Exhibit 10.30

                             SALON MEDIA GROUP, INC.
                         NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION

     ________________________ (the "Participant") has been granted an option
(the "Option") to purchase certain shares of Stock of Salon Media Group, Inc.
pursuant to the Salon Media Group, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan (the "Plan"), as
follows:

     Date of Option Grant:      _________________

     Number of Option Shares:   _________________

     Exercise Price:            $________________ per share

     Initial Vesting Date:      The date one (1) year after ___________________

     Option Expiration Date:    The date ten (10) years from the Date of Option
                                Grant.

     Tax Status of Option:      _________________ Stock Option. (Enter
                                "Incentive" or "Nonstatutory."  If blank, this
                                Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option.)

     Vested Shares: Except as provided in the Stock Option Agreement, the number
     of Vested Shares (disregarding any resulting fractional share) as of any
     date is determined by multiplying the Number of Option Shares by the
     "Vested Ratio" determined as of such date as follows:

                                                                    Vested Ratio
                                                                    ------------
                                Prior to Initial Vesting Date             0

                                On Initial Vesting Date, provided
                                the Participant's Service has not
                                terminated prior to such date            1/4

                                Plus:
                                -----
                                For each additional full month of the
                                Participant's continuous Service from
                                Initial Vesting Date until the Vested
                                Ratio equals 1/1, an additional         1/48

     By their signatures below, the Company and the Participant agree that the
Option is governed by this Notice and by the provisions of the Plan and the
Stock Option Agreement, both of which are attached to and made a part of this
document. The Participant acknowledges receipt of copies of the Plan and the
Stock Option Agreement, represents that the Participant has read and is familiar
with their provisions, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of their
terms and conditions.

SALON MEDIA GROUP, INC.                      PARTICIPANT

By:
   ------------------------------------      -----------------------------------
                                             Signature
Its:
    -----------------------------------      -----------------------------------
                                             Date
Address: One Rincon Center
         101 Spear Street, Suite 203         -----------------------------------
         San Francisco, CA 94105             Address

                                             -----------------------------------


                                       1
<PAGE>

                             SALON MEDIA GROUP, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     Salon Media Group, Inc. has granted to the individual (the "Participant")
named in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the "Notice") to which this Stock
Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement") is attached an option (the "Option")
to purchase certain shares of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in
the Notice and this Option Agreement. The Option has been granted pursuant to
and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of the Salon
Media Group, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan (the "Plan"), as amended to the Date of Option
Grant, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference. By signing
the Notice, the Participant: (a) represents that the Participant has received
copies of, and has read and is familiar with the terms and conditions of, the
Notice, the Plan and this Option Agreement, (b) accepts the Option subject to
all of the terms and conditions of the Notice, the Plan and this Option
Agreement, and (c) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all
decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions arising under the
Notice, the Plan or this Option Agreement.

     1.   DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
          ----------------------------

          1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Notice or the Plan.

          1.2 Construction. Captions and titles contained herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any
provision of this Option Agreement. Except when otherwise indicated by the
context, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the
singular. Use of the term "or" is not intended to be exclusive, unless the
context clearly requires otherwise.


     2.   TAX CONSEQUENCES.
          ----------------

          2.1 Tax Status of Option. This Option is intended to have the tax
status designated in the Notice.

               (a) Incentive Stock Option. If the Notice so designates, this
Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section
422(b) of the Code, but the Company does not represent or warrant that this
Option qualifies as such. The Participant should consult with the Participant's
own tax advisor regarding the tax effects of this Option and the requirements
necessary to obtain favorable income tax treatment under Section 422 of the
Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. (NOTE TO
PARTICIPANT: If the Option is exercised more than three (3) months after the
date on which you cease to be an Employee (other than by reason of your death or
permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), the
Option will be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and not as an Incentive
Stock Option to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code.)


                                       2
<PAGE>

               (b) Nonstatutory Stock Option. If the Notice so designates, this
Option is intended to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall not be treated as
an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code.

