check out the website for THE PRESS PROJECT
THE CHEMISTRY OF CLEAN
This publication will empower the reader with a working knowledge of the substances we use in our daily lives and how they react with one another. The contents will take a scientific look at the dangers of conventional cleaners and explain how all-natural alternatives are effective. There will be three components to the publication: a catalog of natural cleaners (like baking soda and borax) that includes an accessible explanation of their chemical properties, conventional cleaners and why they are harmful, and methods of resolving everyday cleaning issues with natural products. There will be articles written about the history of cleaning, what people cleaned with before modern day cleaning products hit the shelves, what spawned the production and sales of “toxic” cleaning solutions, and some basic information about the cleaning product industry.
We are looking for artists, writers, and scientists to contribute anything about cleaning and cleaners!
We are interested in articles about any aspect of the cleaning product industry, recipes for natural household cleaners (preferably illustrated to make them unique because there are sooo many of the same recipes out there), reflections on cleaning experiences – comical how-tos or anecdotes, as well as nasty memories like swallowing bleach and being rushed to the emergency room or having to call the poison control center to save yer butt. We welcome critiques or analysis of the way that conventional – and even all natural – cleaning products are marketed.
Contributors are also welcome to submit “product profiles” that review either conventional or green cleaners, but should not be trying to plug or advertise a specific cleaner. For example, if you want to recommend a green cleaner, why do you think it’s better than something homemade?
We are not looking for op-ed pieces that could more accurately be described as “rants” against the conventional cleaning industry – articles need to include historical or scientific facts (and appropriate citations) to back up the information presented.
Illustrators and cartoonists or comix creators are welcome to submit any visuals so long as it involves cleaning in some way. Submissions with a how-to focus are greatly appreciated. We would also REALLY like to see visual pieces dealing with the political or economic aspects of the cleaning industry. We’d also love random drawings or illustrations of cleaning products and paraphenalia like bleach or spray bottles, lemons or boxes of baking soda. We aren’t into brand names or labels, but you could do a parody – like a ripoff of “Mr. Clean.”
The deadline for submissions is August 1st, but you are more than welcome to send stuff along wayyy before then – preferably we’d be receiving final drafts by Aug 1st. If you’ve got an idea of what you want to contribute, but don’t have anything written or drawn and want some help shaping something you feel would be appropriate, get in touch!
Text should be submitted in the content of an email to micropressproject[at]gmail[dot]com. Black & white images should be submitted as jpg or gif attachments. Please include “submission” in the subject line and include the title of the manual in the text of your email.
Though we have an existing call for submissions for The Chemistry of Clean, we would love to receive submissions for our upcoming projects at any time. We’re also willing to work with contributors on their creative process as they develop pieces they would like to see in the final publication.
