Call For Writers -- 2009

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Gamerswithjobs.com is looking for writers!

Luxurious trips, fabulous wealth and the adoration of millions, these are just a few of the things we don’t offer. However, if you are passionate about gaming and more importantly about creating witty, interesting, compelling written content, then we can provide you with both a platform and one of the best communities on the web.

As a writer for GWJ you have the opportunity to build a portfolio of work that can and has launched more than a few writing careers. If you’ve longed for an opportunity to get your shot at writing about video games for a living, then we provide an avenue for reaching that goal. If you have a unique perspective you simply want to share with thousands of your closest friends — well, we can help you with that as well.

Read on to find out details on submitting. Ability to read and follow basic instructions will be part of the deciding factor, so please read carefully.

What to Submit: Submissions should be attached to an e-mail. E-mail entries should be sent to [email protected] with the subject “Call for Writers '09 Entry.” Any entries submitted to an incorrect address, with an incorrect subject or without proper attachments will not be considered.

Submissions should be between 750 and 1,000 words. The topic is unrestricted, but should relate in some way to the video game industry or gamer culture. Submissions should be double spaced with traditional 1” margins and submitted as a Word (.doc) document.

Do not submit links to your blog, old articles on other sites, or your resume. We are looking for original, unpublished material which would be suitable for publication on our front page.

Writers retain all rights to submissions, and we will not print or distribute your submission without prior approval.

When to Submit: Submissions will be accepted through 11:59 pm CST June 20, 2009.

Things You Need to Know: GWJ is not a paying outlet at this time, and there is no guarantee, or even really a plan for compensating our writers.

Instead, GWJ expects all writers (yes, even including me) to participate in a peer feedback and editorial review process. This is really the compensation for being a GWJ writer -- you will get regular, intense feedback from some of the best editors and writers in the business. Of course, you will have to be able to play nice with others and be gracious in accepting criticism.

We do not guarantee that a new writer position will be made available if submitted drafts fail to meet our needs or standards. This isn't a contest where we announce a winner. It's a job application. By the same token, we retain the right to terminate writer relationships at any time and for any reason.

Tips of Crafting a Good Submission:

Be creative — seriously, points for creativity
Hook us from the start — We tend to get a lot of submissions, and are easily distracted.
Proofread — Typos, that’s a paddlin’.
Edit, tighten and improve — Your first draft can be better. Get someone to look at what you write, take your time and put something together that stands out. Rabbit wanted in so bad he sent his "Nigerian Prince" submission out to millions for comments before it came our way.

Good luck and we can’t wait to read your articles!

Comments

BlackSheep wrote:

You're right, the comma has no place there except to confuse and muddle the sentence.

1) You're right.
2) I urge you to reconsider your punctuation.

- Alan

BlackSheep wrote:

You're right, the comma has no place there except to confuse and muddle the sentence.

'Em' dash! 'Em' dash!

momgamer wrote:

This is a general note, but it is also pointed directly at you, DominicKnight. I know where you live and I know what you write. ;)

I know you'll come after me if I don't write something. I've been playing with a few ideas for what to submit, but I think my brain wants to strangle itself with my spinal cord. I'll show you on Wednesday once I puke my brain into a word document or keynote.

Minarchist wrote:

At this point I think it's safe to say that I am confused. DId I stumble into an inside joke?

Vampire Weekend. The song is "Oxford Comma."

adam.greenbrier wrote:
Minarchist wrote:

At this point I think it's safe to say that I am confused. DId I stumble into an inside joke?

Vampire Weekend. The song is "Oxford Comma."

Clearly there is a hole in my musical education. Thank you.

DId I stumble into an inside joke?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_i1x...

Writing for this website (once upon a time) quite literally changed my life. Those aspiring to become professional (or even just "better") writers would be wise to A) read every word printed on the front page of GWJ, and B) apply to join the ranks of the elite Writer's Guild. There's so much talent and wisdom in that group, it's outright obscene.

adam.greenbrier wrote:
wordsmythe wrote:
adam.greenbrier wrote:
Elysium wrote:
You can have my Oxford comma when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.

