Beware of Dragons

[mrteufel]

Pen vs Sword? Winner: Pen
Pen vs Dragon? Winner: Ask John Scalzi.

Apparently the new online version of Dragon pays pittance per word, and wants all rights in perpetuity. Since a couple of my friends have been published in the old printed Dragon, I thought it would be important to note this.

Comments

[ashamel]

I agree with the comment that points out those are the same terms you'd get for any RPG work. I don't think they are too unreasonable, but likewise people should keep the alternatives in mind.

[mrteufel]

I think it's ok if your story needs or uses IP from D&D. But if you create your own setting, you can't use it again.

[dan_g]

Now some people will STILL go right ahead and get themselves published for those terms, some people just like to see their names up there.

And of course its all work on the CV.

A Smart bunny would learn their craft this way, learn through any old toss, and when they are good enough get published properly, of course the article is correct and any work would STILL be better off with another magazine.

Or, my way, write a couple of RPG sourcebooks which tie into a heavily licenced property, and so are beyond the ability to publish and profit, and make them available as fan-made material on t'internet...