Peregrine Writer Submission Guidelines
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If we do not have an assignment appropriate for you in the near future, we encourage you to keep us updated on your work by periodically forwarding samples to us (do not send originals!) of your work and/or new proposals.What We’re Looking For
Peregrine is interested in good work and fresh ideas. The products we produce are team efforts; it can take many people to take a project from a concept to a finished product. As a writer you may be able to participate in some of the many assignments involved in the development of a project. These tasks include: Concept Development, Manuscript Draft, Final Draft, and assorted Supplemental Text, of varying lengths. You may work with the game designer(s), researcher(s), editor(s), playtesters, the illustrator(s) and other writer(s) on the project. Time and/or talent constraints may require that one writer be contracted to produce rough concepts or descriptions which another writer will enhance and polish for publication.
We are seeking two types of writers: a) those who can produce small passages to be incorporated into a larger project (an ideal opportunity for us to establish a relationship with a writer), and b) those who are capable of developing large portions of, or an entire project (experienced and dependable writers only). It is our goal to encourage new and inexperienced writers by giving them an opportunity to produce rough drafts of concepts and short descriptive material which can be reworked and polished by more experienced writers.
Most of the projects we have under development support established product lines; thus most of the writing we are seeking supports these projects. If you wish to develop content for an entirely new product line (e.g., a new game setting), we are interested in seeing your work (after you sign a Record of Disclosure), but it will have to be exceptional for us place it ahead of any work-in-progress. However, it may be that your existing or proposed text is suitable to be employed as part of something that we already have in development. If so we will discuss that with you. Even if we can’t make use of your existing or proposed text, we may offer you assignments to write for us based on the quality of your submission.
All writing accepted by Peregrine is produced on a work-for-hire basis unless alternative arrangements are specifically negotiated with Peregrine and recorded in a contract. No compensation will be paid for writing submitted until the writer has signed a work-for-hire or other contractual agreement.
Types of Writing Purchased & Compensation Rates
Our primary interest is for publishable text produced after the acceptance by the writer of a specific assignment with a deadline. However, under certain conditions we are also willing to accept unpublishable text (e.g., Raw Concept Material and First Drafts), which may later be assigned for revision by Peregrine to either the submitter or another writer.
Assigned manuscripts for entire projects will only be offered to writers who have established a reliable track record with Peregrine. Higher rates and alternative compensation options (including royalties) may be negotiated for such work requiring a contract that will include specific deadlines for First Draft and Final Draft.
In designing our compensation rates we wanted to balance the desire to provide fair compensation to writers for each word they submit to Peregrine (thus, no 'spec work'), while limiting our outlay for text that we will not be able to use.
Peregrine only pays for material that it deems 'acceptable' (i.e., potentially useful); such material is placed in an ‘Accepted File’ specific to the writer who submitted the text. When a writer has accumulated $25.00 worth of payments to their Accepted File they may request that a check be sent to them within 30 days.
The following Writing Types and Payment Rates are employed:
Type 1: Raw Concept Material (Produce Unpublishable Text)
Raw Concept Material consists of rough notes, point-form ideas, or rough text passages deemed by Peregrine to require significant rewriting, alterations, and/or editing for content or style before it is 'publishable'.
A writer submitting Raw Concept Material is not required to perform any revisions or alterations to their submission. Once the submission is accepted, though still deemed unpublishable (i.e., it requires extensive editing and/or a rewrite), the writer is credited for its value at the established Raw Concept Material rate.
Payment is 1/4¢ ($0.0025) per word for any Raw Concept Material (Unpublishable Text) accepted by Peregrine. Purchase is for all rights.
Once payment has been applied to the writer's Accepted file for a specific piece of Raw Concept Material, the writer will not be paid to rewrite it any further; alternatively, the writer can agree with Peregrine not to accept payment for the specific piece of Raw Concept Material and attempt to develop it further, into a Rough Draft or Publishable Text -- and thus receive the applicable higher payment for the finished submission.
Type 2: Rough Draft (Produce Unpublishable Text)
To qualify as a Rough Draft, a submission must take the form of a complete article, section of text, or entire document possessing a clear sense of structure and written as coherent and entertaining prose, though it is deemed by Peregrine to be Unpublishable Text, require significant rewriting, alterations, and/or editing for content or style before it is 'publishable'.
