Recruiting writers

[ShuffleAndCut]

Hey everyone! I have been charged to find writers for a popular website that is in the process of expanding it's reach into The Spoils. I can't say what site right now, but it is a well known one in the TCG community. If you join up, you will definitely be well noticed in the TCG community for your work.

As part of recruitment, I need writing samples from you. There are two different tests to be considered for two different positions. Both positions have multiple openings, and you can submit for both to be considered for both positions, and some candidates may be chosen for both positions.

The recruitment goes out as a solicitation for pro-bono work. I can not promise that something may not happen in the future to allow for staff writers to be paid for their work (many people working for this website have been paid for their work), but you should consider these non-paying positions as to insure you're not let down if that doesn't change.

Here are the two tests:

Test #1:

Choose any card in the game. Write between 100-200 words over this card. Discuss it's positives and negatives as well as any uses you think it might have.


Test #2:

Pick one of the following topics, or choose one of your own:

A) The use of Gearsmith in Constructed Play
B) How to choose the right resource mix for a deck
C) A little background on the Spoils universe
D) Killer combinations
E) How to properly utilize the mulligan rule.

If you don't like any of the suggested, you may come up with one of your own, or even modify any of the above (say, substitute Gearsmith for Rogue, etc...).

Write 700-1000 words over the subject.

Please send all submissions to scott@shuffleandcut.com Do NOT reply to this thread with your submissions. Only e-mailed submissions will work. I suggest a return receipt on all submissions so you know when I have received them.

Positions will be filled on an ongoing basis and all positions are subject to closing at any point - once we have who we need we may close the door to further submissions or hold your entry on file.

There is no opening or closing date on submissions. Again, we will fill them on an ongoing basis, so while I don't recommend speed writing so much that you turn in poor work, the faster your submission is in the more likely we will have positions open when it is received.

Work will be judged on content, fluidity, spelling/grammer and overall writing skills. Once your work is reviewed, you will receive a response either telling you that you have been accepted and give further instructions, you have not been chosen, or inform you that your submission will be considered later for future openings.

Any questions may be posed in this forum so everyone can read them.

Thanks!

Scott

[Zambo]

Two questions for you, Scott:

1) In which format do you want the samples? I assume Word is the default, but you never know with these things.

2) Does previous writing experience hold any weight at all?

[MNKistler]

How are rights handled? Since it's work without pay, do the writers retain all copyrights and implicitly lend you (or whoever the final company or person who is employing or contracting the writer) the rights to use work submitted for publication?

[ShuffleAndCut]

A) Word is fine. Most any reasonable Windows-based format should be good.

B) Previous experience is always nice. Feel free to attach a list of credentials

C) Work submitted to the site becomes the property of the site. If the work becomes published in print form I suspect they would compensate you then (I have had this happen in the past and was compensated somewhat), but the work must be exclusive for use on this site and no others. The point is to build a community and it becomes difficult when the same article gets published to multiple places. As a matter of fact, if we know the same article is being published in multiple places, it will be removed as will the writer. We're not going to jerk you around and start screaming legal crap on articles written. If it's fair for you to be compensated for work over and above the normal T&C, then I'm sure you will be (though I am just the recruiter - I can not make promises of a financial nature). I know these people well and they take care of their guys. They just need to know that their content is indeed exclusive.

Scott

[ShuffleAndCut]

bumping. Looking to start in with the site as early as Monday of next week, so assignments will be going out within the next day or so for those looking to be in on ground floor.

Scott

[babyface]

Exclusivity and ownership are two different things. If you guys are willing to agree to allowing the writers to retain ownership to the content along with copyrights (which usually stay with the author anyway), while obtaining exclusive rights to publish online content, I may actually be interested in writing articles. This gives the writers an opportunity to publish their own works in print if they so choose.
IT's just a thought.

A) Word is fine. Most any reasonable Windows-based format should be good.

B) Previous experience is always nice. Feel free to attach a list of credentials

C) Work submitted to the site becomes the property of the site. If the work becomes published in print form I suspect they would compensate you then (I have had this happen in the past and was compensated somewhat), but the work must be exclusive for use on this site and no others. The point is to build a community and it becomes difficult when the same article gets published to multiple places. As a matter of fact, if we know the same article is being published in multiple places, it will be removed as will the writer. We're not going to jerk you around and start screaming legal crap on articles written. If it's fair for you to be compensated for work over and above the normal T&C, then I'm sure you will be (though I am just the recruiter - I can not make promises of a financial nature). I know these people well and they take care of their guys. They just need to know that their content is indeed exclusive.

Scott

[MNKistler]

Exclusivity and ownership are two different things. If you guys are willing to agree to allowing the writers to retain ownership to the content along with copyrights (which usually stay with the author anyway), while obtaining exclusive rights to publish online content, I may actually be interested in writing articles. This gives the writers an opportunity to publish their own works in print if they so choose.
IT's just a thought.
I feel the same way. You might want to talk to your people. If they really want quality work, they can't expect full work-for-hire rights from people they aren't compensating. But if you just want a bunch of kids who're excited about getting their name on an internet site, well... you might as well start a forum.:D

[ShuffleAndCut]

I don't want to promise what I can't deliver, but I think we can work this out here. I'm trying to get the site owner on the phone now to discuss this. I can tell you this, though - even if you never get paid a dime, this place is a TREMENDOUS launching pad. More writers than I care to count started here and have ended up in print mags and premiere level writers all over the place.

