Actually the pay of a complimentary copy of the book for a spell/relic
whatever is actualy pretty good pay.
Most starting freelance writers can only expect to get 2 - 5 cents a word.
So how long is a spell description all in? Spells from the SRD are 200 -
300 words, so you're looking at $4 - $15 a spell. So at a complimentary
copy of a book all you starting writers have been paid pretty much over the
odds!
In case you missed it, thats a big thumbs up to the publishers ;) (And yeah
it only costs them a dollar or two, but its the value in your hands that
counts)
Anyhow... For whole books smaller companies (ie those with small cashflows)
tend to pay just on royalties rather than for the whole project. Consider
how many words might be in a 32 page module, something in the 8000 range.
Thats something in the range of $160 - $400. No need to point out how that
money could be well used in producing more copies - other products, or even
the dread advertising.
So from a small companies point of view royalties are a better deal - you
get paid when they do, so to speak.
Obviously established writers or people with exceptional ideas can demand
better cent/word rates, or higher percentage royalties, or even a mixture.
Of course they get away with it because in theory their names guarantees
more sales...
Hmm, have I ranted long enough to give an idea? *chuckles*
Matt
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of John
> Campbell
> Sent: 22 February 2001 21:26
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [ogf-d20-l] OT: What did SSS pay for things in R&R?
>
>
> Hello,
>
> Just a quick question. What was the pay for getting a spell or artifact in
> Relics and Rituals? What about Creature Collection2? I know they
> gave comp,
> copies but was there anything more? Also what would pay be for a starting
> writer to do an adventure?
>
> I'm close to finalizing a set of d20 superhero rules, and want to get some
> adventures made so I can have a decent size opening release hoping for at
> least main book and two adventures (since the rulebook won't be
> D20 but the
> modules/splatbooks will be, I'm hoping if I release them at the same time
> people will get the idea that yes the game is d20 but it's not
> advertised on
> the book)
>
> rigt now it looks like starting release will be
> Rulebook and adventure one
> Big book of Thugs and adventure two
> expanded Narrator's (DM's Storyteller's) guide adventure 3
> then sprinkle adventures/ splats from there on out.
>
>
