Transparency Agenda Daily October 6th 2016 - Artists you should know...

DawnforgeCast interviews LPJ Design about How to Publish in Tabletop RPGS

I guess my age and mind are finally catching up to each other…and not in a good way

I guess I can announce this because I need your help.

I apparently assigned some work for my upcoming Cross of Fire Saga Adventure Path. What I assigned was three magic items that we created for the donors as a “secret item add-on” that we were going to give away to all the donors. I assigned it to the writer and sent them to do the work.  Sounds simple right?

Just one thing, I have forgotten what writer I assigned this project. That is right I CAN NOT REMEMBER WHO I ASSIGNED THIS TO. Apparently I am suffering from Alzheimer over this.  I have gone through my list of normal writers, and I still can’t remember who I assigned this. So if you are the writer that I sent this to send me an email and remind me and send the draft of the work. Thanks.

And for all you laughing at me; Hey don’t laugh. It could happen to you. Talk to you later…

Working freelancer Eric Hindley like a dog!!!

As of late while I have been working on and focused on the last bits of Obsidian Apocalypse, I have been assigned all kinds of work to our newest freelance, Eric Hindley. Eric has also done several pieces of work for us on Obsidian Apocalypse too so you can see we are busy. I got an email form Eric and told me that the first draft for the upcoming Adventure Path Iconics: Path of the Star will be in house VERY SOON. Also he is working on upcoming Adventure Path Iconics: Path of Righteous and the iconics for Obsidian Apocalypse. Sensing a theme here? So we have iconics coming out of the wood works here which is a good thing. After all this is done we are going to have Eric work on … wait for it … MORE iconics with The Mummy's Mask and Iron Gods (2014 Adventure Paths). I know that you will see a Machinesmith iconic in Iron Gods iconics from us so at least I will be happy about it. Maybe a Gunslinger too. Who knows? I guess Eric will know soon. Talk to you later… 

Transparency Agenda #018: Back from PaizoCon 2013

Our head editor, Joshua Yearsley, has been busy…

For all those who don't know, Joshua Yearsley is our Head Editor for LPJ Design. Joshua was hired a few months ago after work for us in a freelance capacity. One of the jobs that Joshua has taken upon himself is to get our writer guidelines together. LPJ Design’s Writer Guidelines will tell you everything you need to understand in the process of writing for LPJ Design and what we expect from you as a freelancer.  If there are any of you interested in working in the area of freelance writer, check out these guidelines, send a pitch over to LMPjr007 at Gmail.com and we will see where it goes from there. As always thanks for your support. Talk to you later…

Transparency Agenda #015: Ultimate Campaign arrives and Google+ Hangout

Transparency Agenda #014: Looking for freelancers and what is coming nex...

Dealing with the issues of a Small Press Publisher while driving to work

Pathfinder Adventure & Game Mechanics Writers Needed

Louis Porter Jr. Design is looking for adventure & game mechanics writers to work on Pathfinder Roleplaying Game rule based PDF adventures.  We would like to hire people who specialize in either the creation of and writing of gaming adventures OR those with an expertise in creating and understanding the game mechanics and balance of Pathfinder.  We are not looking for an individual who believes they can do it all; we are looking for those that specialize in one of the areas we are looking for. The rate of pay for these positions will be directly dependent on your experience, which will be tested to all those that apply for these positions.  If this sounds like something that might interest you and your schedule is not that busy, please feel free to contact us at LMPjr007 [at] gmail [dot] com at your earliest opportunity.

Jim Shooter talking about rates and contacts while at Marvel & DC Comics and why RPG publishers should listen...

