ABOUT

Another Step Forward is an FE3H zine themed around modern times. Though a broad focus, this zine aims to play with certain aspects of the game in a unique and fun way, whether through fashion, food, or bonds between characters.

Ideally, we are looking for 35 contributors; 20 artists, 10 writers, and 5 merch artists. Ships are generally not allowed, but contributors may vaguely allude to specific relationships if they so choose. Generally, the focus should remain on aspects of modern settings.

The zine will be available in both physical and PDF formats. Merch revolving around the theme for the zine will also be offered.

The financial model for this zine is half for-charity and half for-profit. Our chosen charity is Save the Children.

Meet the Team

Mod Jake @phoenx_art

Jake is the head mod of this zine, overlooking all roles and being in charge of organization, scheduling and finance. He is an energetic artist with a passion for zines. After being interested in FE3H for a year and participating in several zines, this is his first time heading a zine of his own. Despite this, he is more than excited to work with everyone in creating something wonderful!

Mod Karen @MariettaRC

Karen is the new Quality Checker for Artists for Another Step Forward! They enjoy drawing in a simple yet dynamic art style with bright colors and a positive vibe. Karen has been a consultant for zines in the past, helped moderate 2020's Casphardt Minibang, and is currently co-head mod and a merch artist for Seven Seas: A Casphardt Zine. As a fan, they've been into Fire Emblem since FE3H's release and has since played several other entries in the series, with plans to eventually complete them all. They are very excited to be part of the Another Step Forward team!

Mod Te @Saringold_

LadyTe (Te) is the quality checker for writers for this zine. She is responsible for keeping writers on track, answering writing questions, ensuring that deadlines are met, and providing beta-reading and feedback services to the zine writers. Her zine experience includes being the writing mod and a contributor for Seven Seas: A Casphardt Zine, a beta-reader for Goddess Messenger, and a contributor for the zine I Am Ferdinand Von Aegir! Outside of zines, she is a professional copyeditor and proofreader by trade with more than 3 years of professional editing experience, and has both beta-read and written several works for the FE3H fandom and beyond. She is most excited to help the writers bring their amazing ideas to life!

Mod Grace @redxcranberry

Grace is the social media & communication mod. She’s behind the curtain for the zine’s social media and email accounts and is responsible for interacting with the zine’s audience and providing timely project updates. In addition to serving as the head mod, social media mod, and one of the writer mods for the Sylvix zine Til Death Do Us Part, Grace has years of professional experience running social media campaigns and events for a variety of corporate clients. Modern AUs are some of her absolute favorite ways to explore the characters we know and love in a more familiar setting, so she’s incredibly excited to be a part of Another Step Forward!

Mod Lee @treefroglee

Lee is the production and shipping mod of Another Step Forward! They will be packaging and shipping all the packages. They have been a mod on over a dozen zines, and they have shipping experience on a handful of zines, including King & Aegis and Garreg Mach Records. College and career AUs are their guilty pleasure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regarding Applications:

1. Can I apply for multiple roles?1
You may apply for multiple roles, but you will only be accepted for one role. Your role will depend on how we see your skill set fitting best with our vision for the zine.

2. Where can I find the requirements for my application?
You can find more information about the requirements for your application here.

3. What is expected of each role?
You can find more information about the responsibilities of each role here in our information document. If you have any questions about what’s expected of your role, we encourage you to ask a mod.

4. How soon after applications close will we hear back about our acceptance?
As per the schedule, applicants will be notified of their acceptance status 8 days after applications close. This is to give the mods enough time to look through each application thoroughly and come to a decision together.

5. Will rejection emails be sent out?
Yes. All applicants will receive an email regarding their acceptance status regardless of whether or not they were accepted. If you don’t receive an email by the time we post an announcement stating that all emails have been sent, please contact us on any of our social media.

Regarding Pieces:

1. What are the specifics of this AU?
Since this is a broad theme, there are some specifics to keep the zine less like an anthology of works and more like a collection of various works on the same theme. We do want you to keep your artistic freedoms, so these are only a baseline.

Nabateans still exist. Your work does not have to include Nabateans, but should you choose to include them, they do exist. They are still hidden from the general public, however, and their existence is debated. Crests, however, do NOT exist, and magic can only be performed by Nabateans.

Country names (such as Adrestia, Brigid, etc.) should try to be avoided. This zine's modern setting does not take place in Fodlan; rather, it takes place on Earth. Since interpretations for inspired locations differ per player, concrete locations shouldn't be named. However, for some general guidelines: Adrestia is based on northern central Europe; think Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Faerghus is based loosely on parts of northern and Western Europe; think of the UK or Scandinavian countries like Denmark. The Leicester Alliance is based on southern central and western Europe; think France, Spain, Portugal, or Italy. Almyra is based on the Middle East, and the countries of Dagda and Brigid are up to interpretation. Try not to focus too much on these locations—instead, focus on the kinds of cultural elements within the game that might translate to modern day culture.

