DIAMOND(S) IN THE ROUGH:
A Blue Lock Awards Show Zine

Hello VIPs!
Thank you for showing interest in our zine. If you want a front row seat for the awards show event, check all the information available below:

ABOUT

Diamonds in the Rough: A Blue Lock Awards Show Zine is a for-profit digital zine that focuses on the lives of our favorite Blue Lock characters and the events that take place on the red carpet. Our zine will feature characters receiving awards, walking the red carpet, giving acceptance speeches and many other activities that award shows include.The zine is to be divided into three (3) parts: The Red Carpet (SFW), The Awards Show (SFW), and The After Party (NSFW).For the supporters side of things - this zine will work the same as any other zine project. We'll open apps, do a creation period, and open preorders most likely around January 2024. As far as content goes, this zine will be laid out to reflect a real awards show. Typically, you have the celebrities showing up on the red carpet showing off their fashion or just getting up to shenanigans. This is what our creators will be working on. Showing off stylish outfits and maybe a little harmless fun between our boys as they enter the event. The awards show section will be a collection of art and fics/speeches from the chosen recipients. We hope to portray them receiving their awards. And the after party... well. What happens at the after party stays in this zine but expect some NSFW art and fics here.For our creators - please head on to Guidelines & Applications

The show will present 9 awards:🏆 The Egoist Award - Isagi Yoichi
🏆 Most Valuable Player - Itoshi Sae
🏆 The Crowd’s Favorite - Bachira Meguru
🏆 Best Striker Award - Itoshi Rin
🏆 Best Duo Award - Isagi & Bachira
🏆 Best Trio Award - Reo, Nagi, & Chigiri
🏆 Best Team Award - Blue Lock 11
🏆 Best Captain Award - Aiku Oliver
🏆 Best Strategist Award - Mikage ReoThe winners presented are all based on the award voting posted last June 24 - 30.

PRODUCTION TEAM (MODS)

Mod LA
Head & Organization

Mod Amber
Finance Mod

Mod Lux
Social Media Mod

Mod Haley
Co-Head, Writing, and Communications Mod

Mod Lex
Graphics Mod

Mod Lily
Layout & Formatting Mod

Mod Dawn
Art Mod

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE:💎Contributor Apps:💎
July 1 - August 31💎Contributor Results:💎
September 6💎Pitches Due:💎
September 16💎Check in 1:💎
October 16💎Check in 2:💎
November 13💎Check in 3:💎
December 11💎SEASONAL/HOLIDAY BREAK:💎
December 16 - January 6💎Final Check in:💎
January 8💎Formatting:💎
January - February💎Pre-Orders:💎
March - May

FAQs

What is a zine?
A zine is an independently published collection of artwork, stories, and many other diverse forms of creative content. Usually centered around a certain theme, character, pairing, or fandom, it can be a physical copy, digital copy, or both.What is this zine about?
This zine will focus on the Blue Lock characters on the red carpet, accepting awards as well as giving award speeches. Our NSFW section will focus on the more indecent activities the characters get into after these award shows are over and the after parties start.Is this zine for charity or for-profit?
This zine is For-profit.What will the zine format be?
This zine will be paid digital.Who can apply as a contributor?
Anyone who is 18+ and has an interest in Blue Lock can apply!How will contributors be compensated?
Since this zine is for-profit, contributors will be given monetary compensation with a free full bundle zine.Will there be NSFW content?
Yes, there will be a side zine called “After Party” that will be an add-on item and exclusively NSFW.Do I have to be 18+ to apply?
Yes. Since there is a NSFW side to this zine, we require that every contributor and moderator be 18+.What characters will be in this zine?
All characters from the anime and manga are allowed to be featured in this zine, so everyone - depending on what our contributors choose to create!Will ships be allowed?
Ships are allowed, but we would like for ships to be a minor role in the SFW section of our zine!How Does this zine work?For the supporters side of things - this zine will work the same as any other zine project. We'll open apps, do a creation period, and open preorders most likely around January 2024. As far as content goes, this zine will be laid out to reflect a real awards show. Typically, you have the celebrities showing up on the red carpet showing off their fashion or just getting up to shenanigans. This is what our creators will be working on. Showing off stylish outfits and maybe a little harmless fun between our boys as they enter the event. The awards show section will be a collection of art and fics/speeches from the chosen recipients. We hope to portray them receiving their awards. And the after party... well. What happens at the after party stays in this zine but expect some NSFW art and fics here.For our creators - the zine is split into 3 parts. The red carpet, the awards show, and the after party (NSFW add on). For this, the red carpet and the after party work the same as any other project. Accepted artists and writers will be able to pitch their ideas and write/draw freely from them. The only difference here is the awards show section. Since we are collecting votes in the Interest Check for the award recipients, this section will have assigned pieces. For example, we will assign a writer and artist to write/draw for the winner of the Best Egoist Award. Writers and Artists will have to opt-in on their applications if they wish to be considered for this section. They will also know the winners of each award prior to submitting their application.*If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask. https://retrospring.net/@bllkawardszine*