A writer submitting a Rough Draft may be requested by Peregrine to perform up to three (3) rewrites of their submission in an effort to transform it into Publishable Text. If after rewriting Peregrine still deems the document to be Unpublishable Text, or if the writer chooses not to perform a requested rewrite, the writer is credited for its value at the established Rough Draft rate. (If the submission does not possess the qualities necessary to qualify it as a Rough Draft, it will be designated by Peregrine as Raw Concept Material [Type 1].)
Payment is 1/2¢ ($0.005) per word for any Rough Draft (Unpublishable Text) accepted by Peregrine. Purchase is for all rights.
Once payment has been applied to the writer's Accepted file for a specific Rough Draft piece, the writer will not be paid to rewrite it any further; alternatively, the writer can agree with Peregrine not to accept payment for the specific Rough Draft piece and attempt to develop it further, into Publishable Text -- and thus receive the applicable higher payment for the submission when accepted as Publishable Text.
Type 3: Rewrite Existing Unpublishable Text (Produce Publishable Text)
Peregrine specifically asks a writer to rewrite and improve a document (their own work or the work of another), thus creating a publishable 'Final Draft'. The Final Draft will incorporate any editing changes and polish necessary to ensure a quality document, requiring no further writing, alterations, or significant editing for content or style by Peregrine. Deadline is to be agreed to by the writer and Peregrine.
After receiving the submission Peregrine will assess whether it is Rewritten Publishable Text (Type 3) or if it requires further work. Any submission deemed by Peregrine to require additional work is designated a Rough Draft (Unpublishable Text, Type 2) or if it fails to meet the necessary requirements, Raw Concept Material (Unpublishable Text, Type 1).
Once the submission has been designated as either Type 1 or 2, Peregrine will discuss with the writer whether they will perform a rewrite of the document in an effort to transform it into Publishable Text or whether they would prefer to cease further work on the text and accept compensation at the appropriate rate for the text at its designated Type (1 or 2). This conversation will take place after every submission by a writer.
If Peregrine determines that only minor editing and/or rewriting is required the submission may be accepted as is and be polished by Peregrine. If Peregrine edits or rewrites the text after it has been accepted from the writer it will not affect the word count attributed to the writer’s submission.
Payment is 1¢ ($0.01) per word for Rewritten Publishable Text accepted by Peregrine. Purchase is for all rights. Word count is based on the word count of whichever is greater: a) the word count of the final Publishable Text submitted by the writer or b) the word count of the original Unpublishable Text provided by Peregrine to the writer. This is done to encourage the writer not to refrain from editing the text as necessary to improve it.
Compensation rates stated may occasionally be increased from those stated here for talented writers who establish a track record of quality work with Peregrine.
Type 4: Assigned Original Final Draft (Produce Publishable Text)
Peregrine specifically requests a writer to submit an Original Publishable Text (i.e., a Final Draft), requiring no further writing, alterations, or significant editing for content or style by Peregrine. Deadline is to be agreed to by writer and Peregrine.
After receiving the submission Peregrine will assess whether it is Original Publishable Text (Type 4) or if it requires further work. Any submission deemed by Peregrine to require additional work is designated a Rough Draft (Unpublishable Text, Type 2) or if it fails to meet the necessary requirements, Raw Concept Material (Unpublishable Text, Type 1).
Once the submission has been designated as either Type 1 or 2, Peregrine will discuss with the writer whether they will perform a rewrite of the document in an effort to transform it into Publishable Text or whether they would prefer to cease further work on the text and accept compensation at the appropriate rate for the text at its designated Type (1 or 2). This conversation will take place after every submission by a writer.
If Peregrine determines that only minor editing and/or rewriting is required the submission may be accepted as is and be polished by Peregrine. If Peregrine edits or rewrites the text after it has been accepted from the writer it will not affect the word count attributed to the writer’s submission.
Payment of 2¢ ($0.02) per word for Original Publishable Text accepted by Peregrine. Purchase is for all rights. Word count is based on the word count of the final Publishable Text submitted by the writer.
