fieldguidetofeelings

[fieldguidetofeelings]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - ISSUE ONE

hello from a small writing nook in downtown los angeles where it’s nearly 7 p.m. and somewhere out there the sun is setting. this is a call for submissions for issue one of ‘the field guide to feelings’

curated and constructed by koty neelis and friends, the ‘field guide to feelings’ is a zine for writers, artists, and creative weirdos of all types to come together and share their ideas and voices in a space that combines writing, music, film, and art. it’s an exploration of universal emotions, experiences, and how we live in them in different ways. 

we are experiencing some dark times and that’s why it feels so important to come together in any way right now. whether you’re an emerging artist or an established writer we want to hear from you. 

about koty:

i’m a writer, journalist, and artist that’s been making zines since I was 12 years old growing up on my parents’ farm in michigan with very little access to the rest of the world. zines were how my friends and i communicated and explored our thoughts, emotions, and creativity. it’s been some time since i made one and i’ve been itching to collaborate with others in this medium.

lately, i’ve been inspired by nights that feel strange and important. i’ve been thinking a lot about vulnerability and anxiety, longing and desire, sweetness and empathy, fear and darkness—these very different raw emotional sides of ourselves we often think are a portrayal of weakness. it's these experiences i've been delving deeper into with my work and what i wanted to focus on with this zine. 

i’ve lived a bit of a nomadic life and what i’ve learned about people in every place i’ve been, big or small, is that we are all inherently the same. we are all quietly breaking and healing from the wild pain that lives within us all. i like to think each place and person i come across as a teacher of mine. i believe there’s bravery in being soft and that you can find beauty within the darkness and fragile vulnerability of life—that’s why this zine exists. so let’s get to where you come in! :)

first issue is: HERE COMES A FEELING YOU THOUGHT YOU’D FORGOTTEN.

looking for: essays, illustrations, visual storytelling, playlists, poetry, and experimental prose.

ultimately, the first issue is an expression of loneliness and about the search for genuine connection…which can be hard in a place like los angeles, chicago, or anywhere, really. 

i’m interested in the experience of detachment and being surrounded by others while your mind is a million miles away thinking about someone or something else; the experience of being alone with other people, aloneness with our friends, with loved ones, with strangers, at home, in bed, in public, wherever. 

some other ideas on exploring this theme to get you going...

knowing you want something but can’t quite put your finger on what it is. or the opposite! knowing exactly what you want or who you want but not sure if you’ll ever be able to make it happen.

sexual desire. wanting the strange, the unusual. perversion. kink. limits // boundaries // finding freedom in that exploration and trust with another person

but also desiring intimacy and the way we bond in their sweeter, simpler forms - affection, a kiss, holding hands, relaxing together after a long day, cooking dinner together, soft quiet mornings in unison, the humbleness of routine with someone, sharing memes :), exploring cities, neighborhoods, restaurants together, etc

relationships/friendships/connections formed when you’re in the in-between, neither here nor there; the people you go to to fill a void (for better or worse). 

drinking alone - either at home or in public - what it says (or doesn’t say) about you, how people interact with you, conversations you have or overhear, relationships formed with bartenders/waitstaff and other regulars. not drinking at all - sober living, taking a dry month, going to AA, wherever you are in the journey, how that changes the way you interpret social events, how friendships change, how you change.

travel - road trips, skipping town, expeditions, going on tour, getting away and out of your environment…even if it’s only down the street, two towns over or three time zones away. removing yourself from situations, places, and the people that usually surround you. how we escape to avoid things back home, to ‘find’ ourselves in a different way, the realities of what escaping and starting new/over really look like, the loneliness and renewal of it all time and time again.

alienation, feeling out of place - at home, in your relationship, or in a larger sense - in society // the experience of being/feeling like an alt citizen. moments of emotional isolation // ((dis))connection.

the end of missing someone. things that are felt but not said ((unspoken communication))

the start of something new: the wonder, the angst, the romance, the excitement of a crush and exploring a new relationship. the anticipation, sweetness, and agony of it all. the disappointment and lingering loneliness that arise when a roadblock appears, when things don’t work out as you hoped—you said the wrong thing, timing wasn’t right, you lost an opportunity, missed the chance, how we cope with that disappointment in different ways. or the opposite - finding a genuine, beautiful connection where/when you least expect it, the kind that lights the path to your creative work and/or a new chapter. the kind of person you meet and you’re like, fuck I think they might just change my life. then they do :) -the intersection of music and memory. the songs, movies, and other media we consume when we’re in these various emotional states. the things we turn to over and over because they conjure up certain emotions; a feeling, a memory from before, or because they elicit an awakening within us that gives us hope or wonder for the future—or the total opposite—triggered memories, a darkness within we can’t escape, being brought back to moments we thought we outlived/got over

anything related to these themes are up for grabs.

submissions should be sent to: meetyouinthevoid@gmail.com.

this zine will be distributed in various cities depending on time/resources.

all contributors will receive a copy of the zine and if you’re in chicago or austin come join us for a cute time after publication for drinks, music, and friendship (details TBA).

please include a short bio and any relevant social media info with your submission. questions? e-mail us or find koty on twitter or instagram.