Sandy's Soapbox
One argument is 'that is all the market will bear'. Okay, but in that same timeframe, other forms of writing (particularly journalism and non-fiction) moved on to dollar-a-word. Sure, we're in a dip for that sort of writing too, with rates often dropped to half that. But a pair o' quarters per word is still a damn site better than RPGing's 3-cents-per.
A second argument people use that is, given how many gamers want to break into writing, publishers can get away with charging penny-a-word or asking for it free, just because there are so many writers looking to get in. However, at the same time, people lament the ghettoizing of RPGs.
Let's see, going with novice writers and underpaying them for the privilege, then being upset that people don't respect the work? That sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Want an example of how devaluing RPG writers is a Bad Idea? On the Linkedin 'Game Writing' board, the following question rang out:
"Boardgame Designer Looking for Writer!Hi, I am a Game Designer currently developing a boardgames prototype. I was wondering how much a writer could charge for a story of 4000 words in the style of Scoobydoo scripts and following the same format. I am looking for an advice. Thanks."
My take was this. "A bit depends on how much revision you expect. For most script work, $200/page can get you decent talent, so around $1300 might work. Hit up some RPG writers and you can get it done well for half that, as that sector is used to lower rates." My bad, already I'm devaluing the RPG writer.
It gets worst. Another poster notes "RPG indie studios usually pay between 3 to 5 cents a word, so that's the best place to look for in this sort of situation. Try places like ENWorld.org." So now the price has dropped to $200 or less. Joy.
A voice of sanity chimes in. "No offense to any of my fellow writers but these quotes seem pretty off base. After working with tabletop RPG companies & comics, which are fairly close to a board game, a "script" with about 22-30 pages goes for $2000 U.S.D. or $50 an hour. Less than that and you are probably getting an amateur, more than that and you had better have a good list of very notable works to warrant the cost.
Success! Someone setting a decent threshold yet using RPG writing as the market. Is there hope? Unfortunately, the same writer closes with "for such a small project, anyone with a heart, some experience and some prolific writing skills could get it done in a few hours for a couple hundred dollars or even credits if your game flies."
We're doomed again. First he sets up a reasonable rate ($2000), then closes with the fact you could get it for under $200. We're back at pennies a word.
Another writer tries to recalibrate us back to a living wage. "What is the length of the project? 4000 words or pages? A 25 page script with about a thousand lines of text or dialogue goes for $2000- $3000 not $200. That's assuming a mid-level but professional and accredited writer. Kevin Smith or Chris Nolan aren't working for that rate. ;-)"
Aha! The same writer even notes "a pro could probably do this project for a couple hundred bucks but that would be as a favor. Most people that would do it for a couple hundred dollars probably won't be very high quality." Yes, the 'quality' aspect, crucial!
Then that writer closes with "hit me up Al and I can try to fit it in for free or for very little depending on your deadline."
Are we all #$%*ing masochists? We argue that our work is worth being paid a living wage. We argue that you need to pay reasonable rates to ensure you get quality work from someone with experience putting words together.
Then we all always and inevitably close with "but I'll do it for you cheap".
Writers aren't being screwed because of publishers. We're doing it to ourselves.
Until next month,Sandy
sandy at rpg.net, freelance
