If I ever meet you, I apologize in advance if I just break down crying. Thank you for giving such life to amazing characters that are at first goofy but have such depth and character that their absence causes such a profound response. The lessons they taught me are precious to me. For Scanlan, Veth, Quay, and FCG....Thank you.
How many minutes is more than a few? Greater than twelve. No, I don't think we've hit twelve, but it's been three to five a dozen times. Yeah, he's solid in the three to five, I get that. Anyone's great in three to five.
How to Participate: Sometime during September, make one (or more) zine that is related to fiction podcasts in some way. The zine can be of any quality. You can share it on Tumblr using the tags #fiction podcast zine event and #fiction podcast zine festival
What is a zine, anyway? A zine is a small booklet, usually made of paper, that can function as art or an informational pamphlet. They are traditionally hand-folded, and designed to be very cheap to reproduce.
Hang on, I've seen some really fancy zines, though? Sometimes, people or fandom will create projects under the label of a "zine" to produce glossy, professionally printed projects. These are often elaborate, gorgeous group art efforts, and are probably more accurately art books, rather than zines as they're classically defined. You could make one of these if you really wanted to, but I'd encourage you not to, and instead spend just a spare hour (quick), afternoon, or weekend (long) on it.
What should my zine be about? Whatever you want, so long as it is related to fiction podcasts! I'll put a list of suggestions under a cut at the end. You can also check out the wonderful things people made last year by visiting the #fiction podcast zine event and #fiction podcast zine festival tags.
What medium should I use? Hand drawn/written zines that can be photocopied are traditional, but you can use literally whatever you'd like! Digital is an easy option in the modern world, but you could experiment physically with all kinds of mediums if you wanted.
Do I have to make them printable to contribute? You don't! It's a nice gesture, but there's nothing wrong with just making one for yourself.
I want to make something, but it won't be very good. Do it anyway. The point of zine fest isn't for it to be perfect, it's to make a zine. That's an achievement in itself.
I don't own a scanner/printer/copier but want to make use of one. Any suggestions? You might have associates who work in offices and schools and would be willing to scan or print them for you. You can also check your local library, post office, corner store, and university (in that order, probably). The first three will often charge a small fee for printing, rarely more than 20c, the last will definitely charge a fee higher than that.
Hey, I've got something to add! Let me know! If you have advice to give (to me or more generally speaking), or useful resources, I'd appreciate you sending them along.
Resources:
Wikihow: How to make a zine
Google drive folder containing personal templates (.docx) for one-sided and two-sided 8 page digital zines
Ideas to get you started:
Short rec lists. These could be themed or just shows you like
An introduction to fiction podcasts for someone who's never encountered the concept
How-to guides or tips for audio fiction creation, navigating RSS feeds, making transcripts or other technical advice
"Why you should listen to:" for your favourite show
A promo booklet for your own podcast
An introduction to your favourite characters, stories or relationships from said shows
A "Steal Their Look" fashion zine
Podcast themed recipe(s)
A short comic
A short story/fanfic
Your own custom mixed-show anthology or episode sampler.
Mixtapes or music playlists
A scientific exploration of topics discussed in audio fiction
A short academic exploration of themes in various shows
Between Percy knowing Grog's favorite color (6), knowing that Grog was holding up one finger to him while he was blind to test his eyesight (Grog's middle finger), knowing how to win a cannon ball contest that Grog was judging (by exploding himself with raw sodium and drawing blood from both himself and Grog lol), and Grog getting Percy a broken pocket watch as a gift (because he knew Percy would enjoy tinkering with it), I genuinely think Percy and Grog's relationship is one of the most slept on in all of Critical Role.
Plus this little exchange that I love so dearly:
Percy: I know we don't always agree, and I know that I can be unkind but... you know you're family, right?
Every 'normal' adult is fussing around Pugsley and Wednesday because "poor children that must be so hard for you to see mom and dad break up like this"
But the kid are absolutely unfazed, arguing that "it's alright they will be together again soon". The normie are so sad for the "children clinging to vain hopes" until Morticia and Gomez get married again two weeks after the divorce.
In the meantime Mama and Uncle Fester fight about which one of them will go to whose custody.
They pretend to argue in court and at meeting with lawyers over the splitting of the properties but that's mostly Gomez insisting to leave more and more thing to his wife in an angry voice.
At home they decided not to talk to each other so Lurch has to (begrudgingly) transmit messages from one to the other, even when they are sat on either side of the table.
That works (more or less) then Morticia says one word in french and Gomez run to cover her with kisses until Morticia remind him that they are spliting (that's the only moment he seems to regret the whole thing)