Welcome to Lucida Sidera: The Shining Stars, a fanzine celebrating the ladies of the Final Fantasy series.✦ Current Status:
Preorders Open
April 17th to May 17th

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Lucida Sidera: The Shining Stars is an upcoming for-profit fanzine centered around the ladies of the Final Fantasy series! We set out to celebrate the captivating and empowering ladies of this beloved franchise. As the Latin term implies, these characters are the shining stars of the series, illuminating the gaming world with their strength, depth, and unforgettable stories.We hope to come together to recognize and appreciate the enduring legacy of these incredible women by shining light on their remarkable stories and accomplishments.

SPECS

✦ Digital + Physical Zine
✦ Full color, Perfect Bound
✦ 6 x 9 inches
✦ Estimated ~130 Pages
✦ 45 Contributors
✦ Merchandise Included

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 and poets). Spreads are determined based on pitch.

  • Accepted merch artists are expected to create at least 2 merch pieces each.

  • Accepted writers are expected to write 1 story that is 2k words in length, or 1 long-form poem of 1 to 2 pages.

  • 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 we begin the Leftovers 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 along with a provided template.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

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 22 - November 24!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 any Final Fantasy Lady are highly recommended, but not necessary. We strongly recommend that you include at least one Final Fantasy 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 5 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 5 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 or poet 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 5 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.

Poet Applications

  • You are welcome to write poetry for the zine. Out of 10 Writers, a maximum of 3 Poets may be included.

  • Please use the Writer Applications Form and make sure to select ‘Applying as a Poet’.

  • Please provide at least 3 poetry samples that best represent your work.

  • Please include 1 sample of a long-form poem that is at most 90 lines long.

  • Other samples can be of shorter forms but must still be no longer than 90 lines long.

SCHEDULE

Please note that this schedule runs on ET timezone.

Interest CheckSept 8 - Sept 30
Contributor AppsOct 22 - Nov 24
App ResultsDec 3
Pitch SubmissionsDec 15
1st Check-inJan 12 - Jan 13
2nd Check-inFeb 3 - Feb 4
3rd Check-inFeb 24 - Feb 25
Final SubmissionsMarch 17
Pre-OrdersApr 17 - May 17
ProductionMay - July
ShippingAugust

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our newsletter below for exclusive sneak-peeks, early access to the shop, and reminders for when Applications and Preorders open for Lucida Sidera!

THE TEAM

S.K.Evans

Co-Organizer, Finance & Shipping Mod

Favorite FF Lady: Aerith, Yuna and Garnet will forever be my best girls.EXPERIENCE:
✦ Soaring Heart: Tifa Zine (Volume 2)
✦ Beneath Strange Stars: Cloti Big Bang 2022
✦ Cloti 2022 - 2023 Calendar
✦ Because I Have You: The Cloti Zine

Sakky

Merch & Communications Mod

Favorite FF Lady: It's so hard to pick one but I'll have to say Garnet, followed closely by Terra, Rikku and Luna! Garnet's haircut will forever be iconic to me!EXPERIENCE:
✦ Infinite Horizons: A Tales of Fanzine
✦ Entangled: An IchiRuki Wedding Zine
✦ Soaring Heart: Tifa Zine (Volume 2)
✦ Sonnets & Seasons: A Hubernie Fanbook

mayari

Co-Organizer, Graphics, Social Media & Formatting Mod

Favorite FF Lady: Tifa and Garnet are my queens. Followed closely by Celes, Rydia, and Yugiri ❤️EXPERIENCE:
✦ Soaring Heart: Tifa Zine (Volume 2)
✦ Entangled: An IchiRuki Wedding Zine
✦ Style Bomb: a YuYu Hakusho Fashion Zine
✦ Letters from the Sky: A Zerith Fanzine

Miniyuna

Art Mod

Favorite FF Lady: Yuna (my namesake!!) I was just so enamored with her when i first played FFX, I loved her kindness and her determination. Also her outfit is peak I don't make the rulesEXPERIENCE:
✦ You're Not Alone: FF9 Zine
✦ Turtles Together
✦ Beyond the Sky

Mayelisa

Beta & Writer Mod

Favorite FF Lady: Yuna, the love of my life. Closely followed by Tifa, Garnet, and Lightning.EXPERIENCE:
✦ Soaring Heart: Tifa Zine (Volume 2)
✦ Beneath Strange Stars: Cloti Big Bang 2022
✦ Because I Have You: The Cloti Zine
✦ Multimania Zine

Mimi

Finance & Production Mod

Favorite FF Lady: There are too many awesome FF ladies to choose from, but Tifa Lockhart is forever my shining diamond in the sky, the queen of super punchy girls. Rydia, Rinoa and Lightning follows closely behind her!EXPERIENCE:
✦ Letters from the Sky: A Zerith Fanzine
✦ Enchanted: A Dramione artbook
✦ Homeward: A Sasusaku Blank Period Zine

Lady Darqueness

Japanese Communication Mod

Favorite FF Lady: TIfa. I love her. A lot. I love her a lot. Right behind her are Luna and Lightning. I love them a lot too.EXPERIENCE:
✦ Soaring Heart: Tifa Zine (Volume 2)
✦ Colour Cafe: DR Colouring Book Zine
✦ Apricity: Thomaya Zine

FAQ

General Information✦ 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?
Lucida Sidera: The Shining Stars is an upcoming for-profit, SFW fanzine centered around the many ladies of the Final Fantasy series. We set out to celebrate the captivating and empowering ladies of this beloved franchise. As the Latin term implies, these characters are the shining stars of the series, illuminating the gaming world with their strength, depth, and unforgettable stories.This is a project where creators can come together to recognize and appreciate the enduring legacy of these incredible women, by shining light on their remarkable stories and accomplishments.✦ 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-profit.✦ How will contributors be compensated?
Depending on sales during pre-orders, contributors will be compensated according to the following financial model:1st tier: Free high resolution PDF (guaranteed)
2nd tier: Book
3rd tier: Book and paper/flat merch
4th tier: Book and all merch (including limited items and early birds)Under this model, shipping is included for 1 bundle. If there are leftover profits, they will be split equally amongst everyone.✦ 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 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.Contributor Information✦ 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 2k words in length, or 1 long-form poem of 1 to 2 pages.✦ 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 your Final Fantasy lady is included and they are 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 in any submissions.✦ Are AUs allowed?
As this is a zine meant to stick to the canon universes of FF games, we will not consider AUs that change the world (for example: steampunk-verse). Exceptions to this rule would be Dissidia and Kingdom Hearts.✦ Can I submit an older piece for the zine?
Unfortunately, no. Please make sure that the piece is unpublished and brand new.