FAQ
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Key information
We will be announcing mods and other information over the coming weeks before opening applications! Applications are largely organisational, to see what people are likely to be submitting so that we can start planning how best to fit it all into the zine. We hope to include at least one piece of work from everyone who applies, but depending on the number of applicants, this may not be possible — if this happens, we will discuss whether we'll be able to do a second issue, how we might divide the two, etc.
You may still be able to submit work to the zine even if you don't fill out the application form, but this is not guaranteed.
Don't worry if you change your mind about what you want to do after submitting an application — it's mainly to give us a ballpark of how long the zine will be, if everyone who applied will be able to fit into one issue, etc. The applications also give us a helpful list of people to chase up once we start nearing that deadline for final piece submissions — speaking of...
The Timeline
We'll be opening applications on the 7th of October. These will be open until the 30th of November, GMT. After we've processed all the responses and let everyone know how we're moving forward, contributors will have another two months to complete their work and send it in. During this time, we’ll do an interest check to help us figure out exact pricing, merch options, etc. Then we'll have another two months for editing and taking pre-orders, then the time for printing, so we're expecting to be able to start sending the zines around May of 2026. Exact dates will be confirmed as the project progresses.
Submission guidelines
- For short stories, between 1 and 5k words is ideal, with shorter wordcounts preferred. Essays, meta-analyses, fan theories, etc should be between 1-2k, and certainly not longer. Poetry has no set wordcount; flash fiction is under 1k, and drabbles are 100 words exactly.
- Prose should be submitted as .DOCX files, and art as .TIFF (preferred) or flattened .PSD, unless that's not possible in the program you use, in which case use .PDF
- Artwork should be in CMYK 300 dpi, meant for A5 printing. Don't put any important details at the edge of the page (leave a 3mm bleed).
- Types of art possible: Merch, Alone (one A5 page), Accompanying a story (one A5 page)
- Types of prose possible: flash fiction, drabbles, short stories, poetry, fan theories/essays/metanalyses. We will consider other categories if you've got them — just say what it is on the application form!
- Everyone gets one serving before anyone gets seconds. This means that, if you submit more than one art and one prose idea, you may not have more than one of each accepted unless we have the room.
- As for content, the focus needs to be on the Deca as a whole, not only thoschei. No genAI whatsoever, and no NSFW (use the Who TV show as a guide — we aren't Torchwood!)
- Please don't feel obliged to keep your work aligning with "canon". Canon is a stupid concept anyway; make what's in your heart, and have fun!
- Do not publish your story/art outside the zine until one month after the order period for the physical zine ends. Doing so directly harms a charity.
- Style guide TBA.
FAQ
What format will the zine be?
We'll have a digital version, and a physical version (A5 size). The physical will be pre-order only.
How much is a copy going to cost?
We're not sure yet of the exact prices, but the more people interested, the cheaper the printing cost!
Where's the money going?
After covering the cost of printing, any and all profits will be donated to The Malala Fund — ironically for a zine about a group of delinquent truants, this is a charity that encourages education! The Malala Fund invests money into programmes that help girls access education.
Will there be multiple issues?
Possibly — we want to see how many submissions we get, and also how well we manage this first issue — one thing at a time!
Will you have merch?
Yes! We'll be announcing more details on our socials throughout the process (:
I want to plan a story for the zine — what's your wordcount limit?
Considering the number of people already interested, we'd prefer shorter stories — under 5k would be ideal! This doesn't mean longer pieces won't be considered, but as this zine will be printed, we do need to take space into account. We will allow multiple submissions.
What kinds of work are you looking for?
A wide variety of types of fanwork will be conidered, including poetry, comics, flash fiction, short stories, artwork, and essays! If you have an unconventional idea and aren't sure if we'd be able to include it, feel free to reach out via our contact form.
Do I need to have shared my work before to submit something for The Deca Zine?
Absolutely not! No portfolio/previous work will be required for the applications; we just want to see how many people are planning on submitting roughly how big a wordcount!
Do I need to respond to the application form in order to contribute?
No, although it is preferable — that first form is mainly so we can work out a rough wordcount. You can still submit a finished piece without having told us that you're planning on submitting via that application form. However, if we have loads of applicants, people who respond to that form will be prioritised, so, do reply! Even if you change your mind about what your work will be, it may 'save you a spot', as it were.
Can I write something in another language than English?
Your story (or poem, essay, etc) must be at least mostly in English. Exceptions will be made for Gallifreyan, and of course the odd line is fine (e.g. for a character speaking in another language in-text).
Can I contribute art/writing?
Anyone is welcome to submit an application!
Would I get any compensation if I contributed to the zine?
Yes — all contributors will receive a free digital copy of the zine, as well as the option to claim a discounted physical copy (pay manufacture price+shipping only).
Can I be a mod?
Thank you for your interest, but we already have a full mod team.
Can I submit something made using generative AI?
Absolutely not. Any use of genAI in your submission will result in a rejection of not only that piece, but of any and all submissions from you. This project is committed to supporting real art by real artists.
Can I submit NSFW content?
Although broaching potentially triggering or uncomfortable subjects is okay, your work must be appropriate for a general audience. Think 13+. This means no sexual nudity, smut, graphic depictions of violence, detailed descriptions of/focus on drugs — if you're not sure if your idea would be allowed, feel free to reach out and ask, but a good guideline is the AO3 ratings system. If your work would be rated 'mature' or above, it's not for this zine.
Why are you making this?
Because we want to!
But I thought the Deca fandom was like, three people?
Well, we already have a full mod team and a lot of people interested in contributing, so, evidently not! It was a nice surprise for us too! Unless, of course, we're all just the same person in a different wig for each mod role. Can't be ruled out...
Do you have a Discord server?
Yes, but for now we're limiting numbers until we're sure we can manage a larger server.
Who's running this whole shindig?
The mod team has been announced on our socials — go check us out at the links below!
More may be added as we receive more questions — if you have any of your own, please contact us!