The legendary Jim Shooter of Marvel Comic fame has a blog where he talks much about the comic book industry and his involvement in it. A few days ago he did a post talking about contracts and working for Marvel and DC Comics.  The thing that REALLY stood out to me on the contract was the artist, writing and plotting page rate amounts. They were all listed at $60 per page. $60 a page I am guessing was the "starter rate" and that was Marvel 10 years ago.   Now look at his DC freelance contract rate from 2007 - 2008. $100 a page? This guy has been the editor and chief at BOTH Marvel Comics and Valiant Comics and is on record for being the youngest paid writer EVER comics from a major (DC or Marvel) company and all he got was $100 a page.  I can bet you those rate might have actually gone DOWN due to so many new artists and writers looking to break in to the comic book industry and the book sales going DOWN. So I guess that $100 a page for artwork for a RPG page is looking a little over priced to me when most RPG don't sell over 5,000 copies. 

Now this Marvel Comics contract was from 2001 / 2002 but best of all it also included the Marvel Comic Incentive plan for the creative staff to make more money if their books sold better. Years ago (and I am talking about early to mid 1990s) I was talking to John Byrne about how much money he made while working on Fantastic Four and he told me since FF was selling so well (over 200k copies at the time) his incentive money was much, MUCH more than his regular paycheck from them. Kind of like a waitress, you make your real money on the tips and you get a paycheck.  If you want to be real scary, Chris Claremont and Jim Lee sold 8 million copies of X-Men #1 in the 1900s and just using the basic math on the incentive plan and "guestimating" on a few things, you can think that both Jim Lee and Claremont each maybe made over $100K on that single book off of their incentive plan. Now that is an incentive plan. 

After looking at this article it only makes me shake my head even more when people are asking for $150 for a single character design or 8 cents a word to write. If Marvel and DC Comics wouldn't pay you that much, why do you think I would, or better yet, be able to do it.  The ability to make a RPG for a reasonable amount is what helps keep us ALL in business. Think about that next time you do some freelance work. Maybe you should ask about an incentive plan for companies you work for over a flat rate. Looks like both of you could turn out winner on that.  Talk to you later...

I am paying 4 cents a word for writers and $250 per page for artist. Who want to work for LPJ Design?

The rate of pay and prices has one the greatest effects on who will work for what and why. In the table top RPG industry, 4 cents a word for writers and $250 a page is a “good” pay rate.  But what do you get for those rates, I mean from the business perspective?  If you get paid those amounts and your product does sell, whose fault would that be?  Even better, does the writer or artist talk any blame for the product not selling?  Where does the responsibility of poor sales fall?  Better yet as a writer or artist SHOULD you take responsibility for poor sales on a product?  Paying higher rates does give you one advantage over paying lower rates, you receive more response for work and you can pick and choose who you would like to work with. So once again I am thinking about raising our pay rate at LPJ Design.  The better question is why do you think I should pay you 4 cents a word for writers and $250 per page for artist to work for LPJ Design? Talk t you later…

You want to know the names of the artists we used? Sorry that information is classified

I normally let people access to 95% of everything we do at LPJ Design.  The last 5% of stuff that we don't let people know is: 1) How much money we make (That is none of your business) and 2) The artists we use. Why do I keep our artist under wraps? It is obvious, we have GREAT artists working for us.  Now some of them you do know, Jason Walton, Storn Cook, Bradley K. McDevitt, and Anthony Cournoyer. But there are a lot more that you have seen their artwork but you don't know who they are.  And they do great work!!!!  I mean AMAZING work. Some even say as good as Paizo.  I have to agree since Paizo hired one of artist I used to work with them and two of my regular artist art trying to get freelance jobs with Paizo.  I know how to get GREAT artists.  Now do you want to know my secret about how I get these great artist? Let me tell you....

I work hard searching website and searching the internet to find these artists. That is it.  I work hard and I get results. It is not rocket science here.  

But I am going to do you a favor and help you get started in finding your hot new artist.  Check out Deviantart for artist.  It is where I go to find all my GREAT artist. So if you like the artist I use check them out.  The rest is up to you. Stop being lazy and do some work.Talk to you later...

