Shared Universe Scout

created on May 10, 07 by davidwei

Most people find it easier to write fiction in a universe that already exists, especially if the time studying the source materials is 'free' because it involves reading fiction they enjoy anyhow. I would like to find a universe like that for us to use, even though all the fiction wouldn't have to be set in it.

We must have not merely the legal right to write, but the ability to guarantee writers the ownership of their fiction. I'm leaning towards science fiction, but open to suggestion. Here are some preliminary ideas:

Google Windstorm publishing

I've read that most of the novelists who manage to publish their first novel don't publish a second one. Many of these simply aren't very good, but nowadays an author often has to publicize their own work. It might be possible to find a discouraged author who would make a deal with us - after all, if we make it big, so do they. Needless to say it's going to need to be a work that fires people's imaginations, one that didn't fail because it was boring or two familiar.

Look at old science fiction whose copyright has expired. Better be aware of the latest copyright law, I'm not completely up on it myself yet.

tags: agent editing open scout source writing

status: Open

priority: 5

type: Development

milestone: Sprint 1

permalink: http://www.cambrianhouse.com/business/viewjob/collaborativefiction/67/