What is Unfinished Business?
Being a human means being a work in progress - healing from our pasts, surviving our presents, and anticipating our futures . We all have things that haunt us. We all have Unfinished Business.
Unfinished Business is an independent zine about the things that haunt us and how we navigate or heal from them. It is produced by Angela Oddling and was created to foster a community of kind, creative people and provide a space where we can use creativity as a method of healing.
Interested in submitting your work? Check out the information below!
Thanks for reading! - Angela
Submissions Are Currently OPEN
Submissions are currently open until March 1st. Please find the submission instructions below. You may send submissions to unfinishedbusinesszine@gmail.com. Applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the zine by May 1st.
Submission Guidelines
The theme for Unfinished Business is the things that haunt us and how we navigate or heal from them. We are looking for work that is personal, uplifting, and representative of your "personal ghosts": remnants of your past, your struggles, and the things that linger on your soul. Your submission doesn’t need to explicitly include a ghost but ghosts are very much welcome.
All mediums are welcome! The mediums accepted include but are not limited to:
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Illustration
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Comics
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Poetry
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Short Stories
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Essays
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2D art
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3D art
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Fiber Art
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Photography
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Sculpture
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Video (will be included via QR code or link)
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Audio (will be included via QR code or link)
Submissions created using generative AI or containing homophobia, racism, transphobia, or other harmful content will be automatically rejected and the applicant will be banned from all future collaborations with Angela Oddling.
No porn or NSFW for this zine, please!
If submitting images, please make sure your submission fits within 1-2 5.5 in. x 8.5 in. pages and is in JPG, PNG, or TIFF format at 300 dpi.
If submitting words, please make sure your submission is no more than 1000 words and fits within 1-2 5.5 in. x 8.5 in. pages.
If submitting video or audio, please provide a link to your submission. Your work will be featured with a link or QR code. Video and audio submissions should be no more than 90 seconds in length.
You may submit a project that utilizes more than one medium (ex. An image paired with a short story), but all submission must fit within 1-2 pages at 5.5 in. x 8.5 in.
How to Submit
First - read the guidelines, FAQ, and Terms & Conditions
Then - send the following to unfinishedbusinesszine@gmail.com:
If you are submitting a finished piece for consideration:
Your Name (how you wish to be credited):
Preferred Pronouns:
Social media handles or website (if any):
A short artist bio:
Title of your submission:
What medium is your submission:
A description about your submission and what it represents:
Year the work was made:
Other places the work has been published and when:
*Please attach your submission files to the e-mail or provide a Google Drive or Dropbox link.*
If you do not have a finished piece to submit, but are still interested in submitting, you may submit a proposal for consideration:
Your Name (how you wish to be credited):
Preferred Pronouns:
Social media handles or website (if any):
A short artist bio:
A description of your proposed submission and what it will represent:
What medium you plan on using:
*If you have sketches, concept art, or rough drafts, feel free to attach them to the e-mail or provide a Google Drive or Dropbox link*
FAQ
How much does it cost to apply?
It’s free to apply and there are no costs for accepted contributors!
If I apply, am I guaranteed to be included in the zine?
Applying does not guarantee acceptance into the zine. You will be notified if your submission is accepted.
If I’m included in the zine, what will I get?
All contributors will receive 1 physical copy of the zine.
If I’m included in the zine, will I be paid?
After doing the calculations, the amount that'd be paid equally amongst contributors would've been quite tiny. Instead of contributors being paid, the amount left over after production and shipping costs will be donated to Brookline Teen Outreach, a non-profit organization which offers after-school creative programming, tutoring, and compassionate counseling for teens in the Pittsburgh area.
Can I purchase extra copies of the zine?
Of course! Extra physical copies of the zine will be available for purchase on Angela Oddling's website.
Will there be more than one Unfinished Business zine?
For now, this will be the only one!
How will Unfinished Business be printed?
We may run a small crowdfunding campaign to fund the printing of the zine. Otherwise, Angela Oddling will cover the cost of printing up to 100 copies.
Can my submission be created with AI?
No. Submissions created using AI will not be accepted.
Terms and Conditions
By submitting to Unfinished Business, you confirm that:
You are the sole creator or author of the work and that you are not infringing on copyrighted material.
You did not use generative AI, tracing, or copying to create your submission.
Unfinished Business may share your work (words, images, video, audio, etc.) via social media, newsletters, and elsewhere online and that you will be fully credited and tagged on social media if applicable.
You understand that Unfinished Business is not a paid opportunity, all funds received from sales after shipping and production costs will be donated to Brookline Teen Outreach.
You allow Angela Oddling to share your work via digital PDF download, on angelaoddling.com, elsewhere online, and in print if future funding allows for it.
You understand that while we will do our best to ensure accuracy of all works submitted, color and quality can vary per printing company.
If you have any questions about the zine or submitting, please reach out to unfinishedbusinesszine@gmail.com and we'll be happy to help!
