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Feministe Feedback: Publishing Articles as a Feminist Man

Jill

Feministe Feeback

This week’s question: Are there feminist journals who publish pieces by men?

Currently I’m dating a guy who is a pretty ardent feminist and has written a lot for campus newspapers. He is looking to shop some of his pieces around to different feminist online journals/publishing outlets. I feel absolutely terrible because every journal he’s sent his work to has denied him, stating they only allow works by women to be published, not men. He’s starting to feel like he’s being pushed out of the movement simply for being a man (which I highly doubt), and I have no idea how to boost his morale or help him out. Do you or anyone out there know of feminist online journals or publishing outlets that accept both male AND female authors? I appreciate anybody’s input!

Suggestions more than welcome.

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39 thoughts on Feministe Feedback: Publishing Articles as a Feminist Man

  3. How about discipline-specific “women and” or “gender and” journals? I’m publishing a piece this year in the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law as a male feminist.

  4. blogspot.com
    typepad.com
    Or he could try some general lefty publications like AlterNet or Mother Jones. Or look up some of his favorite male (pro)feminist authors and see where they’ve published.

    I have to say I’m a bit dubious about the scenario presented here — some well-meaning guy just wants to contribute to the movement but the meanie feminists are rejecting his work (with no warning) and it makes him feel so bad. He might need to spend some time 1) reading the submission guidelines more closely, and 2) thinking honestly about his real goals and motivations in insisting that his voice be listened to in feminist spaces.

  5. I believe him, Stentor. I once attended a talk (a number of years ago now, to be fair) where the speaker said she wouldn’t be calling on any men during the Q&A following because men’s voices are always heard and women’s aren’t.

    It makes sense to me that a feminist journal might look at two pieces of completely equal value and give preference to the piece written by a woman over that written by a man. It doesn’t make sense to reject a good piece simply because of the writer’s gender, however. That’s taking the idea of balancing wrongs to a ridiculous extreme.

    Also, it’s not as if good writing just falls out of trees; if they had sufficient equal-or-better pieces by women this month, save it for next month for heaven’s sake.

  6. Brian’s opinion seconded. There are quite a few journals in my field (rhetoric) that focus on gender studies, and I know there are in other fields. Since the decision to publish in these journals is made by experts who look at the piece without any identifiers, both men and women are published. Actually, some of the best pieces I’ve read on things like the significance of the chador and the portrayal of Oriental women in the western media have been written by men, and the article that introduced me to sexism’s affects on men (and thus made it a personal and not just political issue for me) was written by a woman.

  7. note: this is sort of a print media rant, so your mileage may vary if you’re more interested in digital media.

    it is something of a cliche, but nevertheless true, that rejection is ever the writer’s lot. my main writing teacher/guru said, “make it your goal to literally paper your wall with rejection letters.” i tried, but was somewhat discouraged by how very many places i submitted my writing to didn’t even bother to send a “no thanks” form letter. just straight into the trash can. i have got a few really nice ones though.

    it’s just hard to get one’s writing published. it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with how good you are, although if people offer feedback it’s worth listening to. my program has been, when i have work i want to get out there, to submit to at least one publisher/journal per day every day until one of three goals is reached:
    (1) i run out of money for postage stamps and envelopes
    (2) my work is accepted somewhere
    (3) three months have gone by and i’m exhausted.

    on the upside, writer’s market 2008 is one hell of thick book. and then there are all the places that don’t have listings in it.

    if one’s complaint is that one’s chosen field of application is too narrow – ‘there’s not enough feminist journals out there to apply this sort of method to’ – broaden the field. submit to anybody who will print it. then next time, include a brief bio that says “the author has previously appeared in X, Y, Z”.

    in this patriarchal society of ours, male writers control a disproportionate share of the market, by reason of sexism. we who are feminist allies might take this as a given. therefore, maybe we should take advantage of that and try to get our feminist-friendly tirades printed in mainstream journals. there are lots and lots and lots and lots of academic or academic-level journals for philosophy and politics that just might print it if they thought it was good enough – and who knows, one’s male privilege just might come in handy in this instance. just a thought, somebody please stop me if i’m wrong.

  8. I can see the historic need for this policy, and that need has not really been eliminated. Men’s voices still dominate in most areas. As feminist theory and analysis was being established, it made sense to prioritize women’s voices. However, as women’s studies programs have matured and women have laid a very good groundwork for feminist theory, it makes sense to start opening that up to accept submissions from men. I agree with Zadig that preference to women makes sense, but perhaps it’s time to start reevaluating the women-only policies in some of the journals where they exist.

    In the meantime, I think the suggestion to submit to other progressive publications (if he hasn’t already) makes sense. He can build his feminist credentials so that he can be taken more seriously by feminist publications.

