UPDATED on 13October2009:  We’re all good for the 2010 Skepchick Calendar, but if you’re a Skepdude, applications are still open for 2010.

These same instructions also apply for 2011 models, but your deadline is 01May2010.

So, if you want to be a pin-up model, here’s your chance.

The guidelines for applicants:

1) The calendar applicant’s final photo is “pin-up” in nature, and includes science-y, skeptical, geeky goodness. We’re not after overt nudity, but rather ask that it be titillatingly and tastefully used. We are after the skeptical/science/nerd/geek angle, and those photos that use both will have an advantage. This is the main category for most everyone considering applying.

2) The calendar applicant’s final photo is so so so so so over-the-top, heart-stoppingly sexy and well shot, we’d be fools not to include it, regardless of the skeptical angle. (This very likely does not mean you. You should be thinking of your sexy skeptical idea. Really.)

3) The calendar applicant is well known enough as a skeptic that any photo, clothed or unclothed, would be considered inherently sexy and skeptical. (I’m talking Penn Jillette or Eddie Izzard here.  Again, you should be thinking of your sexy skeptical idea. Srsly.)

4) Final submissions will need to be Landscape Oriented, 8.75 inches high x 11.25 inches wide, and 300 dpi at that size. (In case you’re wondering, this means big ‘ol file. A 2 megapixel camera is not going to cut it.) There is a .25 inch “bleed,” meaning we loose the edges of each photo during the printing process. Keep this in mind when composing your shot.

5) There will be a hole drilled in each page for hanging the calendar. This is centered and approximately .25 inches from the edge. Please keep this in mind when composing your shot.

6) Have I mentioned Landscape Oriented? I know you have a great idea for a portrait oriented shot, but I can’t use it, so please don’t send it. It will break my heart to say no to your killer idea.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so feel free to submit when you’re ready!   Deadline for final photo submission is November 1, 2009.

To apply, send me an e-mail detailing the following info:

• Name, Street Address, Phone Number, E-mail Address.
• Short bio: No longer than a paragraph or two. This will not be published, though if chosen you will need to come up with a short bio that will accompany your photo. For now, we just need to know your skeptical credentials, so to speak. Please list education, job, volunteer activities, papers published, organizations you’re a part of, forums, whatever… basically, sell your skeptical self to us.
• Photo ideas: Include favorite body parts you’d like to highlight, specific scenes or situations you think you could do, overall tone . . . it doesn’t have to be one thing you will definitely do, but we just need to know what you have in mind and what you think is feasible for you.
• How you plan to take the photo: Will you do it yourself? Do you have a friend who could take it, etc.? You must be able to get a high resolution .jpg or .tif file to us, either through e-mail or by mailing a burned CD.
• Attach a small photo of yourself (or a link to one somewhere on the internets): It does not need to be fantastic, we just want a general idea of what you look like. You DO NOT need to be a model, we just need to make sure we get a good variety of people. For reference, the 2007 calenders featured women and men from all walks of life, from age 21 to mid-50s.

Off you go! If you need some food for thought, check out the 2007 editions of the calendars!

If you have questions, e-mail me at a.real.girl@skepchick.org. I’m here to help you find your inner pin-up!