Compensation rates stated may occasionally be increased from those stated here for talented writers who establish a track record of quality work with Peregrine.
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The Writing Submission Process
1.Read the Writer Guidelines
Either read them on the web or if not on-line, printed guidelines may be requested from Peregrine.
2.Sign a Peregrine Work-For-Hire Agreement
A writer requests, then signs, photocopies, and returns a work-for-hire agreement (a signed, paper document must be returned with an ink signature -- not emailed). All work accepted is considered work-for-hire, with all rights going to Peregrine (unless some alternate arrangement is negotiated). Writers working on a manuscript for an entire book will be permittted the option to negotiate royalties.
Also, please send us sample copies of previously published work (list by whom, when, and where) or in-progress writing which you feel reflects your talent, plus some personal information so we can get a sense of who you are and where you are coming from. If we do not have an assignment appropriate for you in the near future, we encourage you to keep us updated on your work by periodically forwarding us samples (do not send originals!) of your work and/or new proposals.
3a.If You Are an Experienced Writer With Published Work:
Contact us and we’ll jointly determine what assignments are best for you. This will depend upon what is available, you personal preference, and your established writing style and skills.
3b.If You Are an Unpublished Writer:
Submit an ‘Unassigned Submission’ in Electronic Format
We need to see what you can do. Try writing some sample People, Places, Things, Creatures, Plants, or Adventure Ideas reflecting the genre of one of our projects in production. We are quite liberal about our requirements for this material: our main desire is that it be interesting and that it possess some original twist. Each submission need not be more than 200 to 300 words. Our writers guide will even explain how to write each type (see Descriptive Elements Writing Guide below).
This is not spec work, it is work-for-hire. We will pay you a small amount (1/4¢ per word for accepted Raw Concept Material: Type 1) for any material that we think can be developed into something printable. Our expectations are not that we will make use of the material as submitted, but that it will give us an understanding of who is out there and the opportunity to offer specific and longer assignments to those who provide the best submissions. If we like your writing style and content, you will be assigned work.
4. Writer is Assigned Work
Once we've established what a writer is capable of producing, we’ll work with them to determine the project under development that best suits their talents and subject matter interests. Naturally, the writers who produce material that is well written, spellchecked, edited, and submitted on or before deadline will receive the most assignments.
5.Received Submissions are Designated by 'Writing Type'
Each submission received by Peregrine is assessed and then designated as applicable: Raw Concept Material (Unpublishable Text, Type 1), Rough Draft (Unpublishable Text, Type 2), Rewritten Publishable Text (Type 3), Original Publishable Text (Type 4).
Once the submission has been designated as either Type 1 or 2, Peregrine will discuss with the writer whether they will perform a rewrite of the document in an effort to transform it into Publishable Text or whether they would prefer to cease further work on the text and accept compensation at the appropriate rate for the text at its designated Type (1 or 2).
6.Accepted Written Material is Put In Personal 'Accepted File'
All text submitted by a writer, once accepted, is placed into a specific word processing ‘Accepted File’ with their name on it. Thus all submissions by each writer can be easily kept track of an a word count easily performed at any time.
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General Text Submission Guidelines
Your writing should be interesting and fun to read. It should make the reader want to know what lies ahead. The language used should suit the subject, any established tone for the product line, and take into account the age and background of the audience. Vary sentence length.
Getting facts and details correct is critical to creating a believable setting for gameplay. When referring to any real-world situation, use (or extrapolate from) real-world data -- don't make it up. The same applies to established mythology
If you plan to submit a proposal for a supplement, be familiar with setting and/or rules of the game upon which it is based.
Text Submission Format
1. Document Type:
Save your document as Microsoft Word 'doc' or 'rtf' format and submit it to us a an email attachment. As a last resort we will accept ASCII.
2. Submission Page Setup:
Type text on the page in one 5.5" wide column (leaving 1.5" margins either side). Each page of the printout should have a header containing: manuscript title, author's name, date, version of draft, and a page number. Electronic text documents greater than 30 pages long must be accompanied by a paper printout.
3. Title Page:
The first page must contain your name, address, email, phone and (if available) fax numbers, plus the title and version of the submission.
