Post by Anna on Aug 14, 2008 19:41:28 GMT -5
The question on everyone's mind is: what can I submit? Well, here's a general idea. This topic is subject to change without notice...
Stories to Write Because We Will Accept Them
We're sure you're wondering by now just what kind of stories StarRise will accept. If you follow the guidelines set down in the books, in The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern (some exceptions), as well as this manual, you should be just fine. Just remember that Pern deals with common sense. Focus your storylines on interactions between people, and you'll have great stories. Let Pern be the setting, and your persona, and other peoples personas, be the story.
If you come up with a story idea you're not sure we'll accept, first check the books (Did a similar situation happen there?), then check this manual - it explains just about everything we will and will not accept, but new ideas crop up all the time. If these sources haven't answered your questions, let us know and we'll get an answer to you.
We prefer stories set in the here and now for your persona for the semiannual storyzine. There are two reasons for this. First, the newsletter takes place in real time. This is so we can all interact together. That does not mean that if you submit a backdated story, we won't print it. We will. We just prefer stories set in the present. Second, we encourage stories set in the current time for your persona because readers will be more interested in what your persona is now. Once they get to know you, then they'll be curious about your background.
We do want to hear your Impression story. Everybody loves Impressions. But if you submit one, we suggest you concentrate your story on the interesting happenings around the event, instead of just the Impression itself. We know it was a special moment for you, but too many Impression stories in a newsletter take away from the charm of it all.
Stories Not to Write Because We Won't Accept Them Anyway
Okay, sometimes we have to reject a story. Some of these are per Anne McCaffrey, and we will not compromise on those.
Using Anne's Characters This is rule #1. Don't even try to use Anne McCaffrey's copyrighted characters (including dragons) for a StarRise publication. This includes using such characters as background for your own characters.
Odd-Color Dragons Anne has requested that there be no "sport" dragons and firelizards. Ruth was the exception. Our timeline has one more, but they're not at StarRise so it doesn't matter.
Wrong Sex for Dragon Impression Females can Impress fighting dragons, but not bronzes. Males can't Impress golds. Anyone can Impress any color firelizard, though.
Dragon Fighting Dragon StarRise will not accept any stories that contain dragon fighting dragon. It will just not happen. This is inherent in the dragons. When a dragon dies, all dragons mourn his passing, so why would a dragon try to facilitate another's death? No matter what the individual riders feel toward one another, the dragons will not pick up on this illogical (to them) emotion. The rider, if responsible, would not even think of such a measure as having his dragon attack another dragon since they are just too important to risk over some petty squabble. Note that this is accepted to a limited extent during mating flights.
Hearing Another Rider's Dragon Please remember, it is extremely rare to be able to hear another rider's dragon. They just don't care to talk to anyone else in most instances. It is even more rare to be able to hear all dragons. If you want your persona to have this talent, you better be able to justify it to the Publisher first. Chances are, this won't be accepted.
Timing Between Timing is expressly forbidden. This is serious. The Masterhealer General has determined that timing is hazardous to your health. And Jina will hunt you down and kill you if you do. If you feel you must use timing in a story, be prepared to have the story nitpicked to death. You will need to justify every word and action in the story. The character involved will also need to receive a very stiff penalty for the timing incident.
Obscenity, Graphic Violence, Etc. We do not publish suggestive, obscene, nor inflammatory material. This is a family publica¬tion. It's up to the Publishers to decide what's obscene, graphic, or otherwise.
Dragons Doing the Impossible Green dragons don't lay eggs. They've been genetically designed not to. Dragons can't catch their riders mid-air after they've leaped off a ledge. You'll just have to learn to mount like everyone else. Dragons can't do triple rollovers then come out into a dive. They'd rip their wings off if they tried - and their rider too. Dragons can't- Well, you get the idea.
Using Another's Persona in a Derogatory Manner You wouldn't want them to use yours that way, would you? If you wish to use a character developed by another fan writer, courtesy requires that you get that author's permission.
Everything You've Always Wanted Okay, we'll accept "The guy gets the girl," but we won't accept, "The guy gets the girl, the dragon, the money, revenge, fame, recognition, etc, etc, etc," all in one story. It's no fun to have all your problems solved. Save something for the next story.
Religion The closest Pern comes to religion is their thanks to the dragons and their riders that save all Pern. Don't have your characters worshiping anyone or anything. There is no Deity on Pern. We're on our own.
Space Invaders from Mars This is Pern. Not Delta-Gamma III. We're so far out in the middle of nowhere, the FSP will never find us again, and they have a map. Pern is fun the way it is, let's keep it that way.
Magic The only magic on Pern is dragons - going Between, Impression, etc. Don't have your characters casting spells, dealing with mystical runes, etc.
Impression from the Stands This is allowable, if there is an interesting story around the incident, but check with the Publisher before you waste your time. Chances are, it won't be accepted.
Impressing Someplace Other Than a Weyr All Impressions happen on the Hatching Grounds at a Weyr. You will never stumble over a dragon egg on the beach, just about to hatch and Impress.
