So here's the concept: The F-WORD wants interesting, well-written stories about kneeing the privileged-patriarchal-powers-that-be in their collective groin. We want the stories no one else is telling, stories that show that oppression and injustice are still a very real part of many people's daily negotiations. Feminists will be depicted as fiercely smart and sassy beings (of all races, genders, and what have you) who somehow manage to terrorize the mainstream nation with words like "heterosexism" and "paradigm."
Why in the world would we want to portray feminists in this way? (I mean, besides the fact that this is obviously a bit tongue-in-cheek?) I think a quote in Iris Marion Young's "The Scaling of Bodies" really gets across the feeling we're going for. As I read this article, Young is pointing out the uniquely frustrating ways in which modern day prejudices manifest themselves. Although it is no longer acceptable to openly discriminate against groups on the basis of prejudiced notions, these notions exist at the murky level of the unconsciousness and affect how we interact with all others in our everyday lives. However, because there is a "discursive commitment to equality for all"(Young) the problems of racism, sexism, heterosexism and the like are listed as "solved" in the mainstream consciousness. If the "let's be nice to everyone" laws are on the books, what are we crazy feminists blabbing on and on about?
"When the more bold of us do complain of these mundane signs of systemic oppression, we are accused of being picky, overreacting, making something out of nothing, or of completely misperceiving the situation. The courage to bring to discursive consciousness behavior and reactions occurring at the level of practical consciousness is met with denial and powerful gestures of silencing, which can make oppressed people feel slightly crazy." (Young)
So, basically, people who "love the F-WORD" look at the world around them with a befuddled air and think, "What gives? Either I'm crazy, or the whole world is crazier". They dare to speak up in class and question whether sexism is really a "dead" issue when we've never had a woman president, and female bodies are used to sell beer.
We kind of see this whole magazine as an educational tool that will expose readers to hot political yumminess that they might not have known about before. Most of our writers are undergrad and grad students who are talking about their own personal experiences with feminist thought and/or writing pieces about what they're learning in their women's studies and sociology classes. (and we also have teens writing for us as well.)
The writing level should be something appropriate for an intro college course.... yet conversational and down to earth. ('cause feminism has always been a populist movement, dammit... and so much of the lit out there now is produced by poor, underpaid and overworked academics who have to churn out a steady avalanche of creamy sheise scholar-ese in order to keep their jobs.)
A great idea well presented is the most important thing. Show us what it's like to be a righteously concerned grrl/guy/whatever in the world today, through your story or someone else's.
Departments Open for Submissions
How to Contact Us
Submit queries (preferred) or complete manuscripts to Melody Berger, editor-in-chief, at HowlingHarpies@gmail.com.
Helpful Hints
Questions?
Contact Melody Berger at HowlingHarpies@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on feminism, life, the universe and everything
Word limit: 1,000-3,000 words.
Word limit for featured article: 1,000 words.
Word limit: 1,000 words.
Word Limit, 1,000 words.
Word limit: 3,000 words.
Word limit depends on whether you're doing "reviews" or "such."
(readers are arbitrarily defined as those who are 19 and under.)