Join Our Staff
About the Ink 19Corps
Everyone contributing text, photos or artwork to Ink 19is doing so voluntarily, with no expected monetary return. This means that we don't pay for articles or other content. We would if we could afford it, and it is one of our goals to do so, but we cannot predict when (if ever) this will happen.
If you are a professional writer/photographer/artist looking to expand your sources of income, this probably isn't the place. However, if you are looking to broaden the list of publications you work for, or wish to get started in a lucrative Music Industry Writing Career (we say that with more than a hint of irony), or simply enjoy doing whatever it is you like to do and sharing it with a large audience, then by all means contact us. Following are some notes and guidelines for aspiring staffers.
Requirements
Other than talent at whatever it is you're trying to do, we ask a few basic capabilities from our staff:
- That they be reliable in execution and meeting deadlines.
- That they be fairly familiar with basic Internet tasks (such as using email and filling web page forms)
The first is usually assumed to be true; we'll know whether you're reliable soon enough. The second is absolutely necessary, and unfortunately, we can't make any exceptions. All of our communication with staff takes place via e-mail, and all our content is submitted via web-based forms.
Writers
We'll take writers from all over the planet, as long as they have e-mail. If you make the cut, and we'll let you know, then we figure out where to go from there.
If you're new to writing for a publication, we'll start you off with record reviews The first few record reviews will be of materials you have purchased yourself -- they'll have to be relatively recent, and unassigned to anyone else, so make sure you get with us on these. After you've proven your ability and responsibility, we can begin sending you promotional materials to review. Unfortunately, record companies are not as generous with the press as they are with radio, so we don't usually get more than one copy of a record, and that one is intended for review. This means that if you got it, you review it or return it... again, you can keep those records you review.
If you are interested in writing concert or event reviews, or feature pieces on bands, artists, whoever, or if you wish to write themed features for an issue, let us know. If necessary (and if you are trusted to represent Ink 19in a professional manner), we'll set up guest lists and in-person or phone interviews.
Photographers
We love to include our own pictures with our stories, instead of those press photos you'll see everywhere else. We also love to run great live shots with our concert reviews. However, things are harder to coordinate for photographers.
First of all, we require that you be able to file your images electronically, so you'll need the ability to get your images into digital form. There are a couple of reasons for doing things this way -- we don't have to send anything back, and it circumvents the torrent of mail that stuffs our mailbox.
Moving on from there is a big puzzle. A lot of times, it is difficult to match concerts you want to shoot with concerts people want to write about. If you're interested in concert photography, it helps a lot if you can write up a show review to accompany the photographs you take.
Photographing bands for interviews is also a possibility, but the stars have to align correctly for that -- i.e. we get to do the interview in person, and the interview is taking place in your general region. Nonetheless, we'll send e-mail every time something like this is about to happen.
As with stories, it is up to the discretion of Ink 19which photos we will use, and how many photos we will use.
Artists
As with photography, you'll need the ability to submit your art digitally. We use artists for article illustration (check our schedule of upcoming themes), and for our Comics Page.
Getting In
So now that we've given you all this info, what do you do?
First of all, fill out the Staff Application, and be sure to include samples of your work. Please note that all information is kept confidential, and is for the sole use of our editorial staff. We do not release this information to anyone not employed by Ink 19.
Thanks for your interest in Ink 19! Now, move on to the Staff Application!
Last update: Monday, April 17, 2006 at 10:11:37 PM.
