Wizards of the Coast is the company that publishes Dungeons & Dragons, and they recently held an open call for a new novel in their Forgotten Realms line. They gave specific instructions on what to avoid and where the novel should be set. I read, re-read, re-read an read again the instructions to make sure I didn’t screw up. I sent in my submission about three months ago. I used the two books they said to reference. I found out later that I had gotten some details wrong on the ruling family because it wasn’t in the books they said to reference, but I was okay with that. I felt that the work and the plot outline was good, and if they liked it, it wouldn’t be difficult to change that small bit.
Then today I was surfing around the WotC message boards when I came across a thread for the author open call. On page 4, I see a post that mentions not including sorcerers in the book. What? No sorcerers? Surely that person misread the instructions. I found the instructions again and re-read the list of things to not include yet again. And what did I see between “gnomes and dwarves for comedic effect,” and “Asian/Oriental Adventures/Kara-Turan characters?” One little word: sorcerers.
And guess what little DeadlyAccurate made her main protagonist? Yep, a cleric/sorcerer. I blew it. I read that submissiong guideline a dozen times (no exaggeration) and I still screwed up.
I’ve written three novels. I have several dozen professional writing credits to my name (mostly game reviews). I’m going to be published in Dragon issue #309, which is my biggest accomplishment to date. But I can’t get my fiction published. I have literally dozens of rejection letters. I’ve made serious good-faith efforts to get work with roleplaying publishers. I thought I had a really good shot at this.
I’m so depressed. I told my husband I’d go back to work full time in September so we could pay the house off quicker (I currently telecommute and only part time, so I can work on my writing) if I didn’t get this or another serious writing assignment.
I won’t give up, but I’m so discouraged right now. I think I need a good cry.
{{{{DeadlyAccurate]}}}}
How disappointing that must be. I know how sometimes you can overlook small details, especially if you’re very excited about doing something. I do it quite often, especially on tests and finals. There will be other contests and other chances to show off your skill, so don’t let this setback get to you.
What a shame that the makers of Lord of the Rings didn’t get this memo.
Anyway, sorry to hear about the slip-up, DeadlyAccurate. But congrats on being published in Dragon. The hubby just got a subscription, and I’ll be looking forward to reading your piece!
You definitely need to work on the angst if you’re gong to be an Important Writer. In the mean time, write a bawdy short story about a dwarvish acrobat troupe that do improbable things with exotic polearms and send it off to those WotC fine-print mongerers…
I’ve let my Dragon subscription lapse, but I’ll make a point of picking up #309. Just judging by your posts, what you write is worth reading.
One of the reasons I’ve never submitted anything to WotC is the bizarre rules they put on things. Do you have an independent setting that you could adapt the story and characters to?
Can you change the story so it’s not a Sorceror? Like maybe make it a spirit or a witch-king or something similarly cheesy (yet acceptable in their guidelines)?
You know, if it’s good enough, they probably won’t care. If they think they can make money off your novel, they’ll go for it. They’re not going to say, “This could be the next Dragonlance! Too bad the main character is a sorcerer. Shred it.”
Well, Miller, it’s a comforting thought, but with the bulk of submissions Wizard’s is getting (They had over 10,000 entries for their fantasy setting search), it’s impossible to consider stories that aren’t in accordance with the guidelines.
Furthermore I doubt that more than a story outline is sent in at first (at least it was like that with the fantasy setting search. No, I didn’t make it to round two.), so recognizing the next dragonlance for what it really is, is kinda hard in the first round.
You had to send in a one-page synopsis, a query letter with your own information on it, and a ten-page writing sample. I suspect with 11 more pages than the setting search (and not mentioning a payment of $120,000 like they did with the setting search and the 90,000-word, July 2004 deadline), they’ll get about 10% of the entries this time around.
Br proud. You’ve accomplished more than most of us ever will. I’ve been writing for decades and never been published. To get an article in Dragon would leave me lying on the kitchen floor giggling in glee for a week.
((Deadly Accurate)) – as a fellow writer (though not of fiction) I had to post to comfort you! I’m not familiar with your genre, but I can certainly feel how badly you feel! Regroup and console yourself with your accomplishments and know that the effort you put into your story won’t go to waste. Maybe the story will be published elsewhere; maybe the thought-process you went through will be useful later on. I do know you’re talented and you’ll come out on top! Keep writing!
Wait a minute! The deadline is not over? So why can’t you change the story to meet the details and send it in again, possibly explaining that you made a mistake with the first entry? And - on a selfish note - can you point me to the contest in question?
I see the 20030305x and I guess that means this thing started in march (or did it start in may? It’s hard to tell with US month formats). With just a bit less than a month to go, I am not sure whether I should come up with an entry. Hmmm, hmmm, I have to give this some thought and will get back to you.
I know how sometimes you can overlook small details, especially if you’re very excited about doing something. I do it quite often, especially on tests and finals. There will be other contests and other chances to show off your skill, so don’t let this setback get to you.