  9. “Also, it’s not as if good writing just falls out of trees; if they had sufficient equal-or-better pieces by women this month, save it for next month for heaven’s sake.”

    Some of that’s out of fairness to writers, though. Sending the same work to multiple publications at once is considered poor form in much the same way that penciling in several different maybe-dates for the same time-slot is bad manners. Even if you’re pretty sure all but one is going to fall through, if you’re wrong, you’re going to have to cancel on somebody. When that somebody has a deadline to meet and a whole crew that has to work together to get everything done and ready to go on time, that can wind up creating a lot of unnecessary grief for them and blacklisting for you.

    Of course, writers generally don’t send articles and essays in just to waste postage or annoy editors, so the polite thing for the publisher to do is to free up the author to submit it somewhere else if they’re not sure when, where, or if they’d use a piece and unwilling to buy it upfront.

    I don’t really know what to make of the “we don’t accept male submissions,” though. That seems kind of nuts unless the whole point of the publication is the circulation of female-authored work, in which case I’d have to guess that would be pretty obvious from the get-go.

  10. I find this story very dubious.
    I mainly find it dubious that someone who was a genuinely “ardent feminist” would get his feelings hurt because feminist publications prioritize the voices of women over those of men.
    Honestly, I’ve known a couple of men in the media field who have been consistently published in feminist journals/books/electronic media and I think less of them for it. Male feminists who are so insistent on making sure that their male voice is heard in the feminist movement need to get their priorities straight.

  11. What about submitting to non-feminist-specific publications? I guess it would depend on what specifically he’s writing about, but expanding feminism to audiences who don’t ordinarily read feminist works could be invaluable.

  12. and the portrayal of Oriental women in the western media

    You meant to say Asian women or APA women…yes? Oriental is to be used for carpets.

  13. “Male feminists who are so insistent on making sure that their male voice is heard in the feminist movement need to get their priorities straight.”

    What should their priorities be? Shutting up and letting the lady’s talk?

    Equality will never be accomplished if we continue to divide the world by gender. Is it any less sexist that a main stream, male dominated publication not publishing a piece on testicular cancer, sports or battered male spouses just because it was written by a woman? Should all the female writers trying to be heard in the male dominated world get their priorities straight and go back to the feminist movement’s proverbial kitchen?

  15. What about submitting to non-feminist-specific publications?

    I like this idea. Just not sure whether that would be any more successful ^^

  16. Is he an undergraduate trying to publish in academic journals? That’s unlikely to happen until he’s at least a graduate student.

    I’m dubious about the scenario because I’m an interdisciplinary graduate student who is familiar with feminist journals in many different disciplines in both the social sciences and humanities, and… I’ve never heard of this policy. Moreover, most outright rejection letters (as opposed to “revise and resubmit” letters) don’t tend to give any feedback at all.

    My guess is that the author’s pieces just weren’t good enough. A student newspaper publication is completely different from an academic publication. It’s unclear to me whether or not we’re actually talking about academic journals or not–some in the discussion have assumed so, and some have listed feminist “cultural commentary” type publications. Could you clarify the question?

  17. There was actually an article in this month’s “The Writer” magazine about breaking into feminist writing. It focused on how to get published in magazines like Bitch and Bust. I can’t find a copy of the article to read online, but it was called

    “Market focus : Feminist markets show a playful side
    Smart, edgy publications present an alternative to mainstream women’s magazines” By MELISSA HART

    You can usually find this magazine at indy bookstores, large libraries (including any college with an English department), and you can always go ask your local public librarian if they can find you a copy of this article through the fancy schmancy databases.

    And tell your bf good luck!

  20. What about submitting to non-feminist-specific publications?

    I like this idea. Just not sure whether that would be any more successful ^^

    It would depend on what he’s writing about and also the tone, but a man might have better luck, furthering the feminist cause in a feminist environment than a woman.

    Galling doesn’t even begin to describe it, but that might be the reality.

    See also The Onion

    “Get it out there,” as they say.

  21. As a wannabe writer and feminist, I feel for the guy.
    How about starting a feminist journal for men?
    I probably wouldn’t PAY for it, but I’d read it. Online.

    “Fifth Column Quarterly” has a nice ring to it.

  22. You meant to say Asian women or APA women…yes? Oriental is to be used for carpets.

    No, actually. I was being a bit jingoistic, and I should have explained. “Oriental” refers to Edward Said’s Orientalism, which is about how the Occident presents the Orient in opposition to itself. Simply saying “Asian” is too specific (in that Orientalism covers Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and sometimes the pre-colonial Americas) and not specific enough (since “Oriental” refers to the mindset involved in the portrayal).

  23. Thanks for the clarification Jeffrey, but I would still make sure to state that after your initial use of the word. I’ve heard “Oriental” misused to mean “Asian” too many times.

