Harriet Jean Evans takes a look at the social commentary of the past, and explains why she believes it just doesn't matter.
Our anonymous blogger reflects on her attempts to have a student Christmas... and how she came to the conclusion that home-made is always best.
Gillian Love urges you to vote 'No' to the motion to replace Women's Committee with a 'Gender Equality Committee'.
Stage 1
Submit a formal written application of no more than 5000 words (we recommend 3000 – 4000) to myself including at least 2 references from editors of publications that you have previously written for. The application should detail your experience, journalistic achievements and why you feel you would suit a role in satire at The Yorker. A cover sheet should be included.
Stage 2
If you reach stage 2 then well done! Only 20% of applicants do so! This achievement makes you eligible to submit the second stage of you application, namely, a portfolio of pieces you have had published. We recommend including between 30 and 40 articles.
Stage 3
Applicants that impress at stage 2 will be interviewed by a panel of very intimidating suited and booted campus journalists. The interview will include an IQ test, a short written exam and a spelling test in addition to the questions the panel will ask.
Stage 4
Selection! If you impress at interview and have an IQ high enough to get into Mensa (148+) you have a decent enough chance at becoming a satire writer for The Yorker! You will be notified whether you have been successful 3-5 months after the interview.
Don’t panic, this is of course a bunch of crap. If you fancy having a crack at writing satire, drop me an email! It’s dmp503@york.ac.uk. I’m always looking for new writers and would love for some freshers to get involved! You can either ask me questions on the email or simply send me a piece you have written! No experience whatsoever is necessary and I will be more than happy to help and publish budding satire writers! Enjoy the rest of Summer and see you in Freshers’ Week! You might want to check this out too:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php gid=100470220005655&ref=ts
Best,
David Pocock (Satire Editor for The Yorker)
comment deleted by a moderator
comment deleted by a moderator Hello
1) Please point out the pretension, I'm at a loss.
2) Whilst you're at it, point out where I can get a copy of The Lemon Press on campus, I haven't seen one for over a year. Not that I've looked for one after the first I read.
3) How dare you use The Yorker as a means of advertisement for The Lemon Press.
Good Evening.
Anonymous #2:
What's the other publication on campus dedicated to satire?
That's really rude :S :S. I have never seen a Lemon Press around campus. And yes, what's the other satire publication apart from this and the Lemon?
I just followed this link to The Lemon Press website. It's decent stuff but it looks AWFUL!! Who designed it?!
I saw three issues of the Lemon Press on campus last year - they were everywhere. Where have you all been hiding?
Who cares if their website looks a bit shoddy? The mag itself looks good and the content is great!
I agree with #7 that the shoddy website doesn't matter too much. But the comments of #1 and #2 are pretty unfair and inappropriate. Perhaps they didn't 'get' the article? Quite ironic I suppose...
This article is ridiculous. Now that's not really the author's fault, more The Yorker's for having a section dedicated satire when York has The Lemon Press, which the NUS thought was the best student publication in the country in the past year (and The Lemon Press's first year), including newspapers such as Nouse and Cambridge Varsity, who were beaten in the 'final'. This article is ridiculous because it completely ignores York's official satire magazine. David Pocock - you can get a copy of The Lemon Press around campus - Vanbrugh, Langwith, James - supposedly five times in the coming year. If you want precise instructions I'd suggest becoming a fan on facebook or keeping an eye on the website. But where can I get a copy of The Yorker? Oh that's right, it's only available online, between periods of down-time. Furthermore it isn't even a society. Yes The Lemon Press's website may be a bit amateurish, but they've only existed for a year compared to The Yorker's several, and they produce a magazine as well. How dare the first commenter use The Yorker to advertise The Lemon Press? They wouldn't have had to had you mentioned it. But regardless of that, doesn't The Yorker purport to be a tool with which York's student union societies can publicise their activities? I believe it does and suggest you read through some of your own web pages.
A little harsh from the first two posters, but I've no idea how David can have a go at TLP as a publication, in terms of its circulation and its quality, especially since he's only (purportedly) read one issue. To disregard your competition is such a ridiculous thing to do. Especially when that competition has won a major student media competition. Looking green-eyed and sounding monstrous.
Some of the commenters here need to chill out. David appears to be just trying to spark some interest for the Satire section at The Yorker - and there's no problem in doing that, surely? #9 - your criticism of The Yorker was kind of un-called for and I think it's clear that there's absolutely no need for this article to mention The Lemon Press... as the purpose of it is to attract attention for The Yorker's own satire section, not somebody else's!
I'm hoping this entire comments thread is satirical...
#11: I couldn't agree more.
Let's analyse this people...
