How many editors, mods are there?
– Swim On is run solely by Jey Pawlik, there are no other mods or editors.

How long has Swim On been running?
– It’s been running yearly since 2015.

Will there be a Discord group?
– There’s no Discord server, communication is through email only.

I’ve never drawn a shark before, is it okay to apply?
– It’s okay to apply if you’ve never drawn a shark before.

My portfolio is my Twitter, is that okay?
– I recommend applying with an easy to read website that showcases your art front and center. Twitter can be difficult to scroll through so when in doubt you can make a googledrive folder if you don’t have a portfolio site.

I can’t draw, can I apply?
– You must be able to complete a full illustration yourself or collaborate with a partner if you are a writer and would like to do a comic/scientific illustration.

Will AI art be allowed?
– Absolutely not. You will be rejected and/or removed from the zine if there is AI art in your portfolio or submission.

Can you pick a shark for me?
– No, you will not be assigned a shark species.

Can more than one person draw the same shark species?
– Multiple people can draw the same species, but it’s capped at 10 pieces per species.

Can I apply as a backup artist if someone drops out?
– There is no maximum number of artists accepted so there is no waitlist or backup artists.

I only draw in b&w is that okay?
– The zine is in full colour but you are welcome to submit a B&W or greyscale piece.

Will there be a print version?
– This zine is released as a PDF only, each year the number of pages may fluctuate.

My art style is very cartoony/stylized, is that okay?
– All art styles are accepted.

Can I collab with another artist?
– You may do a piece with a partner or friend, just apply as a group. You will not be paired up with another person.

Can I draw a prehistoric, fictional shark species, mermaids, or anthropomorphic sharks?
– Prehistoric sharks and fictional species will be denied. I ask that you submit a piece that includes a shark that lives with us currently as this zine focuses on helping real endangered sharks.

Can I draw finning scenes or shark attacks?
– No blood, gore, or violence by sharks or towards sharks will be accepted.

When will I know if I’ve been accepted?
– Emails will go out within a week of the applications closing. Remember to whitelist swimon@topazcomics.com. Everyone who applied will receive an email regardless if you were accepted or not, if you don’t get one please contact the email above.