Frequently Asked Questions

What’s your story?

B-Word Worldwide is a nonprofit independent feminist media organization. While we’re best known for the magazine we publish— Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture—we’re in the process of evolving into a multimedia organization. Right now our sights are set on building a strong online presence, but in the not-so-distant future, we’re hoping to get into book publishing, audio and video production, and more.

About the magazine

Tell me more about the magazine.

Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture is a quarterly, nonprofit magazine about pop culture, feminism, and media criticism. Founded and housed in the San Francisco Bay area for 11 years, we relocated to Portland, Oregon in 2007.

The first issue of Bitch was published in January 1996. The founding editors, Lisa Jervis and Andi Zeisler, were totally sick of both their day jobs and their love/hate relationship with pop culture. Inspired by publishing ventures from Ms. and Sassy to Pagan’s Head and Beer Frame, they decided to create a public forum in which to air thoughts and theories on what is all wrong (and the few things that are right) with the way women, gender, and feminist politics are treated in the media. The aim was to use feminism as a lens through which to view pop products — and to offer ways for readers to speak up and talk back to the culture at large.

What do you publish?

The magazine publishes columns, features, and interviews—all of which tend to be fairly wordy—as well as shorter, snarky pieces of media response and analysis. We also feature book and music reviews, a section called Love It/Shove It that offers short rants and raves, and an ongoing feature called the Bitch List that highlights cool media and pop-culture products/projects.

The website (which, as we mentioned is a work in progress) publishes all of the above, and also offers blogs and original multimedia content..

Why does Bitch call itself a “feminist response to pop culture”?

Bitch looks at the media and its products through a lens that takes into account the historical and cultural representation of gender in pop culture. Movies, television, newsmagazines, fashion magazines, blogs, comics, advertising, music, computer games — all are media that have traditionally reflected a narrow vision of what women and girls are and can be, whether it’s the dumb blond, the needy wife, the castrating mother, “the I’m-not-a-feminist-but…” woman, or the heartless, man-shunning domestic media mogul (to name but a few). We seek to look at all pop culture through an analytical-yet-witty, sharp-yet-sympathetic lens, as well as to celebrate the feminist culture-makers who are transforming the media with their unique contributions.

Bitch aims to put a lucid, balanced face on feminism for all kinds of folks, including people who aren’t really aware that feminism refers to more than women who don’t want to shave their legs, or simply getting more women into positions of power. Similarly, we encourage people to consider feminism as a necessary part of the broader social justice movement. But using “feminist” as a primary descriptor is risky business, which is why people often ask us…

Do you hate men?

Not in the least. We are always surprised when people—of all genders—ask this very question We know that most of the people who ask this are responding chiefly to both the term “bitch” and the word “feminist”—each quite prominent on the magazine’s cover—so we tend to take this reaction with a whopping grain of salt (plus some astonished laughter). Feminism, as many of all are aware, is a tricky concept for a lot of folks, and there are people in the world who assume that anything pro-woman must necessarily be anti-man. But, we say, there’s a huge difference between criticizing the system of patriarchy (wherein men as a class have power over women as a class) and hating on men in general. So though there may be a Bitch article that makes mention of, say, patriarchal approaches to x, y, or z, there is no actual man-hating going on. Promise.

Plus, feminism isn’t all about women—it’s about resisting and creating alternatives to systematic oppression.

You’re a nonprofit. How does that work, exactly?

The most important distinction between nonprofit organizations like Bitch and most magazines is that we’re mission-driven, not profit-driven. Any profits we make go back into the organization so we can expand our reach and otherwise better fulfill our mission; they don’t go to a couple of fat cats sitting at the top of a media empire. In practical terms, the biggest distinction is that most magazines make their hay by selling their readers to advertisers. So their priority—and their loyalty—is to their advertisers, not to you. Bitch, on the other hand, is loyal—and accountable—to its readers. We’re in this together, which is why we call ourselves a reader-supported magazine. Think of us as the print version of listener-supported radio.

Will you profile my band/performance art show/soap-making company?

We get a lot of requests to review people’s projects, and though we would like to accommodate as many as possible, we have limited space, limited resources, and, yes, limited patience. So here are a few guidelines:
All emails regarding products for review should be sent through our contact form, and all products to be reviewed can be sent to our general mailing address (4930 NE 29th Avenue, Portland Oregon 97211). The product to be reviewed should fall under our purview: Books, CDs, comic zines, t-shirts, handmade crafts, handmade menstrual products, pet accessories, and yummy-smelling lotions made from all natural ingredients are all things we are likely to review or give a shout-out to; canine pregnancy tests, personal lubricants, and men’s grooming products with the word “Xtreme” in the name, not so much. Please don’t send samples that need to be returned; our office is really understaffed and we probably won’t be able to get around to it in a timely manner, and then you’ll hate us, and nobody will be happy.

Okay, well, I also have a record label and make cool crafty things. Can I advertise with you?

You sure can. We even have special ad rates for small businesses, since we love to help support independent folks like you. All the particulars about our ad rates, specs, and deadlines can be found in the “advertising” section of the site, or you can contact us to request a media kit.

About subscriptions and merchandise

How much is a subscription?

So glad you asked, because subscriptions are our bread and butter. (Figuratively speaking, for all you vegans out there: “Bread and Earth Balance” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.) Bitch subscriptions in the United States are $15 for one year (four issues) or $30 for two years (eight issues). Canadian subscriptions are $25 in US funds for one year (four issues) or $50 in US funds for two years (eight issues). International subscriptions are $40 in US funds for one year (four issues) or $80 in US funds for two years (eight issues). For more ordering information, you can go to our orders page at http://www.bitchmagazine.org/order.shtml—Canadian, international, and printable order forms can also be found here.

