Character Naming

Supporters of my Patreon Page at the Seasoned Professional level and higher are welcome to submit characters they'd like to see make small appearances in my books. Here's how it works.

• You may send me a character suggestion via a Patreon message, and ONLY via a Patreon message. This makes it easier for me to track and also makes it clear that I'm not open for ideas through other channels.
• Limit your character submission to a name and short description. Ideally, it's a fantasy-sounding version of your name or a character name for an original RPG character you created, with details like physical characteristics, a possible vocation, and maybe a key personality quirk.
• Depending on your Patreon tier, I will incorporate the character in a future book or short story. Which book or story will depend on timing—generally speaking, I'll only add characters to a book that is being drafted or outlined. Higher tier patrons' ideas will be prioritized, and there are a limited number of spaces in each book.
• I may change details about your character to fit better with my worldbuilding or plot. This is usually to make character names sound more culturally appropriate—e.g. making a Dwarf surname end in -son. 
• I will try to send the drafted scene to you for your thoughts before publication. I'd love for you to be happy with your characters' cameo, but publishing schedules and timelines can be unforgiving, and I may not be able to accept your feedback, especially if its not timely.
• The Don't List: Don't submit the following:
• Don't submit names or ideas for characters that have been published elsewhere, or that you might like to publish elsewhere someday. Only submit characters that you had the idea for, and recognize that you are giving me the idea. If you want to publish or profit from a character some day, don't submit it.
• Don't submit the names of other people. Don't submit the names of your significant other, your ex, your friend, your relatives, any public figure, any celebrity, or anyone who isn't you or your fictional creation.
• Don't submit ideas from other intellectual properties or based on other intellectual properties. Don't suggest books or characters for me to parody.

You must agree to the following terms to submit a character idea. By submitting character names or short descriptions for inclusion in my works, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms: 

1. Ownership: All submitted character names, short descriptions, and related ideas become the sole property of the J. Zachary Pike ("the author") upon submission. The author retains full rights to use, modify, and incorporate these submissions into any current or future works without restriction. Do not submit names or ideas for characters that have been published elsewhere, or that you might like to publish elsewhere someday.
2. Rights: People who submit character names or short descriptions do not gain any ownership, authorship, or rights to works that the author creates using the submitted material. The author reserves the exclusive right to use these characters in any form, including but not limited to books, adaptations, and derivative works.
3. Compensation: Submission of character names or short descriptions is voluntary and does not entitle the submitter to any form of compensation, credit, or acknowledgment beyond potential inclusion in the author's works. Submitting a name or description does not establish a collaborative or co-ownership relationship between the patron and the author. The author may acknowledge your idea in the acknowledgements of the work or in similar formats; such an optional acknowledgement does not alter these terms, grant any ownership, compensation, or co-ownership, or in any way diminish the ownership and rights of the author.
4. Submission Scope: The author will only accept and review character names and short descriptions. Any additional material, such as dialogue, plot arcs, or detailed character backstories, will be discarded without review.