I received the following announcement below. I know some of you believe firmly that writing for free is no good. Some of you feel differently. For those in the latter camp, I think this is a good writing prompt, plus, it wouldn't make a bad little clip if you ever need one regarding cultural criticism or music writing.

Everyone has a song, album, artist, or band that's been ruined by an ex (or by memories of an ex). Ruined Music is the place to write about the music you've lost post-breakup - the song you can't stand to hear again, that record she always played, the band you went to see the week before he called it quits, That Song that was on That Mix, the record that was playing the night you (fill in the blank), the album you got for a Valentine's Day gift.

Ruined Music wants your stories. Tell us all about it. Feel better. Reclaim your record collection.

Submission guidelines:

-Submit your story in the text of your email or as an attached Word
document. Stories for the launch must be received by midnight, Monday May
8!

-Please include your name, email address, and the name of the song/artist/album you're writing about.

-Please include a biographical sentence or two about yourself, and a URL, if you have one.

-Keep it under 1,000 words.

-While it's fine to include some background details about your ex and the breakup to provide context, please don't get too explicit with names and identifying information. For example, do not write "I cannot listen to Prince ever since I got dumped by Ashley L. Wegman, that slut, I hear she's driving a blue Camry and working the night shift at the Cincinnati Airport Ramada Inn now."

-Remember, one person's misery is another person's guffaw. Make us
chuckle.

-Email submissions to submit@ruinedmusic.com.

If you're curious, Madonna's "Vogue" was ruined for me when I got into an accident with another car in my very own driveway.