  24. This didn’t post the first time, hopefully this works…

    Hi everybody, this was my email. I guess it should have been longer originally since there are questions coming up about it’s credibility.
    Firstly, I did not write this with the intention of ruffling any feathers or complaining about “meanie feminists”. I simply am trying to help someone and I don’t know where to start.
    I chose not to identify the publications from where these replies were coming from because I felt that was in bad taste. But please know I’m not responding to whining that is unfounded; I have seen two replies already (as someone stated earlier, you can only have these things out for consideration one at a time) explicitly saying “We’re sorry, we only use writings by women” from places that do not state this in their requirements or their site. It’s a little misleading and I suppose for him personally it’s a little discouraging. Obviously he wouldn’t be sending to places that serve as a space where women can come together and have their voice heard.

    My main motivation for writing in about this was I am very new to the world of online feminist journals,blogs, what have you and I thought by asking others for resources and suggestions, I could give him a place to start hunting again. I don’t know of any blogs that are geared toward feminist men, I only read a couple feminist blogs myself, so basically I haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s out there. I thought by reaching out to other people I might be able to gather some good ideas. He’s looking to me as a resource, and right now I am one crappy resource.

    I suppose if I had to narrow down what things could be suggested, I’d say probably mainstream outlets that deal with gender in general. He identifies closest with anarcha-feminism, if that helps too. And I mean honestly, even good blogs to read would be great. For me, as well as him.

    I’m sorry if what I was asking rubbed anyone the wrong way.
    And for those who have given advice, thanks a ton. =)

  25. As a wannabe writer and feminist, I feel for the guy.
    How about starting a feminist journal for men?

    Not trying to be judgmental here, but isn’t that sorta missing the concept? Feminism as a movement is meant to give an equal voice to women. Starting yet another magazine that is meant for men doesn’t really advance anything. Don’t worry- I understand your thinking, I’m just pointing out the bit of irony in the suggestion.

    Of course, if the irony was intentional… well, I’m a bit thick, so don’t mind me.

    Mark me as skeptical too. This guy really got a rejection telling him that he’s rejected because he’s male? I’m betting on a really stupid assumption.

  26. Pingback: Amir Larijani » Blog Archive » Girly Man

  27. in this patriarchal society of ours, male writers control a disproportionate share of the market, by reason of sexism. we who are feminist allies might take this as a given. therefore, maybe we should take advantage of that and try to get our feminist-friendly tirades printed in mainstream journals…. and who knows, one’s male privilege just might come in handy in this instance.

    What about submitting to non-feminist-specific publications? I guess it would depend on what specifically he’s writing about, but expanding feminism to audiences who don’t ordinarily read feminist works could be invaluable.

    i think r@d@r and Tom have it exactly right. we don’t necessarily need men writing for feminist magazines or periodicals or websites, but i would think it would be VERY helpful to have pro-feminist men taking this vital message to places it isn’t often heard.

    unfortunately, there are still so many men that will not ever pick up a feminist magazine, and even on feminist issues they will not listen to women. but sometimes, they will listen to feminist arguments coming from men. this is obvioulsy a very sexist attitude, but since it does exist i think we need men to try to reach these otherwise unreachable men.

    so Kristin thanks for posting the question (and sorry i couldn’t give specific places to try). and good luck to all the writers trying to find ways to spread this important message.

  28. \

    I find the idea that we should just do to “THEM” what “THEY” did to “US” vile, pointless and offensive.

    Equality comes from open dialogs not building more walls our daughters will have to either hide behind or try to break down.

  29. “I don’t know of any blogs that are geared toward feminist men, I only read a couple feminist blogs myself, so basically I haven’t even scratched the surface of what’s out there.”

    You might want to try checking out Jeff Fecke’s blogroll. I don’t know how productive it will ultimately be, but it seems like a good place to start.

  30. I think building a name for yourself as a feminist man requires doing so on your own “time and dime” as it were, through the blogosphere and other media. There are outlets for feminist men (Shira Tarrant’s recent anthology, Men Speak Out, is an excellent example), but editors are right to give priority to women writers.

    I write this from the WAM conference, where I am one of only a handful of male participants among hundreds of women. I’m not presenting. I’m not saying WAM doesn’t have male presenters (it periodically does) or that I never will present here, but the key thing about being a feminist man is accepting that the fora for women to speak and be heard are still, even after all this time, too few and far between.

    Male feminists do better to write for other men, submitting to men’s spaces and seeking access to men’s places. Perhaps the single most vital thing most feminist men can do is help more men to be feminist. That doesn’t mean feminist journals don’t publish men. They do. It’s just that the priority must be on women’s voices, and men who want a voice need to be cognizant of that.

