INTERSTELLAR CREATIVES ALLIANCE PRESENTS...
ICA ZINE STUDIO
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Contributor Applications for our next zine, To The Stars, Below The Depths, have officially closed and results have been emailed! Thank you so much for your interest and support!
Our Discord Server is open to the public, and you can spectate the zine's progress! Click the link below to join our lovely little community!
JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER
LEARN MORE ABOUT ICA
CURRENT ZINES
To The Stars, Below The Depths
A zine about the lowest and highest places relative to us.
To The Stars, Below The Depths
To The Stars, Below The Depths is the ICA's first zine. The theme is dedicated to the lowest and highest places relative to us, which includes outer space, mountaintops, and the deep sea. Contributors are encouraged to seek inspiration from native wildlife, environments, and human exploration.
FAQ
DISCLAIMER: If you hold racist, sexist, antisemitic, transphobic, or otherwise bigoted views, please refrain from applying. We check accounts and have a zero tolerance policy. ICA Discord Server rules apply.
What is a zine?
A zine is a compilation of creative works that are compiled and published in a booklet. They can be digital, physical, or both. Zines may or may not revolve around a theme.
Who can apply?
All applicants, both contributor and moderator, must be a member of the ICA server and therefore over the age of 18.
You do not need experience working on a zine to apply as a contributor. However, moderator applicants with some leadership experience will be prioritized.
Who is running the zine?
This zine is run by Salem Hoag as the head moderator. I'm a staff member for the ICA. I've contributed to several zines in the past, some successful and some falling through. While this is my first time running a zine, I am not alone and am surrounded by other staff members to help me out. I'm also a freelancer experienced in creating and managing schedules for both solo and team projects.If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please don't assist to contact me via my Instagram or the zine studio's email: [email protected]
Who are the moderators for this zine?
The page for a list of moderators can be found HERE.
What are the specifications for this zine?
The page for Zine Specifications can be found HERE.
What is the schedule for this zine?
The page for the Zine Schedule can be found HERE.
Is the zine physical or digital?
This zine will be a digital PDF.
Will this zine be monetized?
As this is the ICA's first zine, we will not be monetizing it. Moderators and contributors will not be paid. Down the line, we hope to eventually do charity zines.
Will this zine have merch?
At the moment, we will not be doing merch of any kind. We hope to open up avenues for merch (digital or physical) for future zines.
Is this project SFW (Safe For Work)?
Yes, it is SFW. We still ask for applicants to be over the age of 18 since the ICA server is 18+ only.
How many contributors are you planning to include?
Anyone who applies as a contributor will be accepted!
How are you choosing applicants?
Since we're just starting and unsure how many people will apply, we're keeping the zine within the ICA server as a "trial run" and will accept anyone who applies!
For moderator applicants, we are expanding beyond staff members since we want regular members to also gain valuable experience. As previously stated, mod applicants with some leadership experience will be prioritized.
How can I find the zine when it's done?
You can find it on the To The Stars, Below the Depths page when it publishes. If you subscribe here, you'll receive the free PDF through email. All contributors will receive this PDF as well.
Is this a fanzine? Can I submit fanart?
This is an original zine, so no fanworks will be included (i.e. anything based off pre-existing fandom media). Only original pieces!
How many pieces can I submit?
You can submit up to 2 pieces. For artwork, there's full-page illustrations and comics. For writing, there's poetry and narrative writing. You can do any combination of those, if you wish (i.e. two artworks, two written pieces, or one art and one written piece).
What subject matter should I submit?
Your piece must be original and adhere to the theme. For this zine, that includes anything relating to high or low altitudes. Outer space, mountains, the sky, the deep sea, even caves and caverns! There are no restrictions on genre.
Can full-page illustrations have writing?
No writing for illustration pieces, simply because it is difficult to moderate the font, typeface, etc. If it's something like a sign in the background/environment, or writing on a t-shirt, that is acceptable.
TLDR: if the artwork is not a comic, it cannot have writing.
SPECIFICATIONS
RULES
General ICA server rules apply.
Do NOT leak zine information, WIPs, or final pieces.
