PopMatters Seeks Writers for Electronic Music Column

Grunge audio speaker image from Shutterstock.com.

PopMatters seeks several essayists who are interested in writing regular, alternating essays on a range of topics in electronic music for the monthly electronic music column, The Difference Engine.

As a magazine of cultural criticism, PopMatters bridges academia and popular culture with smart, entertaining and well-researched writing. PopMatters columns are a minimum of 1,200 words and are broad in scope. We encourage the discussion of ideas over focusing on individual artists (we do a fine job of that in Interviews). See published installments of The Difference Engine here.

Qualified writers are already readers of PopMatters (as but just one vital supplement in their varied intellectual diet), they are familiar with the work of our current columnists, as well as other areas of the magazine, and they have a solid sense of what we’re looking for in the content and caliber of these essays.

Many of our writers are called upon for their opinion by notable members of the media such as the BBC, NPR, MSNBC, Radio Australia, and VH1. Publications such as USA Today.com, Alternet.org, and Movies.com regularly pick up links to PopMatters articles and post quotes from PopMatters writers. Many PopMatters stories are carried across McClatchey-Tribune’s wire services with more than 60 US newspapers and 1,200 media clients worldwide and MCT Campus, a national wire service reaching more than 1,000 college and high school newspapers.

How to Apply

Send links to three magazine-style writing samples, preferably published work. Provide five topics that you are eager to write about.

Write your first column that, if accepted, will be your debut issue. Note: The first column should not be about what the column is going to be about. (Curb that academic approach to writing.) Rather, dive directly into the subject matter. Also, provide your bio and any personal information about yourself that you would like us to consider, as well. Proposals not providing complete information will not be considered.

Deadline for Applications: Saturday, 22 February 2014

Email your PopMatters: The Difference Engine application to: Karen Zarker, Senior Editor, zarker (at) popmatters.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Note: we are unable to pay you monetarily at this time. But you retain your copyright and are published by this reputable magazine, wherein you are rewarded with a platform to broaden your readership, currently 1.3 million unique monthly readers, who enjoy reading long-form essays.