          2.2 ISO Fair Market Value Limitation. If the Notice designates this
Option as an Incentive Stock Option, then to the extent that the Option
(together with all Incentive Stock Options granted to the Participant under all
stock option plans of the Participating Company Group, including the Plan)
becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year for shares
having a Fair Market Value greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000),
the portion of such options which exceeds such amount will be treated as
Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 2.2, options designated
as Incentive Stock Options are taken into account in the order in which they
were granted, and the Fair Market Value of stock is determined as of the time
the option with respect to such stock is granted. If the Code is amended to
provide for a different limitation from that set forth in this Section 2.2, such
different limitation shall be deemed incorporated herein effective as of the
date required or permitted by such amendment to the Code. If the Option is
treated as an Incentive Stock Option in part and as a Nonstatutory Stock Option
in part by reason of the limitation set forth in this Section 2.2, the
Participant may designate which portion of such Option the Participant is
exercising. In the absence of such designation, the Participant shall be deemed
to have exercised the Incentive Stock Option portion of the Option first.
Separate certificates representing each such portion shall be issued upon the
exercise of the Option. (NOTE TO PARTICIPANT: If the aggregate Exercise Price of
the Option (that is, the Exercise Price multiplied by the Number of Option
Shares) plus the aggregate exercise price of any other Incentive Stock Options
you hold (whether granted pursuant to the Plan or any other stock option plan of
the Participating Company Group) is greater than $100,000, you should contact
the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to ascertain whether the entire
Option qualifies as an Incentive Stock Option.)

     3.   ADMINISTRATION.
          --------------

          All questions of interpretation concerning this Option Agreement shall
be determined by the Board. All determinations by the Board shall be final and
binding upon all persons having an interest in the Option. Any Officer shall
have the authority to act on behalf of the Company with respect to any matter,
right, obligation, or election which is the responsibility of or which is
allocated to the Company herein, provided the Officer has apparent authority
with respect to such matter, right, obligation, or election.

     4.   EXERCISE OF THE OPTION.
          ----------------------

          4.1 Right to Exercise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Option
shall be exercisable on and after the Initial Vesting Date and prior to the
termination of the Option (as provided in Section 6) in an amount not to exceed
the number of Vested Shares less the number of shares previously acquired upon
exercise of the Option. In no event shall the Option be exercisable for more
shares than the Number of Option Shares, as adjusted pursuant to Section 9.

          4.2 Method of Exercise. Exercise of the Option shall be by written
notice to the Company which must state the election to exercise the Option, the
number of whole shares of


                                       3
<PAGE>

Stock for which the Option is being exercised and such other representations and
agreements as to the Participant's investment intent with respect to such shares
as may be required pursuant to the provisions of this Option Agreement. The
written notice must be signed by the Participant and must be delivered in
person, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, by confirmed
facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the Company may permit, to the
Chief Financial Officer of the Company, or other authorized representative of
the Participating Company Group, prior to the termination of the Option as set
forth in Section 6, accompanied by full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price
for the number of shares of Stock being purchased. The Option shall be deemed to
be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice and the
aggregate Exercise Price.

          4.3 Payment of Exercise Price.

               (a) Forms of Consideration Authorized. Except as otherwise
provided below, payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of shares
of Stock for which the Option is being exercised shall be made (i) in cash, by
check, or cash equivalent, (ii) by tender to the Company, or attestation to the
ownership, of whole shares of Stock owned by the Participant having a Fair
Market Value not less than the aggregate Exercise Price, (iii) by means of a
Cashless Exercise, as defined in Section 4.3(b), or (iv) by any combination of
the foregoing.

               (b) Limitations on Forms of Consideration.

                    (i) Tender of Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Option may not be exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the
ownership, of shares of Stock to the extent such tender or attestation would
constitute a violation of the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement
restricting the redemption of the Company's stock. The Option may not be
exercised by tender to the Company, or attestation to the ownership, of shares
of Stock unless such shares either have been owned by the Participant for more
than six (6) months (and not used for another option exercise by attestation
during such period) or were not acquired, directly or indirectly, from the
Company.

                    (ii) Cashless Exercise. A "Cashless Exercise" means the
delivery of a properly executed notice together with irrevocable instructions to
a broker in a form acceptable to the Company providing for the assignment to the
Company of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the
shares of Stock acquired upon the exercise of the Option pursuant to a program
or procedure approved by the Company (including, without limitation, through an
exercise complying with the provisions of Regulation T as promulgated from time
to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The Company
reserves, at any and all times, the right, in the Company's sole and absolute
discretion, to decline to approve or terminate any such program or procedure.