Pathfinder Adventure Writers Needed

Louis Porter Jr. Design is looking for writers to work on Pathfinder Roleplaying Game rule based PDF adventures.  The rate we pay will for these types of projects will be between 0.5 to 2 cents a word, dependent on your writing experience.  If this sounds like something that might interest you and your schedule is not that busy, please feel free to contact us at LMPjr007@gmail.com at your earliest opportunity.

LPJ Design raise its freelance writing rates

So after much discussion here and here, LPJ Design has decided to increase their standard rates for writers. While I will not be telling what that rate is to the general public (You might be able to better negotiate a better rate if you do it right), LPJ Design will be looking for writers who are looking to are looking for long term freelance writing commitments for Paizo's Pathfinder material for our NeoExodus: A House Divided line (Make sure you read NeoExodus Chronicles: World of Exodus before sending us your resume, CV or background) and some generic Pathfinder material..  So if you always wanted to write some Pathfinder material and get paid for it, you should contact LPJ Design.  Good luck, you are going to need it.  Talk to you later...

Should LPJ Design increase their writers pay rate to 4 cents a word on a Pathfinder project?

This is something I stared in Facebook page that I thought should be brought here: I am thinking about doing a Pathfinder project and paying out 4 cents a word for writers. That is A LOT more than I normally pay (Remember small PDF publisher here). Am I crazy to think like this? I am looking to hear from the Pathfinder and Paizo fans on this.  Talk to you later...

Is Monte Cook worth 10 cents a word? If so, then how much is Wolfgang Baur worth?

While at my local gaming store, I was having a discussion with several RPG friends including the guys who operate Gamer Ingenuity, LLC and we started talking about the pay rates of well know writers.  While I do understand why people get paid, I do feel some people are VERY MUCH over rated.  The biggest overrated writer to me (in the non-RPG arena) is Warren Ellis. I have talked about Warren Ellis before and how I feel about him so I am not going to go over it here, but you get the point.  While we were talking Monte Cook’s name came up in the decision. We began to think about it, what would Monte Cook be worth pay rate wise in the RPG industry for both PDFs and retail bookstore sales?

I know Monte is the pinnacle of writers and creative people in the RPG industry.  His name alone on a project will help sales greatly.  I know for a fact that Monte can and has sold more than 200 PDFs on the day he releases a PDF.  How do I know this for a fact? Well when I released the original Power Corrupts for M&M Superlink, we sold 189 in the first three days that we released it and were #1 on RPGNow’s Top 100 list.  On day three of our release, Monte just happened to release an OGL/D20 fantasy product I can remember which one but it really does matter for this tale.  In less than a day, Monte blew past our #1 rating on day four, which had just hit over 200 copies sold, and in less than a day and he was #1 on the list.  If the book had a price of $10.95 and RPGNow was taking 25% (This is WAY back in the day) of the sale Monte made $1,644 in ONE DAY.  If the product did that well on one day I am sure it went on to sell well over 1,000 copies in its life time which comes out to be a minimum of $8,212.50.  And remember that was just the PDF sales, I don’t even know what his print sales must have been like.

Now here is some more mathematics for you, if you take the $8,212.50 amount divided it by the amount of pages let say 96 you come up with $85.55 dollars per page he made.  Now divide that number by 500 words (Bet most of you didn’t know that 500 words is the average amount of word per laid out page) and you get 18 cents per word.  So at 10 cents a word, Monte would be a STEAL! 

