McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Writing in an Existing Universe

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Dresdenus Prime:
What's the best way to go about submitting a manuscript for an existing property? I see it all the time - Star Wars, Star Trek, even videogame novels released by various authors.

I myself, while having a multitude of ideas for original works, am a HUGE Transformer fan. I would absolutely love to write a story set in their universe, possibly a first person novel. I can just imagine how fun it would be to write about the transforming process from the thoughts of the protagonist.

But how would I go about this? Should I just find any new novels in the franchise and see who the publisher is, and then try and submit the work to said publisher?

What I'd love to do is try and create my own original idea involving transforming robots, but I think that's pretty much impossible without it sounding like Transformers lol  ;D

trboturtle:

--- Quote from: Dresdenus Prime on February 22, 2012, 01:46:47 PM ---What's the best way to go about submitting a manuscript for an existing property? I see it all the time - Star Wars, Star Trek, even videogame novels released by various authors.

--- End quote ---

To be honest? Slim and none.  :(

I don't like saying that, but its true. Tie-in properties like novels are decided upon by the people owning the IP (Intellectual Property), and they chose Authors with proven track records to write them. They are not even going to look at an unsolicitied manuscript from someone they don't known.

Take a look at almost any author who's written a tie-in novel. Most, if not all, have a solid line of novels and stories they wrote and published before they were approached to write the tie-in novel.

My advice? Write your own stories and build a proven track record. Down the road, if people think you're the right person for that Transformer Novel, they'll come to you.

Craig

Dresdenus Prime:

--- Quote from: trboturtle on February 22, 2012, 06:53:51 PM ---Take a look at almost any author who's written a tie-in novel. Most, if not all, have a solid line of novels and stories they wrote and published before they were approached to write the tie-in novel.


--- End quote ---

I hadn't even considered that, but you're absolutely right. Ouch. Flush. There went my dreams...  :'(

But good advice to get some credit under my belt. Thanks for the input!

The Deposed King:

--- Quote from: Dresdenus Prime on February 22, 2012, 07:48:22 PM ---I hadn't even considered that, but you're absolutely right. Ouch. Flush. There went my dreams...  :'(

But good advice to get some credit under my belt. Thanks for the input!

--- End quote ---

Remember in addition to Transformers.  There was first Voltron and then also Gobots.  Both successful TV series.  Which ignores all the gundam stuff (which I don't bother with).


The Deposed King

Darwinist:
Who's to say you can't use the same universe but make it your own? There is the downside that you can't write about Optimus, or whoever else is in those stories (not a fan). What you CAN do is write a story about transforming robots roaming about on this planet that have the ability to shift forms into other things. It might feel like you're ripping off the source material, and you are, but that's pretty much storytelling these days. You can't write anything these days without directly, or indirectly, being inspired or unknowingly lifting something already written. It's just not feasible.

Take what you like, mold it into something better and go from there. Granted, with a Transformer's based storyline it's going to be awfully difficult to really disassociate from the existing idea - which might make it very hard to sell. But hey, there's a market for everything.

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