I am the editor of the satire section of The Yorker. I wrote an article to spark interest in it for the freshers joining us shortly so the section can grow and become more of a presence in campus satire. I don't see a problem with this in the least. Then... Someone (presumable officially representing rival publication The Lemon Press) comments on the article telling people 'not to waste their time on this' and also plugging said rival publication. Come on guys. Yes part of The Yorker's aim as a student publication is to raise awareness of societies and opportunities in every area on campus, but as #11 quite rightly said... Where's my obligation to mention the Lemon Press in my article?! I most certainly shouldn't be criticised for not doing so.
So The Yorker's satire section is not established anywhere near the extent that The Lemon Press is. Shouldn't we all be supporting each other though? Not posting petty and childish comments like #1 and #2. I've not noticed The Lemon Press mentioning the fact that The Yorker has a new satire section.
As far as I'm concerned, #2, that was uncalled for and inappropriate, and as such has been reported as abuse.
I think this pettiness should come to an end now people. Thank you to everyone who showed an interest in the article. I guess the criticism is kind of ironic because the article was designed to attract attention in the first place. Job done.
As an editor of The Yorker I trust the publication will support me in this matter.
I wish everyone involved in a satirical publication on campus the very best of luck this year 
. We're all trying to achieve the same things after all guys...
Best,
David Pocock (Satire Editor)
#9:
Hahahahaha! It's 'ridiculous' for The Yorker to have a satire section because of the mere existence of the Lemon Press?!?! Comedy lol. Sounds like a dictatorship haha!! I can't believe you insinuated that...
thats like saying The Yorker shouldn't have news articles because we already have Nouse and Vision... rubbish!
So The Lemon Press is a very light hearted and unpretentious publication? I'm afraid that doesn't come across when it so clearly feels entitled to a monopoly on campus satire writing and gets bitchy with another publication for the astonishing crime of promoting itself on its own website.
Prior to this episode I wouldn't have known enough to comment on TLP's working environment, but from this brief taste it sounds like they were taught in the Blair-Campbell school of administration and PR. Frankly guys, you're not doing yourselves any favours. The Yorker may not be a society, but it certainly sounds less obnoxious than TLP.
#9 The reason why you can't pick up a copy of The Yorker is because it is a website, not a paper publication. Try to keep up.
I think when an article promises to explain how to become a satire writer at York, you would assume it would mention TLP. The article doesn't immediately come across as just an explanation of how to get invovled with the yorker, it seems to deny TLP's existence. I don't know if that's more ignorance than malice though. To the people talking about monopolies, satire isn't really the same as news. It's quite a specialist area. Yes York has quite an extensive media, but it might make sense for everybody interested in something like that to group together rather than having a little bit all over the place. But as the author says, he has done well to attract attention. I can't remember the last time the yorker had more than a couple of comments on a story.
@ Daniel
How does the article deny TLP's existence? By not mentioning it? Ridiculous! I suppose The Yorker's news, sport and arts sections also deny the existence of Vision and Nouse, because they omit mention of those publications which also have news, sport and arts sections?
And this isn't an article about how to become a satire writer AT YORK, but about how to do so at The Yorker! That's why it is featured on The Yorker! Durrrrr.
I've been looking at the Lemon Press' FB page and I don't see any information whatsoever about writing for it. It seems a tad elitist to be honest. Hats off for the award TLP, but I'd rather write for a more friendly up-and-coming, accessible satirical publication which doesn't pick fights with rivals.
And I'd also like to say how PREPOSTEROUSLY RIDICULOUS I find it that the author of this piece is accused of not acknowledging TLP when he's the editor of a 'rival' publication publishing at article ON HIS OWN PUBLICATION'S WEBSITE. I just can't put into words how pathetic I find this. It's actually made me quite mad and I've got nothing to do with it! I have to know... Was it a joke? Is this thread satire as someone suggested? Because I seriously struggle to believe that anyone could be so utterly moronic. Also... I'd LOVE to know if commenters 1 and 2 are officially affiliated with TLP. If so... My word. I think it makes them even more pathetic. And unprofessional. If they really do represent TLP, like I said, I for one would like to know. Not names, but a yes or no...
And I also find it rather amusing that this article has attracted so much attention. Hello guys!! This is exactly what the author was trying to do! Good job I say I found the article funny and a real hook to look into writing for The Yorker. How many Lemon Press articles have 19 comments?! Hahahaha.
I think it's fairly self-explanatory what media publication the author of this piece was speaking on behalf of! HE'S THE SATIRE EDITOR FOR THE YORKER! THE ARTICLE IS PUBLISHED ON THE YORKER WEBSITE!! Oh my gosh...
You must log in to submit a comment.
Report