An unofficial fanzine dedicated to appreciating the ladies of the Professor Layton series!
The Professor Layton Women Zine is a celebration of every woman and girl and the importance they play in this amazing series, giving them the spotlight! We aim to represent and appreciate everything that makes these ladies such wonderful well-rounded characters.The Layton Women Zine is not associated with Level-5 and is an unofficial fan-made project.
Zine Schedule
Please Note: These plans are subject to change depending on applications and interest. All dates are based off of Eastern-Standard Time.Launch: Jan 5th
Interest Check: Jan 7th - Jan 18th
Mod Apps: Jan 27th - Feb 24th
Contributor Apps: Apr 7th - May 5th
Buyer-Focused Interest Check: Apr 13 - Apr 27th
Pitches: May 13th - May 20th
Check in 1: June 17th
Check in 2: July 15th
Check in 3: August 12th
Final Check in: Sep 9th
Pre-Orders: Oct 15th - Nov 12th
Zine Specifications
❤︎ This is a SFW (Safe For Work) zine, therefor any explicit sexual content or gore will not be allowed. Canon-typical violence is acceptable.❤︎ General theme focusing on women and girls from all ages and roles in the series.❤︎ Our goal is to create a main A5 physical/digital zine featuring beautiful illustrations, cosplays, written works, and more. With a physical/digital mini booklet filled with puzzles to solve! Perfect bound, softcover, full CMYK color, and 300 DPI. With physical and digital merch.❤︎ We will be accepting writers, artists, cosplayers, and merch artists ages 16 years or older. Around 30-40 contributors will be accepted in various roles.❤︎ Our goal is to compensate our contributors with full bundles of the final zine+merch, but this will depend on interest and the success of the zine.❤︎ Looking into choosing a charity to support! Will be decided once contributors are accepted.(These specs are subject to change).
Application Information
❤︎ Mod applicants must be 21 years or older to be accepted.❤︎ Contributors must be 16 years old or older by the time the contributor applications are completed.❤︎ All final pieces must be original and created for this zine. Previously published works of art will not be allowed.❤︎ The use of A.I. tools is strictly prohibited in any form when writing or creating your piece. If a contributor is found to be using A.I. tools they will be removed from the zine.❤︎ Plagiarism is not tolerated in this zine. If a contributor is found to be plagiarizing, tracing, stealing, or directly copying another's original work, they will be removed from the zine.❤︎ If you need extensions on check-ins, or wish to drop out from the project, please contact the mod-team as soon as possible! This is especially important during the final check in.❤︎ We will do our best to provide accommodations for our contributors, but if you fail to communicate with the mod-team during check-ins, it may result in your removal from the project.❤︎ We will NOT be accepting any applicant who makes, promotes, or supports offensive and hateful ideologies or content. This includes transphobia, homophobia, racism, misogyny, sexism, pedophilia, incest, and any other types of discrimination. If accepted, and we later find out you create or promote any discriminatory behavior, it will result in immediate removal from the project.❤︎ The primary mode of communication will be through Discord, and files will be handled through Google Drive. We request all contributors have a Discord account.♡ Mods retain the right to dismiss any contributor at any time, including for breaking any of the zine or server guidelines. Contributors agree to these terms upon joining the zine discord server.
Contributor Guidelines
❤︎ When applying, it is expected that all applications include high quality works that reflect your current skills. Emails will be sent out to accepted contributors once applications close.♡ Links to samples must be easily accessible and viewable. With sharing permissions set accordingly for review. The mod-team will not be reaching out to anyone with broken links, and their application will be voided.♡ Work that features the Professor Layton series is highly encouraged, but not required.
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❤︎ If accepted, ladies from all games and anime will be represented in this zine, no matter how big or small their role in the series! Your piece may depict other characters, but the women must be the central focus.♡ All types of artists are welcome! If you are working in a traditional medium, you are required to submit a clear, high quality photo matching the dimensions agreed upon. You will be able to pitch your own medium in the contributor apps.♡ Accepted contributors will be required to submit at least 2-3 pitches to ensure we have a wide range of characters included in the final zine..
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Cover Artist:
❤︎ One applicant will be selected as our main zine cover artist and are required to create a front and back illustration representing the theme of the main zine. They will be required to submit a complete full-color illustration with a background, in 300 DPI and in CMYK. Exact size dimensions will be given to accepted contributors.❤︎ One applicant will be selected as our mini puzzle booklet cover artist and are required to create a front and back illustration representing the theme of the main zine. They will be required to submit a complete full-color illustration with a background, in 300 DPI and in CMYK. Exact size dimensions will be given to accepted contributors.
