Soaring Heart is an upcoming for-charity, SFW fanzine centered around Tifa’s travels around Gaia! Through Tifa’s journey, we aim to feature the essence of different regions such as fashion and food. We hope to highlight the strength of her character and her connections to the world and people around her.After covering production and shipping, we plan on donating post-production funds to Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems, protecting special marine habitats, restoring sustainable fisheries, and opposing practices threatening ocean ecosystems.If you have any further questions, please send us an email at [email protected].
Specs
✦ Digital + Physical Zine
✦ Full color, Perfect Bound
✦ 6 x 9 inches
✦ Estimated ~120 Pages
✦ 46 Contributors
✦ Merchandise Included
Zine Book Format
The book will be split into 12 different regions found in FFVII. Regions we would like to feature are: Midgar, Grasslands, Junon, Mideel, Woodlands, Gongaga, Gold Saucer, Corel, Nibel, Cosmo Canyon, Wutai, and Icicle Inn.When applying you’ll be asked to choose at least 6 regions you are interested in creating for.
Contributor Information
Accepted page artists are expected to create 1 page or 1 spread for the book/zine (with the option to provide spot illustrations for writers). Spreads are determined based on pitch.
Accepted merch artists are expected to create 2 merch pieces each.
Accepted writers are expected to write 1 story that is 1.5k to 2k words in length.
Usage Rights: Contributors will retain the rights to their pieces but we request that contributors not share, sell, or post full and final iterations of their pieces until 2 weeks after our shipping period. Sharing of previews are allowed only during our creation period (after our 2nd check in) and during our preorders period (after final submissions). More information pertaining to sharing previews will be made, with a provided template
Below is our tentative project schedule. Please note that this schedule runs on ET timezone. Any changes to the schedule will be announced on social media.
| Interest Check | |
| IC Results | |
| Contributor Apps | |
| Results Mailed | |
| Pitches Confirmed | |
| - Holiday Break - | |
| 1st Check-in | |
| 2nd Check-in | |
| 3rd Check-in | |
| Final Submissions | |
| Preorders | |
| Production + Shipping | |
| Leftovers | |
| Project Competion | January |
If you’re interested in becoming a potential contributor, please read our guidelines below. This page has everything you need to know to apply as a contributor from October 1 - October 31!View a text-only version here.
General Application Requirements
All applicants must be at least 16 years old at the time of their application.
As this is a PG-13 zine, we ask that applicants please do not include NSFW pieces and WIPs on their application.
Works presented on your application should be indicative of the type of style and quality you are willing to create for the zine.
Works including Tifa or Final Fantasy VII are highly recommended, but not necessary. We strongly recommend that you include at least one Final Fantasy VII sample in your portfolio.
Please make sure to submit a link to any platform that presents your best work. Your portfolio could be hosted on Google Drive, Wix, ArtStation, DeviantArt, Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, etc. We only ask that you make sure links are easily accessible.
Applicants are allowed to apply for multiple roles (page artist, writer, merch artist), but may only be accepted for one role.
We will ask for potential pinch hitters on the applications. If you are interested in pinch hitting please make sure to let us know on your application.
Page Artist Applications
Make sure to follow our general application requirements above.
Please provide at least 3 samples that best represent your work.
Backgrounds are not required, but please share only finished pieces. We will not accept WIPs.
We are also looking for Spot Illustrators who are interested in collaborating with a writer to decorate their prose. This is in addition to an artist’s assigned page. If you are interested in this role, please let us know on your application.
Merch Artist Applications
Make sure to follow our general application requirements above.
Please provide at least 3 samples that best represent your work.
We highly recommend providing real-life photos or mockups of merch you’ve produced in the past.
We are also looking for Spot Illustrators who are interested in collaborating with a writer to decorate their prose. This is in addition to an artist’s assigned page. If you are interested in this role, please let us know on your application.
Writer Applications
Make sure to follow our general application requirements above.
Please provide at least 3 samples that best represent your work.
Please include 1 sample that is completed and no longer than 2k words.
Other samples could be taken from longer fics as excerpts but must still be no longer than 2k words.
For news, updates, and exclusive project sneak peeks, subscribe to our mailing list below.We will offer exclusive coupons and early access to the shop when preorders open. Don't miss out and subscribe now!
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What is a zine?
A zine or fanzine is a small-circulation, self-published work of original writings and/or arts.What is this zine about?
Soaring Heart is an upcoming for-charity, SFW fanzine centered around Tifa’s travels around Gaia! Through Tifa’s journey, we aim to feature the essence of different regions such as fashion and food. We hope to highlight the strength of her character and her connections to the world and people around her.What is the rating for this zine?
The zine is rated PG-13.Will the zine be physical or digital?
The zine will be physical and digital.Will this zine be for-profit or for-charity?
This zine is for-charity. After covering production and shipping, we plan on donating post-production funds to Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems, protecting special marine habitats, restoring sustainable fisheries, and opposing practices threatening ocean ecosystems. Ocean Conservancy holds a 94.13 score on Charity Navigator with 96 Accountability & Transparency.How will contributors be compensated?
Contributors will at least receive a free high-resolution PDF of the zine. We aim to provide all contributors with a full bundle. In the event that we cannot cover full bundles for contributors, they’d be able to buy items at production cost. Any change to the finance model will be announced accordingly.How old do I have to be to apply?
All interested contributors must be 16 or older by the time of their application to be considered for the zine.How many contributors are you accepting?
We are anticipating about 45 contributors, which will involve 30 artists, 5 Merch Artists, and 8 to 10 writers.Will you ship internationally?
Yes! International shipping may be available. Please note that some restrictions may apply based on the country.Where will the product be shipped from?
The zine will ship from Canada.
Can I apply for more than one role?
Yes! But interested applicants are most likely to only be accepted to one role.What are artists and writers required to do?
Accepted page artists are expected to create 1 page or 1 spread for the book/zine (with the option to provide spot illustrations for writers). Merch artists are expected to create 2 merch pieces each. Writers are expected to write 1 story that is 1.5k to 2k words in length.Will traditional art be allowed?
Yes. Please make sure to provide a clean, high-quality scan of your work. Scanning in 600dpi or higher is advisable.Are contributors allowed to collaborate?
We welcome all sorts of collaboration between our contributors! Do note, collaborations can only be established among contributors after they’ve been accepted into the zine and joined the Discord.We also welcome any collaborations where artists would like to provide secondary, small pieces to accompany a writer’s story and decorate the story’s pages! These pieces will not be priority and artists who do volunteer to do this would still be expected to provide a full-page illustration first and foremost. More details on collaborations will be available during claims and on the Discord server.Can I include other characters in my piece?
Of course, only as long as Tifa is included and she is the main focus of the piece.Can I include ships in my piece?
To keep this zine open to everyone, there will not be ships.Are AUs allowed?
As the zine’s theme cannot fully rely on canon, AU ideas that work within canon are welcomed, including canon-compliant AUs. However, AUs that change the world (for example: steampunk-verse) are not allowed.Can I submit an older piece for the zine?
Unfortunately, no. Please make sure that the piece is unpublished and brand new.