Freelance video game writing : the life and business of the digital mercenary for hire

In the competitive world of video game writing and narrative design, developers are losing permanent positions while freelancing careers are on the rise. Many developers don’t understand how to seize these freelancing opportunities, such as understanding the business of freelancing, how to go about finding work, how to establish strong relationships with clients, and how to sustain themselves as freelancers. Freelance Video Game Writing: The Life & Business of the Digital Mercenary for Hire offers developers guidance on achieving their freelancing goals as telecommuters. Dr. Toiya Kristen Finley presents practical insight into the profession and how to further enhance your freelancing business, whether you are a newcomer in the field or an experienced freelancer. Key Features: Two sections covering the life of the freelancer and the freelance business Fifteen interviews from narrative designers, game writers, and other developers on topics from maintaining a healthy work–life balance to figuring out your rates to working a full-time job and freelancing on the side A comprehensive list of definitions with which freelancers need to be familiar Exercises to help augment your understanding of freelancing and improve your business Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Glossary Part I The Freelance Life Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 There’s No One Path...and Here’s Mine The Very Beginning of the Story... A Mundane Revelation The Lean Years That First Big Gig The Great GDC Adventure Hey, There’s a Writing Community! But You Can’t Live There... The First Big Loss The Telecommuting Expert Notes Chapter 3 Your Network: It’s More Than the Contacts You Collect—It’s Your Community In Search of Community The Art of Networking The Network as a Community Some Characteristics of Culture Some Characteristics of Community Building Supportive Networking Communities Exercise Chapter 4 Be Kind to Yourself ❤ Know That You’ll Make Mistakes Expect Impostor Syndrome to Pop up You’ll Probably Learn Something New on Every Project Not Getting a Job Doesn’t Mean You’re Bad at What You Do Take Care of Your Health Taking Care of Your Physical Health Taking Care of Your Mental Health Don’t Compare Your Level of Success to Anyone Else’s Reach Out to Your Friends Because This Isn’t Easy... Exercises Chair Check Break Time! Notes Chapter 5 What a Freelancer Is, and What a Freelancer Is Not Chapter 6 The Telecommuting Freelancer Starter Pack A Hotspot Portfolio Samples Business Cards A Sharpie Invoice Template Information You Need on Your Template The Knowledge of What “Work” Entails on a Gig Pre-Planning, Planning, and Preparation Brainstorming or Free Association Research Artist References Watching TV, Films, and Other Games Reading Comics, Novels, and Tabletop RPG Rulesets Analyzing Aspects of Other Games/Media Attending Meetings Writing E-Mails or Other Messages This Is Just a Start... Exercises The Invoice The Business Cards Part II The Freelance Business Chapter 7 The Skills Every Freelancer Needs Freelancing Skill #1: Time Management Developing That Internal Clock Freelancing Skill #2: Marketing You’re a Brand, Baby! Words of Devalue (“Aspiring,” “Novice,” etc.) Naming Your Company Freelancing Skill #3: Knowing Your Worth Who’ll Know If You Don’t? Be Aware of Your Hats and Get Paid for Each One You Wear Don’t Wear Hats That Don’t Fit Freelancing Skill #4: Protecting Yourself Freelancing Skill #5: Networking All Freelancers Have to Do It Speaking Engagements and Networking Freelancing Skill #6: Assessing Client Needs Freelancing Skill #7: Professionalism It Takes Time... Exercise Skill Strengths and Weaknesses Notes Chapter 8 The Freelance Life Is a Research Life (Especially When It Comes to the Legal Stuff) Types of Business Structures Sole Proprietorship Limited Company (LC) The Single-Member LLC (SMLLC) Cooperative (Co-Op) Your Business’ Articles of Incorporation Tax ID? Business License and/or Permit? A Note on Partnerships and Cooperatives Taxes and Laws for Freelancers What Must You Report? Earnings Value-Added Tax (European Union and United Kingdom) Quarterly Payments or Estimated Tax (United States) Your Payments to Subcontractors Keep a Record of Your Expenses What Do You Spend on Your Business? Conferences and Conventions Equipment Your Taxes and Fees for Permits and Licenses Services and Subscriptions Professional Development Lunch or Dinner Meetings Office Supplies Talk to Your CPA/Tax Preparer! Record Keeping Spreadsheets and Word Processors Keeping Track of Your Receipts, Invoices, and Payments Categorize Your E-Mails Should You Get Insurance? Types of Insurance for Freelancers Indemnity Errors and Omissions Business Interruption Insurance Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Contracts and Clauses Work-for-Hire Agreements Contract Templates What to Include in Your Contracts Your Rate Project Milestones Nonpayment Milestones Revision Milestones When You’re Paid How You’re Paid (and Who Pays You) The Number of Revisions