December 16, 2005

Joe Levy & James Kaminsky
Rolling Stone
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104-0298

Dear Mr. Levy & Mr. Kaminsky,

My name is Hunter Slaton, and I’m writing today to apply for the music editorial assistant position I heard might soon be open at your magazine. Here’s why:

• I thought it odd that Zadie Smith was quoted in the recent feature on Jay-Z. However, I loved the bit where Jay-Z teases Beyoncé about Houston not being ghetto.
• A couple years back, I really enjoyed the mock-serious piece on mascot assault.
• I know David Fricke by sight. (Not especially difficult, but still.)
• Tucked away, I have a few favorite issues of Rolling Stone, including the one with the cast of Seinfeld in Wizard of Oz get-up, and the one after 9/11, with Jann’s American flag pin on the cover.
• Two pieces I’ve been tempted to pitch: the annual IceStock rock concert at McMurdo Station, on Antarctica (where I worked last winter), and a camp-out/weekend-long show by Apollo Sunshine at their home outside of Boston.
• The piece David Foster Wallace wrote about the McCain campaign was brilliant and fearless.
• I keep an immaculate workspace, so Mr. Wenner’s desk inspections would pose no threat to me.
• Rolling Stone is the only US music magazine that covers the whole scene and everything in between, from American Idol to alt-country.

Herewith, please find a copy of my resume. I’ve worked in editorial at the Rough Guides for the past few years, but it’s always been a dream – as I hope is evidenced by the above – to work for Rolling Stone.

All the best,

Hunter R. Slaton