Vajra Enterprises is seeking to commission an author to write 1984: Hacker, a roleplaying game based on the adventures of young computer hackers in the 1980s as they faced down law enforcement, corporate security, the phone company, the mafia, Russian spies, their parents and each other. This game will use the Organic Rules Components system, based on the Modern-ORC set of character options, modified to fit the 1980s.
The author will be responsible for doing research into 1980s hacking and the general culture and society of 1980s America. Historical accuracy is important (although it will be necessary to exaggerate the level of danger Hackers faced). The goal is to not only produce an exciting and unique roleplaying game, but to provide a valuable compendium of historical research and a definitive guide for anyone who wants to create fiction involving 80s hackers. Research should include internet research, reading books and articles and interviewing people who were actually involved in 80s hacking.
The author will also be responsible for writing a complete roleplaying game with a comprehensive game world description, authentic 80s character creation options, a complete sample adventure and ORC-compatible hacking rules. The author does not have to be a hacker or ex-hacker but should be computer-literate enough to understand the basics of hacking and translate them into language anyone can understand. Familiarity with the ORC system is also necessary.
Vajra Enterprises will provide creative, editorial and game design guidance, will provide access to a library of research material, will edit the book, will commission illustrations (based on the author’s recommendations), will do layout for and will publish the book. Vajra Enterprises retains final editorial control in case of creative conflicts.
Pay will be one third of a cent per word with a target word count of around 150,000 words.
If you are interested, please send a writing sample to creative@vajraenterprises.com. The sample can be of any kind, although obviously the closer the sample is to what is being commissioned, the more useful the sample will be in evaluating the submitter. Also, please give any evidence of knowledge of the subject matter
For more information on what is expected, see the RPG Material Writing Guidelines at: http://www.tibetrpg.com/rpg_writing_guidelines.htm
See also: The Once A Week Rule
RPG Based Short Stories
Accepting submissions for short stories that take place in the Fates Worse Than Death, Tibet, In Dark Alleys or KidWorld universes for publication on this web site and in podcast format. 2,000-10,000 word stories wanted. Rates are 1.5-2.5 cents (USD) per word. Send full stories to submissions@vajraenterprises.com. All submissions must be accompanied by the Submission Agreement. For more detailed writing guidelines, see FWTD Fiction Guidelines..
Novel and Novella Experimental Fiction
Now accepting novella and novel length fiction that take place in the Fates Worse Than Death, Tibet, In Dark Alleys or KidWorld universes for publication in upcoming books.
New and innovative styles wanted. We are especially interested in
fiction with heroes who break standard hero stereotypes (e.g. heroes who are homeless, mentally ill, drug addicts, have alternate sexualities, etc.) yet who are still heroes in their own way. 50,000 to 100,000 word
stories wanted. Rates are one third cent per word. Send complete outline
and sample chapter(s) to submissions@vajraenterprises.com. All submissions must be accompanied by the Submission Agreement.
See also: FWTD Fiction Guidelines, The Once A Week Rule
If you'd like us to conisder commissioning artwork from you for out next book, please send an email with your name and a URL for your portfolio to creative@vajraenterprises.com. The artists we commission artwork from have a style that can be desribed as:
Comic Illustration
Fans of our games: see our Fans Rewards program for information on how you can earn free stuff just by doing things like submitting reports on games you have run.
The Once A Week Rule- Anyone working with Vajra Enterprises in a for-pay project must check in with Vajra Enterprises at least once every week by email, post or phone. The message must state what, if any work, has been done on the project and what the prospects for work in the near future are. An example email: “Hi Brian, I didn’t get any work done on the project this week, I’m hoping to get a few pages written next week.”
Submission Agreement:
I, the undersigned, am submitting materials to Vajra Enterprises to be considered for possible sale to Vajra Enterprises of the ideas contained therein or possible hiring of myself as a writer, editor or game designer.
I, the undersigned, certify that these materials are my intellectual property and that no other party holds a copyright, trademark or patent claim on them.
In exchange for such consideration, I, the undersigned, hereby agree to the following:
I indemnify Vajra Enterprises against any claims of infringement of copyright, trademark or patent that are based on a similarity between the materials I am submitting and a product that Vajra Enterprises subsequently created, with the following exception:
The indemnification is revoked only if a panel of 5 game-publishing industry experts, agreed upon by both myself and Vajra Enterprises, unanimously agrees, in good faith, that, in their opinion, there is a less than 1 in 100 chance that the similarities between my submission and the subsequent Vajra Enterprises product is because Vajra Enterprises independently created or would have independently created the product in absence of the submission.
In other words, I will not seek damages unless a panel says there is a less than 1% chance Vajra Enterprises could have come up with this idea independently.
If the panel is going to be compensated in any way, I will pay the full cost of the compensation. Both I and Vajra Enterprises will have 30 days to submit evidence to this panel. After the panel has made their decision in good faith, neither party has the right to ask for any reconsideration.
Contract law of the United States and Oregon shall apply. This agreement shall be deemed as being made in Oregon.
Fates Worse Than Death
Vajra Enterprises Main Page
Tibet the RPG
See also: The Once A Week Rule
COMIC ART
We are currently looking for someone who can illustrate a full-length comic book. Send a link to sample comic book illustrations to creative@vajraenterprises.com. See also rhe Once A Week Rule.
OTHER STUFF
The purpose of this document is to allow Vajra Enterprises to review submissions from individuals without fear that doing so will make Vajra Enterprises vulnerable to intellectual property theft lawsuits if there are coincidental similarities between the submission and a Vajra Enterprises product.
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