          4.4 Tax Withholding. At the time the Option is exercised, in whole or
in part, or at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, the Participant
hereby authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to the
Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including by
means of a Cashless Exercise to the extent


                                       4
<PAGE>

permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state,
local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company
Group, if any, which arise in connection with the Option, including, without
limitation, obligations arising upon (i) the exercise, in whole or in part, of
the Option or (ii) the transfer, in whole or in part, of any shares acquired
upon exercise of the Option. The Option is not exercisable unless the tax
withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group are satisfied.
Accordingly, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver shares of Stock
until the tax withholding obligations of the Participating Company Group have
been satisfied by the Participant.

          4.5 Certificate Registration. Except in the event the Exercise Price
is paid by means of a Cashless Exercise, the certificate for the shares as to
which the Option is exercised shall be registered in the name of the
Participant, or, if applicable, in the names of the heirs of the Participant.

          4.6 Restrictions on Grant of the Option and Issuance of Shares. The
grant of the Option and the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise of the
Option shall be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of
federal, state or foreign law with respect to such securities. The Option may
not be exercised if the issuance of shares of Stock upon exercise would
constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state or foreign securities
laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or
market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, the Option
may not be exercised unless (i) a registration statement under the Securities
Act shall at the time of exercise of the Option be in effect with respect to the
shares issuable upon exercise of the Option or (ii) in the opinion of legal
counsel to the Company, the shares issuable upon exercise of the Option may be
issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. THE PARTICIPANT IS CAUTIONED
THAT THE OPTION MAY NOT BE EXERCISED UNLESS THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE
SATISFIED. ACCORDINGLY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THE OPTION
WHEN DESIRED EVEN THOUGH THE OPTION IS VESTED. The inability of the Company to
obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any,
deemed by the Company's legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any shares subject to the Option shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. As a condition to the
exercise of the Option, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any
qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate, to evidence compliance with
any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with
respect thereto as may be requested by the Company.

          4.7 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not be required to issue
fractional shares upon the exercise of the Option.

     5.   NONTRANSFERABILITY OF THE OPTION.
          --------------------------------

          The Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant
only by the Participant or the Participant's guardian or legal representative
and may not be assigned or transferred in any manner except by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution. Following the death of the Participant, the
Option, to the extent provided in Section 7, may be exercised by


                                       5
<PAGE>

the Participant's legal representative or by any person empowered to do so under
the deceased Participant's will or under the then applicable laws of descent and
distribution.

     6.   TERMINATION OF THE OPTION.
          -------------------------

          The Option shall terminate and may no longer be exercised after the
first to occur of (a) the close of business on the Option Expiration Date, (b)
the close of business on the last date for exercising the Option following
termination of the Participant's Service as described in Section 7, or (c) a
Change in Control to the extent provided in Section 8.

     7.   EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
          --------------------------------

          7.1 Option Exercisability.

               (a) Disability. If the Participant's Service terminates because
of the Disability of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and
exercisable on the date on which the Participant's Service terminated, may be
exercised by the Participant (or the Participant's guardian or legal
representative) at any time prior to the expiration of twelve (12) months after
the date on which the Participant's Service terminated, but in any event no
later than the Option Expiration Date.

               (b) Death. If the Participant's Service terminates because of the
death of the Participant, the Option, to the extent unexercised and exercisable
on the date on which the Participant's Service terminated, may be exercised by
the Participant's legal representative or other person who acquired the right to
exercise the Option by reason of the Participant's death at any time prior to
the expiration of twelve (12) months after the date on which the Participant's
Service terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.
The Participant's Service shall be deemed to have terminated on account of death
if the Participant dies within three (3) months after the Participant's
termination of Service.

