Chasing After is a physical DKBK canon-verse zine dedicated to Midoriya Izuku and Bakugou Katsuki across all years of their lives—from childhood to adulthood. 💚🧡
we are creating!
✦ ABOUT ✦
Chasing After is a BNHA fanzine dedicated to Midoriya Izuku x Bakugou Katsuki. This canon-verse zine will chronicle their life from them as children to them as Pro Heroes and beyond.The name "Chasing After" comes from the theme of one of them always "chasing after" the other. It also means that once they've finally found themselves as equals (catching up to each other), they're, together, chasing their "after."
About the Zine
What is a zine/fanzine?
A zine is a fanmade booklet/magazine that is a collection of art and/or writing revolving around a particular subject or theme. It usually comes with merchandise alongside the booklet, both of which may be digital and/or physical.What is this zine about?
Chasing After is a SFW DekuBaku zine focused on the two of them across their lives. There will be pieces about them as children, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and as adults of any age!What are the zine specifications?
Our zine will be perfect bound, sized 5.5" x 8.5" with various merch options! Templates will be provided!Do the mods have any experience running zines?
Yes! You can learn more about the mods of this zine here.Is this zine for-profit or for-charity? What does that mean?
Our zine is a for-profit zine, meaning all earnings will be split equally amongst mods and contributors, as determined by our interest check.Do I have to apply to be in the zine/Do I need to have a portfolio to be in the zine?
Yes, if you wish to contribute, you will need to apply! You will be required to curate both samples and a portfolio for your application. You can view our application guidelines here.
Content in the Zine
Is this a ship zine?
Yes, this is a ship zine focused on the pairing Midoriya Izuku x Bakugou Katsuki from My Hero Academia. We will not be featuring any other BNHA ships, even side ships, just to avoid causing any discomfort for those looking for DekuBaku only.Is NSFW allowed?
No, NSFW will not be allowed in the main zine. We will, though, be having a side, digital NSFW zine that accepted contributors may sign up to contribute to if they wish.Is this zine focused on DekuBaku only or is BakuDeku allowed as well?
Our zine is DekuBaku only.Will this zine contain BNHA spoilers?
Yes, this zine operates based on the completed canon story of the manga. (Since this zine idea was created before it was released, we are ignoring "Ch 431"/Epilogue/Extra content pages. 🥰)Are AUs allowed?
No, this zine is a canon-verse zine, meaning all pieces must be canon-adjacent in some way.
Example: We will only allow Pro Hero Izuku if he's in his suit or if it's implied that it's before he lost his OFA embers (as that is unconfirmed when that occurred).Do I need to create original work for the zine or can I submit pieces I've already created and/or posted publicly?
Yes, all pieces must be made for the zine itself and not previously posted.Is AI/generated AI content allowed?
Absolutely not. If we find out that you're using AI at any time, you will be immediately removed from the zine and banned from the mods' future projects.
Contributor Information
How many contributors will this zine have?
Our zine will have 32 page artists, 12 writers, and 6 merch artists comprised of invited guests, mods, and accepted contributors! Through applications, we will be accepting 28 page artists, 8 writers, and 4 merch artists.What kind of pieces are page artists making?
Page artists will be making one piece that will cover an entire page of the zine. Some artists may sign up to create a spread or comic as well.What's the word count range for writers?
The word count for our writers in the main, SFW zine is 2,000 words to 3,000 words.Once the zine is completed, do I retain the rights to my work?
Yes, absolutely! We do ask that while the zine is still actively going (starting from creation period to pre-orders to leftover sales) that you do not share, post, or sell your work until the mods have given you the go ahead to do so! But you will retain all rights to your work upon the zine's completion and the zine will not retain its rights to distribute your work.How will contributors and mods communicate/keep in contact?
Our main mode of contact is through Discord and email! We do require that you have a Discord account so that you can join our zine's server; we will frequently make announcements and updates there. We will, however, also send out emails for the more important announcements. Also, any important or sensitive information (such as emails and addresses) will remain completely confidential from other contributors; only the mod team will be able to view this information.Will contributors receive free copies of the zine?
