Thread by @ZealZaddy

1/20 Let’s look at the budget of a TTRPG project and break it down! Hope it’s helpful and you release lots of cool TTRPG stuff! I also hope it helps ensure paying collaborators fairly (or even great)!

#DND #DND5e #TTRPG #Pathfinder #GameBudget #GameDesign #RPG #GameDevelopment

2/20 Here’s a sample budget, based on the brilliant @jefftidball’s Budget Template v1.1:
• Google Doc: bit.ly/3lIrP3T
• Excel: bit.ly/3Kc2hW8

So start with a title. Easy enough.

Thanks to the late Brian Dalrymple for sharing this so many moons ago.

3/20 So first things first—the word count expenses. Unless your project is stock art or maps, this is likely the most important expense. Let’s say you think there will be 800 words per page, without art. Let’s say 10,000 words total. It will then calculate…

4/20 the amount of art to meet your 12.5% art threshold, how many total pages (including the non-content pages), and total cost for writing, editing, and proofreading. All based on numbers you put in. So let’s talk about those three number, since they’re very, very important.

5/20 When ZealZaddy started publishing we had a devil of a time learning what were industry averages. Now that we’ve published some, let’s share:

Writing pay can be as low as 2-3¢/word. But you’ll have a tiny pool of mostly inexperienced writers. It’s terribly unfair pay.

6/20 So you decided you don’t want to be THAT person. Awesome! 5¢ per word is on the low side, but you will find competent writers at this level. You may also find good writers who are willing to help you out if you’re new. Outside TTRPGs it’s still bad, so if you can, pay more.

7/20 Outside TTRPGs, this pay is awful, and it’s not fair to writers. As they find better paying work, you may drop down the priority list. I harp on this because TTRPGs are niche, and publishers have a small paying audience and a ton of competition, so compromises must happen.

8/20 Most small publishers make little or no money regardless of what they pay. Why? Let’s say for every 6 people in the industry there is 1 DM. That’s the ONLY buyer. The industry feels much larger than it is because 1/6th of them aren’t buying product.

dungeonvault.com/how-many-dnd-p…

9/20 At 10¢/word you are a legitimate player (err, payer). Note: this is STILL poor compared to mainstream industries, like, ahem, advertising. But no souls are forfeit 😂 But 10¢ is the floor to paying well. Paying more widens your talent pool AND attracts better writers.

10/20 So what is good pay? I’ve heard @helloMCDM pays up to 25¢/word. I don’t know if others pay that. But that’s in line with mainstream markets. I believe MCDM is trying to establish healthier pay conditions for creators👏and can be highly selective with their talent pool.

11/20 Let’s jump down to lines 13-16 in the spreadsheet. For 10,000 words, your writing fee came out to $1,000 at 10¢/word. Perhaps now you’re seeing why that 30 page book is $20 on @DriveThruRPG. And we haven’t even touched editing and proofreading.

12/20 This is also why I think so many publishers come from writers—their pay is buried in their own desire to see their work released. Imposter syndrome plays a role, too. Creators should make a living. See Sunday’s 8:30 PM EST Storytalk for more twitch.tv/zealzaddy

13/20 Writer/creators should calculate their pay as writer, and profit as publisher. If they don’t earn it back, it may at least be a (tax-friendly) loss. I’m no tax lawyer (nor a rules lawyer 🤣) so consult a tax attorney on this. Editors & proofreaders also deserve to be paid.

14/20 Editors are usually paid less per word than writers, and proofreaders less still. But, editors may be project managers & add even more value. Levels in ascending order:
• Proofing
• Copyediting
• Line Editing
• Developmental Editing

Thanks to @DubiousByName for details

15/20 Proofing: check spelling, grammar, punctuation.

Copyediting: proofreading + sentence clarity, aligning doc to a style (WoTC uses in-house guide with Chicago Manual of Style

Line Editing: Copyediting + sentence/paragraph structure, balance, flow, tone, mood. Recommends…

16/20 restructuring elements & word selection, helps shape prose to author’s intent.

Developmental Editing: In-depth, often started during writing. Assists with restructuring, reducing or expanding sentences & paragraphs, key aspects. Addresses all from plot & prose to layout.

17/20 It’s important to know what level of editing you need. I suggest erring on more. Writers can’t see their words after the 8th rewrite. Editors aren’t so close—they give the perspective you need and can turn your writing into a great read with more accurate technical aspects.

18/20 Of course, as you can see, costs add up. So what do editors add to the budget?

Proofreading: 1-3¢/word and up
Copyediting: 2-5¢/word and up
Line Editing: 4-7¢/word and up
Developmental editing, 7-10¢/word and up

You may find editors above or below these costs, and many…

19/20 …editors offer per page fees or royalties as alternative arrangements. But per word is the most straight-forward and common. I’d also argue it’s the fairest. Sure, royalties can make you extra, but you better trust it will sell, because publishing is a risky endeavor.

20/20 I’m going to start a new thread continuing this. I hope you go on to more collaborations & better releases.

For a limited time, the @DubiousByName edited “The Beggar King” is just 99¢
drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?dis…

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