4. Peregrine Text Presentation Conventions:
Before starting an assignment, ask us whether any established heading and text presentation conventions must be applied to the text. Before you apply styles (i.e, bold, italics, etc.) and special characters (e.g., é, æ) , send us a test document to see whether we can successfully interpret the characters in the document.
5. General Text Format Requirements:
Your submitted text must comply with our Peregrine Writing Style Guide (ask for a copy if you don't have one). If you submit text that contains double spaces, poor punctuation and grammar, excessive spelling mistakes, and (unless sent as ASCII) straight quotes and spaces instead of curly quotes and tab indents, it will be rejected. Never use underlines to indicate styles.
File Naming Format
To ensure clarity in file naming please use the following file naming system:
DocType-DocName-Version#-WriterInitials.doc
(e.g., ADV-Bride_of_Bob-2-KD.doc).
Use the following DocType abbreviations:
ADV = Adventure Scenario or Adventure Idea Description
CHA = Character Description
CRE = Creature Description
OBJ = Object Description
PLA = Plant Description
Playtesting Assigned Work
Adventures and other text to be used for gameplay must be playtested extensively before submitted as a Final Draft. If, while working on a Peregrine assignment, you do not have the resources to conduct adequate playtests, contact us -- we have playtesters who would be willing to provide you with the feedback necessary for development.
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What Peregrine Wants to See From Experienced Writers
1.New Adventure Scenarios For Existing Product Lines
We are always seeking new roleplay adventures. The structure of how the content is presented (i.e., headings, subheads, paragraph numbering system) and writing style of such submissions, however, must conform to existing products. Some adventures may be bundled by theme and marketed together, others may be produced individually. Talk to us about your proposal before restructuring existing work for submission. Please enclose a completed Record of Disclosure with your submission (see below).
2.New Settings For Adventures
We are always looking for new setting descriptions -- any interesting place where adventures may occur. Some settings will expand existing game settings in new and interesting directions, while others may prove the basis for a new gamebook. Talk to us about your proposal before restructuring existing work for submission. Please enclose a completed Record of Disclosure with your submission (see below).
3.NO Rules System Designs
Peregrine is not seeking any rules system designs at this time -- we are only looking for new and original settings and adventures.
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| DESCRIPTIVE ELEMENTS WRITING GUIDE |
Descriptive Elements are brief text passages on a single subject which can be used as a stand-alone description for the GM or incorporated into any Sourcebook or Adventure in a modular, as-needed fashion. To produce one of these People, Places, Things, or Adventure Ideas, simply select a topic and let your writing provide descriptive answers to some of the provided questions. Not everything need be answered, and you may add things that are not listed. We want it to be interesting, with an original twist. Use the descriptive subheads provided for each Element to organize your submitted text.
They may be encountered by any Character at any time, and each must provide suggestions as to how a GM may employ them in an ongoing adventure or to spark a new one. Finally, your descriptions should inspire others to create their own elements and adventures.
We are always able to make use of these brief modular written pieces if well written and produced in the style and formate used in our published products. Typically, when we begin working with a new writer we’ll ask them to produce a couple, just to give us an idea of their writing style and capabilities.
Game Master (Non-Player) Characters (GMC)
Length: Approximately 500 words each. Name: What is this person’s name: First, Last, Middle, Given, Earned, Taken, Nickname, etc? Basics: List: Vocation, Race, Gender, Age, Height, Weight, 5 (Physical or Mental) Character Traits. Physical Description: How does the person appears to others: their size, shape, colour, clothing? Possessions: Describe the person’s significant and then basic belongings on or available to them. Background: Describe who the person is and the significant and recent events leading up to the current situation. Current Situation: What conflict current exists in the person’s life that must be resolved that could be used to draw the Characters into an adventure? What is the person’s physical and/or mental condition relative to the conflict confronting them. How might it affect the Characters? Staging: How can this person be encountered and incorporated into an adventure. Is this someone to be found along the way, or the subject of a quest? What circumstances will result in a good or bad reception and will this person be friendly or hostile? How will this person interact with the Characters? Objects (Artifacts & Treasures) Length: Approximately 300 words each. Name: What is the Object called? Does it have more than one name? Does it have a meaning? Description: Your description must reveal why the Object is special or significant. What does it do? How does it work? Is it desirable or something one would rather part with? Outline the circumstances of when and how the Object may be encountered and any pertinent details as to its properties, physical (e.g., smell, shape, colour, size, texture) and behavorial (e.g., does it have a personality? If so, is it friendly and helpful or malicious and cunning?)
