Miaow: a cat zine!
A recently resurfaced Tang dynasty painting of the zodiac animals shows a cat in place of the snake... Could this mean that it's actually the Year of the Cat this year?! What better time to launch a project dedicated to our favourite animal!Miaow is a digital charity zine on all things cats!
about
Miaow is a collaborative digital charity zine on all things cats! We hope to be a digital multimedia project to include illustrations, writing, recipes, photography, and perhaps even more~Theme: Cats!
Format: Digital
Dimensions: A5
Finance Model: For-CharityIs this a physical or digital project?Miaow will be a purely digital project. There are currently no plans to transition to physical.How will contributors be compensated?All contributors will receive a copy of the final digital PDF and all accompanying digital merch. As we are not a for-profit or physical project, no monetary or physical compensation will be provided.Are big cats or other members of the feline family included in the theme?This project’s focus will be on the domestic cat. All pieces must include the animal cat. This can include hybrid species such as the Bengal cat but not wild species such as servals. They are, however, more than welcome to make guest appearances!Will humanoid or anthropomorphic characters with cat features be allowed?While humans and other species can join in, all pieces should feature the animal cat.What charity will you be donating to?All proceeds will be donated to the RAPS Cat Sanctuary located in Richmond, BC, Canada or a local charity of the supporter’s choice.Read more about our chosen charity and model here.How many contributors will be included?The exact number will depend on the amount of applicants. We will try to accept as many contributors as we can handle!The tentative plan is to have 20-25 page artists, 5-6 merch artists, 5-10 writers, and 5-10 additional media contributors (chef/craft artists etc.). Numbers are subject to change.
schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 31 - Feb 28 | Interest Check |
| Feb 3 - Feb 14 | Mod Applications |
| March 10 - April 11 | Contributor Applications |
| April 18 | Application Results |
| April 23 | Deadline to Respond |
| April 27 | Pitch Check-in |
| May 15 | Check-in 1 |
| June 15 | Check-in 2 |
| July 20 | Final Submissions |
| August 8 | Preorders |
Schedule is subject to change.
mailing list
Miaow is an upcoming digital zine on all things cats!Join our mailing list to get the latest updates and early peeks at previews, sales, and more! Customise what type of emails you want to receive below ✨
※ Please do not use this form for updating your email preferences. It unfortunately doesn't capture all changes... Use the link sent in your confirmation and any subsequent emails instead or contact us directly to request any changes!
Q:
"I don't have any current examples of drawings of cats. Could I still apply and be considered?"
A:
"We will be looking at all submissions regardless! Applications with relevant examples are highly recommended since we can't judge your application properly if we can't picture how cats will look in your style. "
3/24/2025 16:58:40
Q:
"Will this zone have Any merch? Like sticker or buttons?"
A:
"Miaow is a purely digital project. There will be no physical components."
3/23/2025 17:43:45
Q:
"Will contributors be required to be on Discord? Or a different format in order to communicate in our departments"
A:
"Yes, all contributors will be asked to join the zine Discord server to receive important updates and reminders for the project. This is especially important if you choose to collaborate with other contributors for spot art."
3/22/2025 9:54:17
Q:
"can i apply for merch artist and if i dont get accepted, be a page artist instead?"
A:
"Yes, please follow the instructions outlined in the info doc and application forms."
3/22/2025 4:35:22
Q:
"What decides who becomes a contributor to the zine?"
A:
"Applicants will be judged based on their submitted samples and portfolio. Contributors are selected based on their skills and suitability to the zine's theme. Please check the info doc (https://bit.ly/miaowAPP) for more detailed guidelines!"
3/21/2025 13:51:43
Q:
"Are we allowed to use a separate Instagram account as our portfolio?"
A:
"Yep, as long as we can easily view your work anything is fine!"
3/20/2025 4:17:37
Find all past Q&A here.
project team
zxny
Organisation, Socials, Graphics, Finance
i live to touch the meowZine Experience：
✦ 「玉兔迎春」Year of the Rabbit
✦ Witches' Pond
+more
Calico Cocoa
Formatting Mod
Just a cat in an oversized sweaterZine Experience：
✦ 四十八: A Dororo Fanzine
✦ FÓDLAN; Fashion Zine
Janina
Chef Mod
I'm a cat mom of 2 and they are like my children: small menaces, trouble makers and the lights of my life! I love how different their personalities can be.Zine Experience：
✦ Smokescreen
✦ Roach's Delights
nauma
Crafts Mod
I'm a professional chicken nugget and illustrator. My favourite thing about cats is... the black soles of a mackerel tabby's feet 🖤Zine Experience：
✦ no tall towers to climb
WondrousWendy
Writing Mod
Hi, I’m Wendy! Cats have always been a part of my life. They're so mysterious and mischievous, never quite letting you know what's going on in their little heads. I'm currently the proud parent to a devious 1 year old "standard issue cat" named Penelope (Penny for short) who I love dearly. I’m honored to have been selected as the zine’s writing mod, and I’m thrilled to work with a team of contributors who adore cats as much as I do to create something special!Zine Experience：
✦ FBC Zine: Volumes 1 & 2
✦ Spoils of War: An Ares Fanzine
zhajiang
Intern Mod
i love cats!!! ...however i am allergic and can only appreciate them through my phone screen. excited to be here! meowZine Experience：
✦ Every Day With You
+more
Contributor Application
Applications are now closed. Results will go out April 18!
charity details
The chosen charity for Miaow is the RAPS Cat Sanctuary located in British Columbia, Canada.RAPS Cat Sanctuary is a no kill shelter that provides forever homes to “unadoptable” cats, including those positive for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV).The sanctuary is volunteer operated and owed by the parent non-profit organisation, Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) who also runs the RAPS animal hospital, adoption center, and thrift store.According to Canada Revenue Agency’s 2023 charity return report for RAPS, 95% of raised funds went to direct charitable programs with 4% to admin. Please note that Miaow's donation will be made specifically to the cat sanctuary and not the larger RAPS organisation. The sanctuary itself operates at a deficit according to RAPS' 2024 annual report.Supporting Local CharitiesWe recognise that cat rescues are extremely local in their operations. As such, we want to give the option for supporters to donate directly to their local cat charity instead.We hope to set up a receipts system during preorders where we’ll ask for a recently dated donation receipt in exchange for the digital zine. Hopefully this way we can more directly help kitties in need all around the world without funds getting lost in transaction and exchange fees!