Introducing: DEFUNCT

Got nostalgia? Can a whiff of strawberry-flavored lip gloss or a riff of Duran Duran bring a tear to your eye? A literary magazine has just been launched for you: DEFUNCT. The inaugural issue went live this morning, and features essays on Wanamaker’s Department Story (by Dinty Moore), the Power Suit (by Margot Singer), vintage video games (by James Scudamore), VCRs (by Daniel Light), 45 records (by Angelo Lacuesta), and, last but not least, the literary precursor to You-Tube and reality TV: True Story (by yours truly). Edited by author Robin Hemley & Co. at the University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program, DEFUNCT is ready to receive submissions for the October 2010 issue. Here is the official call-out:

Defunct

We’re looking for reviews of everything that has had its day: defunct magazines, defunct technologies, defunct theories, defunct fads, defunct foods, defunct religions, defunct civilizations, defunct super heroes and villains, defunct political parties, defunct languages, defunct etiquette and customs, defunct bands, defunct media, defunct assumptions, defunct slang and idiom, defunct holidays, defunct animals, defunct products, defunct toys, defunct celebrities, defunct predictions, defunct facts, and occasionally something we wish would become defunct. Imagine a review of the Aztecs. Or a review of the Dodo. Or a review of the Eight Track Player.

If you’re interested, we’d love to receive a review from you.  Submissions should be sent by email to defunctmag@gmail.com.