But then we started talking about other writers like Wolfgang Baur, Ken Hite, Chris Pramas, Sean K. Reynolds, Erik Mona, Jason Bulman, Bruce Cordell, Matt Forbeck, Keith Baker and John Wick.  Are they worth in actual sales that amount they charge?   Just something to think about next time you are looking for a freelance writer for a project.  Talk to you later…

Guest Blog Post - Becoming a Freelance Writer by Matt Forbeck

Matt Forbeck has been a freelance writer and RPG publishing legend of such products from companies like AEG, Atari, BOOM! Studios, Decipher, DK Publishing, Games Workshop, Green Ronin, Image Comics, Mattel, Penguin, Pinnacle, Playmates Toys, Random House, Reaper Miniatures, TSR, Ubisoft, White Wolf, WildStorm Productions, Wizards of the Coast, and many, MANY more. So if you want to know about becoming a freelance here is the person you should listen to. Matt was kind enough to do a guest post for us here at In the Mind of a Mad Man, about becoming a freelance writer.  Hope you enjoy…

I’ve been a freelance writer for the vast majority of my adult life, and even in the times I’ve had a day job, I still worked as a writer/game designer. Becoming a freelancer may seem like a huge leap, and it is, but all it really takes is determination and patience.

First, you need to figure out what sorts of things you want to write: stories, rules, RPGs, essays, poems, news articles, interviews, or whatever. Then you need to research the market for those sorts of bits — to find out who might be willing to pay you for your work.

If you already read those sorts of things — and you should if you want to get published in that field — it’s simple. Find out who published the articles and then hit their website. Most publishers have submissions guidelines listed right there.

Read the guidelines and follow them to the letter. Some guidelines feature “idiot tests,” simple things you must do so that the publisher can tell that you can read and follow directions. Do just that, and you’ll pass.

Once you know who to contact and how, do so. Usually you should send a simple query note first, nothing longer than one page. If the editor wants to see more, he or she will ask you for it. Once that happens, read and follow the direction again. Rinse and repeat until you’re published.

There’s a lot more to it than that, of course. You need to have both some talent and some skill. And you need to be able to hit your deadlines. If you can manage those three things, you can go far.

There’s no licensing involved in becoming a freelance writer. You can’t take a class to get certified. You just need to keep improving your writing and putting yourself out there until someone manages to recognize your brilliance. This usually happens slowly.

Most editors have been burnt before, and they’re shy enough about it now that they like to start out any new relationship by taking it slow. Unless you have a list of published credits already, smart editors will only give you small projects, things that they can let go of if they never show up — or that they can re-commission from someone else in a heartbeat. That gives each side a chance to make sure that they can trust each other before you move on to bigger things.

Some writers think that quality of the work is the only thing that matters, and to a certain extent that’s true. No one wants to publish crap, and no one else wants his or her name attached to it. However, if the publisher doesn’t have anything to publish when a piece is scheduled, it doesn’t matter how good it might be when it shows up. The lack of that piece means no sales (or ads or patrons or whatever) until it arrives, and the publisher’s landlord, phone company, internet provider, and printer don’t care about anything other than when they can expect their not-quite-here-yet money.

Make your editor’s job as easy as you can, and you’ll get the chance to show off your talent and skill as often as you like. Editors love writers that do that, and they’ll come back to you time and again, often with better projects every time.

Once again thanks to Matt for taking time out of his BUSY schedule to give us some great info about being a freelance writer.  Talk to you later...

Business Transparency with LPJ Design

As a writer what sounds like the better deal: Getting paid 2 cents a word or 5% of the total sales?

The answer to this question all depends on one simple little thing; how “good” of a writer are you? If you are just starting out, then 2 cents a word is a good rate. No matter what happens, you get paid and that is you end goal. If you are Monte Cook or Wolfgang Baur, well you are going t sell at a certain level for the life of the product, so that 5% could be some serious money if done right. It is a very simple question right? How much are you skills worth? How much are your skills worth now OR in the future? How badly do you need the money now OR in the future? How well do you market yourself now or in the future? How much to you have invested in the product you worked on is the better question. Too many people look for the easy short cash without realizing what the long term effect it might have on them. Being a freelancer, the name of the game is marketing one’s self so you can become more popular over time which in turn makes you more money. What you think you are worth is up to you. What you think you can earn over time is really up to you. What are you doing with that knowledge and how can that help you in the learn term? Just something to think about next time you are accepting a new writing position. Talk to you later…