I’m a culture junkie and a scholar of sorts; I just finished a master’s thesis on the first book in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series (and it’s every bit as nerdy as it sounds). Books, music, TV and movies–I love tearing them apart and thinking about how they impact our culture, for better or worse. I’ve spent most of my adult life writing about literature and music, whether I get paid for it or not (mostly not, but sometimes I get lucky). My dream job is being an editor for a university or small specialty press. But, since the publishing industry is a bit anemic at the moment, I’ve decided to try something new: I want to go rogue on academia.

The idea is to create an online academic (-ish) journal devoted to current American culture. I’m leaning toward the kind of publication that would encourage informed critiques of unlikely subjects: a feminist criticism of “Real Housewives of Atlanta;” or a debate of the historical accuracy of “Mad Men;” or how Stephen King’s newest novel is a snapshot of liberal America’s views on the Bush/Cheney presidency (working on that one myself, actually).

Folks would have to provide clear, cogent arguments with evidence to back them up–but other than that, anything goes. There are journals devoted to pop culture, like Journal of American Culture (to which I subscribe), but I want pieces that aren’t corseted by traditionally academic restrictions, if that makes any sense. I want to create a journal that allows for passionate, snarky, weird, funny, substantive discourse.

So, here’s where I need help. Would people read this? Would academics (or just people who love writing about culture) write for this? How many of you would be willing to peer-review? Let me know: e-mail me at babylonsistaatgmaildotcom and talk to me.