  31. I find the idea that we should just do to “THEM” what “THEY” did to “US” vile, pointless and offensive.

    I don’t think a women’s journal prioritizing the voices of a grossly underrepresented group equals 3000+ years of refusing to allow women to be printed at all. The field is not only still extremely pitched to one side, the outlets for women to be published have actually SHRUNK in the last 25 years unless you are part of the white moneyed elite.

    If we were “doing what they did to us”, corpses would be stacked in the streets. Check the power flow and stop buying the myth that oppression suddenly shifts in the other direction by someone in a target group saying “no” — this isn’t about water swirls in the toilet when you go to Australia.

    I personally would LOVE it if all the folks who want so desperately to talk to me about women’s issues would use all the resources at their disposal (i.e., whatever privilege they have) in trying to get that thinking out there in mainstream publications first. Where it will not be preaching to the choir or asking us for brownie points. Save the dwindling women’s outlets which do exist for the commentary that has no chance in hell of being published anywhere else.

  32. Why publish in a journal? Journal publishing is perhaps respected by do-nothing academics, but I learn a hell of a lot more by reading Feministe than I do by reading anything in a journal.

    Tell him to simply publish it online – have people he respects pre-edit it for him, then publish it himself. More people will read it, and it won’t have to pass through the gatekeepers. Journal editors are no different than TSA screeners, worthless, ineffective, and usually on a power trip.

  33. > It doesn’t make sense to reject a good piece simply because of the writer’s gender, however. That’s taking the idea of balancing wrongs to a ridiculous extreme.

    It’s called “sexism”.

    I’m curious why you feel the need to tapdance around the word.

    Articles should be reviewed for publication — at least as much as the content allows — as though the reader did not know the sex of the author.

  34. > I don’t think a women’s journal prioritizing the voices of a grossly underrepresented group equals

    Two wrongs don’t make a right. If sexism is wrong, then it is wrong for all, not just for women.

    You don’t correct a problem by exacting revenge for previous slights, real or imagined.

    “An ‘eye for an eye’ only results in making the whole world blind”
    – Gandhi –

  35. Male feminists who are so insistent on making sure that their male voice is heard in the feminist movement need to get their priorities straight.

    DING! Hugo’s suggestions for what men can do make a lot of fucking sense.

  36. Is his writing academic? If not, perhaps I’d like to publish him.

    natalia [at] globalcomment [dot] com

    I’m not running a feminist-specific magazine, but our mission statement is all about diverse viewpoints and, well, great writing. This goes for everyone reading this thread too. Come on over.

    /self-promotion

    Submission guidelines should be clear – it helps everyone involved. But these problems plague many publications, unfortunately. In general, I find this whole *send stuff by mail… wait 3 months* crap to be completely useless, no matter where I’m submitting to.

    Why publish in a journal? Journal publishing is perhaps respected by do-nothing academics, but I learn a hell of a lot more by reading Feministe than I do by reading anything in a journal.

    Damn straight!!!

  37. Another possibility might be looking for subject-specific blogs / publications that are interested in getting multiple perspectives into the conversation.

    I manage the blog at Students Active for Ending Rape and we are always looking for men to write. Since sexual assault is a crime overwhelmingly perpetrated by men, we believe that it is crucial that men join in the fight against it. If any feminist men out there want to contribute please email media at safercampus dot org. Of course, we’re always happy to hear from women too!

  38. I don’t think a women’s journal prioritizing the voices of a grossly underrepresented group equals 3000+ years of refusing to allow women to be printed at all.

    There is a difference between prioritizing the voice of women and saying men should sit in the corner and keep their mouths shut insisting that their priorities are out of whack because they want their voice to be heard.

    stop buying the myth that oppression suddenly shifts in the other direction by someone in a target group saying “no” — this isn’t about water swirls in the toilet when you go to Australia.

    I’m not buying any myth about oppression I’m selling the theory that if you want true equality you have to be willing to hear both sides of a debate from different perspectives. Accusing the person posing the question of being dishonest is the exact opposite of what we, as feminists, should be striving towards.

    Look, I’m not trying to say we haven’t gotten the shaft for centuries and I’m not suggesting that putting woman writers as a priority is not a perfectly good thing to do. I do however think suggesting that a male should not be allowed to speak simply because he is a man is counter productive.

  39. To the ones who say that feminist journals should be women-only – why scare away potential supporters? Theoretically, this man is in favor of women’s rights, otherwise he wouldn’t be writing feminist articles for publication. And he should be discouraged from doing such things because… well, why exactly? Because the voices of feminist men have been heard so often, and in such great numbers, that we need to turn them away? Because the men who support women’s rights are such terrible people that they need to be silenced? Because past feminist groups were so overrun with feminist men who supported women’s rights so vocally that all the women left?

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