I ordered my subscription a few weeks ago and haven’t received a copy. What’s up?

1. Did you start your subscription with the current issue? We mail once a month, so the earliest you’d receive your first issue is two weeks and the latest one month AFTER we receive your order. Please also note: Magazines are not sent first class, so can take up to four weeks to be delivered within the US, and even longer outside the US.
2. Did you start your subscription with the next issue? We mail a new issue every three months.
   If there does seem to be a problem with your subscription, give us a shout

I ordered a subscription, and only received one or two copies. Then I got a renewal notice saying my last issue was coming up. Seriously, people—what’s up?

Yikes. We do apologize. It’s possible our renewal notice crossed in the mail with the third issue in your subscription—we mail the renewal one month after your third issue is sent. There might also be a misunderstanding on when exactly your subscription began. You can send us a message to clear things up, then we can send you any issues you should already have enjoyed. We always appreciate your patience, as we try to make things run as smoothly as possible.

I’m moving. What do I need to do?

Hopefully, you’re thinking of this at least six weeks beforehand, since the postal service often does not forward magazines, nor do we have the money to replace issues lost due to unreported address changes. To ensure uninterrupted delivery, let us know your new whereabouts (and when the move is effective) by sending us a message, filling out this form, or ringing us at our toll-free number (877-21-BITCH) or, if calling from outside the US, +1 815-732-9004. Phone hours are 8-4:30 PM Central time zone, Monday through Friday.

I always buy my issues at Borders or Barnes & Noble. Isn’t that better than subscribing, because I’m showing the big chains that they should continue to stock the magazine?

While we totally appreciate this noble urge, it’s actually much better for us in the long run if you subscribe rather than buying Bitch on the newsstand. Here’s why: When people buy Bitch at a bookstore, we eventually (four to five months later) get between $2.08 and $2.38 of the $5.95 plus tax that it costs. When people subscribe, we get all of the money and we get it right away. Subscribing is better for you, too, because you pay only $3.75 an issue (for US subscribers)—25% off the newsstand price. Of course we’d rather have people buying it in the bookstore than not buying it at all, but stores will continue to stock the magazine, and new newsstand buyers will always come along.

About getting involved

I’d love to write for you. How do I do that?

We are always looking for new contributors with great ideas and mad skills. Please see our writer’s guidelines—http://bitchmagazine.org/guidelines.shtml—and our current call for submissions for more information on what we’re looking for and how to pitch us. No phone calls, please!

If you’re sending the same submission to multiple outlets, do let us know. And, not to sound like your mother or anything, but please proofread your cover letters—maybe we’re petty, but nothing bums us out more than getting a submission that ends “…and I think this piece would be perfect for BUST.”

I’d like to illustrate or photograph for you. How do I do that?

We’re always looking for new illustrators to work with. We commission people with various styles appropriate for each individual article.

If you’re interested, please send a link to your portfolio to Briar Levit

Or send either a postcard/mailer of some kind (no originals!) to:
Bitch magazine
Attn: Briar Levit
4930 NE 29th Ave
Portland, OR 97211

Can I have a job?

We are a very small staff, and rarely have openings for staff positions. We do have internships, for which we hire on a rolling basis. People interested in applying for an editorial (link) or design (link) internship should send a résumé and cover letter—and if you’re applying for the editorial internship, please add one or two nonfiction writing samples—to our general address. Please indicate in your cover letter which internship you are applying for. The internships are, sadly, nonpaying for the time being, but are flexible and can be structured easily around a day job or school.

How can I spread the word about Bitch?

We’re so glad you asked. If you’d like, you can become part of the Bitch street team by emailing us. This basically involves chatting about Bitch on your college campus, at your local coffeehouse or bar, or wherever, and maybe helping to organize events in your city or town. Being part of the street team is an excellent way to gain promotions savvy, get Bitch goodies, meet and greet fellow Bitch fans, and have a good time in the name of helping feminist nonprofit media survive and thrive. If you live in Bitch’s adopted hometown of Portland, we often need help with things like staffing tables at events and posting flyers,, as well as with highly glamorous office tasks like stuffing envelopes.

I’d like to give you a donation to help out. Can I?

Yes, please! Bitch relies on people like you to keep nonprofit, independent, feminist media alive. We can’t stress this enough. In fact, it’s financial support above and beyond the cost of a subscription that has sustained us through the years. Giving any amount will help us, and all donations are tax-deductible. Contact us for more information about donations.
And when it comes to donations, Bitch isn’t just about the cold hard cash. Got a hookup at Apple, Adobe, or Hewlett-Packard? We always need donations of office equipment and software. Looking to downsize your cache of feminist theory texts or female-specific comics? Bitch is building a lending library for students and scholars, and we’re on the lookout for books, zines, comics, and magazines about feminism, pop culture, social- and economic justice, political organizing, media justice, and more.

I’m doing a research project for my high school/college and I need more information about Bitch. Can I call you?

Actually, email is better for us. We get numerous requests for interviews for high-school college classes, and are usually able to accommodate them. The best way to make this happen is to send us your questions—if possible, at least two weeks before you need the answers. And those of you with more in-depth projects on feminist publishing, keep in mind that Bitch’s archives are housed at Duke University’s amazing Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History and Culture. http://library.duke.edu/specialcollections/bingham/