despite eden,
@despiteedenzine.bsky.social
63 followers 7 following 16 posts
A for-charity zine exploring Persona 5's 3rd Semester through its primary cast: the Royal Trio + Maruki. despiteedenzine.carrd.co Status: Interest Check (Oct. 3rd - Oct. 24th)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki in his Palace Ruler form at the bottom.
[Q]: Are there going to be individual artworks of characters? Like Maruki or Joker get a few pieces where there aren't any other characters? Just wondering.
[A]: Yes! We will be aiming for variety and equal representation during the pitch phase. Solo representations are permitted so long as the theme/composition ties into the zine. Additional parameters about what is considered allowed are outlined in our info doc (linked on our carrd!).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreieummgco2ddtmxcbuusa4itlj7fkejmkdf7jcubdro6bvri52wiay)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki in his Palace Ruler form at the bottom.
[Q]: Will there be any guidelines when it comes to the characterization of Maruki, considering the controversial nature of his character and complicated relationship to the royal trio? (Part 1/2)
[A]: Thank you for this question! All moderators on the project are fond of Maruki as a character and see the humanity in him, but are under no delusion that is is not an antagonist.
We are not planning to have guidelines pre-written and provided, but rather carefully review pitches, WIPs, and have honest conversation when necessary about any representations of abuse and trauma to make sure it is handled with care-](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreicpf4tniz733o2pi3bjdopsicirztwgpzpaimeobvnkhsjjwhkn5e)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki in his Palace Ruler form at the bottom.
[Q]: Will there be any guidelines when it comes to the characterization of Maruki, considering the controversial nature of his character and complicated relationship to the royal trio? (Part 2/2)
[A]: While also honoring Maruki’s character. This time is prepared and equipped for sensitivity reading, and content in the zine will be appropriately cw/tw tagged at the index level.
Additionally, the above applies to more than Maruki as well: Sumire has a complex relationship with her sister and her own identity, Akechi and even Joker are morally gray characters, and trauma is a common theme with all 4 characters.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreigq2bptssgbcptezdy2l3dnmcd2i5cajro33nm45jibfcvudgzxsa)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki in his Palace Ruler form at the bottom.
[Q]: Concern: I hope all the Quartet characters will be represented equally in the zine and no one takes too much of the focus.
[A]: This is definitely something we are keeping in mind! The zine is not solely intended to be Trio ft. Maruki, or focus on any ships. Rather, each character has equal weight. We will be moderating pitches with a goal of having near equal representation of all characters.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreidcwy64x6gwmtglgoop7lteahiike4vw6fscnx2baoiufxgmokq2a)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki (Palace Ruler) at the bottom.
[Q]: What would you generally like to see in an artist applicant’s submission?
[A]: Specifications will be published to our info document before Interest Check closes, so do check back! But generally, we will want to see some number (with a cap) of completed pieces, with one or more of your pieces containing as many of the characters this zine is focused on that you can.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreie7rcu37lh5tk6cg7inftwycnpc6jp6qip3noaroekuchskenshoi)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki (Palace Ruler) at the bottom.
[Q]: Surprised at the lack of a physical zine option (aside from merch), is there a reason for this?
[A]: We anticipate the subject of this zine to be on the more niche side for buyers, so we are operating with this in mind. A lack of physical zine will lower production costs, which will allow us higher likelihood of compensating contributors with physical merch) if we move forward with it), and donate a higher sum to charity. In the event the IC results indicate that physical release is feasible, we will reconsider.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreiaaluv4succorieak5lbyxh3r27oot5uhmonypi3ppkvkbf5h72wq)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki (Palace Ruler) at the bottom.
[Q]: Is the zine free to join?
[A]: We will be conducting contributor applications with a limited number of slots. The limitation is so moderators can give proper feedback and attention to each contributor. Numbers of each contributor type are still being finalized and will be made available ahead of applications.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreigrofcxzvfofusu4a2xgut2whh5mmlafbveqgq2lsnyp5iz7qk5xu)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki (Palace Ruler) at the bottom.
[Q]: If writing samples are needed from the writers, just curious what the word count would look like! And also, would a writing sample piece that's a few years old or one that's very recent still be accepted?
[A]: Samples will be expected to be the same WC as the zine piece: 3-5k! Number of samples and other fine details will be added to the info document by the time the Interest Check concludes. Samples can be old or new–whatever you think best represents your work!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreic57ivvrafs2rxam2ak2opw7lipe2chzspxatz6lua22m2svpx4cy)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki in his Palace Ruler form at the bottom.
[Q]: Would cosplay be considered as a medium for contributions?
[A]: Yes, cosplay applications will be accepted and considered. With cosplay, we require that there will be effort put into the scene setting to match the theme of the zine, and the photo(s) must be edited to fit in our A5 zine specs.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreifuk47ps42yduyshnck3c73dl5v7synpb44cgdsbi2kjf6v4tqs6q)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki in his Palace Ruler form at the bottom.
[Q]: Is there an age requirement to participate?
[A]: Yes, contributors will be required to be 18 years of age or older at the time of acceptance into the zine.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreic4cfh27hu4rgk3mjelo3mgmbenghyqf45m2slcxu4yoatvzcvw6a)
![The Q&A graphic mimics a TV broadcast announcement that says “LIVE INQUIRY BROADCAST.” The question is framed at the top, and the answer is given by a silhouette of Maruki in his Palace Ruler form at the bottom.
[Q]: I’ve never bought or contributed to a zine before, but I am curious about writing within the setting and theme. Would it still be appropriate for me to consider applying?
[A]: You can absolutely apply, no prior experience necessary! Writing Mods will want to see samples of work that do pertain to the characters this zine is centered around, but not all samples must be about them.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pcxv76jaldis3akyuad262g4/bafkreihtuellb75c5yxbyl4owsvtqtojotof2pqk7fbnc4chefp3unv6hm)
