweet. I might download and archive these just to have their cover art!
By the way Eldo, did you get my article?
Quote from: stargate525Quote from: Elven DoritosHere's a sneak peek at Issue 2's cover.
ok... that is freaking sweet. I might download and archive these just to have their cover art!
By the way Eldo, did you get my article?
I got it. I haven't had much time to look at stuff and reply to contributors of new content, as this is a very busy time of month for the Guide staff.
Wow where did that awesome cover art come from?
Very nice!
Quote from: TúrinWow where did that awesome cover art come from?
Chris Malidore, who has been published (among others) by WotC and Privateer Press.
Here's his site (http://www.artisticways.com)
I've spoken to him on and off throughout the last few months, and I asked him if we could use a couple of his pieces for the Guide; he agreed, since we aren't getting any money off of the Guide.
~ElDo