Fun With Gift Subscriptions

Here’s a fun ad. Let me go ahead and break it down for you.

“People like stories, but nobody seems to tell them any more. Instead, magazines are filled with celebrity profiles, or snarky criticism, or, worse, writers whose talent is subsumed in their own idiosyncracies and insularities, their style so dense that outsiders need a Rosetta Stone to decode what they mean.”

You know what else people like? To be paid! In fact, I’m willing to bet the above-mentioned writers are paid good money for their work. For the record, this is how you spell idiosyncrasies. Since you seem so bent on throwing out the SAT words, you may as well spell them right. You’re welcome.

“The editors of Polite (www.politemag.com) think there’s still room for stories in today’s world. Polite’s a nationally distributed, semi-quarterly cultural journal that doesn’t conform to any format other than “good writing.” Here’s what we’re about: offbeat political coverage, articles about escaping from hippos in Tanzania, stories and comics profiling brilliant, fascinating (but ignored) people, dispatches from the ends of the earth (Antarctica!) and the gutter (prison!), eccentric columnists, non-publicist-driven cultural pieces, passionate and serious music writing, approachable, cutting-edge fiction, and a new generation of shoestring travel writing (= younger writers + less money + stranger destinations), all tied together by comics and an off-kilter, deadpan sensibility. “

Here’s the problem with “magazines” that feel they’re above conforming to a certain format. People don’t like them. They find them confusing. People like structure. Here’s a clue: the magazines with a format? They’re the ones that last. Sure, some of the younger generation might find the whole off-kilter/deadpan thing amusing for a while, but if you want the advertising dollars you’re going to have to go after the market with the money.

“We’re looking for writers who agree with our editorial focus (or lack thereof), and are interested in contributing. If you’ve got an idea you think might fit, please contact James Linx at the above email address with a brief synopsis of your background and your idea. Previous publication experience is helpful, but not at all necessary. Check out our website, www.politemag.com, for writers’ guidelines. Please allow a few days for a response. “

Yeah Ok. Good luck with that.

And here’s my favorite part:

Compensation: Copies and gift subscriptions

Ok, now let’s get back to this good, non-snarky, not format following writing you’re asking for. If you want it, you’re going to have to offer more than some free magazines. Free magazines don’t pay the rent. Good, decent writers write to pay the rent.