Are you feeling all the feelings about the election and what’s happening in the U.S. right now? Want a creative outlet to channel your thoughts, frustrations, or hopes?

You’re invited to contribute to STARS & GRIPES, the Democrats Abroad UK Youth Caucus’ Art Zine Project — a space for honest expression, reflection, and creative resistance.

Wait.. What is a Zine?

Zines (from the word “magazine”) are homemade, Do-It-Yourself, underground publications. Eschewing the glossy, corporatized aesthetic of top-down media, zines can be about practically any subject, as long as their creators feel strongly about that subject. In the words of Joe Biel, author of Make a Zine, “publishing a zine is about relating to a person’s experience in a safe and respectful environment where they are free to honestly exchange ideas with their peers” (2017, pp. 7-8). As a nod to the overseas military publication ‘Stars & Stripes’, our vision for STARS & GRIPES is to empower community members to express themselves inclusively and honestly.

🖋️ Who can submit to our Zine Project?

Any Democrats Abroad Member is welcome to submit, but in the case of a large number of submissions priority will be given to Democrats Abroad Youth Caucus Members and subsequently Democrats Abroad United Kingdom Members.

🎨What type of things can I submit?

Anything creative made by you! This can include, but not limited to:

• Drawings, digital art, collage, or photography
• poetry
• song lyrics
• word clouds
• personal reflections
• Memoir style pieces
• Cartoons
• Satirical pieces or memes

Have an idea for something else? Send it our way! [email protected]

Submission guidelines:

• Choose from a half-page or full-page A4 submission
• Up to 2 submissions per person
• The zine will be produced digitally. While handwritten and other media forms may be used, they must be submitted in a digital format (by scanning and submitting digitally). Artistic Images should be in JPG high resolution (recommended 300 DPI, maximum 50 MB size), Written/Text submissions please submit in Microsoft Word or similar.
• For Written/Text submissions use a legible font (no smaller than size 11)
• Submit via email to [email protected]
• Choose whether you’d like the publication to include your full name, first name, a pen name, or stay anonymous. Please note, full name is still required for submission irrespective of whether you chose to include it in the publication.

⚠️ Content restrictions

We do not accept submissions that include AI-generated content (whether text or visual images). All submissions must be the original work of the author. We also do not accept content that includes hateful or discriminatory messages or content that incites violence. Please be mindful in your use of explicit language—consider whether it is necessary for the piece. In cases where strong language or graphic material (e.g. violent or upsetting imagery) is included, we may add a content warning to inform readers. We ask that such content be used sensitively and only when it serves a clear purpose within the work. Any questions around content will be referred by the DAUK Youth Caucus to Democrats Abroad Global Communication Teams for further guidance. Please note that submitting a contribution to the zine project does not guarantee its inclusion in the final product.

What will we do with the Zine?

Upon completion, we may explore opportunities to publish the completed zine digitally on the Democrats Abroad Website or social media. We may also have an in-person and/or online launch party. We are also looking into having print versions available for a small price which could also serve as a DAUK fundraiser. We are also still exploring options and are open to any ideas or suggestions around how to leverage the final product.

Contributors retain the copyright to their individual pieces submitted to the Zine. By submitting, authors grant Democrats Abroad the right to publish, reproduce, and distribute their work as part of the this Zine project. Democrats Abroad would hold the rights to the Zine as a collective work for the purpose of distribution, promotion, and fundraising. Contributors may continue to use their individual pieces elsewhere without restriction. By submitting a piece, you consent to the conditions as outlined.

🗓️ Timeline

Submissions Open: 31 July – 15 September 2025

Organisational Review of Submissions: 15 September – 15 October 2025

Production: 15 October 2025 - 30 October

Final Publication: Aiming for early November

Launch Party: End of November (marking 1 year since the election & halfway to Midterms!)

🧑‍🎨 Want to learn more or work on your piece together?

Join one of our Town Hall sessions!

Town Hall #1: Tuesday August 19th 7:00-7:30PM BST
Learn more about art zines, our project, and how to get involved.
➡️ RSVP for Zoom details via email to [email protected]

Town Hall #2: Thursday September 4th 6:00-8:00PM BST
Drop in anytime, create together, and get support on your submission.
➡️ RSVP for Zoom details via the events page here

Whether you’re feeling ragey, hopeful, overwhelmed, or all of the above — this is your space. Let's make something powerful together.We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Democratically Yours,

Bryan, Freya, and Leslie,

The Art Zine Coordination Team on behalf of the Democrats Abroad UK Youth Caucus