Staging: How can this Object be encountered and incorporated into an adventure. Is it something to be encountered along the way, or the subject of a quest? What current crisis associated with the Object may be used to draw the Characters into an adventure? What circumstances will result in a good or bad reception and will it be friendly or hostile (if applicable)? How might it affect the Characters? |
Creatures (or Plants)
Length: Approximately 300 words each. Name: What is it called? Does it have more than one name? Does its name have a meaning? Description: Your description must reveal why the Creature is special or significant. Outline the circumstances of when and how the Creature may be encountered and any pertinent details as to its properties, physical (e.g., smell, shape, colour, size, texture) and behavorial (e.g., Is it wild or domesticated? What does it eat and how does it acquire its food? Is it herd-like or solitary; intelligent or instinctual; edible or poisonous). Location: Where, when, and how the can Creature be encountered? If applicable, describe their habitat and food hunting or gathering practices. Where is it now? Who owns it, if anyone? What is its current dispositon (e.g., lost, hungry, tired, upset)? Staging: How can this Creature be encountered and incorporated into an adventure. Is it something to be encountered along the way, or the subject of a quest? What circumstances will result in a good or bad reception and will it be friendly or hostile? How might it affect the Characters? Places (Locations & Sites) Length: Approximately 500 words each. Name: What is the name or names of this Place? Does the name have a meaning (good or bad)? Description: Your description must reveal why the Place is special or significant. If appropriate, provide some background informaton concerning where the Place came from and its current situation prior to being encountered: Is it a natural geographic location or a magically created or manufactured site, and if so, how long ago was it made? Who found it, or founded it? When? Is it inhabited? Who owns it, if anyone? Why do people go there, or avoid it? Is it a nice place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there, or is it a nice place to live, but you wouldn’t want to visit there? Is it cursed or blessed? Who were its past owners? How has it been used? What does it do and how does it work? Is it associated with tourism, a supernatural phenomenon, historical event, political, economic, ritual or culture purposes? Has it been the subject of recent upheaval; geological, political, medical, intellectual, religious or otherwise? Staging: Where, when, and how it this Place most likely to be encountered and can it be incorporated by the GM into an adventure. Is it something to be encountered along the way, or the subject of a quest? What is the current crisis associated with the Place that could prompt an adventure? How might it affect the Characters?
Adventure Ideas Length: Approximately 250 words each. Name: Provide a short, snappy, one to three word name for the Adventure Idea. Description: Your description must use words with economy, providing the maximum of descriptive information, plot and character ideas, and entertainment in a minimum of text. Who: Who is the key person who brings about the adventure situation? What: Did a person do something, or did something happen to someone to bring about the adventure situation? When: How long ago did the event which brought about the adventure situation occur? Where: Where does the adventure situation take place? How: What is the goal of the adventure? What obstacles must be overcome? Why: What (disaster) will occur if the adventure is not taken up and completed successfully? Staging: How can the adventure be inserted into an ongoing campaign? |
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The key to writing successfully for Murphy’s World is solid plotting and plausible descriptions overlayed with humor. Most of the humor should arise from the description of the subject itself, as opposed to shock remarks or puns -- though some puns and amusing wordplay is certainly desirable. While not every sentence need invoke laughs, specific lines should do so, conveying an overall impression of amusement. Take the everyday and expected and turn it on its head. Twist myths and conventions to their logical (or illogical) extremes. Give nasty and powerful characters a silly flaw, or behavioural weakness which if acted upon could trigger their downfall. Sick humor, dark secrets, bizarre items, and characters with dirty tricks up their sleeves are encouraged. Make your descriptions as entertaining as they are informative. If your readers smile while reading your material you’ve produced great work. |
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Thank you for expressing interest in wanting to produce creative work for Peregrine. Before we can proceed it is necessary for you to sign and return a copy of this Work-For-Hire Agreement. For reasons of practical bookkeeping, all work produced for Peregrine by a writer, unless specifically recorded in a contract for a specified project is produced on a work-for-hire basis. Peregrine pays a flat per-word rate in return for the copyright of the material and all reproduction rights. Writers with an established professional track record contracted to produce an entire manuscript (i.e., complete and ready for publication) may request to be compensated via a royalty.
