How To Contribute To The Zine

Would you like to contribute to the zine? I would love to have you on board the next issue of Coming To Our Senses!

Whether or not you think of yourself as “creative,” this post shows how simple it can be to bring your natural creative spirit in whatever form, shape, and size feels right for you.

I want to ease any worries, confusions, and uncertainties and give you a few gentle, practical steps to explore, notice, make, and share your responses to our latest phrase.

If you still have any questions at the end about anything I’ve missed, please do let me know!

What Is The Zine and Why Do We Do It?

Coming To Our Senses is our community zine: a digital PDF and video that captures the Haven spirit and gives space to the messy, curious, and creative ways we notice life. Each issue (every 6-8 weeks) grows out of a Phrase Maze conversation – a loose, playful prompt we explore together at the start of the creative cycle.

You do not need to think of yourself as “creative” to get involved. I love arranging each zine by hand, finding places for fragments and finished pieces alike. Small scraps, rough bits, recordings, photos, and quick thoughts are all valuable. It’s a place to experiment, reflect, and share without the pressure to polish. The ongoing nature of this project makes it a work in progress that reflects who we are, where we are, and how we are from one issue to the next.

What Can You Contribute?

I welcome all contributions. If something caught your attention, it probably has a place!

• Writing – share articles, poems, essays, stories, reviews, tributes etc. For long pieces, I suggest aiming for up to 600 words. This is a helpful guideline, though I have included longer pieces in the past.
• Tiny scraps and quotes – single lines, jokes, lists, or stray sentences. These are gold for collages and page texture.
• Photos and found fragments – snapshots taken on your phone, cuttings from magazines, found poems, textures, handwriting, and cartoons. Send high-quality images when you can.
• Sketches and concept scribbles – raw is fine. Concept sketches are as interesting as polished work.
• Audio – short voice notes, conversations, news clips, field recordings, or short compositions and songs. Keep audio as clear of background noise as possible.
• Video stills or short clips – I can add footage to the video version and use stills in the PDF.
• Anything weird or small – seriously, nothing is too odd (or very few things, at least!) If it catches your attention, I would love to see it!

Because we publish a PDF and an audio/video edition, many media types can be included. If something feels like it might not fit, email and we will figure it out together.

How Materials Are Collected, Edited, and Arranged

• Each issue is different. I use an intuitive, collage-based approach and often do not know exactly how it will land until everything is on the page.
• Light edits for grammar, flow, or space may be made. I will always check and work with you to make major changes.
• Fragments may be used as standalone items, layered into collages, or used as background texture. You might be surprised how a small thing finds a big place.
• If we literally cannot fit something in this month, we will find another option. I do not ghost submissions.

How to Send Your Contribution

If you are a Haven member, you can send me an email with your submission or idea. Use the subject line: Zine submission . If you want to get involved but aren’t sure, email me, and I will happily explore possibilities with you.

Or…

Share quick, small things like quotes and photos on the activity feed and include the hashtag #UnfinishedMaps (this ensures I see everything in one place and don’t miss it!)

1. What to include in your email
   • A short message: feel free to add any context, how you want to be credited (if you want to use a pseudonym or remain anonymous), and any sensitivities to flag.
   • Your Files: attach high quality images, clear audio files, or a simple text document for written pieces. No need for special formatting. You are welcome to send your text in the email body rather than as a separate document.
   • If you’re unsure about any of it, just send an email anyway!
2. Timing
   • Deadline for this issue: Friday, February 13th 2026. Submitting earlier is even better because I start assembling before the deadline. Two weeks before release gives me time to arrange it all.
   • I will reply to confirm receipt of your submission within a day or two.
3. Content boundaries
   • Be you! Let your submission reflect your natural way of expressing yourself.
   • I prefer to avoid swearing unless the piece necessitates it for effect.
   • Sensitive topics are ok. We will include appropriate warnings where needed.
   • Avoid personal attacks, promotion of illegal activity, or libellous material.
4. Credits and privacy
   • Contributions are credited in both the PDF and the audio-video edition.
   • I will credit you with your first name unless you specify a pseudonym, or that you want to remain anonymous. Please tell me if you have a particular preference.

How to Submit (Quick Reference)

• Email your submission: Attach your file or include your photo, voice note, or text in the email itself
• Or post on the activity feed (include your image upload, text, and the hashtag #ComingToOurSenses along with the relevant phrase)

Mini Exercise – Have a Play!

Do you want to get involved but feel daunted or overwhelmed by the possibilities? You can try a micro-exercise and see how you can organically come up with a contribution in just a few minutes.

Pick one of the five cards below and follow the thread wherever it goes. Set a timer for five minutes to keep it focused and brief.

Further Questions

Any other questions?

Do you have a question I haven’t addressed here? Please, drop me a message.

Previous Issues

Looking for inspiration from past editions of the zine?