In a surprising, and I think sideways, move this week Orkut, the online social networking service, opened what they’re calling “Orkut Media.” On a Web site with viewing otherwise restricted to members only, the Orkut Media part is open to the public. Photos and articles by Orkut members comprise this new site. Orkut is owned by Google, also the parent company of blogger.com and Gmail. Guidelines for submissions are available. Orkut touts the new publication as a place for new writers to build their all-important “clippings.” No payment is offered.

I presume the audience for Orkut Media will be mostly Orkut members and their friends and families. The average Orkut member is single, 18-25 years old, and lives in Brazil. Yes, Brazil! According to the Web site’s latest demographics, now more than 60% of the membership resides in the Portuguese-speaking South American country.

Send comments or beg for Orkut invites from Georganna at Writer’s Edge.