Wrong People Impressing Craftmasters, Lord/Lady Holders, Hold Heirs won't be Searched, and they won't Impress.
Stories to Write Because We Will Accept Them
We're sure you're wondering by now just what kind of stories StarRise will accept. If you follow the guidelines set down in the books, in The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern (some exceptions), as well as this manual, you should be just fine. Just remember that Pern deals with common sense. Focus your storylines on interactions between people, and you'll have great stories. Let Pern be the setting, and your persona, and other peoples personas, be the story.
If you come up with a story idea you're not sure we'll accept, first check the books (Did a similar situation happen there?), then check this manual - it explains just about everything we will and will not accept, but new ideas crop up all the time. If these sources haven't answered your questions, let us know and we'll get an answer to you.
We prefer stories set in the here and now for your persona for the semiannual storyzine. There are two reasons for this. First, the newsletter takes place in real time. This is so we can all interact together. That does not mean that if you submit a backdated story, we won't print it. We will. We just prefer stories set in the present. Second, we encourage stories set in the current time for your persona because readers will be more interested in what your persona is now. Once they get to know you, then they'll be curious about your background.
We do want to hear your Impression story. Everybody loves Impressions. But if you submit one, we suggest you concentrate your story on the interesting happenings around the event, instead of just the Impression itself. We know it was a special moment for you, but too many Impression stories in a newsletter take away from the charm of it all.
Stories Not to Write Because We Won't Accept Them Anyway
Okay, sometimes we have to reject a story. Some of these are per Anne McCaffrey, and we will not compromise on those.
Using Anne's Characters This is rule #1. Don't even try to use Anne McCaffrey's copyrighted characters (including dragons) for a StarRise publication. This includes using such characters as background for your own characters.
Odd-Color Dragons Anne has requested that there be no "sport" dragons and firelizards. Ruth was the exception. Our timeline has one more, but they're not at StarRise so it doesn't matter.
Wrong Sex for Dragon Impression Females can Impress fighting dragons, but not bronzes. Males can't Impress golds. Anyone can Impress any color firelizard, though.
Dragon Fighting Dragon StarRise will not accept any stories that contain dragon fighting dragon. It will just not happen. This is inherent in the dragons. When a dragon dies, all dragons mourn his passing, so why would a dragon try to facilitate another's death? No matter what the individual riders feel toward one another, the dragons will not pick up on this illogical (to them) emotion. The rider, if responsible, would not even think of such a measure as having his dragon attack another dragon since they are just too important to risk over some petty squabble. Note that this is accepted to a limited extent during mating flights.
Hearing Another Rider's Dragon Please remember, it is extremely rare to be able to hear another rider's dragon. They just don't care to talk to anyone else in most instances. It is even more rare to be able to hear all dragons. If you want your persona to have this talent, you better be able to justify it to the Publisher first. Chances are, this won't be accepted.
Timing Between Timing is expressly forbidden. This is serious. The Masterhealer General has determined that timing is hazardous to your health. And Jina will hunt you down and kill you if you do. If you feel you must use timing in a story, be prepared to have the story nitpicked to death. You will need to justify every word and action in the story. The character involved will also need to receive a very stiff penalty for the timing incident.
Obscenity, Graphic Violence, Etc. We do not publish suggestive, obscene, nor inflammatory material. This is a family publica¬tion. It's up to the Publishers to decide what's obscene, graphic, or otherwise.
Dragons Doing the Impossible Green dragons don't lay eggs. They've been genetically designed not to. Dragons can't catch their riders mid-air after they've leaped off a ledge. You'll just have to learn to mount like everyone else. Dragons can't do triple rollovers then come out into a dive. They'd rip their wings off if they tried - and their rider too. Dragons can't- Well, you get the idea.
Using Another's Persona in a Derogatory Manner You wouldn't want them to use yours that way, would you? If you wish to use a character developed by another fan writer, courtesy requires that you get that author's permission.
Everything You've Always Wanted Okay, we'll accept "The guy gets the girl," but we won't accept, "The guy gets the girl, the dragon, the money, revenge, fame, recognition, etc, etc, etc," all in one story. It's no fun to have all your problems solved. Save something for the next story.
Religion The closest Pern comes to religion is their thanks to the dragons and their riders that save all Pern. Don't have your characters worshiping anyone or anything. There is no Deity on Pern. We're on our own.
Space Invaders from Mars This is Pern. Not Delta-Gamma III. We're so far out in the middle of nowhere, the FSP will never find us again, and they have a map. Pern is fun the way it is, let's keep it that way.
Magic The only magic on Pern is dragons - going Between, Impression, etc. Don't have your characters casting spells, dealing with mystical runes, etc.
Impression from the Stands This is allowable, if there is an interesting story around the incident, but check with the Publisher before you waste your time. Chances are, it won't be accepted.
Impressing Someplace Other Than a Weyr All Impressions happen on the Hatching Grounds at a Weyr. You will never stumble over a dragon egg on the beach, just about to hatch and Impress.
Wrong People Impressing Craftmasters, Lord/Lady Holders, Hold Heirs won't be Searched, and they won't Impress.