All contributors will receive the digital zine for free! We are also aiming to be able to compensate all contributors with full bundles as thanks for contributing their time and creativity. Whether or not we're able to do this is wholly dependent on sales.Are minors allowed to participate?
No, all contributors must be at least 18 years old.Am I allowed to drop out if something happens where I can no longer contribute to the zine?
Yes, you may drop out of the zine at any time if needed. We just ask that you inform us ASAP so that we may contact a pinch-hitter to fill your spot.
✦ MODS ✦
Role: Head (Organization & Communications) & Layout/Formatting Mod
About: Hi hi! I'm Dianna and I'm so excited to finally be dipping my toes into the BNHA zine scene! I've been a fan of BNHA and DKBK since 2015 and so I can't WAIT to make a zine dedicated to one of my favorite ships of all time! <3
Experience:
★ Path of Life: a Kakashi Zine — Co-head (Organization & Communications), Writing, Finance/Production, & Layout/Formatting Mod
★ Blue & Violet: an Indigo Zine — Head, Finance, Writing, Layout/Formatting, Graphics, & Social Media Mod
★ Mosaic: a MiniMoni Zine — Head, Writing, Social Media, & Layout/Formatting Mod
★ Mod for 16+ other zines
★ Contributor for 26+ zines
Role: Finance/Production Mod
About: Hi, hi! I’m super happy to be here! I can’t wait to work with everyone!!
Experience:
★ Homebound: A BKTDBK Anthology — Shipping Mod
★ Harmony: A Yoongi Zine — Finance/Production, Formatting, & Shipping Mod
★ Prism: A JinKook Zine — Finance/Production, Formatting, Shipping, & Graphics Mod
★ The Eternal: A BTS Vampire Zine — Finance/Production, Formatting, & Shipping Mod
★ Mod for 23+ other zines
Seds
Role: Graphics Mod
About: Hello!! I'm Seds and I've been a BKDKBK lover since 2020 when I watched through the first 4 seasons of the anime!!! I sorta fell out of BNHA for awhile but You're Next inspired me to get back into it, so I watched 7 seasons of the anime, read 30 chapters of the manga and read 670k worth of fanfic in three weeks... As you can probably tell I'm Super Normal 🙂 about it! Very excited to be a part of this zine and can't wait to make something awesome about our lovely boys all together!!
Experience:
★ three is tender: a minjoonkook zine — Graphics Mod
★ 12+ years of professional graphic design experience
★ Previous online shop owner & sole operator
Role: General Mod
About: hiii i’m rini!! i’ve been in the trenches since Deku V Kacchan, so i’m a longtime dkbker (and kacchan fan)!! i’m finally getting involved in fandom with this zine!! woohoo!! this is my first physical zine, so i’m super excited to learn more and get to know everyone! dkbk the world!!
Experience:
★ Possession: a Yandere DKBK Zine — Intern Mod
Role: Shipping Mod
About: I love anime boys.
Experience:
★ Path of Life: a Kakashi Zine — Co-head (Organization & Communications), Shipping, & Social Media Mod
★ Another Tomorrow: an ASL Trio Zine — Head Mod
★ Savouring the Journey: a Sanji Cookbook Zine — Co-head, Social Media, Chef, and Shipping Mod
★ 4+ years professional shipping and logistics experience
★ Contributor for 13+ zines
Role: Social Media Mod
About: I haven't read anything in so long that it feels like I'm going through withdrawal. I need to be injecting text into my brain at all times.
Experience:
★ ATLA Zines — Head, Organization, Social Media, & Writing Mod
★ Haikyuu Team Zines — Organization, Social Media, & Writing Mod
★ Blue Paradise — Social Media Mod
Role: Writing Mod
About: My mental health is built on toothpicks, duct tape, and bkdk.
Experience:
★ I have degrees in English and Theatre.
★ I've beta read fanfic and other writing for 13 years.
★ I've been writing fanfiction for 12 years.
★ I have beta read anonymously for many zine contributors.
Role: Art Mod
About: Hi everyone! I’m Wren ❤️ I’m a long time dkbk and am a believer that owning physical media of your fave blorbos heals your soul! Let’s bring these silly boys to life.
