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HOW
TO BE A SAVANT:
SUBMISSION MADE FUN AND EASY
Okay.
SAVANT publishes on a four weeks on, one week off schedule, in
both HTML and PDF formats.
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If you want to write, send a sample to Savantmag@aol.com,
but keep reading, first.
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Content will remain fixed; the writers will rotate. This is done
to keep the writers from burning out and to keep the columns changing.
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This is the breakdown for the mostly regular content that will
appear on SAVANT:
Start: this is the most fixed and immovable of
the columns. The editorial staff will always handle start. It
is the intro essay of the week. The Letter from the Editor, as
it were. You don't need to worry about writing for it if you're
submitting.
Essay: This will be an essay. Freeform, anything
goes. Only rule: If you're talking about a problem with the industry
or any of its parts, you MUST offer a way to fix that problem.
This is the backbone of SAVANT. Write a critical essay on the
use of color in the Acme Novelty Library. Write a rant about how
a bad retailer screwed you over. Try answering the important questions
in life: Why do you love comics? Why are comics a valid art form?
How did a comic save your life? Get you laid? Make you weep? WHY
THE FUCK SHOULD ANYONE CARE?!? Here.
Essential: An extended review of a trade paperback
or graphic novel (NO SINGLE ISSUES OR UNCOLLECTED WORKS) that
EVERYONE should own: the Sgt. Peppers, the Ulysses, the Citizen
Kanes of the comic world. Please: do not send in reviews of Watchmen
or The Dark Knight Returns. Unless you have anything new to say
about them. In which case, I will make out with you in thanks
and awe.
Reviews: This will be a listing of reviews for
books not covered by ESSENTIAL (unless we start getting lots of
copious preview copies). This is where we discuss the floppies
or singles. Spines already have their own dedicated column.
Quick Takes: Invitation only, sorry. You have
to be contributing that issue or have contributed in the past
to be invited to participate in our round table discussion of
current events and issues in the comics industry.
Extra: Reader mail, interviews, and anything
else that doesn't really fit in the above categories. It runs
pretty irregularly, whenever we want to run it.
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Do not, under any circumstance, emulate such metajournalistic
tropes as referring to anyone as your "Pigfucking Editor" or anything
like that. Do not describe large and imaginary amounts of drugs
that you have not consumed really for the writing of your piece.
Do not discuss the creation of your piece unless it is relevant
to the piece. Many of us want to be Hunter S. Thompson, or Spider
Jerusalem. Most of us are not.
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If you are uncomfortable with being re-written (beyond basic issues
of grammar, clarity, etc.) then please say so when you contact
us. It will save everyone a lot of time and trouble, and we'll
know when it's best to just walk away. If you want comments, suggestions,
or other help, we will offer it. Everyone will have the opportunity
to read his or her corrected piece.
Now: Deadlines will be tight. If you send us your piece late,
and we respond to you late, and you have agreed to let us monkey
with it (if we think it needs monkeying with), and we post it
without your final approval, well, what can we do?
Anyone can contribute. Contributing doesn't obligate you to do
it on a regular basis. There's no pressure, so don't panic.
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So, becoming a SAVANT is easy. Write something. Send it to Savantmag@aol.com.
We will see how you fit. If you fit, you will then be on-deck
to have your piece published.
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We can change our mind about any of this shit at any time.
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The response to SAVANT has been overwhelming. It is still going
strong because of you, the reader. Don't be afraid to let your
voice be heard.
Discuss
this column on the SAVANT forum.
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