Blog 22 - RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF PUBLICATION VENUES

Word Riot

"Word Riot publishes the forceful voices of up-and-coming writers and poets. We like edgy. We like challenging. We like unique voices.

Word Riot first opened shop in March 2002 as the literary section of a now defunct on-line music magazine, Communication Breakdown. Each month we provide readers with book reviews, author interviews, and, most importantly, writing from some of the best and brightest making waves on the literary scene."

We reserve the right to edit works as we see fit.

• Analysis of the editors description of essays accepted in the journal/magazine

-experimental and literary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry
-flash fiction - piece of fiction under 1,000 words.
-stories - no less than 1,000 words and no more than 6,500
-novular -accept up to 6,500 words in length
- stretching forms - experimental & unique writing other than usual fiction, poetry, and essay. no more than 6,500 words.
-non-fiction - full length (1,000-6,500) or short length (650 -) compelling stories strong in lyricism, wit, compassion, or daring. submit along with a short bio.
-poetry - no more than 6 poems
-reviews, interviews, and articles

• Description of several representative essays published in your venue

2009 Creative Non-Fiction Pieces

June:
A Life Spent in What Is Now a Frivolous Profession by Larry McCoy (older audience/retired)
Larry McCoy - retired more than 3 years ago after 45 years in news business
CBS News, ABC News, United Press International and Radio Free Europe

News business turned into "show business"
"What ya wanna focus on is anything involving sex, celebrities, and unrepentant trash of all kinds - white, black, Asian, butterscotch, whatever."
icast - news for people with ipods
old people believe - "punks don't know anything"
new bosses come and change things
who's fault is that?

March:
Panties by Chloe Lunn (young adult women and older women)
author - writer and classical guitarist living in L.A. adventurer and is writing about her travels in central america

favorite word
feminine
flip-up friday
french mother saying "panties" for her father's underwear
history of "panties"
victoria's secret/brazilian thong
it's good to be a girl

April:
Late Night Q&A by Patrick O'Neil (anyone from young adult to older)
author- writes and lives in San Francisco
completed first book and is trying to get it published

young drunk couple
phone call with Alina
spider and spider web
there's always something

• Characterization of the "niche" your publication fits in terms of audience and purpose

Audience: men and women young adults - older
Purpose: Essays are easy to read, but really interesting. It makes you want to keep reading. There are interesting topics that even I, as a college student, can see some relevance to, but they are definitely presented in a unique fashion. I can see the edginess and the "no-fear" outlook. Topics are well thought out and creative. The creative non fiction pieces try to reach out to all different audiences; women, men, young adults and older/middle aged people. I enjoyed reading the essays, but I can see an older person enjoying them as well because some of the essays are relevant to their lives.

• READING DATES: all submissions are sent via e-mail and there are no specific reading dates.
  
• MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS: are not reviewing unsolicited manuscripts at this time
• NUMBER OF ESSAYS ACCEPTED: fiction and creative non-fiction (only one submission at a time) number of essays varies. current issue has many pieces in all categories.
  
• PAY: no payment if accepted