How You Will Be Credited Clauses to Protect You from Scope Creep Whew! That Was a Lot... Exercises Claiming Deductions Contract Review Notes Chapter 9 How to Get Experience If You Don’t Have It Why’s Experience So Important? Gauging Your Level of Experience Educational Background Working in Adjacent Storytelling Industries Research Skills Seemingly Unrelated Experience Make Your Own Games Twine ink ChoiceScript Visual Coders Fungus Blueprint Skills to Showcase in Your Games Choice Design (Narrative Design) Worldbuilding (Narrative Design) Dialogue Writing (Game Writing) Character Development and Characterization (Game Writing) Participate in Game Jams Where to Find Game Jams Global Game Jam Ludum Dare Other Game Jams Nonpaying Projects That Won’t Waste Your Time Nonmod Projects Get Gigs in Adjacent Industries Gaining Experience Is Easier Than You Think Exercises What Experience Do You Have? Find a Game Jam Notes Chapter 10 The Online (?) Portfolio What to Include in a Writing Portfolio Narrative Design and Game Writing Docs Worldbuilding Docs World Overview Document Character Bios Lore and Flavor Text Story Document Quests/Missions Cutscenes/Cinematic Scripts Barks Game Design Documents A General Note about Samples Game Genres, Settings, and Tones Technical Writing and Communication Strong Technical Writing Completing the Portfolio Your Online Presence Before You Publish Your Website Easy Access Is Key The Contact Form Organizing Your Portfolio Homepage About Page Portfolio Pages Game Credits Great Pages/Content to Add Press/News/Testimonials CV/Résumé Blog Remember to Ask Yourself: Is My Content Accessible? Exercises Gaps in Your Portfolio? Technical Writing Review Anything under NDA? Notes Chapter 11 Where to Find Work Networking Join and Create Networking Channels Lessening (and Eliminating) the Competition Making Your Own Opportunities Working Your Referrals Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help Proving They Need You Ask the Right Questions Opportunities in Crowdfunding Responding to Job Postings The Art of Reading Listings Queries (Yours and Theirs) Writing Query and Cover Letters The Client’s Problem Your Qualifications Asking Questions Sending Samples Answering Questions/Responding to All Points Responding to Queries from Prospective Clients Negotiating: Going beyond Pay Rates Your Responsibilities Your Schedule Your Rate/Fee Freelancing While Being Employed Keep All Avenues Open Exercise Crowdfunding Opportunities Notes Chapter 12 Establishing Your Rates: Why Your Rates Should Be Higher Than Salaried Rates Establishing Rates and Finding Work Don’t Lowball (Seriously, Don’t Do It) Lowball, and the Cheapskates Win (or Don’t Screw with My Money)1 Establishing Rates The Minimum Acceptable Rate Types of Rates You Can Offer Hourly Rate Daily Rate Weekly Rate Flat or Fixed Rate There’s No Consensus Per-Word Rates When the Per-Word Rate Makes Sense When to Change Your Rates It Does and Doesn’t Get Easier Exercise What Should Your Rates Be? Notes Chapter 13 Developing and Maintaining Great Client Relationships (and What to Do About the Bad Ones) Always Be Professional Know Your Own Worth Prove You’re Trustworthy Treat Others with Respect Be Honest Beginning the Relationship Where You Meet... Meeting in Person Networking Events Non-Networking Events Vetting Goes Both Ways The Client’s Vetting and Hiring Process Vetting Prospective Clients Trust Your Intuition (It’s Not Just a Cliché)! Beginning the Working Relationship Establishing Boundaries Have Working Hours! On Communication Platforms Set Your Calendar Boundaries Are a Protection Never Over Commit Developing a Rapport Hearing Your Clients’ Voices and Understanding Their Personalities How Do You Like to Communicate? Be Honest, but Recognize When the Fight Is Over Who Makes the Final Decision? Ending the Client Relationship (Including Firing Your Client) Ending Things Amicably Understand Your Contract Be Honest about the Relationship Offer Referrals If Things Get Nasty... New Rates and Loyal, Older Clients “Professional” Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Be Personal And a Gentle Reminder... Exercise Where Are Your Business Cards? Notes Chapter 14 Please Learn from My Ignorance Back It Alllll Up The Power of “No” Out-Scheme the Scammer The Ghosts of Unpaid Projects Past Notes Chapter 15 Some Final Thoughts Index "Over the past 5 years, more and more game developers find themselves losing their permanent jobs. During that same time span, freelancing jobs in the industry have become more prevalent. This means devs have more opportunities to work as freelancers. However, they're unaware of the business of freelancing, how to go about finding work, and how to sustain themselves as freelancers. Additionally, freelancers can never learn enough to improve their businesses. This book will develop several facets of the freelance life, which will be beneficial to all freelancers, no matter where they are in their freelancing journeys. The book will feature two sections covering the life of the freelancer and the freelance business"-- Provided by publisher