Experience:
★ Possession: a Yandere DKBK Zine — Intern Mod
★ The End of a Cycle: JJK Canonverse Ending Zine — Art Mod
★ Desolation: TDBKDK Apocalypse Zine — Merch Artist
★ Lockdown: BKDKBK Crime Zine — Merch Artist
★ Merch artist for 7+ other zines
✦ SCHEDULE ✦
✦ Mod Applications Open: October 1st ✅
✦ Mod Applications Close: October 29th ✅
✦ Mod Applications Results: October 31st ✅✦ Interest Check Opens: November 8th ✅
✦ Interest Check Closes: December 1st ✅✦ Contributor Applications Open: December 8th ✅
✦ Contributor Applications Close: January 8th ✅
✦ Contributor Application Results: January 15th ✅
✦ Acceptance Deadline: January 20th ✅✦ Pitches: January 20th-January 27th ✅
✦ Pitch Assignments Sent Out: January 31st ✅
✦ Check-in 1: February 28th ✅
✦ Check-in 2: March 28th ✅
✦ Final Submissions: April 25th✦ Pre-Orders Open: May 16th
✦ Pre-Orders Close: June 28th✦ Production Period: July/August
✦ Shipping Period: August/September
✦ Leftovers (if applicable): TBA
ALL DEADLINES ARE 11:59 PM CST.
✦ APPLICATIONS ✦
This 5.5” x 8.5” physical, for-profit ship fanzine will focus on writing, art, and merchandise with some contributors brought on through invitation but most through our application process.There will be one digital NSFW side zine created by our accepted contributors. You do not need to apply with a NSFW sample to contribute to our NSFW zine. Contributing to our NSFW zine is not required and only voluntary from our contributors. So, upon acceptance, you can choose whether or not you’d like to create for it!We are accepting 28 page artists, 8 writers, and 4 merch artists through applications. This number does not include guests and mods! You can apply for multiple roles, but we will only accept you for one.You must be 18+ to apply.We recommend reading our About page on our Carrd in full before looking through our guidelines here.You can also view our guidelines on a Google Doc here if you don't want to view it through our Carrd!
Page Artist Guidelines
✦ We are asking that you provide 3 finished samples as well as a portfolio. One of your samples must include a background of some kind.✦ One of your three samples must include Izuku and/or Katsuki. We highly recommend at least 1 piece with the two of them, but it is not required.✦ Samples should showcase the style you plan on using for the zine! Please also do NOT submit your entire portfolio link for each sample, you must choose separate samples for each one that best represent your artwork.✦ If you choose to include NSFW pieces, please make sure to let us know that they're NSFW! Please also tag any triggers that might be included in your samples, like any explicit content, MCD, gore, etc.✦ Please do not include the following topics in your samples: Bestiality, Non-Consensual Sex, Shota/Loli, and Extremely Underage Sex. That being said, you may add them to your portfolio, but if you do choose to include these topics in your portfolio, you must make a separate folder for them and indicate each warning/trigger in the file name.We will disqualify your entire application if you do not properly tag and separate these topics in your portfolio.✦ Please remember that if you're using Google Drive, make sure your privacy settings for the link allow us to view them! You're more than welcome to use any other sites as well, like links to your Twitter, DeviantArt, photo hosting sites, etc.‼️ Links that don't work may disqualify you. We recommend testing your links in an Incognito browser!
Merch Artist Guidelines
✦ We are asking that you provide 3 samples of merch that you've done before or think would work as a merch item. We are also requiring that you submit a portfolio. You're more than welcome to also share art pieces to fulfill the 3 example requirement (ex. something you'd see on an art print vs a single charm)✦ You must include BOTH Katsuki and Izuku in your samples. Whether it is two separate samples of each of them or just one sample with them together, we do require that both of them are included!✦ Samples should showcase the style you plan on using for the zine! Please do NOT submit your entire portfolio link for each sample, you must choose separate samples for each one that best represent your artwork.✦ If you choose to include NSFW pieces, please make sure to let us know that they're NSFW! Please also tag any triggers that might be included in your samples, like any explicit content, MCD, gore, etc.✦ Please do not include the following topics in your samples: Bestiality, Non-Consensual Sex, Shota/Loli, and Extremely Underage Sex. That being said, you may add them to your portfolio, but if you do choose to include these topics in your portfolio, you must make a separate folder for them and indicate each warning/trigger in the file name.We will disqualify your entire application if you do not properly tag and separate these topics in your portfolio.✦ Please remember that if you're using Google Drive, make sure your privacy settings for the link allow us to view them! You're more than welcome to use any other sites as well, like links to your Twitter, DeviantArt, photo hosting sites, etc.‼️ Links that don't work may disqualify you. We recommend testing your links in an Incognito browser!