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Page Artists:
❤︎ Page artists will be asked to complete a 1 page, 2 page (spread), or a 1-4 page comic, centered on at least one woman in the Professor Layton series. They will be required to submit a complete full-color illustration with a background, in 300 DPI and in CMYK. Exact details will be given to accepted contributors.
❤︎ Art ideas:
♡ 1 page
♡ 2 page (a spread)
♡ 1-4 page comics
♡ Spot art - Size depends. Artists can collaborate with a writer to make 1-4 small cutouts based on a written work and will be placed throughout it.
♡ Writer/Page art collab - Artist can collaborate with a writer to create a full 1 page or 2 page (spread) based on a written work.
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Merch Artists:
❤︎ Merch artists will be asked to complete at least 1 physical or digital full colored merch item, centered on at least one woman in the Professor Layton series. They will be required to work in 300 DPI and in CMYK. Exact details will be given to accepted contributors and will depend of their assignment.
❤︎ Merch ideas:
♡ Prints, postcards, posters
♡ Die-cut stickers, sticker sheet
♡ Charms/Keychains (shakers, linked, phone charms, etc.)
♡ Bookmarks
♡ Buttons, pins (wooden or enamel)
♡ Stationary (Washi-tape, notepads, journals, file-folders, etc.)
♡ Standees
♡ Jewelry (Necklaces, Bracelets, etc.)
♡ Shimeji
♡ Stamps
♡ Photocards
♡ Cooking recipes
♡ Emotes
♡ Animated Stickers
♡ Phone or computer wallpapers
♡ Printable coloring pages, paper dolls (flat or 3D)
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Fic Writers:
❤︎ Writers will be asked to complete 1 fictional piece, centered on at least one woman in the Professor Layton series. Written works must be around 1,500 words max, with letters and poems length depending on their pitch. Exact details will be given to accepted contributors.
❤︎ Written ideas:
♡ Short fic
♡ Letters
♡ Poems
♡ Writers can collaborate with an artists to have 1-4 small cutouts based on their written work placed throughout it.
♡ Writer/Page art collab - Writers can collaborate with an artist to create a full 1 page or 2 page (spread) based on their written work.
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Cosplayers:
❤︎ Cosplayers will be asked to provide professional photos of their cosplays with clear composition and high quality, centered on at least one woman in the Professor Layton series. The cosplay must be made or altered at least 40-50% by the contributor. The cosplay does not have to have been made/altered during the zine's creation period, however, the submitted photo must be.
❤︎ Cosplayers must obtain permission from their photographer to publish their photos in this zine. Any helpers do not need to apply to be a part of the zine themselves, but must be credited.
❤︎ Some cosplay rules:
♡ Must name their photographer and any helpers who assisted. (Only the cosplayer needs to be apart of the discord).
♡ Cosplayers can collab with each other and do a duo/group cosplay for a single photo. Both must apply and be in the discord.
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Composer:
❤︎ Composers will be asked to complete one original song, centered on at least one woman in the Professor Layton series. Exact details will be given to accepted contributors and will depend on their pitch.
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Remixer:
❤︎ Remixers will be asked to complete at least one original remix of a track from the Professor Layton franchise OST, centered on at least one woman in the Professor Layton series. Exact details will be given to accepted contributors and will depend on their pitch.
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Puzzle Maker (Mini Booklet):
❤︎ It will feature 10-20 contributors who will create unique puzzles for each page. This booklet will encourage buyers to draw and write in it, so clarity and simplicity in the artwork is key! (These specs are subject to change).
❤︎ Puzzle ideas:
♡ Crosswords
♡ Riddles
♡ Word/logic puzzles
♡ Sudoku
♡ Minute Cryptic type puzzles
♡ Professor Layton style puzzles
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Other Mediums:
❤︎ The mod team is open to including other forms of art and writing, and your ideas are welcome to be pitched in the contributor application!
If your idea is accepted, you will be given that role and be asked to complete it within the deadline.
❤︎ These may be included as full or half pages in the main zine, or as physical/digital merch items, and must be centered on at least one woman in the Professor Layton series.