CONTRIBUTORS APPLICATIONS

GENERAL APPLICATION GUIDELINES & REQUIREMENTS1. The zine is split into 3 parts. The red carpet, the awards show, and the after party (NSFW add on). For this, the red carpet and the after party work the same as any other project. Accepted artists and writers will be able to pitch their ideas and write/draw freely from them. The only difference here is the awards show section. Since we are collecting votes using twitter poll for the award recipients, this section will have assigned pieces. For example, we will assign a writer and artist to write/draw for the winner of the Best Egoist Award. Writers and Artists will have to opt-in on their applications if they wish to be considered for this section. They will also know the winners of each award prior to submitting their application (Like a spot art).2. All applicants must be 18+ years of age by the start of the creation period.3. Zine experience is not required.4. Applicants may apply for multiple roles, but will only be accepted for one.5. All files must be easily accessible. Please check the link prior to submitting. You can do this by pasting it into an incognito browser and ensuring that the sample is viewable. Moderators will not be responsible for inaccessible links.6. If accepted, all contributors should be prepared to:
oooa. Follow discord server and zine rules.
ooob. Receive constructive criticism and feedback.
oooc. Practice attentive communication. Discord will be our main communication platform for the entirety of the zine period. You will be required to have your own account.
oood. Maintain zine privacy. You will not be allowed to leak information regarding the zine outside the server or spread information about moderators and/or contributors.
oooe. We encourage everyone to do their best to be honest, responsible, and organized.

WRITERS
➝ Expectations
- Writers will be expected to write one (1) story of approximately 1.5k to 2k words revolving around the characters of Blue Lock. The story must fall within the theme of the zine.
- If applying for the Awards Show part of the zine ONLY, they are expected to write at least 3 speeches. (Each speech must have a 100-200 word count).
- Accepted writers will be given the option to create a speech for the "Awards Show" part of the zine with 100-200 word count.➝ Application
- Applicants will choose their preferred sections. The available sections include:
ooo The Red Carpet (SFW)
ooo The Awards Show (SFW)
ooo The After Party (NSFW)
- Applicants must submit three (3) samples in the form of either gdocs or ao3 link and a link to the applicant's portfolio. (Portfolios will only be opened in the event of a tie)
- Submitted samples should not exceed a TOTAL word count of 5k.
- If applying for a NSFW position, you must submit at least one (1) NSFW piece. Please tag this piece accordingly.
- At least one (1) sample must be a complete story that stands alone.
- If an excerpt is used, necessary context should be provided at the start of the piece (one - two sentences only; this will not be included in your word count).
- The following are not required but are highly recommended:
ooo a. a sample that features any Blue Lock characters
ooo b. a sample which falls under the theme of the zine.➝ Evaluation
- Writers will be judged on flow and pacing, sentence structure, grammar, maturity of language use, characterization, and their ability to write a complete and engaging story within the specified word count.Writers' Application Form

PAGE ARTISTS
➝ Expectations
- Artists will be expected to draw at least one (1) piece of artwork revolving around the characters of of the anime/manga: Blue Lock. The piece/s must fall within the theme of the zine.
- Accepted artists will be given the option to draw for the NSFW section.➝ Application
- Applicants will choose their preferred sections. The available sections include:
ooo The Red Carpet (SFW)
ooo The Awards Show (SFW)
ooo The After Party (NSFW)
- Applicants must submit three (3) samples in the form of google drive link which they feel best exemplify their skills.
- If applying for a NSFW position, you must submit at least one (1) NSFW piece. Please tag this piece accordingly.
- At least one (1) sample must have a full background (not graphic design elements or gradient background).
- The following are not required but are highly recommended:
ooo a. a sample that features any Blue Lock characters
ooo b. a sample which falls under the theme of the zine.
- Traditional samples must be scanned in high resolution.➝ Evaluation
- Artists will be judged on anatomy, composition, mastery of colors, perspectives and angles, lighting, shadowing, and their ability to create a complete and engaging art piece.Artists' Application Form

MERCH ARTISTS
➝ Expectations
- Merch Artists are expected to create at least three (3) merch pieces revolving around the characters of of the anime/manga: Blue Lock. The piece/s must fall within the theme of the zine.
- This is the list of merch available to design for accepted contributors:
ooo a. Digital sticker/sticker sheet
ooo b. Discord emotes
ooo c. Coloring sheets/pages
ooo d. Wallpapers/backgrounds
ooo e. Icons/Banners
ooo f. Art Prints
ooo g. Digital planner
ooo h. Digital journal
ooo i. Motivational images
ooo j. Bookmark➝ Application
- Applicants must submit three (3) samples in the form of google drive link which they feel best exemplify their skills.
- The following are not required but are highly recommended:
ooo a. a sample that features any Blue Lock characters
ooo b. a sample which falls under the theme of the zine.
- Traditional samples must be scanned in high resolution.➝ Evaluation
- Artists will be judged on anatomy, composition, mastery of colors, perspectives and angles, lighting, shadowing, and their ability to create a complete and engaging piece of merchandise.Merch Artists' Application Form