Being a writer is a truly unique and honorable profession, but there are many ways for you to show your skills and get a job writing for Wizards of the Coast or RpgNow.
You can get a job directly through an agent or manager. However, you’ll likely need some separate training to be able to format and write coherently in a succinct manner.
Alternatively, you can get a job through a freelancing platform such as Upwork or Fiverr. However, this will likely be part-time, or at least include some nights and weekends, as most gamers, writers, and other creative professionals, especially in smaller towns and villages, rely on their day jobs to support themselves.
Join A Society
Wizards of the Coast and RpgNow, as well as many other game publishers and developers, actively seek out freelance writers, especially those who can write in a narrative style. If you can write in a way that’s engaging and doesn’t over complicate things, you’ll be able to establish yourself as an expert in your field.
Joining a society of like-minded writers can also prove to be beneficial. By getting involved with a group of writers, you’ll be able to exchange ideas and even get some tips on how to improve your own writing.
Seek Out An Agent Or Manager
Agents and managers typically get paid based on the number of deals they can put together for their clients. Therefore, if you’re looking for a steady stream of income, seek out an agent or manager who can get you published by major publishers, who already have a relationship with those publishers.
Writing for Wizards of the Coast or RpgNow isn’t going to provide you with the necessary funds to sustain yourself. Instead, you’ll need to find additional work to supplement your income.
Don’t Forget About The Basics
It’s very rare that an agent or manager is going to look at your specific genre, unless they’re seeking out a specific author within that genre. Therefore, you’ll need to make sure that you possess the following elements:
- Good at writing
- Knowledgeable in the field
- Good at researching
- A command of the English language
- Capable of formatting
- A busy schedule
These things taken together will make you more attractive to an agent or manager, as opposed to someone who has only published in a single genre and lacks the other skills needed to succeed as a writer.
Where Do I Start?
If you’re looking for a job as a writer, the first step is to define your specific field and figure out what makes you unique. There are many ways to do this, but the simplest is to look at what you already know and think of different fields that you could expand upon.
For example, if you are a diehard fans of Dungeons and Dragons, you could try your hand at writing a guide to help new players get started. Or, if you love television shows and watched all of Game of Thrones uninterruptedly while it was running, you might want to try your hand at creating a character based on one of the famous families from the show.
Or, perhaps you’ve always wanted to write a story and never got around to doing so. In that case, you could try your hand at revising a novel by Jane Austen or the Pride and Prejudice novels. The only thing you need is a good pair of shiny pencils and a love for literature.
Once you’ve identified your specific field, you can start to look for opportunities. If you’re not sure where to start, the first step is to contact the Creative Writing Program at your local community college or the local bar association and ask for help. They will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Find Your Niche
Once you’ve found a niche, or at least a partial niche, you can start to look for opportunities. If you’re not sure where to start, the first step is to contact the Creative Writing Program at your local community college or the local bar association and ask for help. They will be happy to point you in the right direction.