               (c) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Option Agreement, if the Participant's Service is terminated for Cause (as
defined below), the Option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable on the
effective date of such termination of Service. Unless otherwise defined in a
contract of employment or service between the Participant and a Participating
Company, for purposes of this Option Agreement "Cause" shall mean any of the
following: (i) the Participant's theft, dishonesty, or falsification of any
Participating Company documents or records; (ii) the Participant's improper use
or disclosure of a Participating Company's confidential or proprietary
information; (iii) any action by the Participant which has a material
detrimental effect on a Participating Company's reputation or business; (iv) the
Participant's failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties
after written notice from a Participating Company of, and a reasonable
opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (v) any material breach by the
Participant of any employment agreement between the Participant and a
Participating Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such
agreement; or (vi) the Participant's conviction (including any plea of guilty or
nolo contendere) of any criminal act which impairs the Participant's ability to
perform his or her duties with a Participating Company.


                                       6
<PAGE>

               (d) Other Termination of Service. If the Participant's Service
with the Participating Company Group terminates for any reason, except
Disability, death or Cause, the Option, to the extent unexercised and
exercisable by the Participant on the date on which the Participant's Service
terminated, may be exercised by the Participant at any time prior to the
expiration of three (3) months after the date on which the Participant's Service
terminated, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

          7.2 Extension if Exercise Prevented by Law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing other than termination for Cause, if the exercise of the Option within
the applicable time periods set forth in Section 7.1 is prevented by the
provisions of Section 4.6, the Option shall remain exercisable until thirty (30)
days after the date the Participant is notified by the Company that the Option
is exercisable, but in any event no later than the Option Expiration Date.

          7.3 Extension if Participant Subject to Section 16(b). Notwithstanding
the foregoing other than termination for Cause, if a sale within the applicable
time periods set forth in Section 7.1 of shares acquired upon the exercise of
the Option would subject the Participant to suit under Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act, the Option shall remain exercisable until the earliest to occur of
(i) the tenth (10th) day following the date on which a sale of such shares by
the Participant would no longer be subject to such suit, (ii) the one hundred
and ninetieth (190th) day after the Participant's termination of Service, or
(iii) the Option Expiration Date.

     8.   CHANGE IN CONTROL.
          -----------------

          8.1 Definitions.

               (a) An "Ownership Change Event" shall be deemed to have occurred
if any of the following occurs with respect to the Company: (i) the direct or
indirect sale or exchange in a single or series of related transactions by the
stockholders of the Company of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock
of the Company; (ii) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is a party;
(iii) the sale, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company; or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

               (b) A "Change in Control" shall mean an Ownership Change Event or
a series of related Ownership Change Events (collectively, a "Transaction")
wherein the stockholders of the Company immediately before the Transaction do
not retain immediately after the Transaction, in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company's voting stock
immediately before the Transaction, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of
more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company or, in the case of a Transaction
described in Section 8.1(a)(iii), the corporation or other business entity to
which the assets of the Company were transferred (the "Transferee"), as the case
may be. For purposes of the preceding sentence, indirect beneficial ownership
shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the
voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which
own the Company or the Transferee, as the case may be, either directly or
through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities. The
Board shall have the right to


                                       7
<PAGE>

determine whether multiple sales or exchanges of the voting securities of the
Company or multiple Ownership Change Events are related, and its determination
shall be final, binding and conclusive.

          8.2 Effect of Change in Control on Option. In the event of a Change in
Control, the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or
other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the "Acquiror"),
may, without the consent of the Participant, either assume the Company's rights
and obligations under the Option or substitute for the Option a substantially
equivalent option for the Acquiror's stock. The Option shall terminate and cease
to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control to the
extent that the Option is neither assumed by the Acquiror in connection with the
Change in Control nor exercised as of the date of the Change in Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, shares acquired upon exercise of the Option prior
to the Change in Control and any consideration received pursuant to the Change
in Control with respect to such shares shall continue to be subject to all
applicable provisions of this Option Agreement except as otherwise provided
herein. Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the corporation the stock
of which is subject to the Option immediately prior to an Ownership Change Event
described in Section 8.1(a)(i) constituting a Change in Control is the surviving
or continuing corporation and immediately after such Ownership Change Event less
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of its voting stock
is held by another corporation or by other corporations that are members of an
affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code without
regard to the provisions of Section 1504(b) of the Code, the Option shall not
terminate unless the Board otherwise provides in its discretion.

