Hello! We've run call for writers like this two times since 2014, when I became the blog's Editor in Chief. Like I said the last time we did, I want to get right to the point - you can find all of the specifics below. But I can't help myself (because of course I can't, it's just not who I am) to a few words here as an intro. The current state of Heavy Blog is no secret; we're very much still in what might be called "keep the lights on" mode following the departure of two of our editors. But, in case you hadn't noticed, we're still churning out monthly content and doing what we love most which is being passionate about music.
So, if you love music too and want to write about it, why not do it for us? Whether it's a new column you want to start, an existing one you'd like to join, reviews you're just itching to get out there, or something else entirely (seriously, anything else; come at us, we're open to ideas), consider submitting. We're all still very excited about the future of the blog and what we have ahead of us and we want you to be a part of it!
So, bottom line:
WE WANT YOU TO WRITE FOR US.
WHO IS “WE”?
The current ethos of Heavy Blog is focused around the strength of the unique body of individuals we have gathered around us as staff members, which is not the strength of immediacy or “the scoop”. Instead, our strengths lie in thoughtful analysis, long articles, and our passionate dedication to the ideas behind the music we all love. We love music and we love writing about it, at length. We give our writers complete freedom to write about anything they’d like, as long as it’s interesting; hell, it doesn’t even have to be about music! Anything that’s adjacent to music, like films, books, games, and more are all free game here. If you have a passion for it, and it fits the Heavy Blog aesthetic (which is really broad), we want to read it.
One last, but very important note: we are all volunteers here at Heavy Blog. No one makes any money from this thing, it all goes back to the blog. As such, our writers are also volunteers and we do not pay for writing. Yet.
WHO IS “YOU”?
We’re looking for people who are as passionate as we are (and more so) about any genre of music. We’re looking for people who like working in a team and are able to collaborate. We’re looking for people who want to put their passion into words and lots of words to boot. We’re looking for people who come from groups that are usually under represented or outright ignored in the metal/music community and who want to make their voices heard.
Both times I posted about this, I added a note about that last part and how it’s important. It’s even more important now. More than ever, the voices of the oppressed, the marginalized, and the subaltern are being silenced in mainstream metal and we want to do our part to fight this. If you’re a non-cis person, non-binary, BIPOC, outside of the Northern Hemisphere, a woman, or belong to any other group that is ignored under today’s stifling cultural regime, we doubly and triply want you to write for us.
We would love to work with you on making your voice heard and your perspective visible in our community. It’s more important to us than anything else and we will do what it takes to ensure your safety and that you flourish.
NO CLEVER TITLE HERE, IT’S TL;DR TIME
If you want to write for Heavy Blog, send a 500+ word submission (notice that there’s no maximum limit) to eden[at]heavyblogisheavy[dot]com.
Add “Clarion Call” to your subject line so I can find you with my new-fangled filters and technology.
Your submission can be about anything related to music (we mean that) but we encourage you to write a review or a short analysis article.
Listen, if you love metal, if you love music, if you want to take that love and write it way, way large in giant flaming letters, if you want to defend to the death the community you love, you belong with us. If you want a group of people who all listen to dozens of albums a week, who discover new music, if you want to use that group to broaden your horizons and then turn around and broaden someone else’s, you belong with us. Let’s do some crazy stuff together; the future is ours to demand.
Here’s a song to get you pumped while you write your (excellent) submission. We love you.