As I’ve recently mentioned in social networking circles, I want to offer a bit of fun to those interested in being immortalized as a literary character.  Let me explain.

A few years ago deep in serious work on Dreamdarkers, my first novel, I would sit at our neighborhood Starbucks and drink coffee whilst visiting with dear friends.  Over the course of many such mornings, asked often about my progress with the novel, the delightfully devilish Nathalie began buttering me up such that I would include her as a character.  She even had chosen a name and disposition (she wanted to be a villain).

I at first thought ill of the idea, considering sacrosanct the world my words created, thus my characters would—should—be my creations.  Then quick enough to surprise me I changed my mind, finding her suggestion entertaining, useful, even timely (I had realized by then that I would need a character very much like the one she offered.)

Since then—as I said, that was a few years ago at least—I have pondered the idea of using real people as templates for literary characters, and the premise has grown on me to the point of becoming an entertaining and fun way to generate interest in the books, to create realistic physical descriptions, and to let others participate in the creative process.

Therefore I’m now taking applications for the The Breaking of Worlds Character Contest.

Here are the rules:

1. You must be willing to have your physical description used as a character in one or more novels.
2. You must be willing to have certain material facts about you included as character traits.  I will not include inappropriate or revealing information, but a character based on you might have the same job, hobbies, interests or other traits that you have.  Then again, the character might have nothing in common with you save physical characteristics.
3. You can only be the basis for a single character.
4. Characters of all ages will be accepted, but anyone under the age of eighteen (18) who submits themselves will need the approval of a parent.  This will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
5. Ultimate disposition (good, bad or indifferent) and name for your character will be up to me, though I will closely consider your suggestions.
6. Your real name will appear in the acknowledgments of the book where your character is introduced, and you will be associated with the character in that section.
7. Final decisions about using a character suggestion are mine alone.
8. If I decide to use your character, you grant me full, unfettered, perpetual rights to that character.
9. Characters used will be subject to my whims, including but not limited to whether they’re good or bad or indifferent, who they might or might not be involved with or interested in, and what ultimate role they play in the story.
10. I reserve the right to alter characters as I see fit.
11. This contest applies only to my series The Breaking of Worlds and not to unrelated books I write.

To apply, send me the following via e-mail, Facebook message, Google+, or whatever means are at your disposal:

1. Your physical stats (height, weight, age, hair color, eye color, tattoos and/or piercings if you have them, other pertinent info you want to submit)
2. If you are under eighteen (18) years of age, the name, phone number and e-mail address of an approving parent (you must have prior approval that I will verify).  To expedite this process, have your parent send your submission.
3. A photo of you
4. Suggested name(s) for your character
5. Suggested character disposition (good, bad or indifferent)
6. Any other details or suggestions (e.g., place of birth, speech accents, linguistic predilections [e.g., commonly used phrases or vernacular], sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious views, hobbies, profession, extracurricular activities, etc.)
7. Any other information you want considered

If I use your character, here’s what you get:

1. Named (both real and character) in the acknowledgments of the book that introduces your character
2. A signed copy of the manuscript for the book that introduces your character (not an ARC or release copy of the book, but a printed and bound and signed copy of the original manuscript)
3. Immortality in the literary world!
4. My ongoing thanks for playing a part
5. And if you are chosen as the winner of the contest: named in the dedication for the book in which your character first appears in addition to a signed release copy of the book (you still receive a signed copy of the manuscript)

Considerations:

1. Several main characters are already established in the first novel, but a vast collection of the main players has yet to be revealed (including the President of the United States, a Hispanic woman).  This means there’s time and room for your character to be a big name in the ongoing story.
2. The Breaking of Worlds is described as this: “If Greek mythology teaches a single unflinching truth, it is that mortals and gods never live peacefully together.  Most people have forgotten this lesson, but the gods have not.  The war against humanity has begun.”  It is mythology, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, action and adventure, drama, war, espionage and intrigue, comedy, and so much more.
3. The first novel is Dreamdarkers, already written and undergoing editorial and artistic review; the second is End of the Warm Season, already in progress; the third is tentatively Centralia, mentally developed and growing as a set of notes, ideas and book pages; the fourth is tentatively Skin Changers, mentally developed and growing as a set of notes and ideas; the fifth is tentatively The Kuriakon Doma, mentally developed and growing as a set of notes; and the sixth is tentatively Twilight of the Gods, mentally developed.  I can’t claim the sixth novel idea completes the story I want to tell, but I can claim it carries it as far as possible at present, though I would not be surprised if the series grows and changes between book two and six.

Remember, if I choose to use your character, the minimum I will use is your physical description.  Utilizing more than that will be solely at my discretion.  Also, applying now does not mean I will make decisions immediately.  The Breaking of Worlds, the series of novels to which this contest applies, will be several books long (six or seven, perhaps more), so I might not know I need a character until I get to a particular part of the overall story; I won’t kick out six or seven books in the next twelve months, so it might be a bit of time before you know something, though the winner of the contest will know by the time the second manuscript is complete.

I will let you know immediately that I’ve received your application.  Afterward, I will let you know if and when I decide to use your character.

It’s important to note that I have many characters yet to be established.  Similarly, I have many characters already created who do not have a physical presence.  I say that to clarify this one consideration: From the US President to the leader of a dark army hundreds of millions strong to new participants in a war eons old, now is the time to play a part in a drama glacial and unyielding and powerful.

So consider whether or not you want to be a character, one immortalized in literature.  If so, here’s your chance.

I’ll keep this opportunity open for sixty days only—to expire on September 6, 2012.  Beyond that, your immortality depends entirely on my generosity.  And for those already involved in the series, editorially or artistically or otherwise, you’re not prohibited from participating.  I make all the decisions about who wins a place as a character, thus I choose who is involved, all other participation notwithstanding.

All things considered, good luck!