PopCult is open to submissions of all sorts (particularly features, profiles, essays, and critical reviews on matters dealing with popular culture). The mind of an editor is a curious thing, however, so there's no predicting what our own editor will like or dislike. But we can offer you the following hints that were overheard one day as he sat at his desk, sobbing and muttering to himself in a drunken haze while clutching a battered issue of People.

• 15-Minute Celebrities: Don't Bother. We Simply Don't Care.

PopCult is indeed a popular-culture 'zine, but that doesn't mean we want entertainment stories. Even if you've managed to score an exclusive interview with the bassist of a groove band in the Top 100, we're not going to be very excited. Same goes for any number of people famous for being famous: pop stars, Survivor contestants, models, MTV VJs, etc., etc. If the subject of your article is likely to disappear from public consciousness within the next year, no matter how celebrated or beloved they are at the moment, it's likely we won't accept the piece unless you've come up with an arresting twist. We generally prefer our famous people to have made credible, lasting achievements in the creation of great pop culture.

• Have Something to Say.

That's right: Your features/essays/reviews must make a point. Optimally, we'd like to see you put forth an original observation. It doesn't have to be a big thesis; we'll be happy to publish even teensy-weensy pointers. Just tell us something new. In other words, it's not enough to simply say, "Ricardo Montalban is great!" Tell us why he's great, why we should care that he's great, and do it convincingly enough that we believe you. We like writers who have an authoritative knowledge of their subject, and can smoothly weave that insight into the scope of the story.

• Ask Interesting Questions.

Let's say you've landed an interview with a fascinating figure in pop culture. Good for you! But keep in mind that you're not their publicist. We here at PopCult are not interested in hearing how great they think their new movie/CD/TV show is, or what a wonderful experience it was to work with the warm and funny Ben Affleck, or how happy they are spending lots of money on mansions and bullet-proof SUVs. Likewise, we don't particularly want to read about how nice they are, what they ate for dinner, and how they offered to give you a lift. Yes, we know: For such a famous person, he/she is really down to earth. Gosh. What we'd rather learn about are the artistic impulses, neurotic obsessions, unfulfilled desires, and/or mad dreams of creative people. This isn't always easy to find out, of course, but we have faith in you. Also: We generally prefer thematic stories that integrate the quotes over Q&A's.

• A Special Note About First-Person Writing: Please Don't. (Unless you know what you're doing.)

To be honest, none of the readers really care about you or your personal life; we'd rather learn more about the actual subject matter than how you were late for your lunch date, how embarrassing you think your shoes are, or how you remained a virgin until the 12th grade. That said, we do make an exception in the following instance: if the writer knows what he or she is doing. Current studies indicate that only 2 percent of writers in the world are capable of walking the fine line between genuine personal revelation and annoying self-absorption. But that 2 percent can write some wonderful stories, so we remain optimistic. Here's a test: Before you write your piece, ask yourself if first-person is really the only point of view in which the story can best be told. Tip: The editor will make further allowances if the story is funny; for examples of what the editor considers funny, please refer to our First-Person Escapades section.

• Make Your Reviews More Than Just Reviews.

Full reviews (not capsules, as in the Material Whirl department) must be more than just thumbs-up/thumbs-down summations–they need to have an eye on the larger scheme of things (i.e., how this movie fits into: film history/current trends/the culture at large/the filmmaker's oeuvre, etc.). Again, you must have a point to make besides just "I love/hate this movie/CD/TV show." Also, when it comes to the inevitable plot synopsis of a movie or book, keep it to a minimum; you needn't reveal every detail of the story from beginning to end, just the ones that are necessary for your review. (Exceptions will be made for movies that are so bad that readers must be warned.)

• Finally, Apply This Handy Test:

If your story is not at least one of the following:

1. Informative
2. Entertaining
3. Both

Then why bother?

Other Matters:

• Please be aware that we DO accept stories that have previously been published in newspapers, weeklies, 'zines, etc., as long as the story has a strong shelf-life and you own the rights.

• Stories about local figures or events may be usable if the subjects rise to national interest.

• At the present time, fees for previously published stories start at $0.0 and stop at pocket change. This is because I currently don't make an income from this site myself. On the plus side, you retain all rights to your stories and can request their removal at any time.

• So you might be asking yourself, "If I'm not being paid for my contributions, why the heck should I bother?" Good question. You must look deep inside yourself for the answer. Some possibilities: you're a reporter with a big clip file but no online presence; you're a writer with no clip file to speak of and The New Yorker won't return your phone calls; it looks like it might be fun, perhaps even gratifying.

• On top of being cheap, the editor is a picky bastard. If he decides not to accept your piece, he will tell you why in a polite yet firm e-mail. Whenever he can, he will provide constructive criticism in hopes of making the piece appropriate for PopCult. Keep in mind that these will be the opinions of just one cheap, picky, bastard editor who is hardly the last word in the world of webzine publishing.

• To get a feel for the kinds of stories we like, just look around. It's our bold policy not to publish things we dislike.

 To ask specific questions, pitch ideas, or submit stories, send an e-mail to the editor. Thanks!

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