Use the ICA Zines category and subsequent channels for their intended purpose.
Participants will reserve all rights to their pieces and can use it as they please after the zine is published.
All work created for the zine must be NEW and EXCLUSIVE to the zine (please do not recycle old art or use pieces already made before).
Failure to complete zine piece by the final deadline may result in the participant not being placed in the zine.
GUIDELINES
This is an SFW zine, so NSFW is not allowed. Suggestive artwork, light gore, and themes of that nature are allowed. Always ask if you're unsure.
Art, writing, and other creative works must be COMPLETE when submitted for the final deadline. This means art must include a background (abstract, environment, etc.) and a coherent composition. Writing must be cohesive, edited, and in the final draft stage (must have a beginning, middle, and end). Please contact moderators if you have questions for your specific creative work.
Always ask and confirm if your work is reaching expected standards, especially during check-ins.
ART SPECIFICATIONS
Size A4, 2480 x 3508 pixels (21cm x 29.7cm)
DPI: 300
RGB Format
Send final artwork as a PNG.
COMICS: Up to 3 pages. We will send out the established font by first check-in.
WRITING SPECIFICATIONS
Poetry must be 3 pages or less.
Narrative writing must be 3-8 pages.
Font must be either Pt. 11 Arial or Pt. 12 Times New Roman.
Follow grammar rules (check spelling, paragraph indentations, etc.)
Layout/Graphics Mod will take care of font choice and formatting. Please make sure it is legible for them to work with!
SCHEDULE
| EVENT | DATES |
|---|---|
| Poll for Theme | March 2nd-5th, 2024 |
| Moderator Apps | April 1st-8th, 2024 |
| Moderator Response Emails | April 12th, 2024 |
| Contributor Apps | April 9th-22nd, 2024 |
| Contributor Response Emails | April 19th, 2024 |
| Pitches due | May 1st, 2024 |
| 1st Check-in | June 1st, 2024 |
| 2nd Check-in | July 1st, 2024 |
| 3rd Check-in | August 1st, 2024 |
| Final Submissions due | September 1st, 2024 |
| Zine Publishes! | October 1st, 2024 |
MODERATORS
SALEM
They/Them
Head and Organization Mod
SATURN
They/Them
Application Mod
OLIVE
SHE/HER
Layout & Graphics Mod
NEMO
HE/THEY
Communications Mod
ABOUT US
The Interstellar Creatives Alliance is an online creative community with the purpose of bringing together folks of all creative disciplines. Are you an aspiring voice actor? An animator in TV or film? A writer looking for feedback? Someone who wants to share their crocheting projects? Whether you work in the creative industry, are an independent freelancer, or consider yourself a hobbyist, we welcome people of all walks of life to join our little corner of the internet!
We have dozens of channels, roles, and resources, plus tons of fun activities to sink your teeth into. Weekly events, voicecalls, drawing sessions, and even an OC Board to share your original characters and worlds!
The ICA Server is 18+ ONLY.
Currently, we have six staff members ensuring things are running smoothly. Here's a quick introduction to all of us:
STAFF MEMBERS
SATURN
They/Them
I'm the creator of ICA and the zine's application mod! I'm often engrossed in writing, film analysis, interviews, or literary works if I'm not making art!
EMBER
He/They
Head of ICA’s Art Trade, holiday server events, and art studies and prompts. I focus on horror, mythology and folktales, and anything Halloween related!
LIME
She/They/He
Lime from Finland 🇫🇮. Hosts movie nights, gaming streams and more. Besides art, I love videogames, voice acting and talking about media & culture!
ORI
He/Him
An endless box of ideas and game host. An aspiring game developer, exploring the depths of sci-fi and fantasy.
SALEM
They/Them
Owner of the ICA Zine Studio (created this carrd), and Head of Book Club! I crave the fantastical, whimsical, and horrific things inbetween.
NEMO
He/They
Hi there I’m Nemo! I’m a character designer and digital artist from Ohio. I love fantasy stories with horror elements and lgbtq characters. You can usually find me working on my OCs or talking about my latest hyperfixation.