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Post by Ginz ❤ on Jun 23, 2019 20:11:58 GMT -5
Hey guys, are you familiar with zines/fanzines? They’re small self-published magazines, often themed around a certain topic or fandom. I think they’re really cool! I've been thinking, what if we made our own NTWF zine? We have a lot of ‘lore’, characters and stories that we’ve created throughout the years here in the forum, and I think it would be awesome to make a compilation of art and writing to honor them! My initial thought is to keep it pretty open to any contributions as long as they’re NTWF-related, but maybe that’s too open ended? We could also treat it like one of the NT Great Collabs and set a theme for everyone to base their entries around! Another thing to consider is whether we would keep it digital to a pdf download, or we make physical copies of it, which comes with its own set of obvious complications like production costs and shipping and what not, but there’s something very special about holding something like that in your hands, so personally, even if we don’t go this route, I’d probably print and put together my own copy. Usually with fanzines there’s an application and selection process for contributors, but I think we’re a small enough community that we can include anyone who wants to contribute something for it, so it’d be just a matter of signing up. ^^ So, would anyone be on board? I guess it’d be good to have an interest check, so if this sounds fun or interesting to you, please fill out the following form! - Would you prefer the zine to be themed or open-ended? (If theme, any theme suggestions?)
- Would you like to participate as an artist?
- Would you like to participate as a writer?
(You can participate as both, or state you want to participate, but don’t know what you’ll contribute yet.) - Would you want to own a physical copy of the zine?
(You don't have to be a participant to want a copy. I'm not asking about pdf copies because those are no extra cost to make!)
Just as a note, this won’t start running until after the Fic Exchange is done, so they won’t overlap. I haven’t set the schedule, but I also want to give plenty of time to work on entries, so no worries there! I don't want anyone to be overwhelmed ^^;; Interested members:Schedule- July 15th - 21st: A week to decide what you'll be contributing to the zine.
- August 5th: 1st WIP check.
- August 19th: 2nd WIP check.
- August 26th - September 1st: Submission week!
- September 9th: Zine comes out for everyone to enjoy!
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Post by Moni on Jun 23, 2019 21:30:39 GMT -5
heyyyy yooo this sounds really cool, ginzo!
- I would prefer a themed Zine, really, but others may disagree. - Yes but dunno yet - Ditto - Eh I'm not opposed to it but like... I have waaaaaaay too much garbage in my house, i don't need yet another too cherished-too-open book that I'll never flip through because it's too nice, but also never discard because it's too nice. (yea i hoard)
in general, what counts as ntwf-themed? roleplays? events? personas? NT entries?
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Post by Ginz ❤ on Jun 23, 2019 21:53:05 GMT -5
in general, what counts as ntwf-themed? roleplays? events? personas? NT entries? I'd proooobably say no NT entries, because, yes, we are the Neopian Times Writer's Forum, but I was thinking more of content that was originally birthed in the forum? So yeah: personas, roleplays, events, NTWF stories, meetup recounts, etc... That doesn't necessarily exclude neopets, though! Like, a picture of Pirate Captain Huntress surrounded by her army of meepits would be prime NTWF content! But you know, the main focus is on the forum (in this case, our beloved Hunty), not on Neopets itself. I hope that's clear enough. Either way, I'm honestly throwing a half-baked idea at you, and I absolutely welcome opinions and suggestions! <3
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Post by Moni on Jun 23, 2019 22:36:56 GMT -5
Ginz ❤ hm, because there are a few members here whose primary work i can think of is like... their original NT work. not *neopets* per say, but like... stuff like the Blossoms-verse specifically, or June's Ink-verse. The former is actually posted on the forum for instance, the latter has a lot of heart into it and is stands pretty well on its own. because not everybody has an extended bloid history with the ntwf... but is still like, an active member of the forum. for example, the only things i would be willing to contribute are bits from wrighton and ntwfdnd. that is very narrow characterization-wise for me compared people who've been active longer. i'll edit this to make it sound less snappy right now because uh lately my words have been kinda crap, so here's an advance apology ... honestly i respect your decision either way, i'm just explaining my reasoning. like notable or noted OCs that some users post about, etc.
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Post by Twillie on Jun 23, 2019 22:38:38 GMT -5
Oooh, yes this is something I'd be interested in for sure! It's been a hot minute since I've drawn my NTWF charas, and I'm always down for an excuse to do so ;D
Theme? Hmm, I personally don't mind either way, as all I really know I want to do is use roleplay characters x3 If there is a theme, I'd say to avoid specific events like roleplays or bloids or the like, since no matter what, there'll be someone who hadn't participated. Something more broad, like maybe "nostalgia" or "summer" or "blue" could be more open x3
Artist or writer? Artist!
Physical copy? I don't have strong feelings either way, although I suppose having a physical copy could be good for resume reasons, hmm... But if that were ever the case, I could print for myself, so I'll say that I'm fine with just mass digital distribution!
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Post by Ginz ❤ on Jun 23, 2019 23:26:12 GMT -5
That's a very good point, Moni ! I think notable Neo OCs and stuff should definitely count. I guess I was just thinking it shouldn't be your run-of-the-mill random NT entry. But something meaningful like Blossoms or Ink would be completely fine! Or for example, just off the top of my head, something referencing past NT April Fools jokes that were planned on the forum... the line definitely gets blurry around some spots, but I'd rather err on the side of leniency. Thank you for making sure the zine is as inclusive as possible of all NTWFers! <3 Twillie - I really like the idea of a broad theme! Those are good suggestions, thank you!
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Post by Moni on Jun 23, 2019 23:35:24 GMT -5
Ginz ❤ ah, no, thank you for listening to me! (i'm not one of the writers with a strong expanded universe and my participation in great collabs/april fools is... spotty... but i can certainly think of a few! so i'm glad they can get included!)