The entire AU takes place entirely in the "post-skip". You are free to focus on whatever you think these characters would do—whether it be college, careers, etc. And while common AUs, such as college AUs, are welcome, we want creators to feel welcome to explore other settings as well. Try to keep the students around 20-30 years of age and the faculty at their respective ages.

2. Are ships allowed in this zine?
Generally, no. However, if the contributor wishes, they may be able to have depictions of implied ships, but this must be run through the mods first.

3. Will this zine contain NSFW content?
No. This zine will be strictly SFW, meaning that all interactions involving sexual activities, extreme violence, etc. are not allowed. Depictions of mild nudity, mild swearing, and canon-expected violence are permitted. If you are unsure about your pitch, contact a mod for help.

4. Can I post WIPs or stream my piece?
During the creation period process, the mods will give contributors the opportunity to post WIPs in order to promote the zine. At that time, we will give specific instructions and guidelines on how to reveal their WIPs. Contributors are not allowed at any other time to post WIPs. Streaming a piece is strictly not allowed.

5. Can I post or sell my finished piece?
Your work will remain your intellectual property, and as such, you may do what you’d like with it. However, you may NOT resell the zine itself, as it contains the intellectual property of many other contributors.

Regarding Check-Ins:

1. How do I submit my check-ins?
You will submit your check-ins by filling out the forms given to you in both the information document and the server. Refer to the #schedule to know when all check-ins are due. All forms are available from the start, so if you want to submit your check-in early, you're able to do so.

2. Can I change my piece after submitting it?
Yes! If you change your mind between check-ins, please let a mod know so we can double-check that your new pitch isn’t too similar to someone else’s. Expectations for each check-in will remain the same, though, so try not to switch ideas right before a check-in.

3. What happens when I submit my check-in?
After you submit your piece via the Google Form, the mod team will be looking over your pieces to ensure that your files are in-line with our guidelines for each check-in. We will also be providing feedback on your pieces no more than a week after you submit them for check-in.

4. Are extensions allowed?
Extensions are allowed and have a maximum of one week. Exceptions to this rule are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. If you submit your piece late without forewarning, you will be given a strike. If you continue to fail to submit your piece on time without an extension, you may be dropped from the zine.

Still have questions?

You can send us an ask on CuriousCat here!

Schedule

May be subject to change
Interest Checks open — March 22
Interest Checks close — April 4
Mod Applications open — April 5
Mod Applications close — April 18
Mods notified — April 19
Contributor Applications open — April 26
Contributor Applications close — May 23
Contributors notified — May 31
Creation Period begins — June 6
Check-In #1 — June 27
Check-In #2 — July 25
Final Submissions due — August 29
Preorders open — September 4
Preorders close — October 3
Production Period — October – November
Shipping Begins — December 2021 – January 2022

Application Guide

If you'd like more information about the zine and what we're looking for when you apply, here is our information doc and here is our application guide!

If you still need more information, feel free to leave an ask in our CuriousCat or contact us on any of our social media!

AU Guidelines

Since this is a broad theme, there are some specifics to keep the zine less like an anthology of works and more like a collection of various works on the same theme. We do want you to keep your artistic freedoms, so these are only a baseline.

1. Nabateans still exist. Your work does not have to include Nabateans, but should you choose to include them, they do exist. They are still hidden from the general public, however, and their existence is debated. Crests, however, do NOT exist, and magic can only be performed by Nabateans.

2. Country names (such as Adrestia, Brigid, etc.) should try to be avoided. This zine's modern setting does not take place in Fodlan; rather, it takes place on Earth. Since interpretations for inspired locations differ per player, concrete locations shouldn't be named. However, for some general guidelines: Adrestia is based on northern central Europe; think Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Faerghus is based loosely on parts of northern and Western Europe; think of the UK or Scandinavian countries like Denmark. The Leicester Alliance is based on southern central and western Europe; think France, Spain, Portugal, or Italy. Almyra is based on the Middle East, and the countries of Dagda and Brigid are up to interpretation. Try not to focus too much on these locations—instead, focus on the kinds of cultural elements within the game that might translate to modern day culture.

3. The entire AU takes place entirely in the "post-skip". You are free to focus on whatever you think these characters would do—whether it be college, careers, etc. And while common AUs, such as college AUs, are welcome, we want creators to feel welcome to explore other settings as well. Try to keep the students around 20-30 years of age and the faculty at their respective ages.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave an ask in our CuriousCat or contact us on any of our social media!