- I'd like for each column to run between 1000-2000 words, featuring the gaming culture in a region of the world. "Region" here can mean nation, province, state, or what have you. If the gaming culture is noticably different in Northern Freedonia than it is in Southern Freedonia, then different columns for each region would certainly be welcome. (I may create a "phony" column to give everyone a good idea of what I'd like to have for the site.)

The column can run longer than 2000 words (in which case it may be turned into a two-part column), but I'd really like to see a minimum of 1000 words. I can assist in the writing to any degree that you wish, if you feel that your writing or English skills are not up to par. I am also interested in publishing non-English versions of the column as well, as long as there is an English translation (most of my readers are English speakers).

- The topics covered in the column should include:

- "Gamer style" - how gamers in the region look and dress, as well as any interesting or unique facts about regional gamers.

- Popular RPGs and LARPs in the region. Of particular interest here would be games that aren't found in other countries/regions, games that have noticable differences in the region (D&D books in Japan, for example, have completely different covers, layout, and illustrations), or games that aren't as popular in their nation of origin (Freedonians are completely crazy for World of Synnibarr, for example).

- Gaming stores - where they're found, what they look like, and any unique or unusual stores in the region. True story - one of the stores in my particular area was a combination hardware store and game shop, so your could go there for plumbing supplies and the latest RPG supplements in one trip! If there are any stores like that in your region, they would be perfect for the column.

- Game conventions - As above, where they happen, what happens there, who attends them, and anything unique or unusual about them. If it's a convention that you regularly attend, try to get an inside report.

- Public opinion of gamers. What does the average person on the street think about these people who play RPGs and LARPs, how the media treats gamers and gaming, how the government views the hobby, etc. Have any crimes or tragedies been connected to gaming in the media? Does the local government support role-playing as a creative and educational pursuit? Is it largely ignored?

- Photos of any of the above - stores, cons, gamers at a gaming table or in costume - all taken with full permission of the subjects, of course.

- Podcasts: As I write this, a friend of mine suggested the possibility of doing this as a podcast instead, or maybe as a combination column/podcast. I am open to the idea from anyone who has the time, equipment, and inclination to do a recording.

- Anything and everything that you do in regards to this project MUST be legal. All pictures and interviews must be taken with full express permission. For privacy purposes and the protection of both the interviewees and my site, aliases, initials, or first names will be used for interviews.

- At the present time there is no deadline for anything. I'd like to get this project started sometime in 2008, but other than that, there are no real goals or plans set in place. I still need to make a final decision on a name for the column and design the format for it. Any who commit to the project will get updates on its progress.

- Legal agreement: You retain all rights to your contribution - words, pictures, all of it. You are free to use it in other places, and can ask at any time for me to take it down, change it, or remove your name from it. My site isn't about taking creative control away from the creators. Likewise, if you commit to the project, then need to back out for any reason, it's no problem. I hate restricting creativity and chaining people to tasks, so it's not going to happen here.

- While we're talking about rights, I have to say that I reserve the right to not print any text or pictures that I find objectionable. I do try to maintain a family-friendly page at The Escapist, and I think that this particular column will be of interest to readers of all ages. Therefore, references to obscene words, drugs, sexuality, and real-world torture or violence will not be included in the columns. References to religion or politics will be getting close to the line.

- Unfortunately, I cannot reimburse anyone for anything. The site does not draw any funds as it is. In a perfect world, I could (and WOULD) make everyone into rich and famous game culture writers, but we know how perfect the world really is. You will get your name on a very popular gaming advocacy site, and if you're a writer looking for work, that can look good on a resume. You will also have the opportunity to mention any game, club, convention, site, or other project that you're working on.