2099UG Commandments for Existing Writers

1. NEW STORIES

All new title submissions/proposals must be submitted to the EiC and AEiC the same as if you were a brand new writer for the UG.

2. UPDATES

For your ongoing stories, the EiC and AEiC need to be kept up to date on your plot outlines, crossover plans, changes, etc.

Plot Outlines: Submit a short plot outline or a paragraph describing the issue or issues pending. The EiC should have information on your stories about two or three issues ahead. (Or preferably, as far ahead as you can safely commit to.) This does not have to be a highly detailed document, although detail is preferred. The editors should generally know what's going on for your coming issues. If this changes, don't panic! Just send the changes when you know about them.

Crossovers: You may discuss the possibility of a crossover with another writer's book at any time. However, the crossover will not be approved or recognized until you bring the editors in on those discussions via email or Instant Messenger. Once approved, you should keep the editors informed of any major plot changes that occur as you develop the crossover issues with the other writer. The definition of a crossover means a major story line involving characters from two different books interacting directly. Brief guest appearances are not crossovers and do not need prior approval, other than contacting the writer of the other story and making sure that what you have planned is OK. Do not use another writers characters unless you have cleared it with them first!

3. STORY FORMAT

You may submit stories inserted into email, but the EiC prefers stories to be submitted as attached files. Please convert stories into plain TEXT format before attaching the file to email, and also make sure that your file does not have any viruses. Preferred TEXT format is ASCII (DOS) from Word Perfect, or TEXT Only in MS Word. Use standard rulers and no tabs. Do not attach more than one document at a time. Do not have any graphics, enhanced fonts like -big- titles, bold, or italic text in your document. If you need to send the EiC a graphic file, send it in a separate email that describes what it is.

To facilitate the quick posting of your story onto the website, follow these guidelines:

- NO indents, please. Indents play havoc with text documents when they're pasted into the website by the webmaster. Stories should be in "block" writing. Meaning a space should be between each paragraph.

- You may use whatever text icon you wish you seperate "scenes" in your story. Asteriks, dashes, etc. Keep the seperation lines short though. The webmaster would rather not have to spend time editing out easily avoidable mistakes.

- If there are still problems with placing the issue into the website, the webmaster may contact you to work out whatever weird formatting problem is holding up placing of your story. As such, and this is common sense anyhow but you'd be surprised how many people don't do this, keep a copy of the story in an easily accessible area on your hardrive.

4. PEER REVIEW

Peer review is where you want someone to look over your story and give you critical feedback before you submit it. The editors will be happy to do this on a limited basis, time permitting. However, you can also ask your fellow writers if they'll look it over, help you through a stuck part, or comment on your progress. Those writers willing to do peer review should let the staff mailing list know that they are available. You should always ask first, and don't take it personally if the answer is "no," because we all get busy at times. Those in the staff who do peer reviews are not expected to "edit" a piece, simply comment on it, honestly, professionally, and above all with support knowing that we are all at a different place in our writing skills.

5. STORY TITLE FORMAT

All stories will have a book name, issue number, and author name and the EiC in the format specified below. Story titles are optional but recommended. When you send your completed story to the editors for release to the list, the day it is received by the editors is considered its "official" completion date. (These dates are used in scheduling titles for release to the list.) At the point where you insert the title, please insert the following text:

********************************

The 2099 UnderGround Presents:

YOUR STORY 2099 UG, Issue #

Written by YOUR NAME

Editor in Chief: DS

"STORY TITLE" (optional)

*******************************

YOUR STORY

*******************************

You may put any "Next Issue" blurbs THREE spaces after the end of your story. Do not put any separation lines between the end of the story and the "Next Issue" blurb. If the story is a One-shot or the last issue in a series, you may put "THE END" or similar ending statements only one line after the main text.

One line below the "Next Issue" blurb (or three spaces after the story), insert the following text:

______________________________________________

The 2099 UnderGround is a project whereby a group of fans are putting together continuing stories based on Marvel's fantastic futuristic 2099!

Ignoring the ignoble and inaccurate 2099: WoT, we're exploring what we feel is the true spirit of 2099 as envisioned by then Editor in Chief Joey Cavalieri. Participation is open to all. For more information, visit the Ghostworks at http://www.oocities.org/ug2099

We love getting letters and feedback. Questions/comments/hurrahs/etc. should be sent to the author (YOUR EMAIL). Or you can visit the message board at www.comicboards.com/2099ug.

6. DISTRIBUTION SYNOPSIS

When you send a new story to the EiC for distribution, you must also send a brief story description in the e-mail message to describe the story and serve as a distribution ad or announcement both for story distribution and promotion. These promotional blurbs are typically a few sentences that will get the reader interested in reading your story. If you do not include a story blurb, your story will not be distributed until one is made available.

7. SPECIAL ONE-SHOTS, ANNUALS, OR HOLIDAY STORIES WITHIN YOUR TITLE

These types of stories which deal with a character or characters you are currently writing in your ongoing series do not need to be submitted to the submission's editor for approval. Discuss your plans directly with the editors. Similarly, if another writer wants to do an annual type story as a guest writer, these can be discussed directly between the editors and the regular writer. These types of issues are encouraged, but know your limits and do not overextend yourself with a lot of different projects. Many a series in the 2099UG have suffered because a writer bit off more than they could chew, or could not successfully balance their writing duties with their personal life. If your ability to complete your ongoing titles appears to be hampered by the special issues, the editors may ask you to scrap it and save it for another day.

8. DEADLINES

There will be no strict deadlines, but we will expect and appreciate one new story at least once every three months. That's only four stories a year, and if you have trouble meeting this, you should talk to the editors about ways to lighten your work load. Monthly releases are an ideal goal we should all attempt to meet. Most of the experienced Ghostworks writers find it best to stockpile several completed issues before beginning to release them. This way a run on a title won't be interrupted by sudden circumstances in the writer's life, and the profusion of issues is a surefire way to show the editors that you are serious about your responsibilities.

9. COMPLAINTS

Complaints about 2099 UG policy, other writers or staff, or editorial decisions must be made directly to the editors (contact information is on this website), and must not be sent out to either the Staff or the Ghostworks mailing lists. General questions, comments, or concerns to the staff list are acceptable, but let's try to keep a professional attitude when using the mailing lists, and do not flame, spread rumors, or disrespect other members of the 2099 UG. The editors are ultimately responsible for our product, and will be held accountable by the Staff for all decisions that affect the presence of the 2099 UG in the world of online fan fiction. If the editors abuse that power, or do not act responsibly toward the betterment of the 2099 UG, the Staff may, by majority vote ask the editors to step down and elect a replacement from nominees or volunteers.

10. ABOVE ALL, LOVE WHAT YOU'RE DOING

Keep a positive attitude. Feel good about creating something that others can enjoy. Revel in the freedom given you to create a world of imagination and make it real. Delight in the power you have to bring characters back from the dead and give them new life. Marvel at the words that leap from your mind onto the page, and seem to take on a life of their own. Celebrate the uniqueness of the world of 2099 with others who truly appreciate what Cavalieri begat. Expand your horizons by interacting with different people from all corners of the globe, and from all walks of life, who share with you the same sense of wonder and excitement that the 2099 comics once instilled in us every month. Recapture that excitement, and use that energy to sustain you and revitalize you. Never give up. And have fun, because if you're not having fun with it, it's time to move on to something else. Which also means if at anytime you have to say, "I've had it, I'm done with this" it is not a thing to be shameful of, it is something that happens and we are here to support you in your decisions, even if it means leaving us for a time. After all, they all come back . . . eventually . . .