Who gives a f**k about an Oxford comma?

Why would you speak to me that way?

Why would you lie about something dumb like that?

Check your handbook. It's no trick.

At this point I think it's safe to say that I am confused. Did I stumble into an inside joke?

Elysium wrote:

It's not about lacking for content. Our current stable of writers is outstanding, and we're not planning any big changes. But, it's always good to keep new voices coming in, and if that means we can provide even more content then so be it.

Does this mean my previously rejected fan-fic *The view from the pillow* might get a re-look?

I write like old men piss- sometimes all at once, sometimes drop by drop, sometimes erratically, and sometimes I just miss the bowl entirely.

MaxShrek wrote:

I write like old men piss- sometimes all at once, sometimes drop by drop, sometimes erratically, and sometimes I just miss the bowl entirely.

*pushes drink away* Thanks, dude. Thanks.

MaxShrek wrote:

I write like old men piss- sometimes all at once, sometimes drop by drop, sometimes erratically, and sometimes I just miss the bowl entirely.

Might be time for that prostate exam. Figuratively, of course.

wordsmythe wrote:
bnpederson wrote:
rabbit wrote:

It takes me about an hour to do a line-by-line edit/feedback on a 1,000 word piece.

What's your current hourly rate? :)

I'm cheaper than Rabbit, and you still couldn't afford me. ;)

I probably can actually, unless you make more than most lawyers I've met. And sadly I'm seriously considering it. We'll see, if I get inspired and time's up I'll PM you.

Well, just for kicks, here is a short sample of my work:

"No, Dad. Not Kick--Guard!"

It's a tone of disdain I was sure was many years distant. And yet my desire to conquer the monster in my genre-closet has brought me up against a formidable enemy: my son.

"Peter, I think I've got you! Watch out!"

My Raging Phoenix Bo flows naturally into a guard, but it's a trick. He comes in with a simple overhead strike. My left elbow shoots forward. I catch his head with the back end of the staff, and he crumbles. I follow through, translating the motion back and up, bringing him upright. He stands there, head lolling comically. He's helpless. The staff flows behind my back, comes around again, lifting him into the air.

"No!" he cries.

Unable to stop, my staff comes down on his lower back in mid air. I drive his lifeless corpse into the wooden planks of the dock.

What do you think? Good enough?
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What's that? No, that is absolutely mine. What are you implying?
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'Rabbit'? What do you mean 'Rabbit'? Rabbit is a talentless hack.
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Oh, sure Ely, I'll walk out back with you...is that where the writing jobs are?

I'm interested in this, but I do have one major concern: part of what being a gamer with a job means, in my life, is that I don't always have the time and resources to play the most recent games. Here in the middle months of 2009, I'm still working through some of last year's major releases. I know that there are other talented writers in the GWJ community who are in similar situations. While I believe that we would be able to contribute compelling content to the site, is there editorial interest in writers who might not always be exclusively working their way through the latest that the industry has to offer?

If you're really not sure, just peruse the front page. How many of those articles are about the latest and/or greatest? It's not essential.

I'm looking for talented writers. End of line.

Think of it this way: if the regulars were drunk..er... gracious enough to let an inexperienced, green hack like me textually vomit all over the frontpage occasionally, then there's hope for most of the forum regulars.

Except for RatBoy. :wags fist:

I would encourage people to apply if they have a passion for games, enjoy writing about it,* and are open to an unforgiving (but well-intentioned) critique of their writing technique. As mentioned, it is a commitment. However, the rewards are limitless!**

- Alan "not applying this year" Au

[size=8]* Oxford comma, Female Doggoes!
** subject to availability; some restrictions may apply[/size]

Elysium wrote:

I'm looking for talented writers. End of line.