     9.   ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITAL STRUCTURE.
          --------------------------------------------

          Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, in
the event of any change in the Stock effected without receipt of consideration
by the Company, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
reincorporation, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock
split, reverse stock split, split-up, split-off, spin-off, combination of
shares, exchange of shares, or similar change in the capital structure of the
Company, or in the event of payment of a dividend or distribution to the
stockholders of the Company in a form other than Stock (excepting normal cash
dividends) that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of shares of
Stock, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made in the number,
Exercise Price and class of shares subject to the Option, in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the Participant's rights under the Option. For
purposes of the foregoing, conversion of any convertible securities of the
Company shall not be treated as "effected without receipt of consideration by
the Company." Any fractional share resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this
Section 9 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and in no event may
the purchase price of the Option be decreased to an amount less than the par
value, if any, of the stock subject to the Option. Such adjustments shall be
determined by the Board, and its determination shall be final, binding and
conclusive.


                                       8
<PAGE>

     10.  RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER, DIRECTOR, EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT.
          ---------------------------------------------------------

          The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to
any shares covered by the Option until the date of the issuance of a certificate
for the shares for which the Option has been exercised (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company). No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions
or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such certificate
is issued, except as provided in Section 9. If the Participant is an Employee,
the Participant understands and acknowledges that, except as otherwise provided
in a separate, written employment agreement between a Participating Company and
the Participant, the Participant's employment is "at will" and is for no
specified term. Nothing in this Option Agreement shall confer upon the
Participant any right to continue in the Service of a Participating Company or
interfere in any way with any right of the Participating Company Group to
terminate the Participant's Service as a Director, an Employee or Consultant, as
the case may be, at any time.

     11.  NOTICE OF SALES UPON DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION.
          ----------------------------------------------

          The Participant shall dispose of the shares acquired pursuant to the
Option only in accordance with the provisions of this Option Agreement. In
addition, if the Notice designates this Option as an Incentive Stock Option, the
Participant shall (a) promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of the Company
if the Participant disposes of any of the shares acquired pursuant to the Option
within one (1) year after the date the Participant exercises all or part of the
Option or within two (2) years after the Date of Option Grant and (b) provide
the Company with a description of the circumstances of such disposition. Until
such time as the Participant disposes of such shares in a manner consistent with
the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless otherwise expressly authorized
by the Company, the Participant shall hold all shares acquired pursuant to the
Option in the Participant's name (and not in the name of any nominee) for the
one-year period immediately after the exercise of the Option and the two-year
period immediately after Date of Option Grant. At any time during the one-year
or two-year periods set forth above, the Company may place a legend on any
certificate representing shares acquired pursuant to the Option requesting the
transfer agent for the Company's stock to notify the Company of any such
transfers. The obligation of the Participant to notify the Company of any such
transfer shall continue notwithstanding that a legend has been placed on the
certificate pursuant to the preceding sentence.

     12.  LEGENDS.
          -------

          The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable
federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates
representing shares of stock subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement.
The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the
Company any and all certificates representing shares acquired pursuant to the
Option in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions
of this Section. Unless otherwise specified by the Company, legends placed on
such certificates may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:


                                       9
<PAGE>

          12.1 "THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ISSUED BY THE
CORPORATION TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER UPON EXERCISE OF AN INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION
AS DEFINED IN SECTION 422 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED
("ISO"). IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE PREFERENTIAL TAX TREATMENT AFFORDED TO ISOs, THE
SHARES SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO [INSERT DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION DATE
HERE]. SHOULD THE REGISTERED HOLDER ELECT TO TRANSFER ANY OF THE SHARES PRIOR TO
THIS DATE AND FOREGO ISO TAX TREATMENT, THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE SHARES SHALL
NOTIFY THE CORPORATION IMMEDIATELY. THE REGISTERED HOLDER SHALL HOLD ALL SHARES
PURCHASED UNDER THE INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION IN THE REGISTERED HOLDER'S NAME (AND
NOT IN THE NAME OF ANY NOMINEE) PRIOR TO THIS DATE OR UNTIL TRANSFERRED AS
DESCRIBED ABOVE."

     13.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
          ------------------------

          13.1 Further Instruments. The parties hereto agree to execute such
further instruments and to take such further action as may reasonably be
necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

          13.2 Binding Effect. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth
herein, this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns.

