Buyer FAQ
Q: Why don't you accept Paypal?
A: Paypal has withheld thousands of dollars from us on past projects and had me sit on hold via phone for hours at a time with no resolution in the past- because of this, we would rather not use it as a payment processor! Thank you for understanding.
Q: What is your return/exchange policy?
A: We are not allowing returns/exhanges for product that is not damaged. If your package arrives damaged, please take photos of it + the packaging and reach out via email, and we will work with you to get you a replacement though!
Q: What is a Zine/Fanzine?
A: A Fanzine (pronounced ZEEN) by definition is a magazine, usually produced by amateurs, for fans of a particular performer, group, or form of entertainment. It can be in either print form or pdf. Our zine will be available in both forms and likely have an option to purchase additional merch such as prints and stickers as well!
Q: Will the products be available outside of bundles?
A: Yes, in limited amounts. The bundles will no longer be available when overstock goes on sale and each product will be individually available for purchase. You do save money preordering a bundle compared to waiting to get everything separately though, so if you're interested in a lot of the merch that is the way to go!
Q: Is there a specific charity picked for Palestine for the proceeds to go to?
A: It's likely to be Careforgaza! However, since Palestinian needs are changing so frequently, I don't want to say so for sure until it's closer to the time of donation in the fall.
Q: Do contributors have to pay for their zine?
A: All contributors should get a free physical and digital zine minimum. Depending on the success of the book, they might have to pay for shipping/merch add-ons, but for the last book we were able to provide full bundles for all contributors with shipping fully paid-for and customs fees reimbursed.
Q: Where will orders ship to?
A: The only places we restrict at the moment that the US is allowed to mail to are Israel and EU countries with the new GSPR regulations as of December 2024. We cannot afford to hire someone to represent us in the EU as a small business and we cannot afford a potential fine of €20K.
This means we cannot ship to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, or Sweden. We're hoping to be able to again soon, but that will all be based on government regulation decisions. :(
Q: How much is shipping?
A: Since we are US-based, shipping will be cheapest in the US (~$5), but it should be about $11 to Canada and about $16 worldwide. Customs fees/VAT are not calculated by or remitted in our store, so keep this in mind however.
Q: Where does the zine ship from?
A: Oklahoma in the United States. You can expect the return address to say PO BOX 1250 Mustang, OK 73064, United States.
Q: How much will the zine cost?
A: Physical zines will likely be about $20-$25 and digital zines about $15. Various merch bundles estimated $30-$70 depending on what merch and how much merch is in each!
Basics For Contriubutors
- Minimum age to contribute will be 16.
- Discord will be used to communicate but will not be required. If you do not use it, then you will be expected to be responsive via email since that will be the main way I am able to communicate with you.
- You can apply for multiple roles in the zine once applications open if you're interested in doing multiple things.
- The theme of the book is art and writing dedicated to Fall Out Boy's music videos! Any of the videos they're featured in count as well (like I've Been Waiting by Lil Peep & ILoveMakonnen or Back To Earth by Steve Aoki) if one of those happens to be your favorite.
- Page art involves either 1-2 page illustrations or 1-4 page comics.
- The book will be safe-for-work within the constraints of what is shown of Fall Out Boy's music videos- blood and Patrick's severed hand are both alright! Nudity is the exception and is not allowed since printers don't always allow that though. Sorry.
- RPF/shipping-type fanfiction will not be included (it's completely fine if you do it on your own time, I don't judge, but the rule of thumb for this book is that there should only be content that you wouldn't mind the band seeing!)
- Writing itself won't be long-form in order to make everything more balanced with the art when it comes to printing. It will be more like article-style writing; You could do a music video fashion/symbolism analysis, report vampire attacks from the Sixteen Candles music video universe, write a fake interview with a video-character like Mr. Benzedrine, create a teen magazine-style quiz that tells you which Irresistible video you are, anything short-form you can come up with as long as it sticks to their music videos in theme! You'll also be working with a spot artist to bring your idea even more to life visually.
- This project is being run by Aaron Ivy in association with GhostShark Press! If you'd like to see his past work making books and zines you can see a list here on his website: https://www.aaronivy.com/about
Contributor FAQ
Q: How many artists will be accepted into the zine?
A: As of right now, I am planning to accept around 40-50 artists for the zine. However, the last time we said that for a book we had 90 artists so the limit isn't strict.
Q: Are there any specific requirements for signing up for contribution aside from the age minimum?
A: Aside from not being a bigot, not really! As long as you can provide a portfolio for the application and stay respectful and appropriate with everyone in the book, everything should be alright.
Q: What will be required for submission? A prior relevant work portfolio? Or the piece itself?
A: Just a portfolio! As you can see on the "Schedule" tab, there is a timeline for the writers and artists in the book once accepted. Please don't start beforehand!
Q: Are there limitations for music video specific works (i.e. 5 Sixteen Candles, 5 Suitehearts, 5 Dance Dance, etc.)?
A: As of right now, no. If things seem to skew in an overbearing way when artists present their ideas I may try and even it out a little bit, but there is nothing immediately planned to do that if it doesn't end up too intense of a trend toward one thing.
Q: Can art be previously made or does it have to be done specifically for the zine?
A: It cannot be something previously made! Art must be done specifically for the zine.
Q: Are there page limits for artists?
A: You can apply to do anywhere between 1 and 4 pages but you will be informed in an acceptance email with how many pages I would like from you. 2 pages will likely be spread illustrations or comics and 4 will pretty much just be for comics. If you intend to apply for more than one page, you definitely need a typed out pitch in the "Do you have an idea of what you'd like to do?" question on the application!
Q: Are collaborations allowed between artists and writers for comics? Pencilers and colorists?
A: Yes! There are places to make it known that you're co-applying with a writer/artist/colorist/inker/anything else on the application.
Q: Does my application have to include FOB fanart? I love the band but I haven't drawn them yet.
A: While it can be helpful to see how you portray them, no you don't have to have them in your application portfolio! We accepted MANY people in our MCR zine who had never drawn the band, what matters is that I can see your art style.
Q: Is it okay if my portfolio doesn't have a lot of people in it even though I intend to draw people? Like if I am a furry/animal artist?
A: If you're not applying to draw things that are animal-based (furry art of FOB would be totally fine by me if it's related to their music videos) for the zine, we do need to see how you draw people!
Q: Is there a certain style/theme you're looking for?
A: I am looking to have a wide variety of styles present, so no! And as far as themes go, your piece will just need to have to relate to a FOB music video.
Q: Is this zine digital art-only? Can I join if I only do traditional art?
A: As long as you can properly scan your work, traditional art is completely fine!
Q: Is mixed media work alright?
A: Yes!
Q: What are the deadlines? Can I have more details relating to when check ins happen?
A: Yes, all deadlines are publicly viewable on the "Schedule" tab.
Q: Are you looking for mods as well?
A: Not at this time!
Q: For writers, would something like narrative poetry be allowed? Can they be reflective pieces on music videos?
A: If it relates to a music video, you can get as creative as you like with written pieces as long as they're short enough to fit in the page limit! As stated at the beginning, all writers will also be working with a spot artist to illustrate their work as well.
Q: Is it alright if I don't have a social media presence?
A: That's completely fine and does not factor into acceptance at all!