Hi Derek,
I am trying to reach you for fact-checking an article in which you are quoted. I tried the email address I was given—illustrated_tintin@tahoo.com—but it was returned as undeliverable.
(I did notice that the article apparently got your last name wrong—“Wehrwein.”)

Dear Derek,

The following article is set to appear in the February 2008 issue of Children’s Writer newsletter. The interviews for this article were done early this year. Please take a moment to verify your quotes for accuracy. You can note all necessary changes in brackets and all caps.

I would like to have all responses back by Tuesday, December 4, but of course if you need more time, just let me know. I can be reached at 800-443-6078 should you have any questions.

Best regards,

Becky Forstrom

The Key to Cool & Pop Culture

By Christina Hamlett

It’s an ancient philsophical debate: Does life imitate art or does art imitate life? If we look at the zeal with which teens and tweens gobble up celebrity gossip, the answer is both.
Their obsession with pop stars , TV, movies, and trends, however, isn’t a new phenomenon. Generations of young people in the throes of defining themselves have always sought out role models whose wardrobes and traits they could emulate and—through wishful fantasies of association—elevate their own popularity quotient. Ripples of fandemonium subsequently prompt retailers, advertisers, and the media to deliver more of same.
Despite many a parental admonition not to follow fads, pop culture has a grip that simply won’t let go. Writers who feel the beat of what resonates with today’s youth can dance to that music.
At the Bottom
Leesa Coble, Editor in Chief of Tiger Beat/BOP, relates that writing about show biz is the kind of plum assignment authors of all ages get excited about—including the magazine’s target readership of 10- to 14-year-olds!
She advises that the best way to break into an ongoing pop culture gig at a magazine is to “start at the bottom, if you have to, and be great at what you do. Internships are a good way to gain experience and also show you if you really want to go in that direction. Next, be prepared for lots of unglamorous grunt work. Internships are usually structured for interns to learn from the sidelines. Watch, listen and learn. Just because you’re filing and transcribing doesn’t mean you can’t stand out. If you’re asked to participate in a meeting, do your homework and bring ideas to the table. Don’t be pushy, but let it be known you’re enthusiastic about contributing. Put together a list of pitches and ask your supervisor to review them.”
Freelancers should take particular note that Coble says that 75 percent of the pitches she receives are irrelevant to Tiger Beat/BOP’s objective to deliver timely and fun tween entertainment. “I’ve been pitched articles on plastic surgery, date rape, motorcross racers, which all have a place —just somewhere else than here! Scrutiny of recent issues is essential. If we’ve already covered a subject, we’re not likely to want to do so again. Try to plan ahead of the curve and anticipate the next hot topic.”
Model Behavior
While hair, makeup, and fashionista advice is a mainstay of magazines that follow the star-studded circuit, a trend that shines down from celebrities to teens is an interest in the virtues of individuality, leadership, and healthier lifestyles. Think of the media attention given Hayden Panettiere’s activism at a dolphin hunt.
While cognizant of the influence pop culture has in shaping young people’s perceptions, American Cheerleader encourages its 13- to 18- year old readers to become role models themselves, especially when it comes to taking charge of their bodies and maintaining the discipline to stay in peak condition.
Editor Marisa Walker says, “What I’d really like to see more of are physical fitness and nutrition articles tailored to teens. We’ve got to help them find creative ways to fight this country’s obesity epidemic.” Of the 50 to 100 pitches she receives that revolve around pop culture themes, only a handful make it past her strict standards. “This is not your mother’s cheerleading mag by any means! Specifically, it’s no longer rah-rah girls in skirts; it’s hardcore athletics performed by kids who are exceptional leaders and role models to their peers.”
Interviews with celebrities who were former cheerleaders resonate well with her readership, as do movie, CD, and book reviews, the Dream Big column’s success stories, new cheer fashions, quizzes, and articles on the latest gadgets. “In the overdone department,” Walker adds, “are first-person accounts of embarrassing moments and advice on ‘what he likes.’” Queries are preferred over complete articles.
Less Is More, from a Teen Perspective
At Gumbo Magazine, which is written for and by teenagers, Assistant Editor Justine Shorter offers a young person’s perspective on current market needs. “Our readers and a large majority of staff writers really respond to hip hop and R&B Stars. For example, the Chris Brown, Ray J, Omarion and Usher cover stories appeared to have a wide circulation. However, we strive with much desperation to ensure the diversity of Gumbo Magazine by sometimes straying away from the typical pop culture cover stories.”
In Shorter’s view, entertainment stories on music, movie stars, and fashion get too much play. “Gumbo Magazine is a publication written by a diverse, hard-working group of teenagers dedicated to growing in the field of journalism while having a little fun in the process. For future submissions, we’d like to see a deeper true focus on the lives of those struggling, persevering, and surviving under tremendous odds. The Strive to be the Best column of our magazine focuses solely on this area.”
Serious issues of importance to young people are at the heart of the online conservative political magazine Civilized Revolt, but if you’ve got a talent for penning movie reviews or writing about music, Editor Derek Wehrwein would like to see them. “We’ve published reviews of such films as The Passion of the Christ, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Pirates of the Caribbean II, Kingdom of Heaven, Flightplan, Lady in the Water, and many others.
“Music, of course, is another pop culture topic our readers enjoy. In one of our first issues, we published a piece titled: ‘Music: How Does It Affect You?’” says Wehrwein. “Author Elizabeth Seaward argued that today’s rock and metal music has a negative effect on listeners, while classical music has a positive effect. Many people had strong opinions on the subject, and it turned out to become the most popular and controversial article we’ve offered.”
“Some pop culture issues are trendier than others,” Wehrwein explains, “but I think it’s safe to say most of them resonate with our readers and receive a lot of feedback. While we try not to get too sidetracked from our main goal of publishing articles dealing with political and social commentary, we’ll gladly publish pop culture-related ideas that provide a change of pace. Examples of topics covered include a discussion of the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs; studies that indicate cursing is becoming more common; a Christian video game based on the Left Behind series; the death of Don Knotts, the increasing level of violence in movies; the comic strips Mallard Fillmore, Blondie, and The Yellow Kid; Santa Claus; American Idol; and the quality of recent Disney movies.” Queries on political commentary and newsworthy events are on Wehrwein wish list for future issues. [ANY PAYMENT FOR ARTICLES? SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS?]
Forever Pop
Looking for hot topics to pitch? Websites such as www.popculturemadness.com, www.popcultureguide.com, and www.eonline.com cover everything that’s happening at the movies, in the malls, on the charts, at the clubs, on the red carpet, and around the world. But for a scholarly take on the wide scope of popular culture, Washington State Universityoffers www.wsu.edu/~amerstu/pop.
It might be useful to remember, however, that pop culture changes constantly. That by definition it once included folktales, Shakespeare, Dickens, Babe Ruth, Knute Rockne, Warhol, Lichtenstein, Sinatra, Presley, the Beatles—all of them popular with the masses before they became valuable in “high” culture. What models for writers, and young readers, who can find popular culture worthy of both serious discussion and pure enjoyment.

It was a great ride..but I think the demographic you’re after is not the same. Best of everything, anyhow.
nancie carmichael