Peregrine Work-For-Hire Writing Agreement
This document constitutes a legal agreement between the parties:
Kevin Davies (herein after referred by his operating business name ‘Peregrine’) of 40 Seymour Avenue Toronto, Ontario, M4J 3T4 Canada, and
__________________________________________________________________________________
(hereinafter referred to as ‘the writer’),
an individual residing at:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
The parties agree as follows:
1. This is a Work-For-Hire agreement. By signing this document you are stating that you understand and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement without modification of the terms, conditions, and notices contained herein.
Once signed, this document will govern the submission of any and all writing and written content by the undersigned writer to Peregrine. Upon receipt of payment, the writer’s written submission, including the copyright and all rights to the submission, becomes the sole property of Peregrine.
2. The writer agrees to follow and apply, to the best of their ability, any and all applicable format and style requests made by Peregrine.
3. The writer agrees to submit the most complete and finished document possible; this includes a careful proofreading an editing of the entire submission for spelling, grammar, and mistakes or omissions.
4. The writer agrees to make all written submissions in digital format (i.e., a word processor document saved as a Microsoft Word ‘doc’ or ‘rtf’ file), either via the internet or on a computer disk of acceptable format.
5. No confidential relationship or other obligation of any kind is created or implied by the receipt or consideration of any submission by the writer to Peregrine. The undersigned agrees that elements of the submission may already exist coincidentally in a published or unpublished (work in progress) format.
6. The writer warrants that he/she is the current and sole holder of all rights to the work submitted. Any ensuing charges of plagiarism or copyright violation are the sole responsibility of the undersigned writer (or guardian) who will bear all costs of any necessary legal defense.
7.a. Peregrine agrees to pay the writer a minimum of 1/4¢ ($0.0025) per word (Canadian funds) for written material deemed ‘acceptable’ by Peregrine for use as Raw Concept Material (Unpublishable Text, Type 1).
b. Peregrine agrees to pay the writer a minimum of 1/2¢ ($0.005) per word (Canadian funds) for written material deemed ‘acceptable’ by Peregrine as a Rough Draft (Unpublishable Text, Type 2).
c. Peregrine agrees to pay the writer a minimum of 1¢ ($0.01) per word (Canadian funds) for written material deemed ‘acceptable’ by Peregrine as a Rewrite of Existing Unpublishable Text to produce a Final Draft (Publishable Text, Type 3). The word count of the writer’s submission is determined as outlined in the Peregrine Writer Guides & Rate Sheet.
d. Peregrine agrees to pay the writer a minimum of 2¢ ($0.02) per word (Canadian funds) for written material deemed ‘acceptable’ by Peregrine as an Assigned Original Final Draft (Publishable Text, Type 4). The word count of the writer’s submission is determined as outlined in the Peregrine Writer Guides & Rate Sheet.
e. Peregrine may, at its discretion, make arrangements with specific writers at specific times to pay more than the minimum amounts stated above.
8. Once accepted, written material will be placed into a digital ‘Accepted File’ (i.e., a word processing document specific to the writer making the submission). It is this Accepted File that will be used by Peregrine to establish a ‘Word Count’ to determine the final amount due to the writer for each submission. Within 30 days of the day that the writer accumulates a minimum of $25.00 (Canadian funds) in their Accepted File, Peregrine (or Kevin Davies) will issue the writer a cheque for the appropriate amount.
The writer may request to receive a copy of their current Accepted File via email (or disk, if the writer provides in advance the necessary disk and all applicable shipping costs).
9. The purchase of written material by Peregrine in no way establishes an obligation to publish and/or to make public the written submissions of the writer. Publication is at the sole discretion of Peregrine.
10. This agreement binds all parties who lawfully succeed to the rights of the undersigned.
11. This agreement is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada.
12. If any part of this agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the text set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the agreement shall continue in effect. Unless otherwise specified herein, this agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement between the writer and Peregrine regarding writing submissions, purchasing, and copyright ownership, and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral or written, between the writer and Peregrine with respect to the submission and purchase of written work.
