As we prepare to launch long-form writing projects for Pleasure Principled, the schedule for P2’s themed volumes is going monthly instead of biweekly. There will be more articles per volume - six to eight, most likely - and we’ll also now allow open submissions to each volume. That means you can make a little money (very little, admittedly) writing about what you love.
P2 is a writer’s showcase, so the main thing we’re looking for are strong creative and critical pieces on Japanese idols and music. It helps to have a “big picture” view of your topic: for example, if you’re writing a critical piece, it helps to go beyond the specific topic to explore larger ramifications for idols as a concept or industry; or if it’s a creative piece, it helps to be using idols as a metaphor in an interesting and original manner. A strong writing style also counts for a good deal, so a virtuoso display of raconteur skills is also fair game.
What we’re not looking for: standard album and PV reviews; anything that relies on screencaps or picspam; fanfic (unless it does indeed use idols as a productive metaphor); factual articles lacking a strong critical perspective (i.e., a straightforward history of an artist); opinion pieces that rely on controversy and provocation instead of measured thought and an openness to alternative views.
The standard payment for an article is $20 US per thousand words, made via Paypal upon publication. If an alternative payment method has to be made, it’ll probably take considerably longer; please warn me in advance if that will be the case.
Send your query to submission@pleasureprincipled.com - please title the subject “P2 Submission”. In the query, please include the following:
- a one-paragraph summary of your article (three to four sentences)
- what volume / theme it’s intended for and why you think it fits
- expected length of the article
- if you have a blog, give the URL so I can better gauge your writing in general
If the query is accepted, you’ll be asked to submit a 250- or 500-word sample of the article (depending on the length of the final draft), to get a better feel of what you’ll be doing with it. If that sample is accepted, you’ll be given a deadline to submit the final draft. We reserve the right to refuse the final draft if it does not match our expectations, which shouldn’t be the case but you never know.
The query deadline for Volume Seven (Idols in Film and Drama) is Friday, April 24. The query deadline for Volume Eight (Idols and Queerness) is Friday, May 22.
On a personal note: like you, I have a very busy life outside of the interwebs. I expect people making submissions to respect that and be patient if I don’t respond immediately to your e-mail. I also expect people making submissions to behave professionally - emotional responses to rejection won’t get you anywhere and I’ll likely just ignore any future messages from you. If you get rejected for a query or sample, please learn from the experience and - if you want - try again. I’m open to dialogue if I feel that will help - and that you’re truly listening. But please don’t bring any drama my direction, because that’s more of a timesuck than anything else.
WHAT TO DO NOW?