          13.3 Termination or Amendment. The Board may terminate or amend the
Plan or the Option at any time; provided, however, that except as provided in
Section 8.2 in connection with a Change in Control, no such termination or
amendment may adversely affect the Option or any unexercised portion hereof
without the consent of the Participant unless such termination or amendment is
necessary to comply with any applicable law or government regulation. No
amendment or addition to this Option Agreement shall be effective unless in
writing.

          13.4 Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be
given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (except to the extent
that this Option Agreement provides for effectiveness only upon actual receipt
of such notice) upon personal delivery, upon deposit in the United States Post
Office, by registered or certified mail, or with an overnight courier service
with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party at the address shown
below that party's signature or at such other address as such party may
designate in writing from time to time to the other party.

          13.5 Integrated Agreement. The Notice, this Option Agreement and the
Plan together with any employment, service or other agreement with the
Participant and a Participating Company referring to the Option shall constitute
the entire understanding and agreement of the Participant and the Participating
Company Group with respect to the subject matter contained herein or therein and
supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations,
or warranties among the Participant and the Participating Company


                                       10
<PAGE>

Group with respect to such subject matter other than those as set forth or
provided for herein or therein. To the extent contemplated herein or therein,
the provisions of the Notice and the Option Agreement shall survive any exercise
of the Option and shall remain in full force and effect.

          13.6 Applicable Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by the
laws of the State of California as such laws are applied to agreements between
California residents entered into and to be performed entirely within the State
of California.

          13.7 Counterparts. The Notice may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.




                                       11
<PAGE>

(TM) Incentive Stock Option                 Participant:________________________
(TM) Nonstatutory Stock Option
                                                  Date:_________________________


                          STOCK OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE


Salon Media Group, Inc.
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
101 Spear Street, Suite 203
San Francisco, CA 94105

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     1.   Option. I was granted an option (the "Option") to purchase shares of
the common stock (the "Shares") of Salon Media Group, Inc. (the "Company")
pursuant to the Company's 2004 Stock Plan (the "Plan"), my Notice of Grant of
Stock Option (the "Notice") and my Stock Option Agreement (the "Option
Agreement") as follows:

          Date of Option Grant:                       ________________________

          Number of Option Shares:                    ________________________

          Exercise Price per Share:                   $_______________________

     2.   Exercise of Option. I hereby elect to exercise the Option to purchase
the following number of Shares, all of which are Vested Shares in accordance
with the Notice and the Option Agreement:

          Total Shares Purchased:                     ________________________

          Total Exercise Price
          (Total Shares  X  Price per Share)          $_______________________

     3.   Payments. I enclose payment in full of the total exercise price for
the Shares in the following form(s), as authorized by my Option Agreement:

          (TM) Cash:                                  $_______________________

          (TM) Check:                                 $_______________________

          (TM) Tender of Company Stock:               Contact Plan Administrator

          (TM) Cashless Exercise:                     Contact Plan Administrator


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<PAGE>

     4.   Tax Withholding. I authorize payroll withholding and otherwise will
make adequate provision for the federal, state, local and foreign tax
withholding obligations of the Company, if any, in connection with the Option.
If I am exercising a Nonstatutory Stock Option, I enclose payment in full of my
withholding taxes, if any, as follows:

               (Contact Plan Administrator for amount of tax due.)

          (TM) Cash:                                  $_______________________

          (TM) Check:                                 $_______________________

     5.   Participant Information.

          My address is:   ___________________________________________________

                           ___________________________________________________

          My Social Security Number is: ______________________________________

     6.   Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. If the Option is an Incentive
Stock Option, I agree that I will promptly notify the Chief Financial Officer of
the Company if I transfer any of the Shares within one (1) year from the date I
exercise all or part of the Option or within two (2) years of the Date of Option
Grant.

     7.   Binding Effect. I agree that the Shares are being acquired in
accordance with and subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the
Option Agreement, to all of which I hereby expressly assent. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon my heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns.


     I understand that I am purchasing the Shares pursuant to the terms of the
Plan, the Notice and my Option Agreement, copies of which I have received and
carefully read and understand.

                                               Very truly yours,


                                               ---------------------------------
                                               (Signature)


Receipt of the above is hereby acknowledged.

SALON MEDIA GROUP, INC.


By:
    ------------------------------------

Title:
       ---------------------------------

Dated:
       ---------------------------------


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