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Post by Thorn on Jun 24, 2019 5:43:37 GMT -5
This is such a cool idea! Thanks for specifying it's after the fic exchange though- I'm such a procrastinator, I would have a horrible time balancing both! =P
*I'd prefer open-ended, as having the zine be a time capsule of the NTWF itself would be pretty dang sweet! If it was themed, I would love something as open as possible, like "sky" or "green." Nothing too specific, anyway.
*I would love to participate as a writer, absolutely! Writing is one of my major passions in life...also I cannot art haha. I've participated in a large number of forum events over the years, so there'd be a huge amount for me to draw inspiration from. =)
*Just a PDF would be fine, dealing with printing and shipping costs would be too messy for this Antipodean. =P
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Post by Celestial on Jun 24, 2019 6:51:09 GMT -5
Count me in! I have a friend who is constantly involved with zines and I want to do that sometime, although I feel I need some practice first. This sounds ideal.
* I would prefer an open-ended zine or something with a very vague theme so I can shape it around ideas I do have instead of racking my brain trying to think of something valid for the theme. The latter would be a struggle for me based on experience.
* I am happy to be a writer and/or an artist. =D
* PDF is fine, given the logistics of shipping and costs involved, of which I have heard plenty.
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Post by Rabbit ♠ on Jun 24, 2019 11:59:47 GMT -5
This sounds like it could be really fun. *I don't particularly care either way if there is a theme or not. *I can be either an artist and/or a writer. *I also think a pdf would work well. That way, if someone can print it out, they can. If not, that's fine, too.
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Post by June Scarlet on Jun 24, 2019 21:23:47 GMT -5
I am intrigued by this.
Would you prefer the zine to be themed or open-ended? (If theme, any theme suggestions?) Hm, I think I'd prefer open ended, since there's already a theme, namely NTWF
Would you like to participate as an artist? Would you like to participate as a writer? Both? My specialty is comics, myself.
Would you want to own a physical copy of the zine? Yes, but not if other people couldn't have it as well, due to shipping and costs. So I think I'd prefer just a pdf that I could print out on my own.
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Post by Killix on Jun 27, 2019 19:33:48 GMT -5
A zine for a forum dedicated to writing for a fanzine? :D Sounds like fun! XD
Open-ended is always good, but perhaps certain issues could also be themed? That way there's variety!
I might be able to submit artstuffs, but it depends on what would be needed. I'm currently thinking that I could put together a Find The QUALITY puzzle as seen previously in the Birthday Pencil Puzzle? (Now there's a puzzle hiding spot; right in the NTWF zine. hahaha)
Alternatively, I could potentially submit a pencil puzzle itself.
No writing for me, though!
I'd love to own a physical copy, but as a Canadian, I live in fear of shipping costs. :'D
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Post by Celestial on Jun 28, 2019 5:39:05 GMT -5
A zine for a forum dedicated to writing for a fanzine? Yo dawg, I heard you like fanzines. *brick'd*
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Post by Elcie on Jun 28, 2019 8:49:01 GMT -5
I am totally up for getting involved with this! Surprising no one, I’d probably focus on my Medieval characters and stories, since that’s the NTWF event I’ve been most heavily involved in, though I could also do stuff with my old forum persona character and her pals from the ‘bloids era and I’d be happy to draw fan art of other people’s characters!
(Would stuff for the NTWF D&D campaigns also count, do you think? Cause that’s another thing that would be fun to include, and I would love to see fics/art from the other campaign!)
I am very much interested in having a hard copy, since I collect zines actually! One option if nobody wants to handle the cost of producing them is to make two PDFs, a digitally-readable one and a formatted-for-printing one. That way, anyone who wants one can print it and assemble it themselves. I’d be happy to handle the formatting on it, since I’m actually organizing a couple of Star Trek zines now so I’m learning how to do all that stuff anyway. 8D
Timing might be a bit of an issue for me since I am not expecting to have much free time for creative pursuits until after the con I’m attending at the end of July/beginning of August, and then my Trek zine’s deadline will be August 15. But I’ll still try to participate regardless since this sounds super fun, is right up my alley and is an excuse to write my wonderful (and in some cases awful) Medieval kids again.
Edit: Oh, and I think open-ended might be better to start with since it looks like there’s a wide range of things people would be able/interested to contribute, but that depends on how many people get involved and how the general interest runs. Like I said, I probably wouldn’t do writing for anything other than Medieval or D&D, but I would be happy to contribute an art piece for other characters/stories if their creators are okay with it. ^^
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Post by Ginz ❤ on Jun 28, 2019 15:07:56 GMT -5
Elcie Sure, I feel like NTWF D&D campaigns are fair game because they started here and wouldn't be going on without the forum? The EuroAtlantis group is definitely better at keeping things also updated in-forum, and I guess we Americaland DnD have kind of drifted away, but I would still count it as NTWF-themed for the aforementioned reason. ^^ Two PDFs is definitely sounding like the best idea so far! As for the formatting... I was actually kind of looking forward to giving it a go myself? ^^;; I went to Design School, so that's the kind of thing I technically learned to do but have never really gotten to put in in practice for a real project, so I'm kind of excited to try, hah. That said, I do not have experience with zines specifically, not even as a contributor. I've tried to apply to a few, but sadly I've never been selected. So I really appreciate your offer, and I'm sure your help and experience will be very useful! <3 I'd at least like to run things by you to know I'm not going about it in a completely wrong way. XD; Would that be okay? Maybe we can team up on it. ^_^ I'll keep that in mind for the timing! I should probably put together a provisional schedule soon to see what will work out best for everyone (or most people, at least!)
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