FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About this site.
Skyscraper is a print publication that publishes 3 issues per year. This website, however, posts web exclusive content (reviews, features) continuously throughout the year.

What is the Skyscraper submission policy?
Skyscraper accepts all records, zines, books, and videos for review. Please see our review policy below. We are also open to all submissions of articles, letters, columns, and pictures for publication. Unsolicited materials for consideration of publication become the property of Skyscraper and Skyscraper will not be responsible to return them.

What is the Skyscraper review policy?
We review almost all forms of professionally duplicated media - CDs, vinyl, videos, zines, books. If you think that we might like what you put out, then please send a copy for review consideration. However, most of the time we don't know what a band sounds like and so it helps if you send a biography or one-sheet along with the full packaging and artwork. We understand that "promotional" copies are cheaper for the label to produce and allow for advanced mailings, but if you want us to convey an accurate representation of what the listening public is purchasing than it helps to have the completed project in our hands.

Everything that we receive between issue deadlines will be considered for review in the upcoming issue. During this time, it is listened to by our reviews editor and prioritized based on its relevance, as determined by the ears of our reviews editor. Once the review deadline is reached, a list of the prioritized records is sent to our writers and each writer selects releases to review. Whether something is reviewed or not is wholly up to the writer.

Despite the fact that our review section is considered somewhat large, we still get more records than we can possibly print reviews for. Also, because we do not assign reviews there is no way to know whether something will be reviewed until the issue is nearly completed. You can contact us to find out if something was received, but most of the time we don't know the review status until the tear sheets are in the mail.

How can I purchase Skyscraper?
You can find Skyscraper in most independent record stores, as well as online at Insound.com. It is also available in Tower Records, Borders, Virgin, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and regional chain stores.

Does Skyscraper offer subscriptions?
Yes. A one-year subscription (4 issues) is $20 in the United States. Readers in Canada can subscribe for $30, and elsewhere it's $35 via surface mail or $50 via air mail. All orders must be paid in U.S. funds only. Please note that Skyscraper does not print with a set schedule, but you will receive 4 issues over a 12 month period, roughly each season or 3 months apart. For more information you can send a signup request to skyscraperzine@hotmail.com.

Is Skyscraper sold in my local record store?
Skyscraper is available in many local record stores, as well as chains such as Tower Records, Borders, Virgin Megastores, Hastings, and Newbury Comics. However, we're looking to expand our sales in mom and pop stores. If there is a store in your area that you think should carry Skyscraper, either encourage them to order it from one of our distributors or email us their contact information and we'll get in touch.

How can I distribute Skyscraper?
Skyscraper is distributed directly by the publisher. A full list of distributors worldwide is on the Order page. Stores and distributors please contact Peter Bottomley at 303-544-9858 or skyscraperzine@hotmail.com if you'd like to sell Skyscraper.

How can I become a writer/contributor for Skyscraper?
Reviewers:
We are accepting resumes/applications from people interested in becoming reviewers for Skyscraper. To apply for this unpaid and unglamorous position, send us an email containing a few clips of your previous work as well as an attached Word file of a review you have written for Skyscraper. Be sure to format the review in the same order that we use in the magazine. To be chosen, it’s very important that you are computer literate and are able to meet deadlines. Include any personal information that you think is relevant and want us to know about, the attached clips and review, and a list of what types of materials you are interested in reviewing (be specific). Send to skyscraperzine@hotmail.com.
Writers:
We need highly qualified and experienced writers for articles, profiles, and interviews of bands/artists or music related subjects. To apply for this unpaid but rewarding position, send us an email containing a few clips of your previous work as well as possible ideas you may have for a feature for Skyscraper. To be chosen, it’s very important that you are computer literate and are able to meet deadlines. Include any personal information that you think is relevant and want us to know about, the attached clips, and the ideas for potential features. Send to skyscraperzine@hotmail.com.
Photographers:
One of the most essential elements of the magazine, and the one we require the most outside help with, is photographs. We are always in need of unique band/artist photos, be they live concert shots or posed photos. If you take lots of live concert photography, perhaps you can provide us with a list of bands you’ve shot. If you’re interested and available to do photo shoots for Skyscraper features, please contact us to submit samples of your work. This is an unpaid position, although we are able to cover expenses (within reason). It is important that you are capable of providing us with both prints and high resolution scans of images and are able to meet deadlines. When contacting us, include any personal information that you think is relevant and want us to know about, a list of photographs you may already have available, and send to skyscraperzine@hotmail.com.