August 27, 2001

An Offer for the aspiring Mudslinger Author!

Recently, one Frank Blisset who has an interesting project underway has contacted us. He's collating a series of short stories from many different MUDs and is intending this for release as a themed anthology for people to buy.

He's asked us to pass on his offer to any players who feel up to the challenge so here's the details.

The current plan (subject to change) is to publish the collection as a trade paperback, primarily through Amazon.com. Projected release date is spring of 2002.

While I cannot, in one volume, include a story from every single MUD out there, I'm going to try to maximize the number of MUDs represented by limiting the number of stories included from any single game to only one (although multiple submissions are welcome). Of course, the MUDs' administrators will have the option of not allowing any stories published which depict their world's unique characteristics if they so choose.

More information can be found at http://65.7.194.93/~frank/index.html or by emailing me at frankbliss@30below.com

Story Submission Guidelines:

• Stories should be 3,000 to 10,000 words in length. Shorter works may be accepted if well written, but longer works will only be used if there are few competing submissions.
• Please polish up your story before submission. All works included in the anthology will be edited, and those which will require the least editing will be given preference.
• "Adult" subject matter, excessive profanity, and graphic violence should be avoided. Emphasize PG13-rated content over R-rated content.
• Stories sent by email should be included as an attachment in *.DOC or *.TXT format, and must include the author's name, contact information, story title, and the name of the game which inspired the story.
• Stories sent by post must be typed on 8.5 X 11 paper, and include a cover letter with the author's name, contact information, story title, and the name of the game which inspired the story.
• Deadline for submissions will be November 15, 2001 - subject to change as the project progresses.
• If an author submits a work, this does NOT necessarily mean the work will be included in the anthology. Likewise, follow up correspondence by myself shall NOT be considered acceptance of the work. If the work is accepted, a contract will be drawn up between the author and myself.

Notes from Excrucior for anyone wanting to attempt this:-

If you feel up to the challenge then feel free to ask me about your ideas or for any comments for the finished article before it is submitted. Please note that although he accepts DOC files, I do not so TXT format only please :)

The language and violence acceptability aspect will be easy to follow for anyone who has read HELP RULES as well as HELP MUDSLINGER_SUBMIT and so forth.

Story length - as a general guide to working out how long a piece is then use the estimate of 20Kb of pure TXT file to 3000 words (if you use Word then it has its own word counting facility). Most Mudslinger stories don't go above that, a few do.

He requires that stories should be well written. I have two things to say to this. Firstly, it should also be entertaining - well written does not preclude a dull storyline so give it twists and turns. Secondly, you have to make sure someone not familiar with the game system would be able to understand what you are saying. Don't use ingame terminology, ingame elements that people wouldn't understand without playing the game - if in doubt, ask me first.

Medievia.com is in no way responsible for this project - if your work is accepted then we will not be able to intervene should things go wrong. We can help with suggestions on writing the article but that is as much as we can do.

The Mudslinger Staff

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