» Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long has SmackTalk been around?
   The day that the SmackTalk was suggested was June 28th, 2006. the first issue date was September 16, 2006.

2. Who started SmackTalk?
   The SmackTalk was combination of idea by former and current members of SmackJeeves. The current incarnation is being run by Beany, jimmydabomb,cutething, and Enkida.
   

3. What's the difference between the Editor in Chief & The Managing Editor?
   Cutething bosses the entire staff around, and Jimmy bosses reviewers around.
   

4. How can I get in touch with you guys?
   You can find ways to contact us on the staff page! Conversely, you can also visit the forum, though you need to become a registered member to post a message there.
   

1. How are Reviews handled?
   A review first requires you to accept the review acceptance form, which you will receive after the initial contact.

2. How long do they take?
   A review will take you no more time than reading and accepting a few forms. These forms give us the permission to review and other stuff like that, and are generally meant to fully explain what's going on.

3. Who conducts my Review?
   Your review will be handled by one of our official staff. These staff follow our review guidelines to insure that everyone gets a fair review.

4. Why aren't the Reviews rated?
   Here as SmackTalk we believe very strongly that we should not be passing judgement on your comics. As such, our focus is not on "rating" your comic but on highlighting the good and being constructive with the bad. Our Review Policy is: Constructive, Objective, and Fair. Ratings don't really fit into that.

5. What's the deal with the Gold and Silver Star Awards? (Isn't that a rating?)
   While we do not believe passing judgement, there will always be comics that stand out among the rest. Ones that we, as readers, believe are worthy of more recognition. The Awards are meant to be just that, Awards. They are something that only a few comics will get, and only if we believe they are the best of the best. If you see a comic with a Gold or Silver star (or if your comic is awarded one) we want you to know that it's been earned.

6. How do you determine how a comic gets an award?
   Rather than leaving it to the reviewer alone, the Award is given after a Rated Vote by the editors, the reviewer, and possibly one or two others. This vote happens after the review is written and is not technically part of the review process.

7. Ooh Ooh! Review Me!
   Happily. Please see our review page for instructions on contacting us.

1. Who does the Interviews?
   At present, all interviews are conducted by the Managing Editor.

2. How are they handled?
   With the exception of certain "Special Interviews," all interviews are started by the interviewee. They begin by filling out the interview form and sending it to the Managing Editor. The Managing Editor will read over the responses and, provided the guidelines for the interview have been followed, will respond with more personalized questions. The combined answers from all the questions are then edited together and the interview is complete.

3. How do I get interviewed?
   Head over to the Interview Page and take a look.

4. How long do they take?
   The initial questions should take you between 20 and 30 minutes to complete, provided you're taking your time and answering as fully as you're able. The followup questions should take another 10 to 20 minutes.

5. How long between when I submit an interview and when it gets published?
   As we are only publishing one or two interviews per issue, it may be a while between when you submit your interview and when it is published. Interviews will be selected by multiple criteria, including order submitted. As much as possible, we will deal with your interview as we receive it.

1. I want to help!
   Check out the guidelines for joining SmackTalk.

2. I have an idea for an article, what do I do?
   Right now, you just contact an editor with the idea, and we'll work with you to see if it's feasible; you might even be able to contribute your idea as a finished article in the next issue as a guest author or staff member!

If you have questions that haven't been answered here yet, please address them to the SmackTalk Staff.