INFO: WEG's View of SW Adventure Journal
Alec Usticke
Line Editor at West End Games.
Enjoy . . .
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Subj: WEG's view of the Journal
Date: 95-12-04 01:38:07 EST
From: <Bill Smith>
Gang:
Better late than never. Yeah, right. Anyway, what follows are three
posts:
1) WEG's view of the Journal (Peter Schweig. has read this over, even
if it's under my name.)
2) Our current writers' policy
3) Our current artists' policy.
As far as what you do and don't like about our books, we want to hear
what you think, both good and bad. Tell us what you like, what you'd
like to see more of, what you'd rather see ... we're out at cons,
on-line and in phone calls talking to our customers all the time.
WEG's SW team is there because we LOVE SW. We want to put out the best
product possible while still following the universe developed from the
movies, novels, comics, and of course, games ... and while still
pleasing our customers.
May the Force be with you.
BillS
Subj: Journal's Criteria
Date: 95-12-04 01:38:59 EST
From: <Bill Smith>
Based on some recent posts, I wanted to take a few moments to clarify
the purpose of the Star Wars Adventure Journal and West End's writers'
policy:
The Official Star Wars Adventure Journal is a full-fledged
professional Star Wars publication, right alongside West End's other
official Star Wars game products, the Bantam novels, and the Dark
Horse comics. It has never purported to be a purely-amateur 'zine.
However, it's important to note that the Journal welcomes new Star
Wars writers. Peter Schweighofer, editor of the Journal, has gone out
of his way to seek out and use new authors whose work matches the
QUALITY, STYLE and CONTINUITY standards set by all Star Wars
publications. Submissions for the Journal are judged by those three
simple criteria -- they are accepted if they meet those standards and
rejected if they do not. It's that simple.
Peter has built a stable of authors -- Patricia A. Jackson, Charlene
Newcomb, Anthony P. Russo, Paul Sudlow, and Doug Shuler to name just a
few -- but these authors were new to us when we first began the
Journal. They impressed us with their talents. Many more new authors
have come along in recent months: the new issue of the Journal
features Christopher M. Olson and Carolyn Golledge, both new to the
Journal. And there is always room for more talented folks . . .
I've known Peter for nearly three years and regard him as an
exceptionally honest and open-minded editor; he's demanding but fair.
He works very hard to assist authors and treat them fairly -- while
maintaining quality standards for the Journal and adhering to
Lucasfilm's and West End's policies. He freely offers constructive
criticism if a manuscript is not what West End is looking for.
Peter and I both feel very lucky to earn our livelihoods working on
Star Wars and we know how important it was to us when West End gave us
a chance to prove ourselves. We have dedicated ourselves to giving new
authors a chance, but they MUST follow the guidelines Lucasfilm
REQUIRES us to use. We are not obligated to print everything proposed
to us -- due to space constraints and the standards we must adhere to
as a Lucasfilm licensee we CANNOT -- but the opportunity to get into
print is still there.
Look at it as a tryout for a sports team -- not everyone will make the
cut, but we're actively looking for new talent and we're willing to
listen if you play by the rules we are required to follow.
For more information on our submission policy, see the "Writers'
Policy" post ...
Bill Smith
West End Games
Subj: Writers' Policy
Date: 95-12-04 01:39:46 EST
From: <Bill Smith>
West End's Star Wars Writers' Policy
If you are interested in writing for the Star Wars roleplaying game
(including the Star Wars Adventure Journal), Lucasfilm REQUIRES us to
use the following policy. If you want to be considered for
publication, you MUST follow this policy.
* West End does NOT accept unsolicited proposals, outlines,
manuscripts or other creative material; if we receive such material,
we will return it to its author unread. West End Games only solicits
material from previously published authors. If you are interested in
writing for the Star Wars roleplaying game, you must adhere to the
follow guidelines.
* If you are a published writer, please send a brief cover letter
outlining your interest in writing for Star Wars and your writing
experience. Include a bibliography of previously published works, as
well as samples of this work. Previously published work may include
(but is not limited to) articles for high school, college or
professional newspapers and magazines, work for fanzines, novels or
contributions to books. A brief, non-Star Wars sample of your writing
will help us determine if your style is suited to our publications.
Please include a daytime phone number so we may contact you if we
would like to commission you to write a project for the Journal or any
other Star Wars game product.
Please do not send any Star Wars manuscripts or proposals with your
query. Lucasfilm Ltd. has a strict policy of forbidding any member of
its company from reading, reviewing or accepting unsolicited
submissions or ideas, and as its licensee for Star Wars, we are
obligated to abide by this policy. We hope you understand our need to
consistently apply this policy.
