Old articles now up

I've added a few older articles up here to give you readers a perspective on what we're looking for on this site. It's a start, but still not fully what we'll be doing here.

In the next week, I'll have some original articles up here that will give more perspective.

For now, send me an e-mail if you'd like to make a suggestion or want more information.

Also, check out our submission guidelines.

Just getting started

Yesterday, I kicked off this blog with a brief introduction and statement explaining what I hope to do with this thing. Now comes the fun part: getting started.

I've posted a submissions guidelines page because we'd like to get more writers on board. I don't think this thing will work the way I want it to without some varying perspectives on the world.

Right now, I'm leaving this thing open to all types of media and art. However, you'll notice the sub-heading at the top says this site is "A weblog of mixed media + cultural criticism with a literary bent," well, that's just my own perspective because of my own experiences. I know literature, I don't know other forms of art nearly as well (except music, I guess). So that's another reason why I want other writers. The "literary bent" I'm looking for is that I think literature works best when it's allowed to connect with the society that created it, and I think the same applies for other works of media/art.

You'll see a lot of archived reviews, opinions, and essays on the state of the world show up on the site in the next few days. Once I have some of those older articles up, I'll start posting some original stuff that'll be exclusive to the site. Of course, if I get any new writers, I'll add their stuff as well.

For now, sit back and enjoy.

--Kevin

Welcome to There There Kid

Welcome to There There Kid. Obviously, this is our first post, and we won't be up and running for a month or so as we sort out the format, etc.

However, this blog will be a mixed media blog that brings together many different forms of art, placing the works within their cultural contexts. After all, art doesn't occur within a vacuum, and we hope to reveal the undercurrents of culture that shape our art.

I hope to use my experience with literature, music, art, and criticism to create a blog that mixes all of these elements together. For example, can we find links between a current novel and a popular indie rock album? When a musician says they read X, does it come out in that musician's song lyrics?

In addition, I'd like to add reviews and features that probe deeper into topics than the average review site.

Keep checking back as we update the site and add more useful stuff to it.

Promote your stuff at There There Kid

Are you promoting something that you think would benefit our readers? Do you have a book, CD, DVD, etc. you'd like promoted? If we like your stuff, we might be able to help.

Please send your official press release, pitch, or self-absorbed e-mail (NOW with more CARROTS!) to: reviews@theretherekid.com. If we like what we see, we'll be in touch.

--Kevin

Become a writer for There There Kid

Do you find yourself ranting and raving about the state of entertainment all alone in your small little corner of the internet, hoping and praying that someone out there might listen? If you, or someone you know, suffers from this ailment, There There Kid is the cure for you.

We are looking for intelligent writers of all types, from all backgrounds and beliefs, etc. The key to a successful writing career at There There Kid is that we expect all of our writers to dig under the surface level of understanding art and culture, and to make original and profound connections between literature, art, music, and the real world.

So here's what we offer:

Reviews: Write short (approx. 100 words per item reviewed) reviews of five or more recent things (of your choice) that compel you and that you think would interest our readers, OR write longer (approx. 500-1000 words) reviews on current media (CD's, concerts, books, art, DVD's, etc.). Review writers will be responsible for posting once a week, and the reviews can be on any topic. This is the requirement, but it's not set in stone; we are flexible if you miss a week or two.

To become a review writer: Submit a short e-mail that attempts to impress us about your abilities to dig deep and expose the topics that interest you, along with at least two previous samples of your past work (published or not), and one article that would be your first published piece on There There Kid, to reviews@theretherekid.com with the subject "Review submission for There There Kid." We will get back to you as soon as we make a decision. Also, specify if you'd like to write the shorter collection reviews or the longer, single reviews.

Essays: If you have a lot on your mind and are able to write about it compellingly, you can pitch your ideas to us and be included as a regular contributor or one time writer. This can be on any topic of interest that involves culture in some way, but we expect it to be original and worth reading (personal rants or journal entries generally do not apply). Most essays will be much longer, requiring more work (and possibly independent research), and will generally be between 800 and 2,000 words. Those who become regular contributors will write an essay once a week, although this is not a strict requirement and we'll be flexible if something comes up.

To become an essay writer: Submit a thoughtful, compelling e-mail describing the topic(s) you'd like to write about, your previous experience, and two samples of your writing (published or unpublished) to reviews@theretherekid.com with the subject "Essay submission for There There Kid". We will contact you as soon as we make a decision.

As always, search our site to see our articles and what might be expected of you, should you become a writer.

*NOTE: At this time we are unable to pay our writers. However, writing for There There Kid is the perfect opportunity for young and aspiring writers to gain experience for the rough and tumble of the publishing industry, and to gain recognition and respect from their peers along the way.

*If you are a member of the press or want something promoted on this site, see our press inquiry page.

Staff

There There Kid is always looking for like-minded individuals who want to help make our site better. We are always in need of people who can devote some time to help us keep everything working behind the scenes with design, programming and Web site maintenance.

If you'd like to get involved, e-mail us.

Staff

Kevin Eagan, Publisher/Lead Writer (e-mail): Kevin has over three years as a writer and editor in the publishing industry. He has written for many local and online publications & blogs, and he lives in the Greater St. Louis Area.

Eric Eagan, Layout & Design/Writer (e-mail): Eric maintains the popular site I Ate The Soap and has developed graphics and design experience over the years. You'll see his handiwork play a part in our site development, especially as we get started.

Matthew Ryan, Writer (e-mail): Matthew Ryan is a journalist embedded in the St. Louis Metro who also writes on pop culture topics at his blog The Horseshoe.

Soon, we'll have a Writer's page up and running.