The Unspoken Word
 
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JOINING 'The Unspoken Word'
Notes for Potential Authors and Artists

The Unspoken Word is a new magazine devoted to the world of Glorantha and Hero Wars game system, 68 pages long and produced three times a year. It will take a broad theme each issue, which may be geographical or conceptual and, of course, be full of insightful, imaginative, high quality articles.

And that's where we hope you'll come in.

What are we looking for?

We want to provide a mix of solid core background, to make the issue a mini-supplement (keywords, cults, locations, etc), as well as material a Narrator could pick up and use straight away in the context of another campaign. This may be an interesting NPC with an associated one-page adventure cameo, a 'one evening wonder' short scenario or a hero band, again with ideas as to how they might be incorporated into a game. This is a key point: we will generally be looking for articles which directly relate their contents to play so if, for example, you want to write a myth, we'd like to see an associated heroquest, or hero cult, or whatever.

We also want material that is of use and interest to players. This could range from ideas on how to play heroes from particular cultures ('how Tarshites like to insult people'? 'How to boast, Orlanthi style'?) through tactical advice to tips on developing a backstory.

UW1, out now, looks at the Kingdom of Tarsh. UW2 will look thematically at Bandits & Outlaws from all across Glorantha. UW3 will again have a geographic theme, focusing on the Far Point region of Dragon Pass. UW4 is scheduled to be the special War! Issue.

How can I get involved as a writer?

You might have an idea you'd like to develop. By all means just send us articles, but it is generally a good idea to get in touch beforehand. That way, we can warn you if we have anything similar already in hand, and we may also be able to send you further materials that might help.

There is no lower limit to article sizes, but if you want to write anything which will stretch for more than 2500 words, you are very strongly advised to get in touch with us first with an outline, even if only to check that we have the space left. Some general formats we plan to adopt are:

  • Interesting People: A one-page (500 word) NPC write-up (character, background, stats) and a 500 word adventure outline or ideas as to how the individual may be incorporated into a game.
  • Hero Bands: A 500-1000 word write-up, using the standard format, with a similar length scenario outline or adventure seeds as above.
  • 'One Evening Wonders': Short scenario outlines, generally which can be played out in a single session, presented in outline form: 500-1000 words.
  • Key Locations: A place explored (often with appropriate art), again with ideas on using it in play (500-1500 words)
  • Myths: A nice mythic tale, ideally with some direct plothooks: a heroquest, perhaps, or an associated local herocult or location (1000-2500 words)
  • Hero Cults: Local and specific subcults or herocults which are not only interesting in and of themselves, but they also give a flavour of local culture, history or the like: a short (500-1000 word) write-up, possibly linked to a short myth or story, and notes or plothooks associated with it

Of course, we are happy for there to be exceptions: these are just to give you some general ideas.

Also, we will gladly consider anything: if you want to submit fiction, would like to produce a 20-page scenario arc or whatever, just get in touch.

We are also happy to hear suggestions about future issue themes. What would you like to see and/or write for? A Hungry Plateau issue? A Dragonewt special? A myth and heroquest compilation? Colonisation explored? Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Fonrit? Mysticism Today?

For style, we will be using 'English English' spellings, but don't worry - we can easily language edit. Above all, we want to see good, exciting and engaging prose.

How can I get involved as an artist?

We want good, informative and evocative art to be an important part of the magazine. High quality art is important to UW, and not just as 'eye candy' but to support and enrich the text. You can submit art on spec, but we will generally commission art to fit with articles, providing full guidance on what we are looking for.

We want to develop a network of artists of every kind, so whether your preference is for detailed technical drawings or outrageous manga-style, do get in touch!

Rewards

Come now, this is a fanzine! Glory, the envy of your peers and the opportunity to play a part in shaping Glorantha should be enough, but we will throw in a free copy of the issue in which your article appears.

Copyright

When you submit articles to us, you retain copyright of your work. We hope you will subsequently allow us to re-use it, whether on a website, in a 'best of…' compilation or whatever. However, we would check with you first.

However, we do expect that you will abide by two simple conditions: (1) should you re-use your work elsewhere, you acknowledge that it originally appeared in The Unspoken Word and (2) it does not appear until 4 months after the issue is published (the latter is open to negotiation - talk to us).

So now...?

Speak the Unspoken Words - we hope you will join us in exploring Glorantha! Email is usually the best way to make contact.

For authors, the first point of contact is .

For artists, the first point of contact is .

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April 30, 2002