Writer Guidelines
✦ Please include links to 3 samples and 1 link to your portfolio that you think showcase your writing the best! The portfolio can be anything like a Google Drive folder to your Ao3 account. This is just to give the mods an opportunity to check out other work if we're struggling to make a decision. Do not submit threadfics for your samples; please, also, do not submit a Twitter thread for your portfolio.✦ One of your three samples must be from either Izuku and/or Katsuki’s POV.✦ Samples should showcase the style you plan on using for the zine! Each sample must range from 1k-3k words. Your first sample must read as a completed story.✦ If you choose to include NSFW pieces, please make sure to let us know that they're NSFW! Please also tag any triggers that might be included in your samples, like any explicit content, MCD, gore, etc.✦ Please do not include the following topics in your samples: Bestiality, Non-Consensual Sex, Shota/Loli, and Extremely Underage Sex. That being said, you may add them to your portfolio, but if you do choose to include these topics in your portfolio, you must make sure to indicate each warning/trigger in the file name.* If your portfolio is your AO3 account, you do not need to do anything as long as your fics are properly tagged!If submitting a Google Drive portfolio or something like it, we will disqualify your entire application if you do not properly tag and separate these topics in your portfolio.✦ Please remember that if you're using Google Drive, make sure your privacy settings for the link allow us to view them! You're more than welcome to use any other sites as well, like links to Archive of our Own works, other Fanfiction/Writing hosting sites, etc.‼️ Links that don't work may disqualify you. We recommend testing your links in an Incognito browser!
✦ General Tips and Tricks! ✦
This section is something that can heighten your portfolio and application, but aren’t actually required for it.✦ We recommend at least one piece that showcases the theme of our zine either in your samples or portfolio. This helps us mods get a better understanding of what you may be creating for our zine itself when it comes down to it. That being said, if you do have work that represents our zine theme, but it is older and doesn’t represent your current style, we highly recommend putting it in your portfolio rather than your samples.✦ A well-organized portfolio is something every mod loves, including us! If you’re an artist with both merch and art pieces in your portfolio, it may be beneficial to separate them into folders labeled “Merch” vs “Page,” for example.✦ Artists, a good portfolio is usually 5 pieces or more. If not 5, please include at least 3. Again, a portfolio is meant to help us mods in case your samples aren’t enough for us to make a decision! If we leave your samples to open a portfolio that only has 2 pieces in it, it usually doesn’t help us very much.✦ Artists, we truly mean it when we say we recommend backgrounds! A massive lack of backgrounds in samples can sometimes make or break an application as they are required for our zine. We also recommend that you do not include WIPs/sketches in your portfolio since it usually reads as “incomplete” to mods rather than “in progress/has potential.”✦ Writers, we recommend an easily readable font (Times New Roman, Arial, etc.) that is sized at a normal size (10-12 point font). We also recommend that you incorporate paragraph breaks so that your samples are easier to read. Nice formatting on a fic makes for a happy mod reading experience!✦ Writers, if your samples can be interpreted as confusing without some kind of context and it’s only a snippet, it is helpful for us mods if you include a few tags at the top of your fic. It could also help us if you linked to your full fic (if it’s published) at the top of the document, too.✦ Writers, your grace for word counts is small. Submitting a sample that’s 3.1k or so is usually fine, but if you submit a sample that is, for example, 3.4k, that can easily make or break an application! Please adhere to our word count range.✦ Finally, if there’s something you think us mods should keep in mind for your application, please feel free to let us know in the comments/concerns/questions section! We genuinely want to know and take it into consideration.We are so honored you want to be a part of our zine and we wish you luck with your application! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via DMs on our socials and/or through our Tellonym. 💚🧡