13. The section numbers and typeface styles used in this agreement are solely used for the convenience of the parties and have no legal or contractual significance.
Date: Name: Address: Telephone Number: Email Address: Signature (Guardian if writer/Creator under 18): |
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Submitting a Finished Manuscript to Peregrine
If you have an existing completed original ‘final draft’ manuscript (i.e., polished writing with little editing or structural changes required for it to see publication) we would be happy to consider it for publication. We will not review rough draft manuscripts.
We are most likely to publish manuscripts that support and extend our existing product lines. If your manuscript describes an entirely new product or setting, we will still review it but it must be exceptional for us to set aside any existing plans to pursue it — though this could happen. However, it may be that your text may be suitable to be employed as an extension to something that we already have in development. If so we will discuss that with you.
Finally, even if we can’t use your manuscript, we may offer you assignments to write for us based on the quality of your submission.
1.Complete a Record of Disclosure
Before anything else, obtain, complete, and submit a Record of Disclosure (document provided below). Upon signing (in ink) and returning this form you are acknowledging that a) you legally own the material you are submitting and b) the possibility the we might already have work in progress similar to your own, so if it sees publication you won't think we've stolen your work. It's an industry wide formality, and necessary for our protection. Anything received without a Record of Disclosure is filed 'Unread'.
2.Submit Your Document
Submit your document as a Microsoft Word ‘doc’ or ‘rtf’ file; if a manuscript is longer than 30 pages, include a hard copy as well. Your manuscript must be a complete and polished document; documents that appear unfinished or that have structural, or excessive gramatical or spelling errors will be rejected. Submissions are placed on file and not returned. Only submit copies of your work — never submit the only version of your document.
After a title page, which includes the title and date of your submission and complete contact information (e.g., name, address, phone, email, fax) provide an outline, in point-form with headings for easy scanning, describing the contents of your manuscript.
Note: While Peregrine is willing to acquire the rights to a manuscript, we do not guarantee that the person submitting the original manuscript will be asked to complete the final draft — this will depend entirely upon the talent of the writer and his or her working relationship with Peregrine.
In addition to your submission, please include some samples of previously published or in-progress work which you feel reflects your talent. Also, we would like you to provide some personal information: relevant experience and education, to what extent you prefer working independently as opposed to part of a team. We encourage you to offer suggestions for the final appearance and marketing of your submission; while we will consider them, we do not guarantee that we will use these suggestions.
3.Review Period
Having submitted your document (and Record of Disclosure), allow us 8 to 12 weeks to read and reflect upon it. If you haven't heard from us by then please phone; we're probably just swamped.
We encourage you to keep us updated on your work by periodically forwarding us samples (do not send originals!) of your best work.
4.Contract Negotiations
While some assignments can be negotiated and signed in a couple of weeks, some may take as long as 1 to 6 months -- depending upon how busy we are and how difficult the agreement is to put together. We will likely want to purchase all rights to the submission -- this includes the ability to edit and change it as deemed necessary by Peregrine. Depending upon the situation and the desires of the writer and Peregrine, the writer submitting the manuscript may continue to be involved in further writing and development as relating to their submission.
5.Compensation for the Purchase of an Existing Manuscript
Depending upon the submission, compensation may involve a flat fee, a word rate, a royalty, or some combination of the above. Each will be negotiated on an individual basis. Unless otherwise specified in writing, all material produced for Peregrine is considered 'work-for-hire' (i.e., Peregrine buys all rights). Work that requires little or no development and/or editing will command significantly more compensation than that which requires the monitoring of several rewrites or a reworking by us.
If the contract includes the requirement that the writer produce a rewrite of the submission or develop additional specified content our contract will include deadlines for the submission of the Final Draft.
Kill Fee: For whatever reason, should Peregrine decide to terminate a writer’s work on an assigned document we will pay the writer for ownership of the completed text as though it were a Rough Draft (Unpublishable Text, Type 2).
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Thank you for expressing an interest in writing for Peregrine. We are always interested in looking over samples and proposals. Before you make your submission, read our Writer Submission Guidelines and our Peregrine Style Guide; find them on our website or write for them.
