Also see: Natural Family Online Guidelines

Note: Due to a recent computer crash, all prior submissions and contact information were wiped out. Please re-submit your information and submissions, thanks!

Call for Submissions:
Blame Mama 'Zine — Now you have an excuse!

Blame Mama Media announces a new ‘zine! Our pioneer issue will include work from “real” parents about “real” parenting. It’s also about real men and women (who happen to also be parents) and what funny and utterly miserable little trials we go through. Blame Mama ‘Zine is starting out small and humble, but strong. While we do offer a humble compensation, if you're here for the money, you're in the wrong place. We'll know a story that's driven by instinctual parenting.

Parents who read us or write for Blame Mama are not perfect, and we don’t pretend to be; and that’s what makes us real. We are all amazing creatures and our words are worth hearing. We may never be published in a national glossy (though some of us will) we can be sure we'll represent the slice of life we all know so well. The "real" side of parenting.

The Blame Mama editors and publisher are not perfect either; even when we pretend to be. We're very picky and we're rather moody, so choose your piece wisely as we don't take just anything. But don't be afraid to submit your work! Even if your piece is not selected for Blame Mama, please keep reading and submitting, as your next one just might be the one; you never know what we’ll accept.

Poetry will very rarely be accepted. There are two cardinal rules here: we're not looking for greeting card poetry and the work must either induce a huge guffaw or leave the editor with a full snot rag.

2006 editorial calendar
All are subject to change, please check back:

Currently on hold

What we want:
Witty or cheeky submissions are not required, but favored; compelling is ideal. We want real topics and issues of parents, or men and women (who just happen to be parents). Or you could just send us your real delusions and daydreams; whatever works for you.

Blame Mama leans towards Midstream Parenting™ and a slightly greener and more liberal side of parenting; everything else is fair game. Baby body fluids, embarrassment, discipline, parenting styles, calls to action and advocacy, sex, spiritualism, general parenting, relationships, heartache, pregnancy, postpartum, adoption & fostering, mishaps, funnies, parenting self esteem, exercise, vacations, pets, realities, responsibilities, good times, playing doctor, family life, fear, work, egotism; anything goes.

Unless your birth story has an amazing twist stranger than fiction and can be summed up in fewer than 700 words, please don't submit it.

Remember, you’re writing to women (and sometimes men) just like you, so talk to… yourself. Be creative, informative, opinionated, strong and likeable. Be aware that while opinions are welcomed, they are subjective and should never be presented as fact unless you can back them up with references and resources.

Feel free to be funny, sassy, bold, cranky, defiant or naughty. Some warm and fuzzy loving in good taste is also appropriate.

We’re currently publishing in black and white, non-glossy.

What you may wish to submit:
Flash Fiction up to 700 words
Fiction up to 1,000 words
Articles up to 800 words
Essays up to 700 words
Poetry up to... well just not too long, m’kay?
Anecdotes and sidebars that educate and entertain up to 200 or 300 words
Comic strips, cartoons, computer graphics and drawings (all original!)

If your work is longer than our specs and you feel it is worth it, feel free to submit it.

How to submit
E-mail submissions ONLY at this time. NO attachments - send your mss. (submission) in the body of the e-mail and send all graphics in the form of a URL or speak with the editor before sending a .jpeg or .gif.

NO stationery in your e-mail. Times New Roman or another clear font only. Please be sure you’ve edited the work well for grammar, punctuation and spelling – or have a friend do it for you.

Please send submissions to bm-zine (at) blamemama (dot) com. Queries are not necessary at this time. If you do not hear from us within 14 days, feel free to e-mail again.

Payment rate: $10.00 USD and pays on publication.
Rights: First North American and archival.

Disclaimer: No mamas were actually blamed in the making of this material.