AndyFromJersey's Blog

So I almost worked at a "new magazine..."

posted May 4, 2009, 5:16 pm | Log In To Post Comments | view comments (4)
Tags: anyone on victory records, exploitation, profiteering, complete lack of transparency, possible scam, wiffle ball

 I recently discovered just how great Music Emissions really is, for reasons that will become apparent in the rest of this post. Seriously, thanks, Dennis, for an honest, transparent approach to covering a segment of society that's so easily exploited. I'm fully aware you started Music Emissions strictly as a labor of love, and I'm grateful to take part in it. So here's what happened:

 

 

 I got an unsolicited email  looking for "writers and photographers" for a "new magazine." I eagerly responded, but things got ugly. Let me know what you think.

 

 

Original email:

 

Hello to all,

S.L.A.M. is a new, online magazine that is actively recruiting new talent.  If you are a photographer or writer (or know someone who is) we would love to hear from you.  Currently we only offer unpaid positions, but there is free access to shows and free cds up for review.  If you are interested, please contact me at michelle@slamscene.com.  Please provide a sample of your work, where you live, and how far you are willing to travel.  Thank you in advance for your interest.

 

Sincerely,

Michelle

Editor

S.L.A.M.

 

My initial application:

 

On Wed, Apr 29, 2009 at 7:20 PM, Andy Polhamus <andypolhamus@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Michelle:

I received a mass email from your office that you were recruiting talent for S.L.A.M. magazine. I thought I would contact you as professionally as possible to tell you that I would be very interested in working on your publication.

By the time S.L.A.M. launches its first issue, I will be a second-year journalism student at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Long Island, New York. Long Island is my residence through the school year, though I travel home to southern New Jersey (just over twenty minutes from Philadelphia) frequently to rehearse and perform with my ska-punk band, The Retrotones. I regularly perform and attend shows in the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, and depending upon which of these cities I am near when my assignment comes, I would be willing to travel anywhere in either of those cities, as well as much of New Jersey.

Furthermore, I have a fair amount of experience writing about music, as well as writing for publications in general. Throughout the second half of my high school career, I was a staff writer for the online 'zine Music Emissions, which specializes in up-and-coming indie and alternative acts. I still contribute there occasionally, as well as contributing coverage on the local music scene for the Stony Brook Press, my school's alternative biweekly newspaper.

Samples of my work can be found at http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/albums/index.php?album_id=6770 as well as http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/albums/index.php?album_id=5727 . I am also attaching the reviews found at those links to this email in case you'd prefer not to visit the site.

I hope to contribute to your magazine. I am looking to find a new regular outlet for my writing. And the perks of free CDs and shows don't hurt, either.

Thank you very much for your consideration. I hope I can be a help in launching a new independent voice.

Sincerely,

Andy Polhamus

Her initial acceptance:

 

From: Michelle Dean <redjimbobdave@gmail.com> Subject: Re: S.L.A.M. seeking photographers and writers To: "Andy Polhamus" <andypolhamus@yahoo.com> Date: Friday, May 1, 2009, 12:53 PM

 

Thanks Andy,

 

I thought I’d send out a note to give you the details on what S.L.A.M. is about, how we want the stories to be submit, and open things up for questions.

 

What does S.L.A.M. stand for?  The answer is Scene, Lifestyle, Attitude and Music.  Each issue will have stories to support each category.  What do we mean by that?  Well, Scene describes the tribe you consider yourself to be a part of, be it punk, rockabilly, Emo, yuppie, pop, metal head. It also means where you are in your scene, the desert, a club, a bar, car show and any reviews/ coverage of these places.  Lifestyle describes the scene you are in and covers the things necessary to maintain your lifestyle.  Fashion coverage, how to tips, beauty, party plans, etc. would kind of fall into this category.

Attitude is more about individuals and their personality.  This is where the blogs, advice, and interviews, the more personal stories fit in.  Music, duh.  This is where we have CD reviews, concert coverage and band interviews.   

 

How do the stories get assigned?  You are welcome to select your own stories, just run it by me first to make sure I don't end up with two articles on the same event and that the subject meshes with our demographic.  There will also be occasions when I assign stories to you.  Rest assured, I am aware that people have real jobs and won't play demanding editor too often.  