Copy this document to your word processor and print out a paper copy. Upon signing (in ink) and returning this form you are acknowledging that a) you legally own the material you are submitting and b) the possibility the we might already have a work in progress similar to your own, so if it sees publication, you won’t think we’ve stolen your work. It’s an industry wide formality, and necessary for our protection. Anything received without a Record of Disclosure is filed ‘Unread’ and/or thrown away.
I wish to submit for your consideration, subject to all of the conditions below, the idea or item described in the section provided below.
I,
__________________________________________________________
print name of owner of idea / item
am the sole and exclusive owner (or the authorized representative [agent, parent, guardian, etc.] of the owner) of the copyright, trademark or patent (as applicable) of said item or idea. I am of legal age, and free to make agreements relative to the submission of this idea or item.
I understand that any ensuing charges of plagiarism or copyright violation are my sole responsibility and that I will bear all costs of any necessary legal defense.
DESCRIPTION OF IDEA OR ITEM:
(Use attachments if necessary for a fuller description. If you wish, you may also include photos, drawings, etc. If the item or idea is patented, you may furnish us with a copy of the patent since it defines your rights in the subject matter thereof.)
SUBMISSION STATEMENT:
I submit my idea or item voluntarily and on a non-confidential basis. I understand that this submission by me and its acceptance by Peregrine does not, in whole or in part, establish or create, by implication or otherwise, any relationship between Peregrine and me not expressed herein.
I understand that elements of the submission may already exist coincidentally in a published or unpublished (work in progress) format.
I further understand and agree that Peregrine, in its own judgment, may accept or reject my submission and shall not be obligated to me in any way, with respect to my submission, until or unless Peregrine at its own election, enters into a properly executed written agreement with me, and then only according to all the terms of said agreement. If no agreement is concluded, I shall rely solely upon such rights as I may have under patent, copyright, and trademark laws.
I agree that Peregrine may have a reasonable period in which to consider this submission. I understand that if I have not been contacted by Peregrine after a period of 4 to 10 weeks, I may phone or email Peregrine to determine the status of my submission.
I understand that Peregrine will not return any material submitted by me but will instead keep it on file until such time as Peregrine decides that it is no longer needed. I will not hold Peregrine responsible for items or materials which are accidentally damaged, lost, or deliberately disposed of. I understand that it is in my own interest to retain a copy of all materials submitted.
I further understand that the acceptance by Peregrine of this disclosure does not create or imply: a) any financial or other obligation of any kind on the part of Peregrine; b) any confidential relationship or guarantee of secrecy; or c) any recognition or acknowledgment of either novelty or originality.
I agree that Peregrine may photograph, photocopy, or otherwise record and/or reproduce, for its own records only, any material submitted by me herewith or subsequently with respect to said idea or item, whether accepted or rejected.
I understand that this document binds all parties who lawfully succeed to the rights of the undersigned.
Date: Name: Address: Telephone Number: Email Address: Signature (Guardian if writer/Creator under 18): |
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 Peregrine’sNetzine: Collected Articles |
Join Our Online Mailing List Now! Get a free subscription to AERIE our netzine. Receive news, useful articles, and supplemental material that you can use to enhance your RPG adventures! |
| WHERE TO GET PEREGRINE PRODUCTS | |
| Purchase Digital Files from Peregrine Product Pages at Associate Websites: Peregrine's products are available now as a downloadable PDFs from the Peregrine product pages on DriveThruRPG.com and RPGNOW.com. Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction Art Prints by Kevin Davies can also be purchased at www.deviantart.com/kevindavies. |
| WRITERS, ARTISTS, GAMEMASTERS & PLAYTESTERS WANTED! | |
| We are always interested in talking to freelance writers & artists. We are looking for people who are capable and interested in the subject matter that they are working on. We are willing to talk to unpublished individuals if they are competent. Our Writers Guidelines and Artists Guidelines will explain the basics -- email us for more information.We are also seeking people interested in Gamemastering and playtesting our products in development. Email us and let us know if you're interested! |
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This page was last updated September 19, 2023.
Content copyright © 1993 to 2023 by Kevin Davies. All rights reserved. |
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