Criticism

Our criticism editor is Latria Graham who works alongside J. Brooke.

We welcome pitches (500 words or less) and completed essays (1200-5000 word range) on thoughtful, engaging cultural criticism that features a strong voice and well-articulated point of view.

Cultural criticism essays can be many things: nuanced, sharp, ambitious, inquisitive, and intentional. At its core, good cultural criticism is an invitation to interrogate what an aspect of our culture can show us about ourselves. We believe criticism is meant to be analytical, discerning, and evaluative. For this reason, we aren't interested in reading a tear down without substance. What we find far more interesting than a takedown essay is a meditation or exploration of breakages and imperfections that appear in a work of art.

We value the unexpected, and believe cultural criticism isn't always limited to the traditional essay form. Experimental structures that trouble traditional linear arguments and/or that braid personal narrative with analysis or critique are welcome here. However we do not accept strictly academic essays. We also do not accept work where a conflict of interest exists.

If you wish to send a pitch:

Pitches should describe the artwork at the center of the essay, the argument or perspective you plan to bring to the page, and your intended approach (interrogation, investigation, meditation, etc) for executing the work.

 Also include:

• Estimated word count
• A brief bio a highlighting previous publications and/ or writing credentials

If you wish to send a completed essay, please include:

• Working title
• Current word count:
• Brief description of your piece
• Whether your piece is a simultaneous submission 
• A brief bio a highlighting previous publications and/ or writing credentials 

Regardless of your type of submission, your pitch or cover letter should be able to articulate/answer the following questions:

• What meanings and alternatives does this artwork offer? What crises (personal, political, global, ecological) does it address?
• Why does this artwork/art form/ art show matter in the moment we are living through?
• Why are you the right person to write this piece?

Also, please make sure the following information is included:

• For book criticism, please provide the following information at the top of your review: Title of book, author's name, name of press, and publication date.
• For theatre criticism, please include the name of the show, the theater where it is playing, and the dates of the show's run. If it's open ended, please list the start date - present.
•  For music criticism, please include the name of the album, the musician(s), the label, and release date.
• For art criticism, please include the name of the artist(s), the gallery/museum where the work is being exhibited, and the dates of the exhibition.

We accept simultaneous submissions, but please withdraw your submission if your work is accepted elsewhere. Please submit only one cultural criticism essay for consideration at a time; we ask that you wait until a decision has been made on that essay to submit again.