 

What is the process for submitting a written piece?  First of all, I want everyone to proof read their article and run it through a spell checking program and then read it again before submission.  I know it sounds obvious, but you would be really surprised how many people fail to take the time to run spell check.  You will send the article as an attachment to michelle@slamscene.com.  In the e-mail subject line, please put the type of article it is, the subject of the article and your name.  For example, if I were interviewing Larry Mullen Jr., the subject line would look like this:

Example:

 

Interview-Larry Mullen Jr.- Michelle Dean

 

The story format itself is pretty basic.  At the top of the page, in the left hand corner I want the type of article, subject, author’s name and date, single spaced.

Example:

Interview

Larry Mullen Jr.

Michelle Dean

4/28/09

 

Then drop down a few lines and write the article.  Keep it left justified, and insert a line between paragraphs.  Make sure any article is at least 500 words long.  If the article is too long, the editor may trim it down at their discretion. 

 

Any questions, comments, concerns?  Let me know.  Thanks for your interest.

 

I did, in fact, have a few questions, comments, and concerns:

On Sun, May 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM, Andy Polhamus <andypolhamus@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Michelle: I don't mean to sound suspicious, but may I ask about the conception and history of S.L.A.M.? I'm just wondering about how you got into the hobby/business of publication, when the idea came about, what the magazine is ultimately looking to accomplish, etc. I've had a couple of bad experiences helping out with "new magazines," so I apologize if I seem skeptical. Also, what will the deadlines be for the first issue? How will each issue be presented to the readership? With what frequency will prospective contributors be expected to submit? Thanks a lot for your time. I'm sure you're busy. -Andy

 

She didn’t like this, apparently, prompting this inexplicable attack:

Dear Andy,

I could be suspicious of why it is important for a writer to know confidential information about the catalyst for the formation of our company, what our mission statement is, and what our 10 year plan is for the company.   I thought the details were pretty straight forward.  I understand being suspicious of a company that promises you the moon, but since we very honestly said we couldn't pay anyone for stories at the present time, and that we were an online magazine hoping for a launch in mid June, I don't understand where the skepticism comes into play.  The deadline for content is the 15th of each month for the next month's issue. 

There is a marketing plan which involves a major, nationwide music tour which is how we expect to make contact with the majority of our potential readers.

 

Sincerely,

Michelle

 

I took no prisoners. It is here that I wonder if I went too far:

Dear Michelle, How about the fact that my name and work will be included in something that you're publishing on the fucking internet? Is that enough of an explanation? I didn't ask for your tax records; I was just trying to verify that you weren't another stupid kid trying to half-ass a fanzine that will ultimately prove too broad in subject matter to effectively cover anything at all (hint: it will). There was quite literally nothing pompous, presumptuous, or even vaguely questionable about me asking about the specifics of what essentially amounts to resume-building volunteer work. Your adolescent, snarky, hostile, and preposterously defensive response answers any and all questions I might have had about your fledgling newsletter. The fact that I was very deliberate in my wording (quick reminder, Michelle-- I worked very hard to say that I was not, in fact, questioning your motives) whatsoever makes your response even more laughable. In short, fuck you. As a writer who won't get paid, I may not have a right to your credit score (a ridiculous accusation to make, by the way-- really? Confidential information?), but I sure as hell do have a right to know what your mission statement as a company is. And as for your utter lack of explanation about the "catalyst" for your "company," the fact that your answer was not immediately "passion for the music and lifestyle" lets me know that there is nothing I could gain by sending my work to you. I am left with three possible conclusions: either you are a corporate tool, which would also explain how you received my email address in the first place, or you are a borderline competent venture capitalist hoping to cash in on the high school crowd, or, most likely, you are an easily offended idiot with something to hide. And most importantly, as a writer who won't get paid, I have nothing to lose. So it is with a light heart that I can say: Bye! Andy P.S. It was obvious from your last email that even if you were to begin accepting submissions from me, the "professional" relationship would be strained and awkward. If the bridge was in such disrepair, I might as well burn it.

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