Unto the Abyss

Genshin Impact Gothic Horror Zine

Disclaimer: This zine will feature themes that may be unsuited for some viewers. Themes include but are not limited to blood, death, murder, torture, gore, body horror, sexual content, and more.Please do not proceed or apply to this project if you are under the age of 18!

Unto the Abyss is a Gothic Horror Genshin Impact Fanzine that will feature art, merch, and writing.

What is Gothic Horror?Often dubbed as the predecessor of modern horror, and at times referred to as a subgenre of Romanticism, Gothic Horror is a 20th century genre of literature that depicts gloomy and dreary settings, the grotesque and macabre, supernatural elements, ghostly and ghastly beings, and even, shockingly enough, romance.
Gothic writers composed terrifying stories featuring dark and creepy settings, supernatural interferences, ancient family curses and a prevailing atmosphere of terror and mystery.
◇The Gothic Horror genre includes a number of authors such as: Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe, Matthew Lewis, Ann Radcliffe, Oscar Wilde and many more.
◇Gothic horror makes a clear distinction between terror and horror. Terror is the sense of anxiety, dread and apprehension that precedes an experience. The fear of the nothingness, of the "what-if's" that may be lurking beyond - the fear of the unknown. Horror, on the other hand, is the sense of revulsion after an experience. The fear of something concrete - something tangible - something that can be explained.
To reach the Sublime, the feeling of intermingling both fear and awe into one cohesive entity - the ultimate goal of Gothic writer and Romantic poets alike, terror was want helped writers take one step closer to that very goal.◇Gothic horror, like many genres also has a few sub genres, such as Southern gothic, and the new genre popularized by social media sites like tumblr, Regional gothic. Check out Regional Gothic’s blog for more ideas and inspiration here!Want even more resources? Check out the links here!

Schedule

  • Interest Check: October 4th - October 31st

  • Contributor Applications: November 8th - December 15th

  • Apps extended: Until December 29th

  • Results sent: January 1st

  • Creation Period: January 1st - April 22nd

  • Check-in 1: January 28th

  • Check-in 2: February 25th

  • Check-in 3: March 25th

  • Final Submissions Due: April 22nd

  • Preorders: May 2022

Dates subject to change

Meet the Mods

DinaHead and Socials Mod

Hey, there! Back at it again in the zine scene to bring this project to all you Genshin fans out there.I previously was the head mod and organizer of Fell Star: A Byleth Eisner Fanzine!

ZygoGraphics Mod

Hello there! I'm Zygo and I'll be making all the graphics for "Unto the Abyss". I'm absolutely stoked to be a part of this project!I’ve worked on various zines as a merch and page artist, but this will be my first time being a mod! You can check out all my previous zine experience here!

MiseryLayout and Production Mod

Hey, Misery here! Just a gal whose mind is always in Halloween Town!I've been around the zine scene a lot! Feel free to check out my experience here!

AlexWriter Mod

We read Edgar Allan Poe in seventh grade, and it was all downhill from there.I'm new to zines, but I've interned as an assistant editor at a literary journal. I've also been published!

ZINE SPECSThis zine will be a physical booklet - A5 and full-coloredArtists will create one single-page, or double page spread
Templates will be provided in the serverFics will create one fanfic with a wordcount maximum of 2.5k wordsWe plan to accept approximately 20 artists, 6 writers, and 6 merch artistsThese numbers are subject to change

All Applicants must be at least 18 years of age as of the opening date of our applications - November 8th!This is a hard requirement as the content of this zine will feature themes that may be unsuited for some viewers. Themes include but are not limited to blood, death, murder, torture, gore, body horror, sexual content, and more.Please do not apply to this project if you are under the age of 18!

Artist Applicants
Please provide 3 sample pieces. At least one should be Genshin Impact. At least one should have a background. Though not required, a piece in the horror / gothic horror genre is encouraged.Please submit a portfolio of your choice. This can be a website, a Google Drive folder, or even an art Twitter. If using Google Drive, please be sure to grant us access to your folder! Portfolios should not include sketches or unfinished pieces.
Space will be provided for you to write 3 pitches / ideas for the zine. These can be as detailed or as broad as you'd like to make! Note that the mods will be considering pitches as we decide on the final contributors!◇Writer Applicants
Please provide 3 sample pieces. At least one should be Genshin Impact. Though not required, a piece in the horror / gothic horror genre is encouraged.Excepts from longer fics / multi-chaptered fics are fine, but at least one sample must be from a completed work. We ask at least one sample at least the length of our word count requirement: 2.5k wordsPlease submit a portfolio of your choice. This can be an ao3, a Google Drive folder, or even a Twitter. If using Google Drive, please be sure to grant us access to your folder!Space will be provided for you to write 3 pitches / ideas for the zine. These can be as detailed or as broad as you'd like to make! Note that the mods will be considering pitches as we decide on the final contributors!◇Merch Applicants
Please provide 3 sample pieces. At least one should be Genshin Impact. Though not required, a piece in the horror / gothic horror genre is encouraged.Please submit a portfolio of your choice. This can be a shop link, a Google Drive folder, or even an art Twitter. If using Google Drive, please be sure to grant us access to your folder!Space will be provided for you to write 3 pitches / ideas for the zine. These can be as detailed or as broad as you'd like to make! Note that the mods will be considering pitches as we decide on the final contributors!

FAQ

What is a zine?
A zine is a collection of fanworks, typically containing art and writing. These fanworks are self published into both physical booklets and digital pdfs. Zines typically are created within fandom spaces, by fans for fans!◇What is a pitch?
A pitch is an overall idea for your piece! This term is often taken from Cinema where one would "pitch" the idea of their film or television series to a director. This is often a verbal or visual explanation of their idea! Similar to that notion, a pitch is just an idea that you have for this zine should you be accepted! They can be as detailed or as vague as you would like them to be!◇
What is this zine about?This zine will focus on the Gothic Horror genre, and will feature any and all characters within Genshin Impact!◇Can Minors apply?
Unfortunately, no, they cannot. As this project will feature darker, mature themes, we are requiring all applicants be 18 years and older.◇Are other subgenres allowed in this zine? Or just specifically Gothic Horror?
You are definitely free to explore the subgenres! There are many subgenres to choose from, so please feel free to let your creativity shine!◇Are ships allowed?
As per the results of our interest check, this is a General zine; however, implied ships are welcome!◇Will this project be for charity or profit
As per the results of our interest check, this is a for-profit project!◇Will follower count or previous zine experience effect my chances of being accepted?
Not at all!
Whether you have been in zines in the past, or whether you have a smaller follower count, these factors will not be a determinant in our final contributor decisions!◇Is this a physical zine, or digital?
We will be both a physical and digital project!