FROM THE ASHES

A Post-War Fire Nation Recovery Zine

The From the Ashes is a potentially angsty Avatar: the Last Airbender fanzine that aims to explore the change and growth experienced in and by the Fire Nation following the end of the Hundred-Year War.

Follow the citizens of the Fire Nation as they and seek to restore their honor in the eyes of the world.

This zine will be divided into four sections:
Goodwill Games
At Home and Abroad
A State of Grieving
The Road to Recovery

Only when we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change ~ Avatar Aang

What might this look like?

Avatar World Championships of Sports / Pre-Pro-Bending/ Kuei Ball Tournament/ Dance Lessons/ Avatar equivalent of Eurovision Song Contest
Zuko, Ty Lee and Kyoshi warriors visiting schools in the Fire Nation, teaching love and acceptance instead of contempt for those from other nations
Piandao teaching the ways of the sword to pupils from all nations
Ursa establishing orphanages abroad or overseeing reconstruction of places the Fire Nation destroyed
Zuko helping lay stone foundations for new buildings in Omashu or Ba Sing Se
Azula redemption or incarceration… maybe she’s sentenced to community service…
Encounters with the New Ozai Society
Moments of doubt, mental breakdowns, and flashbacks from everybody
Royal Family taking a much-needed break on Ember Island
Some wholesome festivals for the changing seasons, new year, and end of the war anniversaries.
A search for a new Fire Lady
Welcoming a new generation of hope in Princess Izumi’s (maybe her birth depicted as that one Lion King scene)

FAQ

Q: Why does the interest check ask for triggers?
Subject matter. The zine focuses on a post-war situation. Some of our favorite characters are bound to suffer from some levels of PTSD, anxiety, or lasting injuries. But we do not want to depict any content that will trigger any bad memories in our readers. Just some good, healthy tears, if that is a thing.

For example, illustration may depicts a veteran flashing back to the battlefield in reaction to a fire cracker going off during a New Years parade.

Q: Where is Mai in all this?
Where would you like her to be O.o ? The list above are just suggestions. You may explore pretty much anything as long as the Fire Nation or a citizen of the Fire Nation is the focus.

Q: Will there be mod apps?
Yes, mod apps will re-open May 10- May 30 and can be found here.

Q: Will you be accepting mod interns?
A: Maybe. This will depend on the area in which the intern would like to gain experience and if the full-fledged mod in that area is interested in mentoring an intern.

Q: Is this for profit or for charity?
Most likely for charity. Final decision will be made once the full mod team has been assembled.

Q: Will ships be allowed in the zine?
Probably. I mean... many people do date before settling... We just will not take any stance on what is "endgame". If someone wishes to depict Izumi's biological mother, we will request they be backlit, not in focus, or cropped out so readers and buyers may draw their own conclusions.

Q: If this zine focuses on Fire Nation citizens, does that mean some of the works featured in it would have OCs either made for the zine or using some contributors have made in the past? Or is it specifically only focused on characters from the show (or comics)?
The main focus of each piece will be at least one canon character from the Fire Nation. Contributors may include OCs as side and background characters. (For example: maybe Azula adopts an alias and joins a group of pirates for a change of scenery and makes friends. Maybe Ursa visits an acupuncturist (like Lin did in Zaofu in Legend of Korra...etc)

Q: The length of the zine will probably influence how much I'm willing to spend on it. Do you think there may be stretch goals?
The maximum length of the zine will be an ambitious 192 pages curated by 2-3 writers, 6-8 page illustrators, and 2-3 spot artists per section. At that size, the physical zine only would be priced around ~$30 with a $5 add on for the PDF. Depending on interest, numbers may be reduced to 2 writers, 5 page illustrators, and 2 spot artists per section with a maximum page count of 124 priced at ~$20 with a $5 add on for the PDF.

Merch selection and stretch goals are also dependent on the interest level of potential buyers and will be determined later. Most likely will include a combination of merch “upgrades” like regular cover to foiled cover, and additional items like stickers, pins or washi tape.

Q: How will contributors be compensated?
⋙ All contributors are guaranteed a PDF copy of the zine.
⋙ The first priority is covering costs of production and shipping to buyers.
⋙ The second goal will be to provide the physical zine and shipping to all contributors.
⋙ The third goal will be to provide full-bundles to all contributors. If there are any funds left over, they may be donated to charity or split among contributors depending on an internal vote.