❤︎ Ideas:
♡ Animator/Animatic - <5 min
♡ Music Cover Artist
♡ AMVs/Editors
♡ Sculpture (clay, woodworking, etc)
♡ Fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, etc)
♡ Culinary arts
♡ Browser based games
List of Layton Media
Current list of all women from the Professor Layton franchise:❤︎ View list here
Currently working on including NWOS, the manga, and novelsCurrent list of Layton media to draw inspiration from:♡ Professor Layton and the Curious Village
♡ Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
♡ Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
♡ Professor Layton and the Last Spector
♡ Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (Movie)
♡ Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
♡ Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
♡ Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Spin-off)
♡ Layton Brothers: Mystery Room (Spin-off)
♡ Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' conspiracy
♡ Layton Mystery Detective Agency: Kat's Mystery-Solving Files (Anime)
♡ Professor Layton and the Cheerful Mystery (Manga)
♡ Professor Layton and the Phantom Deity
♡ Professor Layton and the Wandering Castle
♡ Professor Layton and the Illusory Forest
Meet the Mods
Canny (she/her)
Organizer | Lead Mod | Shipping ModHey there, I'm Canny! I'm a huge layton head and especially passionate about the women of this series, who I feel are often overshadowed by the men. I've participated in many zines before and hosted smaller collaborative projects in the past, but this is my first time hosting a zine myself! I'm putting my all into this, because I feel it's what the Layton ladies deserve!
Queenie (she/her)
Art ModHi, I’m Queenie! I discovered the Layton series for myself summer ‘21 through Katrielle’s anime, and quite honestly I owe a lot to her for where I am now as an artist! Layton has always had my heart as a series since then, and knowing the series is returning makes this kind of project so much more exciting for me. I’ve participated in one other, smaller zine for a different fandom, so I’m excited to collaborate with all of you!
SuperDuperStarry (they/she)
Writing ModI'm Starry, and I LOVE Professor Layton! I fell into the series about 3 years ago and tore through all the games. I adore them all but last specter is probably my sentimental favorite! I'm currently working on a PL longfic and am very excited to build up the ladies in this zine :)
Veronica (she/her)
Layout ModHi, I’m Veronica! I’m so thrilled to be apart of this project! This is my first zine but not my first collaborative Layton project as I’ve hosted a pass the brush in the past. I have a deep love and appreciation for the women of Layton and I’m so happy to bring attention to their amazing nature!
Icon art credit: @8trackaxolotl
nottesilhouette (she/they)
Finance Mod | Production ModHi, I'm Notte! I adore puzzle games; Layton was my first & I always think Layton women are so lovely :] I've financed multiple projects, including PJO Yearbook, Kiki Zine, & PJO Merch Box.
TreasureDonut (she/her)
Shadow ModHeyo, I’m TreasureDonut! After floating around the zine space for a while I’m excited to be a part of a Professor Layton zine! My favorite games are Azran Legacy and Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright. With some of my favorite characters being Aurora and Inquisitor Darklaw, who I have drawn over 250 times. Also, fun fact, Aurora and Darklaw are voiced by the same English voice actor, and Darklaw’s French name is Aurora!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will collaborations be allowed?
Yes! Once all contributors are in the discord, we will open up pitch submissions and there you will be able to request to collab with your fellow contributors.
The only exception to this is with Cosplay applicants, where we understand that additional help may be needed with photography. In this case, cosplayers must obtain permissions from their photographer, preferably before applying as a contributor. Any helpers so not need to apply to be apart of the zine themselves, but must be credited.How many contributors are you accepting?
It will depend on applications and interest.How old do I need to be to apply?
You must be at least 16 years or older by the time the contributor apps close.What games are included in this project?
All Professor Layton games, including spin-off, as well as the movies and anime. We will not be including external media; such as the manga and books, unless there is call for it in our interest check. Full list is in our Contributor Guidelines tab!Will there be spoilers included?
Yes, full series spoilers are to be expected.What characters are allowed to be included?
No matter the age or role of the character, every woman and girl is able and encouraged to be included!Are AU's allowed?
This zine will be focusing on canon; however, canon-divergent AU's are acceptable. (Ex: Emmy showing up in Steam Bison, Claire Foley lives, etc...) If you are unsure, please ask a mod during the pitching process!Is shipping allowed?
This is not a shipping zine, so we ask that contributors stick to canon pairings and relationships from the series. Additionally this is a SFW zine, so no explicit sexual themes are allowed.What’s the title of the zine?
Currently there is no title! You are welcome to suggest ideas in our interest check!My question isn't here!
Please contact us through DM on one of our socials or you can ask anonymously on our Mond Page.