We welcome submissions of original art, photography and writing at any time. Submission calls for specific issues introduce a loose theme, but work does not need to follow the theme to be considered. We accept strong work across all relevant subjects.
What we actively encourage
Boundary-pushing queer and fetish art, photography and writing. AfterDark is against artistic sanitisation and celebrates human creativity.
What we will not accept
We operate strictly within United Kingdom and international law. The following material is prohibited and must not be submitted:
• Any content involving anyone under the age of 18 (or the age of majority in the relevant jurisdiction), whether real or depicted.
• Non-consensual content of any kind, including but not limited to non-consensual intimate imagery, revenge material, or content created or distributed without the informed consent of all identifiable people shown.
• Illegal material under UK or international law (including extreme pornography as defined by UK law, material involving exploitation, trafficking, or any other criminal content).
• .The AfterDark zine is staunchly anti-regenerative AI. Any work submitted which has an appearance of having been created through regenerative AI will be rejected, We celebrate human creativity and self-expression at AfterDark, we don’t celebrate prompts.
UK Legal Compliance Note
AfterDark complies with all applicable United Kingdom laws, including the Obscene Publications Act 1959, the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (extreme pornography provisions), the Online Safety Act 2023, and relevant data protection and age-verification requirements. We do not accept, host or distribute any material that would be illegal to publish or possess in the UK. All visual submissions featuring people must involve only consenting adults aged 18 or over, and submitters must be able to demonstrate this if requested.
Additional requirements for visual work (photography and art featuring people)
• All models, performers and identifiable subjects must have been 18 or older on the date the work was created.
• Submitters must be able to provide age verification and a model release / consent confirmation if requested.
• We reserve the right to request proof of age and consent before accepting any visual submission that depicts sexually explicit or fetish content.
Writing
We accept articles, essays, opinion pieces, personal narratives, educational writing and poetry. We will reject any written pieces which we deem may be slanderous or defame.
How to submit
Email your work to submissions@theafterdarkzine.com
Please include a short description of the work and confirmation that it complies with this policy.
We review all submissions carefully. Work that violates any of the above rules will be rejected without discussion. By submitting, you confirm that your work meets these requirements and that you have the necessary rights and consents.
Issue Themes:
Issue One is themed around artistic censorship, protest and activism.
Issue Two’s theme is “Losing Yourself, Finding Yourself’. It is a deliberately wide theme, and it explores personal journeys in the face of adversity. These can relate to physical disabilities, mental health challenges, or addictions. We want to acknowledge life’s challenges, destructive behaviours, and emotional pain as part of the process of being human. But we also want to celebrate the ‘Finding Yourself’, human strength in fighting against, and overcoming adversity and deeply personal challenges. We all have stories to tell, whether through art, photography or words. We want to hear your story.
