Whether you want to write for your favorite game company, for a community content program such as the Dungeon Master’s Guild, or to self-publish, there are a few basic changes you can make to your routine, process, and mindset that can save you a lot of time, money, and headache in the long run.

Track Your Time

In 2018 I was introduced to Toggl, a free time-tracking cloud app that can be accessed from your web browser or mobile device. Alternatively, you can always jot down the time you spend working in a spreadsheet or in your planner/journal. I use it to track how much time I spend on a given project and each portion of that project, such as outlining or drafting or finding new clients. It’s been super useful to be able to look back and see how much time different assignments actually take me, and then be to able to forecast approximately how much time I’ll need, whether I can hit a deadline, or whether it pays enough to be worth my time. It’s also helped me gauge how much is “too much” in terms of day job, freelance, and social commitments. Time tracking can also help at tax time, depending on what you’re deducting on a Schedule C (internet, phone bill, etc.).

If you’ve ever thought about submitting a resume and writing sample to an open call for freelancers, there are a few basic guidelines you can follow to help maximize your chances of landing a trial assignment. These are drawn from my own experiences wading through the “slush pile” of freelance writer applications, as well as my experiences as someone submitting my resume to a company for consideration.

1. Follow the submission instructions. Companies need freelancers who can follow directions, so sending in something extraneous or omitting something mandatory can be a big strike against you.
2. Organize your resume to be more like a bibliography, listing any writing credits first and foremost. If you don’t have any writing credits, or if your job experience or education is irrelevant to writing, you might want to try self-publishing or being a guest contributor at your favorite blogs first to build up your resume.
3. Make your writing sample short, sweet, and relevant. It’s harder to write concisely than it is to write at length, and the longer your sample is, the less likely it is to be read in full. If you’re applying as a writer to an RPG company, attach rules material such as an item, a place description, or an adversary. Don’t attach fiction unless you’re specifically applying to a fiction-writing position, and don’t attach screenplays when you want to get hired to write short stories.
4. The strongest writing samples display creativity, highlight your command of the game’s rules or knowledge of the market’s target audience, and showcase your unique writer’s voice. They also demonstrate higher-level grammar and style proficiency, such as avoiding passive voice and wordy phrases.
5. Finally, be professional and polite. Remember that another human is the one reading your email. Manage your own expectations, and if you’re not selected for this opportunity, be gracious about it. It’s a small world out there, and never know when you might run into that editor again.
6. Bonus Tip: If the website says “we do not accept unsolicited x, y, or z…”, think twice before opening your email with “I know you don’t accept unsolicited x, y, or z, but…”. See tip #1!

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash.

In the April 2021 issue of The Imperial Herald, Paul invited me on to chat about the climactic chapters for the Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game story arc as well as the narrative process behind L5R in general. I discuss how I came to work on the setting and what it was like to work with the many freelance fiction writers who contributed to the storyline. We also discussed the balance between preparation and spontaneity when working on a serialized story, especially when that story is interactive and involves input from a community. You can read the full interview on the Imperial Herald website.

In this episode of the Court Games RPG podcast, Kakita Kaori and Korvar invited me on to discuss my role in the development of Fantasy Flight Games’ story reboot for the Legend of the Five Rings as well as the writing I’ve done for it since. They asked me about my background with the setting as well as the aspects of the world that drew me in and are the most interesting for me to explore in the fiction and adventures I’ve created for the setting. We also consider player interaction with the storyline as well as some of the challenges of writing an inclusive and diverse setting. You can listen to this episode on Apple iOS, Spotify, or on the web!

GM Hooly and Chris Witt invited me to speak on The Forge: A Genesys RPG Podcast (one of their many fantastic podcasts on the d20 Radio Network). We had a great conversation about laying out and formatting your self-published RPGs, both for print and digital media. I highly encourage anyone who’s thought about publishing on the DM’s Guild or the Genesys Foundry to give it a listen!

What tips and tricks have you found effective when self-publishing RPGs for print or digital media? Leave a comment below!