If you are an unpublished writer, we encourage you to pursue
publishing your writing in the areas listed above -- it has been our
experience that some of our industry's best writers are newcomers to
the field. Newspaper, magazine and fanzine editors often seek
freelance writers to help fill their pages. Short, self-published,
ultra-small print run fanzines are a viable, extremely inexpensive
alternative.
You may direct any queries to the following:
West End Games
RR3 Box 2345
Honesdale, PA 18431
Attn: *
* Send your samples to the attention of either "Peter Schweighofer,
Star Wars Adventure Journal" or simply "Star Wars Writers'
Guidelines." Both entries will get correspondence where it belongs.
That's it for now; if you have any more questions, please E-mail me at
<removed> (but please give me at least a week to get back to you due
to everpresent deadlines). If there is sufficient interest, I can
develop a FAQ.
Thanks for your time and May the Force be with you.
Bill Smith
West End Games
* NOTE: These guidelines also generally apply to Indiana Jones,
Necroscope, Bloodshadows, Shatterzone, Tales from the Crypt and our
other game lines. Since Indiana Jones is a Lucasfilm property, we must
adhere to the above "previously published authors only" guideline. Our
other lines can use unpublished authors, but our standards are equally
high for all game lines. To get guidelines for any of these other game
lines, just direct correspondence to the game's line editor:
Shatterzone Line Editor, Bloodshadows Line Editor, etc.
Subj: Artists' Policy1
Date: 95-12-04 01:40:44 EST
From: <Bill Smith>
West End's Artists' Policy
West End is always looking for new artists for it Star Wars, Indiana
Jones, Shatterzone, Bloodshadows, Necroscope, Tales from the Crypt,
World of Aden (Thunderscape) and other game lines. If you're
interested in working for any of West End's lines, please review the
following guidelines.
Please include your name, address and telephone number on the back of
all samples.
We do not generally use unsolicited art; artwork is commissioned as it
is needed for specific projects. What we want to see at this point is
what kind of work you are capable of, and whether it fits in with the
product lines we produce.
We are looking primarily for dramatic scenes, showing figures engaged
in combat or other actions. Your submission must show that you can
render images that are realistic in appearance. You must be able to
depict accurately human anatomy in action. In addition, you must have
a grasp of composition; the figures must look like they are
interacting with one another and their setting, while presenting a
dramatic and well-balanced scene. Illustrations that project a strong
feeling or mood are also acceptable. Single-figure portrait
illustrations are of limited value. We need to see how you handle
multiple figures in action.
Material that will help us gauge your work can be science fiction or
fantasy-oriented. We also occasionally have need of historically
accurate work. Most of our our illustration requirements range from
comic-book realism to a more realistic look. We do not use cartoony
art or highly stylized or abstract art.
You must demonstrate an ability to make your artwork look like it fits
in with the established tone and flavor of other products in that game
line. The majority of the work we commission is black and white.
However, there is still the occasional color piece that crops up. Feel
free to submit samples in either category. The requirements for each
are as follows:
* Black and White. The best samples to send are good
quality-photocopies. They should be clean and dark enough to be
clearly seen. It is strongly suggested that you do not send original
artwork. We cannot be responsible for damage that may occur during
shipping. Photocopies also provide us with material to keep in our
files for future reference.
* Color. We prefer to see color prints, or printed color pieces. We
can view transparencies if necessary. Again, avoid sending original
art. And remember, anything that we can retain for our files increases
your chances down the line.
* Once again, it is strongly suggested that you do not send original
artwork. We cannot be held responsible for artwork that is damaged or
not returned. Due to the constraints of time inherent in publishing,
we are unable to respond to every submission. The best way to
determine if your work arrived is to send it registered mail. If your
work fits our needs, we will get in touch with you at the appropriate
time.
NOTES FROM BILL SMITH:
* Send your submissions directly to our Art Director, Stephen Crane:
West End Games
RR 3 Box 2345
Honesdale, PA 18431
Attn: Stephen Crane, Art Director
* Peter Schweighofer, editor of the Star Wars Adventure Journal,
directly commissions artwork for the Journal. If you wish to be
considered for the Journal, send two sets of samples. Address them to
either Peter Schweighofer or Stephen Crane (and informally, one set
WILL be fine if your stuff is great -- word will spread around the
office if you really blow someone's socks off!)
* While we have a preference for black and white line art, we are
potentially open to varying styles featuring . . . pencil or
watercolor, for example. This is particularly true for the Adventure
Journal. As long as this artwork "fits" the universe, we may be open
to something vastly different from the norm.
* That's it for now; if you have any more questions, please don't
hesitate to E-mail me at <removed> (but please give me at least a week
to get back to you due to everpresent deadlines). If there is
sufficient interest, I can develop a FAQ.
Thanks, and good luck.
Bill Smith
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--
Alec Usticke - unc...@nai.net
uncl...@aol.com - 10324...@compuserve.com - uncl...@msn.com
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