FIREBASE Submissions: What You Need To Know

[ashc]

FIREBASE – Submissions Policy

Here at FIREBASE we have decided to set down some foundations for article submissions; we hope this little collection of points and tips will help both us (and you!) to put a better magazine together!

Text Submissions-

Plain text, size 12 font, with spelling and grammar checked please - we’ll do it again but we’d like to spend as little time as possible sorting out common errors!

Typically, articles should be around 4 pages of text long, then add your images (if any). This is a rough guide, obviously battle reports are longer and some articles will be mostly pictures etc.

Avoid using internet terms and abbreviations wherever possible; not everyone downloading the magazine knows what MEQ or ‘rine may be, so please do not use them!

In particular here at FIREBASE we look for articles such as:

• Step-By-Step painting guides
• Modelling Tutorials/Workshops, including using non-Games Workshop merchandise
• New and exciting ways to use your models rules-wise
• Exceptional Armies
• All aspects and tales about gaming groups, tournaments, etc.
• Specialist Games Content

Note about tactica articles: At FIREBASE we are trying to move away from typical tactica style articles; many of the suggestions and ideas put into tactica articles are often already available online and ready for discussion on web forums; if however you feel that you can offer something different, then please feel free to contact us.

Note to Story and Background writers: Here at FIREBASE we try not to overdo fan-fiction and background; too much text in one magazine becomes monotonous after a while, so we like to keep it short, sharp and sweet with a single short story or background piece per issue. Please keep this in mind when considering submitting; it’s a coveted slot to get the story in FIREBASE each month, and competition is stiff!

Finally don’t forget to give us the names of those taking part or writing your article, so we can credit you in the magazine; you can go by either your real name, Warseer username, or both.

Photo Submissions:

We advise you send your own photos and use these tips to help when getting pictures of your miniatures:

http://www.karoath.com/pages/minitips_photography.html

As a general tip, MAKE YOUR IMAGES AS LARGE AS POSSIBLE! It helps us keep definition high and the pictures clear when put into the magazine, and it lets us keep them big in the magazine. Please try to compress all photos into .zip files as it makes it easier for us to download them. Please ensure all images are in .jpeg form.

Artwork Submissions

Artwork is similar to photos in that we would appreciate receiving artwork in file sizes the larger the better, and in .zip files is preferable if more than one piece of artwork is being submitted. Don’t forget to tell us how you want to be credited in the magazine; either your real name, Warseer moniker or both.

Advertising in FIREBASE

If you wish to advertise in FIREBASE then feel free to contact Brandon Vallee (Stillfrosty) or Ashley Curtis (Ashc) to discuss rates and advertising space.

Advertisements should be suitable for the PG-13 audience expected for the magazine, as should any links provided through those adverts.

Army List Template:

As people often submit army lists for battle reports or army building, We decided we needed a template to ensure every article sticks to the same way of formatting. This is how we would like you to submit army lists:

FORCE ORGANISATION SLOT CHOICE
The Name of the Unit
How many there are and what the unit is
What the unit is equipped with.

So, for instance:

TROOP
Karlok’s Slaughterer’s
10 Chaos Space Marines
Bolters, 2 Plasmaguns, Aspiring Champion
With Powerfist and Bolt Pistol

Repeat this starting from HQ to ELITES, TROOPS, FAST ATTACK then HEAVY SUPPORT.

Please note, we do not list points costs in FIREBASE (except for the final game or force size, i.e. Total 1500pts).

Battle Report Template:

Again a decision has been made to standardize the format for Battle Report writing. This is now as follows:

A NOTE ON MAPS

For FIREBASE battle reports we would appreciate it if people can put turn-by-turn aerial maps together on a program like MS Paint or Adobe Photoshop; these maps are clear and give the readers the best understanding of what has taken place in-game. A simple colour coded key is used to identify units. Please do not include text on the map images; these will be blown up or shrunk as required, so your text may be lost in the process!

BATTLE REPORT TITLE

The name of the article being written, usually describing the battle. Typical examples are ‘Lorenzo’s Last Stand’ or ‘The Battle at Bunker 829’.

INTRODUCTION TO THE BATTLE REPORT

Usually around a paragraph in length, the introduction usually includes both a brief outlay of the circumstances (in both real and game terms) that this battle has come about, plus anything a bit special being used in it.

SHORT STORY PIECE

This is usually 1 half to two thirds of a page long, and is a short story piece written from the view of one of the sides fighting the battle; typically in the run-up to what will happen in-game.

PLAYER 1 ARMY SELECTION

The first player explains their selection of their army and why; going over every unit in turn and explaining the strengths and weaknesses of his own list, plus any battle plans / strategies he has already formulated. This is typically between one half to a full page in length.

PLAYER 2 ARMY SELECTION

The first player explains their selection of their army and why; going over every unit in turn and explaining the strengths and weaknesses of his own list, plus any battle plans / strategies he has already formulated. This is typically between one half to a full page in length.

PLAYER 1 ARMY LIST AND PHOTO

Usually one page, with an image of the army in all its glory plus the calculated army list including wargear.

PLAYER 2 ARMY LIST AND PHOTO

Usually one page, with an image of the army in all its glory plus the calculated army list including wargear.

THE SCENARIO (OPTIONAL)

If a standard scenario has not already been mentioned in the intro, or a special scenario is being played please list the rules in the same layout as for missions in the Rulebook. Some contributors may want to show off a new scenario with a condensed battle report (of a shorter 'summary' style as it were); this can all be discussed through pm with ashc. This section can be ignored if you are playing a mission from a rulebook.

THE GAME

A brief paragraph or two may be written about who got first turn and deployment of the two armies.

PLAYER 1 TURN ONE

Write about all the thoughts that run through your head as you go through the phases of the turn; what you move, where and why, plans being made as you play, target priority and fears/weaknesses spotted in the opponent’s army. Don’t be afraid to be personal with this, it’s your thoughts!

PLAYER 2 TURN ONE

Write about all the thoughts that run through your head as you go through the phases of the turn; what you move, where and why, plans being made as you play, target priority and fears/weaknesses spotted in the opponent’s army. Don’t be afraid to be personal with this, it’s your thoughts!

CONTINUE THIS LAYOUT UNTIL THE GAME IS FINISHED (TYPICALLY 4-6 TURNS).

At the end you may add a small box with victory points or conditions reached, and declare the victory to whoever has accomplished their goals/scored the most victory points. You may also include a ‘model of the match’ if you want to!

PLAYER 1 CONCLUSIONS

What went right, what went wrong? Did anything perform exceptionally / abysmally? Tell us what you have learnt and what you would have changed if you had your time before. Comment on your opponents list and consider what you may have done differently if you had been in their shoes.

PLAYER 2 CONCLUSIONS

What went right, what went wrong? Did anything perform exceptionally / abysmally? Tell us what you have learnt and what you would have changed if you had your time before. Comment on your opponents list and consider what you may have done differently if you had been in their shoes.

ENDING SHORT STORY PIECE

This is usually 1 half to two thirds of a page long, and is a short story piece written from the view of one of the sides fighting the battle; typically the aftermath.

The submission date to get an article into FIREBASE #5 is September the 7th, for the magazine to be released October 1st.


We hope this list helps both you and us make a better magazine,

Ash