Submission Guidelines

Submissions page:

The Waerd Aev is an official on-line newsletter of DragonRealms and Simutronics. Our goal is to serve you the player as a valuable and entertaining compendium of informational articles, short stories and other fiction, poetry, artwork, humor, and miscellany about the game. The articles and editorial content of the Waerd Aev are primarily player-driven with both out-of-character (OOC) and in-character (IC) sections.

~ What types of things can I send you?
~ What format should I use to send material?
~ Is there a minimum or maximum length for text?
~ What kind of pay will I receive?
~ What rules do you have for my written or graphic submission?
~ What's the process once I send my submission?
~ What else do I HAVE to know?
~ Where should I send things I want to see in Waerd Aev?
~ Tell me about being a Waerd Aev staff member!

~ What types of things can I send you?

We welcome original artwork and photos related to DragonRealms. So far we've published any type of textual material that we've been sent, including the list below, or you can surprise us with something new!

* A new crossword puzzle in each issue.

* Songs, usually in poem format, but we're open to scripts if you don't mind people using them.

* Poetry and limericks.

* Short stories and serialized longer tales.

* Regular columns on topics of wide interest in Elanthia.

* Recipes.

* Rituals.

* Classified ads.

* Letters to the editor.

* Reviews.

* How-to's, provided they give no puzzle, quest or guild secrets.

* Interviews.

* Upcoming events.

* Maps, provided they give no puzzle, quest or guild secrets.

* Articles on game strategy or mechanics.

* A new theme section in each issue.

~ What format should I use to send material?

Please use a plain text editor, such as Notepad (*.txt files), or Word (*.doc files) to create textual files for submission. Send your artwork in *.gif or *.jpg format, and in files of no more than 400 pixels by 400 pixels.

~ Is there a minimum or maximum length for text?

We have no set size for submitted works. However, please bear in mind for major works that readers will prefer to read shorter files. That may mean breaking up your story/article/etc. into separate sections, either all published in one issue or serialized over several consecutive issues.

~ What do I get out of submitting my work? What kind of pay will I receive?

First and foremost, you get an audience for your creativity. You can share your personal experiences and wisdom with others. And we pay in IG coin for the work that we publish. Written work is compensated at the rate of 1 bronze per word, payable at the bank of your choice. Frequent contributors are paid twice that; we determine when this rate is applicable. Artists receive 2 platinum per picture, again payable at the bank of your choice.

~ What rules do you have for my written or graphic submission?

* Submissions should relate to Elanthia or specifically to DragonRealms.

* They should disclose no secrets related to puzzles, quests, guilds, secret societies, etc. Elanthian adventurers deserve the fun of discovering these for themselves.

* Certain words used in the fantasy genre are the creations and property of their originators. For instance, we do not use the word "hobbit," but "halfling" is an acceptable substitute. This also pertains to artwork.

* Work can be submitted and/or published anonymously. However, if it is submitted anonymously, no compensation can be awarded for its use. If you wish your identity to be withheld only on publication or you'd like us to use a nom de plume, include that request with your submission.

* We will not publish work that attacks or belittles a player, a class, a guild, a society, etc. Differing points of view are welcome, but please express them in a reasonable manner.

* If names of characters are included in the work submitted, email must be sent from that named player granting permission for such use. This will be verified at our discretion.

* All work, whether art or text, must be original or properly accredit its originator with appropriate permissions for publication.

~ What's the process once I send my submission?

You will receive a brief note confirming receipt of your work. Written material will be lightly edited for typographical errors, basic grammar, etc. Any major concerns will be addressed with the author by the editorial staff before publication. Artistic submissions will be similarly checked for content, size, and suitability for publication. Once the work is approved and ready for print, it is sent to the web team for inclusion in an upcoming edition of Waerd Aev. Finally, it is published. Upon publication, your "paycheck" is processed, and you'll be emailed instructions on how to receive your compensation for work used.

~ What else do I HAVE to know?

We have to have the following information on all submissions. This is not an option! Please feel free to copy and paste this information into the cover letter or the heading of your work.

Your play.net account name:
Character who is to be paid:
Author's/artist's name for publication:
Your current email address:
DR-related web site address (if you'd care to publish it):

Remember, you can choose to withhold your character names or to use a pseudonym, but sending your work to us anonymously means you will not be paid.

~ Tell me about being a Waerd Aev staff member!

The only true requirement to be a staff member on Waerd Aev is participation in publication. We include in our numbers hosts, mentors, and players in various positions. Staffing needs vary from time to time, of course, but positions currently in existence are:

* Submissions editor, and editorial staff.

* Artistic editor.

* Staff artist/writer.

* Web team.

If you have questions or you think you're interested in working your fingers and brains to nubbins, drop me a line at dr-mroce@play.net! Please include mention of Waerd Aev in the subject line of your email.

~ Where should I send things I want to see in Waerd Aev?

Send your submissions to WaerdAev@play.net. Hope to hear from you soon!