Tome of the Unknown is a collaborative charity zine celebrating Over the Garden Wall. Bringing together artists and writers from across the fandom, this zine intends to honor both the legacy of the show and the wonderfully creative community it has inspired.A zine intended for physical release, all proceeds will be donated to a charity of choice (as decided by our contributors).

Please note that Tome of the Unknown: An OTGW Fanzine is not affiliated with Over the Garden Wall nor Cartoon Network. This zine is curated, produced, and distributed by the community for the community, with any profit allocated for donation.

This zine will feature subject matter from Over the Garden Wall (including Tome of the Unknown, our namesake and the show pilot). Inside will feature a variety of fan works, including visual art and writing. Alongside illustrations, we are also considering other creative mediums such as crochet, embroidery, and other handmade crafts.

Please note that specifications may change due to results of the interest check.Tome of the Unknown is intended to have both a digital and physical release. The book itself will be 6’ x 9’, 32 pages, 100lb paper, with perfect binding. The zine will ideally include options for merch (e.g., vinyl stickers, sticker sheets, bookmarks, postcards, etc.).At the moment, we are aiming to have 28-35 contributors distributed as such:20-25 page artists
3-5 writers
3-5 merch artistsHowever, these numbers are subject to change pending interest check.The zine is planned to release November 3rd, 2026 to celebrate the original release date of Over the Garden Wall. As such, zines will be shipped in September to meet said deadline.

What is Tome of the Unknown?

Tome of the Unknown is a collaborative charity zine celebrating Over the Garden Wall. Bringing together artists and writers from across the fandom, this zine will be feature artworks and written pieces that explore all different parts of the Unknown.

What is a fanzine?

A fanzine is an independently published work that focuses on a specific subject the organizers are passionate about. Historically, many fanzines focused on bands or science fiction and were a low cost way for creators to share their thoughts without censorship. Fanzines have a short print run and are created in small quantities. Modern fanzines (like Tome of the Unknown) tend to be more polished and similar to an art book. Overall, zines prioritize reach and creativity over commercial success.

What is a charity zine?

A charity zine is an independently published work, wherein any proceeds are donated to charity. In our case, any purchases of Tome of the Unknown will go to the cost of production, and any profit generated will be donated. Afterwards, we will post a receipt as proof that the donation has been received.

Is this an official Over the Garden Wall project?

Tome of the Unknown: An OTGW Fanzine is not affiliated with Over the Garden Wall nor Cartoon Network. This zine is curated, produced, and distributed by the community for the community, with any profit allocated for donation.

Is this a physical or digital zine?

Both! A physical release will be available for pre-order, as well as a digital version that will be made available for purchase November 3rd, 2026.

How much will it cost?

An exact number cannot be provided at this point, as we are unable to confirm final zine specs and quantity until interest checks are complete. However, we can promise that affordability will be a priority during pricing decisions.

Will this zine have merchandise?

At this time we intend to have merchandise alongside the zine (e.g., vinyl stickers, sticker sheets, bookmarks, postcards, etc.). However, please note that this may change based on the results of the interest check.

What is the content rating of this zine?

This zine will be rated PG, however, please note that works within this zine may touch on dark themes present in the source material.

Are OCs and AUs allowed?

In the spirit of sticking to canon material, OCs and AUs will not be included in this zine.

Will ships be included?

Seeing as the majority of the cast are minors, shipping will not be featured in this zine.

Is use of AI allowed?

Any use of generative AI, art theft, or any other form of plagiarism is prohibited. Applicants found to practice such tactics will not be considered.

What is the timeline?

An in depth timeline will be provided after the interest check, so we are able to properly gauge the number of contributors and scope of the project. However, anticipate contributor applications to open at the beginning of May, with the final submission deadline falling early to mid August. We recommend keeping an eye on our socials for updates.

How can I apply to participate?

After the interest check is complete, we will finalize the number of contributors and open applications. We recommend that you watch our social media for updates!

What types of contributors do you accept?

While the majority of our contributors will be digital/traditional page artists, we will also be looking for writers and alternative art mediums (e.g., embroidery, crochet, woodwork, stained glass, papercrafts, etc.), please feel free to apply regardless.

Can I apply for multiple roles?

Yes, however please note that applying for multiple roles does not increase chances of acceptance.

What are the application requirements?

Please expect to provide a portfolio of current work, as well as 3 pieces that you would define as your best works. For those that work non-digitally please note that if accepted, we will expect high quality images of your submission.

How many contributors are you accepting?

While numbers will be finalized after the interest check, we are currently planning for 20-25 page artists, 3-5 writers, and 3-5 merch artists.

Is there an age limit for contributors?

Please note that applicants must be 18+. Both hosts and mods are adults, and prefer to work exclusively with other adults for ease of organization and handling personal information for shipping the final zine. Thank you for your understanding!

Am I required to have previous zine experience to apply as an artist/writer?

Previous zine experience is not required. We are most concerned with the quality and originality of work.

How will contributors be compensated?

We intend to provide contributors with a physical copy of the zine as well as any merchandise produced alongside it. Any profits from this zine will be donated.

Can contributors post their work?

Contributors will be able to post their submissions after the release date of the zine (November 3rd, 2026). During the production process contributors may volunteer for sneak peaks that will be posted on official Tome of the Unknown social media.

Do contributors own the work they submit to the zine?

Contributors retain the rights to their own submissions. Due to the exclusive nature of the zine, we ask that any monetary projects (e.g., prints, postcards, stickers, etc.) including submissions be released 1 month after the final zine distribution date (November 3rd, 2026).

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