So how does one get into the Battletech writing industry?

[rogueranger1993]

I have several ideas for Battletech fiction I'm interested in writing, even a full novel series I'd like to do at some point in the future :)) but just how does one get into the business of writing fiction for Battletech? I have no idea how to do this.

Also, just out of curiosity, I heard some years ago that novels weren't being made due to a legal issue, and only short stories were allowed - is that still the case, or has that been resolved?

Finally, any tips for a beginning writer from those with more experience?

[JPArbiter]

Pitch pitch pitch.

Get in touch with Brent, Ray, or John and pitch away, see if something sticks

[nckestrel]

Write, write and write.
Almost every position at BattleTech is filled by those that were doing it anyway, and got noticed.  From writers to demo agents to sculptors to artists to web developers.  (And even for Moderators, while giving posts and bans to other forum members pre-Moderator status is discouraged, having a record of polite forum posting is a good history to have..).

Battlecorps was the best entry in to fiction writing.  It's on hold at this point though.
I'd say look at what series BTech is doing, and write something for that series.  (Touring the Stars, Turning Points are the two that spring to mind). Then see if Brent, Ray or John is interested.
Or just write your stories however you want and post them as fan fiction.

I'd note that novels are not at all likely to be considered from somebody new. Even relatively experienced BattleTech writers aren't getting looked at at this time. It pretty much has to be somebody already with something published.  (Because it's not just talent, but selling bookstores/distributors to carry them, and BT needs the push from experienced novelists more at this point than BT is a help for getting novelists exposure.)  That's AFAIK at least.

[trboturtle]

I would wait for now. Catalyst is trying to get the fiction part sorted out. Once they have it done, they'll announce the new submission procedure. In the meantime, I wrote a couple of blog posts in my Blog a while back that might be useful. The links don't work anymore and the editor mentioned isn't there anymore, but I think these two posts have helpful advice:

http://thebattletechstate.blogspot.com/2012/03/dos-and-dont-of-battlecorps-writing-dos.html
http://thebattletechstate.blogspot.com/2012/03/dos-and-dont-of-battlecorps-writing.html

As soon as they have all sorted out, they will make an announcement.

Craig

[worktroll]

In the meantime, write. And write some more.

Post in Fan-Fiction. Cannonshop, Liam's Ghost, GiovanniBlasini all write stories which aren't capable of being fitted into canon, but they can bloody well write. Yes, you won't be able to sell them later. Develop your own voice, and tell stories you want to tell.

Remember, you may only sell 0.1% of the stories you write in your life. But you'll sell 0% of the stories you don't write.

W.

[Kit deSummersville]

And volunteer. If you have a foot in the door by helping do something else, it's a lot easier to find opportunities to submit a proposal to write in a product.

[Cubby]

And volunteer. If you have a foot in the door by helping do something else, it's a lot easier to find opportunities to submit a proposal to write in a product.

Seconded. This was my way in, back in 2013, when I e-mailed one of the BT leads at the time (Jason Schmetzer) and basically asked, "What needs doing?" My goal was (and still is) to write sourcebooks, but I recognized that those opportunities were limited and would be given to individuals who were trusted by TPTB and had turned in quality work in the past.

Likewise, as an editor, I started by joining the volunteer-based Fact Check and Review team, and tearing into any product that was put in front of me for review, trying to catch everything I could and learning the specific CGL/BT house style. I was fortunate that those detailed edits got noticed and led to larger projects, which in turn built that trust with TPTB when I answered solicitations for work with my own pitches.

Fair warning: the line is in a transition period, so opportunities are limited; furthermore, not all of the CGL basic business processes work as well as we might like them to. In both cases, patience will be your most valuable ally.

[Adrian Gideon]

All great advice.

[Tyler Jorgensson]

Demand a Trial of Possession for someone's job you think you could be doing better than them.....


 ??? What? Someone had to be thinking it: it is the Way of the Clans after all.

But seriously: volunteer. Look at what's been written before as well as things that have not been explored. Try to fill a gap or niche that needs filling. Don't try and delve into the real Area 51/ JFK theories areas of things everyone WANTS to know, but do something that people never considered or even though of (ala Touring the Stars). The Devs have IlClan : they don't need more IlClan, they need Clan Burrock during the Golden Century Star Captain fighting for his Bloodname, or First Sucession War mercy unit finding some Ameris diehards in the Periphery.

Just my two cents... seriously Trial for it!

[rogueranger1993]

Demand a Trial of Possession for someone's job you think you could be doing better than them.....

:)) :)) :))

In all seriousness, thanks for all the information, guys. Really helps me out.

[Gravedigger]

Practice your writing, a lot. Recognize the differences between how something sounds when you write it and when you read it aloud. When you've done that, you need to get the attention of TPTB by writing something (or lots of something) interesting to the community as a whole. Not just interesting to you, but to lots of people.
Submit it.
Wait.
Be rejected.
Submit a new idea.
Wait.
Be rejected.
Repeat until you've either found that your style doesn't fit into what TPTB want to have published right now, or you find something that sticks in their minds and gets you a gig. Be passionate, but ready to bend over backwards to make sure you aren't being an unyielding tree in the middle of a hurricane. Writing is generally an exercise in finding out every flaw and limitation you have, both professional and personal. This is why strong spirits are often found on writers desks.

These are just general feelings on writing in general, but they are totally applicable to Battletech overall.

Aaron "Gravedigger" Pollyea