Things that are PROHIBITED:
Incest, major/minor shipping, non-con, shipping discourse, discrimination of any kind, racism, homophobia etc.
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We would like this project to be a safe and welcoming collaborative working environment for all.
🧡

Schedule

Milestone	Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
Mod Apps Open	Friday 25.12.2020
Mod Apps Close	Friday 22.01.2021
Mod Apps + Interest Check Re-Open	Monday 10.05.2021
Mod Apps + Interest Check Close	Sunday 30.05.2021
Contributor Apps Open	Monday 31.05.2021 (Or when 150 responses reached)
Contributor Apps Close	Sunday, 27.06.2020
Creation Period Start	Monday 28.06.2021
Pitch Approval Due	Sunday 04.07.2021
Check in 1	Sunday 25.07.2021
Check in 2	Sunday 29.08.2021
Check in 3	Sunday 19.09.2021
Final Submissions Due	Sunday 26.09.2021
Pre-Orders Open	Friday 18.10.2021
Pre-Orders Close	Sunday 14.11.2021

Mods

ZHI | 99NZHE
Lead, Shipping, Org, Socials

Hi! Zhi here! waves awkwardly
I am a 21 year old who likes spreadsheets, drawing, writing, and animating. I'm that one person who took Fire Lord Izumi's 4 seconds of screen time and RAN with it XD

Exp includes: Kuvira Zine Vol I & II, and Demon Slaying Alchemists

BAZI | QUEERLYTIRED
Finance, Production, Beta

Hey, hey! I'm Bazi - I spend most of my time making content and hopping between fandoms and projects! I keep returning to ATLA for the sibling dynamics and have no regrets uvu

Exp includes: The Watcher's Deck, Lilies in Bloom, and Cutting Edge

CLAIRE | BL0SSUMS
Graphics

hiya! im claire and a big fan of nature, arts & crafts! im so excited to join the team, atla is a comfort series of mine!

Exp includes: Connect, Time Adventure, Ambition, Berry-Tastic

TEX | TEXASDREAMER01
Beta, Organization
Hello there! I'm Tex, a writer who loves worldbuilding and thinks the lore of ATLA makes for excellent stories.

Exp includes: Everything in Balance, False Gods, and Heka

CHARLY | CHARLYTHELEE
FInance/Production Intern

Hey everyone ~ I'm Charly, a backpacking enthusiast and hopeless artist/writer who loves sea shanties and worldbuilding to a not entirely unproblematic degree >.>

Exp includes: Passing the Torch

CONTRIBUTOR EXPECTATIONS

Writers are expected to contribute one 2k-2.5k word character-centric one-shot within one of the four themes.

Spot Artists are expected to illustrate 4-6 pieces (each taking up no-more than 1/3 of a page) to complement a piece of writing. Pieces of spot art may depict objects such as a broken mirror, a tarnished crown, a forgotten doll on a dirt road, a wilted flower a tree, or a small scene.

Page Illustrators are expected to contribute 2-3 pages of content. This may be:

one spread
two singles
one spread + one single
three singles

Some artists may be asked to illustrate a title page for the fics.

Merch Artists will be assigned 2-3 items to design (for example: a print, a charm, and a phone wallpaper) based on their art style and experience. Some items will be designated as stretch goals.

ALL CONTRIBUTORS must:
★ be 18 years of age or older
★ have a Discord Account
★ comfortable communicating in English
★ be willing to notify the mods if they are unable to meet a check-in deadline

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All work samples included in the application must be entirely your own. No collaborations (such as "I did the sketch and lines and my friend colored)."
If linking a Google Drive Folder for your portfolio, we must have permission to access the drive. Either set the folder to "Anyone with a link can view" or share it directly with [email protected] BEFORE linking it. If we cannot view your portfolio or work samples, we will not judge your app.
Writing samples should be 1500-3000 words. At least one ATLA sample is preferred, but not required. Writers will be judged on their characterization, plot, pacing, and command of the English language.
Page Illustrators will be judged on overall scene composition, lighting, shading, use of color, and anatomy. Full backgrounds are preferred. Solid color or gradients do not count as a full background.
Spot Artists will be judged on use of color, anatomy (if applicable), level of realism and stylization. Backgrounds are not required!
Merch Artists will be judged on use of color, anatomy (if applicable), and stylization.

The TEAM SO FAR