*clings to Elysium's arm and swoons*

Do you respond to each applicant individually as they come in and let them know how in/appropriate their submission is, or is it the more standard if-you-don't-hear-from-us-keep-practicing-until-next-year scenario?

I really don't see being able to respond in this way. I know people love the feedback, but when we request a dumptruck of submissions like this, there just isn't time enough.

I'll respond to each and every person who sends something in. It will be with a form letter full of platitudes though, so perhaps I should just post it here ...

I'm going to be all brave and submit. Have not written anything about games for a while, but why not! How do you guys feel about the use of the word "whilst"? This and similar words have gotten me in trouble in American schools but have been encouraged in England. That's the other thing, if I got through would you take all the "U's" out of my words? I would be very sad...

Not expecting anything, but I'm going to try.

I have never thought critically about my writing. Even when I took several months to write what I hoped would be a novel, there was no care for the craft. I would like to write better and some poor reader at GWJ will have to suffer with me.

Feel free to ignore this comment, everyone. I'm leaving it as a challenge to myself until my submission is ready.

I have never been a good writer, but I have a friend who is an excellent writer. He's never visited the site before and is not sure if he should submit something, so I'm going to post a small selection of something he wrote a while ago to help boost his courage to submit something for realsies.

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GET READY FOR BRAN MUFFINS!!!!! BY MAX APPLESAUCE

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A LITTLE BOY AND HIS NAME WAS DOROTHY AND HE WAS RIDING HIS BIKE DOWN A STREET AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A DOG! HE WAS RIDING HIS BIKE AWAY FROM THE DOG BUT THE DOG WAS RUNNING! OH GOD SUDDENLY THE BOY IS BITTEN BY THE DOG AND HE IS CRYING!!! HE GOES HOME AND HE STARTS TO FEEL WEIRD AND SUDDENLY HE GROWS HAIR EVERYWHERE! THIS IS THE MAGIC OF PUBERTY!!!

NOW YOU ARE A MAN SON HIS DAD SAYS TO HIM AND HE GROWS UP TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT WHICH IS A VERY BORING JOB BUT HE IS ALSO A SUPERHERO WITH THE POWER TO SHOOT PLASTIC LIGHTNING BOLTS OUT OF HIS HANDS!!! CRAP SUDDENLY A BAD GUY APPEARS AND IS TEARING UP A BANK WITH HIS BEAR HANDS BECAUSE HE IS PART BEAR AND THE SUPERHERO ACCOUNTANT RUNS TO THE BANK AND STABS OUT THE BAD GUYS EYEBALLS!!! THE NEWSPAPERS ARE HAPPY AND REPORT ABOUT A HERO EXCEPT FOR ONE BECAUSE IT IS AN ASS PAPER AND IT SAYS THAT THE SUPERHERO WAS THE BAD GUY BECAUSE HE KILLED AN INNOCENT BEAR AND ALSO HE WAS THE ONE WHO DESTROYED THAT BUS! WITH BOMBS!!!

SO THE SUPERHERO PUNCHES A TELEPHONE!@!!!#!!&

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To be continued...?

MechaSlinky wrote:

To be continued...?

So what's your price, you blackmailing b-----d?

Hans

Certis wrote:
Elysium wrote:

I'm looking for talented writers. End of line.

*clings to Elysium's arm and swoons*

Has King Corona found his.....male concubine? The nomenclature here is strange and nebulous.

How do you guys feel about the use of the word "whilst"?

I can't really imagine a scenario where the deciding factor would be the use of the word whilst.

Sadly, however, here in the colonies it's just color. No U.

Also, it's pronounced a-loom-i-num

Elysium wrote:

Also, it's pronounced a-loom-i-num

Wrong choice -- I actually have to give Aluminium to the brits. We totally rolled over that little bit of language.

Okay, that's nice to know. I have gotten a lot of rubbish about that from some people in various settings - I'll bide my time and wait for recolonisation, and then we shall see who is laughing...