Writing non/cannon novels for existing works?

Status
Not open for further replies.

WinterDusk14

Non-savvy tech writer
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
212
Reaction score
24
Location
Philippines
I've seen a lot of Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Starcraft, Warcraft, Diablo, etc... novels. Are the authors of the mentioned above could be writers of the company? Or a random writer who submits the ms to the company itself?

I'm just curious, cause I'd love to write a Marvel/DC book.=D
 

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
6,449
Reaction score
1,321
Usually such writers are contracted by the company as far as I understand.

Yes.

And you can't submit a manuscript.

The proper approach is to submit a query to the editor of whatever current novelization series you're interested in writing for. If your credentials impress them, and if your idea matches their vision for the series, you might get an offer.

I don't know if either Marvel or DC are doing any novelizations right now, though.
 

katiemac

Five by Five
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Messages
11,521
Reaction score
1,667
Location
Yesterday
Yes, they're contracted writers. You'd have to have explicit permission from the company to write a novel using their characters. Still, check out their respective websites and see what you can determine for their rules.

Also, if you mean a Marvel/DC crossover book, I'm sorry to inform you that's not going to happen. That's a major contract headache and the rival companies don't have an incentive to work together to release a project like that.
 

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
6,449
Reaction score
1,321
Yes, they're contracted writers. You'd have to have explicit permission from the company to write a novel using their characters.

And they won't give it, unless it's as a work-for-hire in a novelization series they've already planned.

Seriously, neither Marvel nor DC will let Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists use their characters in their own books.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.