Writer & Narrative Designer Sourcing
Writer sourcing for game developers
Like a casting director, but for writers. I brief, shortlist, and introduce experienced games writers matched to your genre, project, and team — drawing on a decade running a games writers’ agency and maintaining a network beyond.
Overview
The right writer changes everything
Often an undervalued part of development, great writing not only brings scenes to life with dialogue but provides the player a path through the entire game. The reason to start, to push through, to explore the world, and fight your way home. Choices are framed, relationships are defined, and the player comes away with a fuller experience.
A creative director or game director with a strong vision for the game and its story is invaluable for a consistent and comprehensive game world. A writer proves their worth by adding humour, sparkle, gritty realism, or magic to dialogue. They also ensure characters have distinct personalities and speech patterns, which, combined with the actors’ performances, will only enhance the world you’ve created.
Finding the right person is harder than it looks. Games writing is a specialist craft, and the pool of experienced talent is smaller than most developers realise. CVs don’t tell you who can hold a branching narrative in their head, who works well inside a Jira backlog, or who’s a good fit for a small team versus a large one.
Your questions
The questions I hear most
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Why is finding a game writer so hard?
Plenty of people write; far fewer write for games — branching dialogue, barks, in-game text, narrative that survives design changes. I know who has genuinely shipped, what they’re good at, and who suits your genre, team, and timeline.
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What does “sourcing” involve?
I take a brief from you (like a casting call, but for writers), reach out to my network or run a targeted search, assess samples, and present a shortlist of writers with relevant experience who are genuinely interested in your project — then join the introductory calls.
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What don’t you do?
Contracts and invoicing sit between you and the writer. I make the introduction and help you brief the work; the working relationship is yours.
The process
What working with me looks like
Think of it like casting, but for writers. I help you build a strong writer’s brief, then shortlist writers I know can deliver.
Brief
Together we define the project via genre, scope, tone, team size, budget, timeline, IP sensitivities.
Search
Curated shortlist from working relationships maintained over a decade, plus targeted outreach or an open call where needed. CVs & notes on why each is on the list.
Shortlist & pitches
Writer profiles highlighting relevant credits, specialist skills and interests.
Introductions
I join the first calls and help both sides establish the collaboration. You move ahead with your selection. No middle layer, no ongoing commission, no agenda beyond a good match.
Support
I’m on hand should you have additional requirements or questions. Need to negotiate something new? I’m here for you.
Why me
A decade of matches, continuing to thrive
I founded and ran the Sidelines Game Writers’ Agency for almost ten years, matching writers to projects across the industry — and I’ve kept those relationships going ever since. Several of the writers I placed credit those introductions with launching their careers. I know how to read a project’s narrative needs, and I know which writers deliver.
FAQ
Writer sourcing, answered
What kinds of writers can you source?
Experienced freelance games writers across genres — narrative designers, dialogue specialists, world-builders, and writers with adjacent experience in animation, book adaptation, and tabletop. Most are UK-based, all have shipped games.
We have a translated script; can't the actors fix things in session?
That’s an expensive plan! Anything that slows down your recording session adds studio, actor, and director costs. It’s more economical to have a writer polish a translated script before it goes into studio. It’ll also keep the script more consistent if it’s checked all at once rather than ad hoc throughout sessions.
We don't need much dialogue, what do I need a writer for?
A professional writer brings the same value as any experienced member of a game design team, taking their part of the process from “good enough” to “great”. In addition to zinging up dialogue, writers can also add to the game world & player experience by creating lore, letters, diaries, signage, or graffiti.
Can I just use a novelist or screenwriter?
Some games may feel cinematic or like a book come to life, but interactivity makes a big difference in storytelling. While some writers slip easily from one medium to another, it’s important to ensure they understand both what game storytelling needs are and how to work with what can be a very changeable development process.
Do you take a cut of the writer's fee?
No. I charge developers directly (day rate or project package) and the writer’s fee is a straight arrangement between you and them. No hidden margins, no incentive to push a more expensive hire.
How long does sourcing usually take?
Once I have a clear brief, I can normally come back with a shortlist within one to two weeks. Introductions and sample work follow from there. Rush timelines are possible, but a proper brief still saves weeks later.