Stella Aurea ✧ is a SFW, for-charity fanzine that celebrates the life and legacy of Runeterra's brightest star, Mel Medarda! This zine is both a digital and physical project that includes illustrations, short form writing, and various merchandise.
Post-production proceeds will go to Black Girls Do STEM!
✧ zine status: pre-orders are OPEN until feb 10th!
✦ Contributor applications ✦
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Our Contributor Lineup ✧
✧ 30-35 Artists
✦ 8-10 Writers
✧ 8-10 Spot Artists
✦ 6-8 Merch Artists
The Contributor Lineup estimate is inclusive of guests; final count can change based on Contributor Applications. Contributors can apply and be chosen for more than one role if the applicant has a strong enough application.
Read Before Applying !
As a Mel focused zine, we expect that our contributors hold the same love and appreciation for our luminous star as we do! As a result, we highly recommend applicants include at least one Mel or Arcane-related piece in their portfolio when applying but it is not required! ✧ We recommend that artists compare how they draw Mel’s skin tone with how she is depicted in the show or in official concept art. Please double check and adjust her skin tone if not accurate before submitting an application with a Mel sample included! ✦ Writers should provide at least one Mel-centric writing sample (can be taken from a larger piece of work).
General Guidelines. ✧
✦ This is a SFW Zine. Please only include SFW content in your application if possible - include warnings otherwise. ✦ When submitting your application, please make sure that your portfolio is accessible if submitting a Google Drive or Dropbox link - any link shared should be set to public. We will not reach out over inaccessible portfolios and it will result in a disqualification. ✦ Applicants must have a 1). working email and 2). discord account as they will be our two main channels of communication between mods and contributors. Joining the discord server is required upon acceptance. ✦ This zine will not accept any contributors displaying behavior that is racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, etc. The use of AI is prohibited for this zine and should the mod team discover any contributors using AI in their work, they will be disqualified for the zine and receive no compensation. ✦ Applicants are welcomed to apply for multiple positions (page artist, writer, etc.) but will only be accepted as one unless there’s an exceptional pitch for both positions. ✦ Previous zine experience is not required! Any artist or writer of any skill level is welcomed to apply. ✦ Be respectful and communicative with the mod team - life happens so communicate with us if any extensions are needed! ✦ Applicants must be 18+ at the time of applying.*If applying to more than one position (ex. Artist and Merch Artist), it’s helpful to separate them into different folders such as “Artwork” and “Merchandise” if you submit a drive link!
Contributor Expectations. ✧
✦ Page Artist Expectations: expected to produce a new, fully-colored illustration sized for either one-page, a spread, or a comic (a spread or comic is a two-page piece offered based on your pitch). ✦ Writer Expectations: expected to produce new fanfiction ranging from 1500 - 2000 words. ✦ Spot Artist Expectations: expected to produce new spot illustrations as a companion piece to a writer's story. ✦ Merch Artist Expectations: expected to design 2-3 pieces of new merch each. ✦ We ask all contributors not to sell, share, or post their full work until after the shipping period for the zine ends. Mods will notify contributors of exactly when closer to the date!
Page & Spot Artists ✧
✦ Provide a portfolio link that has at least 5-10 art samples that best represent your work and matches the style you will be doing for the zine - please only include finished pieces, no WIP.
✦ A portfolio link can include: a website (carrd, personal website, etc.), a Google Drive folder (make sure it’s set to public), Twitter art side account, Tumblr art blob (or tag) - it should be anything that is accessible and will easily direct us to your work ✦ Not all samples require a background but at least one piece should be a full-colored illustration featuring a complete background. ✦ If applying as a comic or spot artist, including a comic sample or examples of spot illustrations you’ve done is preferred. ✦ Traditional artwork is accepted as long as you can provide a high-quality scan at 300dpi.
Writers ✧
✦ Provide a portfolio link that has at least 3 writing samples that best represent your work. Samples shouldn’t go over 2000 words and should be SFW.
✦ A portfolio link can include: an a03 / FFN account, a Google Drive folder (make sure it’s set to public and viewable by anyone), Tumblr writing blog (or tag) - it should be anything that is easily accessible and will easily direct us to your work! ✦ Samples can be taken from larger pieces but at least one of your samples should be a complete work within the word limit of the zine (1500 - 2000 words max).
Merch Artists ✧
✦ Provide a portfolio link that has at least 5 sample artworks that best represent your work and matches the style you will be doing for the zine - please only include finished pieces, no WIP.
✦ A portfolio link can include: a storefront (etsy), a website (carrd, personal website, etc.), a Google Drive folder (make sure it’s set to public), Twitter art side account, Tumblr art blob (or tag) - it should be anything that is accessible and will easily direct us to your work ✦ Samples should include examples of the types of merch you’re interested in creating for the zine (ex. If interested in designing a charm, your application should include a charm sample). ✦ It would be helpful to include quality, real life photos of merchandise or mockups you’ve produced. ✦ Not all samples require a background but at least 1 piece should be a full-colored illustration featuring a complete, rendered background if you're interested in designing an art print.
Applicants can read the full contributor info doc here!
This is an unofficial, fanmade project with no affiliation to Arcane, League of Legends, and Riot Games, nor does Riot Games endorse this project. Mel Medarda, all characters, and locations featured in this project belong to Riot Games. Stock assets for graphics were taken from Freepik.