Wanna write something and get your word out there? Up for grabbing a new badge or two?

Yeah, I thought so. ;-)

Before I go any further, though, there are a few basic rules that apply to all articles and reviews. Read on...

1. All article submissions are to be sent to bolthelp@earthlink.net.
2. Keep it clean. Cursing and vulgarity is only "cool" in Kindergarten.
3. Nothing under 150 words, please. This is an e-zine, not a pamphlet.
4. If you want to send pictures, be my guest. Just don't load my Inbox up with junk mail. =)
5. If your article doesn't get chosen for the 'zine right away, don't fret - I'll hold on to all valid submissions and will probably use your piece in a later issue.

On to the types of work we're looking for:

• Articles: The main articles are at least 300 words. They can be about anything that isn't covered below this section: a story about the day your sister hairsprayer your hair while you were hanging upside down and had to shave your head to fix it, some big event at school, a relationship you've had that you feel could send a lesson to others who might be in the same situation...It can even be a fictional story. Since these are the largest pieces of work in the 'zine, you're more likely to get a special feature.

• Reviews: All sorts of reviews can be done. A minimum of 150 words, but if you want to go up to a thousand and can keep it interesting, be my guest. We're looking for Art, Movies/TV, Literature, Music/Concert and even Bolt Horoscope reviews. Please check the badges page for more info on all the types of reviews you can submit for.

• Gossip Columns: Create or pick up some gossip to write about. Don't just say, "Rumour has it that Bolt Member #1 ran off with Bolt Member #2." Create a whole story out of it! Go wild...But remember: don't be mean-spirited or offend those you're gossiping about.

• Love Affairs: Create a love affair between two Bolt members. Make it saucy, make it funny and make it light-hearted. Entertainment is the key. After all, if we really wanted erotica or porn we could just drive down to a strip club.

• Inventors: If you've got an idea for something that could benefit the world on a grand scale, no matter how unrealistic the invention might be (Molten Mercury Miniaturizing Ray? No problem!), we want to hear about it. We want to know what it looks like (heck, draw us a picture!), what it does/how it works and how you think it would be beneficial to the world.

• Local Heroes: Have someone in your hometown that you think is a real hero? Conduct an interview with that person or write down their story! Minimum of 250 words.

• Fiction Writers: Like writing stories or fan-fiction? We love you, too! Write us a real story (min. 400 words - it's honestly not as long as it sounds) about anything your heart desires...EXCEPT it must have a rating PG-13 or under! That means that people can die, but we don't want to hear about how their entrails were dragged all over the face of the enemy and then eaten. That's great that your characters love each other, but we don't want to hear about how they #$%(*% each others #$%&$. (Keep it clean, thanks.) Remember, there are young teens on the site.

• Travel Stories: Write about any trip/vacation you've had outside of your home state. We love travel journals (where you write about what you did each day you were gone and who said what in which bar). Min. 250 words.

• Bolt Peeves: Notes don't work for you? Badges giving you a headache because you keep missing the new ones? Sick of the refresher? Rant about your (least) favourite Bolt peeve! Keep it intelligent and clear of cursing, though, as much as I know you want to curse out that d$%^, f?$%$?g piece of horse $%^& glitch. ;-)

• Stories of Summer: Tell us about an interesting experience you had over the summer! Have pictures? Even better.

• Trend Bashers: Got a trend that you're just completely sick of? Let it all out. Tell us what it is, who is sporting the look and why you'd never, in a million years, be caught dead wearing...ugh...that.

• Humour Columnist: Oh, so you think you're a wiseguy, eh? Are you so funny that you make your mum pee in her pants from laughing so hard? Jerry Seinfeld in the making? Test out your audience here - pick a subject and be funny about it. No one-liners, show-stoppers or standard jokes please. What kinda joint do you think this is anyway?