Our writing period officially begins July 1, and the next phase of the Bang - Artist Claims - will follow before you know it. Here’s what you should be thinking about as we prepare for the Bang!
Formal pitches for your fics can be submitted via our form between July 15-July 31. These are what Artists will see as they rank fics to work with. @theshirallen is our guest today, graciously sharing some tips for Bang pitches!
▸ Writer Requirements
⤷ Example Pitch 1 | Example Pitch 2
⤷ this post in doc form
How to write a good pitch:
Remember that the idea is to present your work as appealing! You are hoping an artist reads your pitch and feels interested and inspired.
Your pitch can be anywhere from 1-10 sentences (4000 characters), and length isn’t always an indicator of quality.
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Details matter!
Provide enough information that artists have a solid understanding of your concept. Don’t be afraid about ‘spoiling’ the ending - this summary isn’t for potential readers, it’s for artists to get inspired by your work, and a twist or a plot beat might be that inspiration.
Pitches are anonymous. Avoid names for characters that would “give away” your identity (Consider saying “Hawke” or “Brosca” instead of their first name or using a title for your OC).
Critical things to consider including in your pitch:
▸Who?
Who are the main players in the cast? What is their involvement with your story and each other?
▸What?
What are they doing? Consider including some story beats to provide an idea of where the plot will lead and what the purpose of the journey is.
▸Where/When?
Dragon Age is a vast timeline and world! Where is your story set and when is it happening? What influence does the setting have on the overall piece?
▸Why?
Now we know who and what and where…why are things happening? What is the Event that sets things into motion? What is the problem they are trying to address or the question they are trying to answer?
Bonus things to consider including in your pitch:
These can help artists understand what to expect on a deeper level.
▸Mood/Tone
What’s the vibe? Is this a fluff piece, a big pile of whump, hurt/comfort, a murder mystery? Words that have visual meaning are also helpful: dreamy, glossy, gritty, dark, moody, etc.
▸Purpose
What is the overall theme? Is there a lesson or a moral or a purpose to the story you want to tell?
Keep in mind that this is not the place to play coy! You’re proud of your story, tell us about it.
Some example pitches are shared below in various levels of polish, from “poor” to “refined!” Let’s break down their strengths.
Pitch #1: Poor, Good, and Refined
POOR
The spymaster of Fen’Harel’s rebellion wrangles with their poor choices and messy hair. Solas sits with them and talks them through their problems, hoping to help them understand that there is still a job to do and a future to fight for.
What it has: there is a who and a bit of a what.
What it lacks: there are few details to provide insight on the feeling of the fic, no clear setting, and no context. From this pitch, it is difficult to know tone or purpose, and the summary doesn’t really invite inspiration or curiosity.
GOOD
When Fen’Harel’s spymaster compromises their position in Mythal’s court, they lose the Rebellion access to valuable intelligence. Lost for what to do next, the spymaster sits themself down for some much-needed TLC and spends time unbraiding their hair while Solas talks them through their current predicament. In the end, they find themself willing to accept what they cannot take back and solidify a plan for moving forward themself while also serving the needs of their People.
What it has: we have a who, a what, a when and a little of why. We know more or less what the fic is about and where it is going.
What it lacks: while there is some touch to the tone and purpose of the fic, there is still a bit missing when it comes to hooking the reader and inviting someone to imagine the heart of the piece. This pitch might hook a reader, but it could be improved.
REFINED
Fen’harel’s friend has spent centuries filling the double role of Rebellion Spymaster and high-ranking servant of Mythal. When their choices compromise their place at court, they return to the Lighthouse in shame. No longer capable of maintaining their long-held position within Mythal’s court, where they were privy to the secret plans of the High Evanruris, the rebellion’s spymaster must re-evaluate how they approach their work, and reckon with the understanding that some mistakes cannot be undone.
In the Lighthouse’s meditation room, they welcome Solas’s counsel as they consider their options, their skills, and how to move forward in a way that continues to serve their goals, and the goals of the rebellion. Solas helps them unbind their hair and their frustrations, and they begin to understand that while choices often have consequences, it is rarely the end of all things. So long as they have their skill and their wit, there will always be hope for their future, and for their people.
What it has: there is a clear setting, cast, and premise. We know why things are happening and what things to expect. Tone is communicated with clear words like “shame” and “frustration” as well as the presentation of a problem to solve. We are also provided with a vision of the resolution.
What it lacks: no pitch is perfect! If clarity is the goal, it could be added by specifying that this is an introspective conversation between two friends, a hurt/comfort piece, and that it is intended to explore some world building and Arlathan lore.
PITCH #2: Poor, Good, and Refined
Poor
Fen’Harel’s spymaster must brave Elgar’nan’s court to plant eavesdropping devices. It’s dangerous, complicated, and messy. They find themself cornered in their own past, and relive a trauma in order to succeed. In the end, the devices are planted and they have managed to secure a more stable position within Mythal’s court.
What it has: there is a clear ‘what’ presented, and hints of tone. We know a little of what to expect from the resolution of the story.
What it lacks: Who is the spymaster? The introduction of an OC could be strengthened with a little more context. Why Elgar’nan’s court? There is a teaser here about past trauma which may be intended as a hook, but with so little context it isn’t likely to draw attention. Filling this pitch out with more details would strengthen it.
Good
In the early days of Fen’Harel’s rebellion, much of the intelligence gathering was left to the Spymaster alone. As the movement grew, the need for more immediate information grew, too.
The Spymaster must plant the first of many eavesdropping devices. They begin in the court of Elgar'nan, though matters are complicated by the politics that muddy the waters between courts, their own uncomfortable history with the All-Father and his First, and the negligence of the partner Mythal has assigned them.
What it has: There is a clear setting and premise. We know who is doing what, when they are doing it, and a bit of why. We also are given pieces of tone.
What it lacks: From this pitch alone, it is difficult to tell precisely what to expect beyond planting the eavesdropping devices. We don’t know what the history is, as this is an OC, so the teaser is less effective than it might be for someone whose backstory is well-known. Why has Mythal assigned them a partner? What is their role and how did they fail? This pitch has good bones, but could be strengthened by providing clearer context in order to invite a collaborative partner.
Refined
In the earliest days of Fen’Harel’s rebellion Solas’s friend and spymaster helps develop magical eavesdropping devices. From their position embedded within Mythal’s court, they must plant the devices and provide the rebellion with access to immediate information.
Though the task is risky, they begin at the court of the All-Father. They must make themself vulnerable and endure the pain of their past in order to accomplish their goal, overcoming barriers in the form of political intrigue and their own trauma. In Elgar’nan’s courtroom, they are confronted by his right hand, a spirit of Fear made flesh, only to be rescued by Justice, his counterpart from Mythal’s court.
They must be clever and cunning if they want to succeed without compromising their mission. What they must endure from Fear they need not tolerate from Justice. Featuring a cast of high-ranking court members, this fic explores the inner workings of the Evanuris’s reign and the efforts taken to dethrone them.
What is has: A clear indication of who the fic is about, what they are trying to accomplish, and where they will begin. We have a sense of the fic’s conflict and tone, and the indication we will be introduced to some world building during the time of the ancient rebellion.
What it lacks: This pitch could be improved by the addition of a clear hook, as well as information that could clarify the tone of the piece.
Remember! A pitch is an invitation. The artist is your collaborator, let them in!
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