I'm not talking a little rinky dink place here - this site is truely the launching pad for "big time".

I'll make it's identity known as soon as I pick up a couple writers. In the meanwhile, going to figure out how rights work from the owner.

Scott

[Ephidel]

Launching pad for the "Big Time", huh? I might just have to see about submitting some of my work there. Still...massive internal conflict going on about what's right vs. what could help me personally the most. Oh damn it all. I can't give up my integrity. Looks like the mystery site will have to wait a bit before they get something from me...

[ShuffleAndCut]

Launching pad for the "Big Time", huh? I might just have to see about submitting some of my work there. Still...massive internal conflict going on about what's right vs. what could help me personally the most. Oh damn it all. I can't give up my integrity. Looks like the mystery site will have to wait a bit before they get something from me...

Honestly, you could be the best writer in the world and I wouldn't take you right now. :( I don't want to steal writers and I don't want to be construed as doing so. I have too much respect for other sites and how hard it can be to get writers. We might pick you up later, but for now you're doing great work on yugidad.

Scott

[Ephidel]

Thanks for the compliment. You're absolutely right, and I wouldn't want to put you into that kind of position either. Integrity FTW.

[ShuffleAndCut]

Thanks for the compliment. You're absolutely right, and I wouldn't want to put you into that kind of position either. Integrity FTW.
Actually got to read some of your work. I like your writing style, but I admit to not really agreeing with your information. It's a rough move to tell people straight up that Jackmove is unplayable in sealed. That's just me, though. I'll be posting my own series of articles with my own take on this and more, and I'm sure people will disagree with me. That's why articles are just one person's opinion and should never be taken as gospel no matter who writes them.

Scott

[painted_klown]

I'll be quite honest here. I do not have any prior article writing experience except for a short lived fanzine I did in high school, but I am intrigued about the offer to write some Spoils articles/opinions. Are there any pre-requisites for trying my hand at it? Do not worry, I am not looking for fortune or fame. I just think it would be cool to help supprt The Spoils in this manner. :) :spade: Peace!

[Ephidel]

Actually got to read some of your work. I like your writing style, but I admit to not really agreeing with your information. It's a rough move to tell people straight up that Jackmove is unplayable in sealed. That's just me, though. I'll be posting my own series of articles with my own take on this and more, and I'm sure people will disagree with me. That's why articles are just one person's opinion and should never be taken as gospel no matter who writes them.

Scott

Such is the point of diversity. Whenever someone places something like this, some will agree, some will disagree. The point of putting it up there is to give people a basis of thought and perhaps some useful information along the way. I would enjoy it to see some other views posted along with my articles. After all, variety is the spice of life.

[ShuffleAndCut]

I'll be quite honest here. I do not have any prior article writing experience except for a short lived fanzine I did in high school, but I am intrigued about the offer to write some Spoils articles/opinions. Are there any pre-requisites for trying my hand at it? Do not worry, I am not looking for fortune or fame. I just think it would be cool to help supprt The Spoils in this manner. :) :spade: Peace!

No prior experience. I'm looking for a good writing style and intelligent speech (I do not have to agree with you, it just has to come across as intelligent) :)

Fire something off - I'll be happy to evaluate anything.

Scott

[LucienofShadow]

If selected, how often would we have to submit articles to this mystery site (I'm betting its the same one that I started a thread about The Spoils on... and the one that you work with closely)

[ShuffleAndCut]

If selected, how often would we have to submit articles to this mystery site (I'm betting its the same one that I started a thread about The Spoils on... and the one that you work with closely)

Can't say yet for sure which one it is, and if you think you know, at least for now (now being probably no more than 48 hours) not reveal if you don't so much mind.

When you work for free you're kinda on your own schedule. It depends on the position, but you can pretty much dictate when you write. I'll give more details on schedule to those I accept. :)

Scott

[ShuffleAndCut]

Hey guys. Just got done talking with the owner and I have an answer about ownership rights:

If we don't pay you for the article, you retail rights. If we publish it on the site, it can't appear on another site within 30 days of it's publishing, but you're welcome to submit it for print if you like.

Plus, there is a possibility (there is always a possibility, but this one is less remote than others) that there may be a magazine deal involved here as part of a TCG conglomerate magazine. I know from past experience that first offers to write for the magazine belong to the people who wrote for the site, so.... :)

ANy other questions? We're picking up a few people, so feel free to get those submissions in!

Scott

[babyface]

That sounds adequate. I'd like to have the opportunity to partake in this venture.

[Ephidel]

Y'all're making me jealous :p Good luck to those of you who submit and are accepted. I would love to read your guy's work sometime. ^^