The Mid-Atlantic Almanack, the annual refereed journal of the Mid-Atlantic Popular/ American Culture Association, has issued an open call for submissions for its 2005 edition. Rolling review begins in January, 2005. It is suggested that submissions be received no later than the end of February to assure consideration for the 2005 edition. The mailing address is Ralph Donald, Editor, The Mid-Atlantic Almanack, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Department of Mass Communications, Box 1775, Edwardsville, IL 62026. Phone is (618) 650-2236. A manuscript may also be e-mailed as an attachment to rdonald@siue.edu. If mailed, enclose three double-spaced copies plus a short "About the Author" bio. Manuscripts will not be returned. Initial queries are suggested and, to insure a speedy response, we prefer that queries are sent via e-mail.

Illustrations may accompany the final version of the article. Authors are responsible for obtaining written reproduction permission from illustration copyright holders. Submission length should be approximately 20 pages, including notes and bibliography. Documentation may be in the form appropriate for the discipline of the writer. Otherwise, MLA or APA style is preferred. Promising articles will be sent to two associate editors for open peer review and publish/not publish recommendations. Contributing authors must be members of the Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association at the time of publication. Annual membership, which includes benefits such as the MAP/ACA annual conference registration fee, banquet ticket, and a subscription to the Almanack, is only $90. Send your check to the treasurer’s address below. Subscriptions to the Almanack are only $10 for libraries or individuals. Encourage your college/university library to order it. Back copies are also available at $10 each. Libraries may mail a purchase order or check to Analisa Castaldo, Executive Secretary, Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association, Widener University, 135 Lexington Ave., East Landsdowne, PA 19050

Visit the Mid-Atlantic Popular/American Culture Association’s website with a link to the Almanack’s web pages at the web address shown below.

What kinds of articles does the Mid-Atlantic Almanack publish? Among the considerations are whether the author’s work is of potential interest to MAP/ACA’s multi-disciplinary membership. If it is more appropriate for a journal in the scholar’s own academic specialty, the editor will make that suggestion. Articles published in the Almanack don’t deal with close readings of a single motion picture, TV show episode, book or poem. Film, TV, literary and other print and online disciplinary journals are an adequate forum for publishing these kinds of studies. Also, criticism that puts popular cultural phenomena in some social context typically requires more than one instance before it can be dubbed “popular.” Media hype creates passing fads, but popular acceptance of additional imitations and variations on the original premise create genres. Editorial preference will be given to articles that communicate their ideas clearly to diverse academic audiences, avoiding undefined or unnecessary disciplinary jargon. The Almanack will also attempt to provide as much diversity in subject matter and critical/historical approaches as submissions permit.