Hoax FAQs

Is Hoax more than a blog/website?

Yes! Hoax is a zine that is published 2 or 3 times a year (depending on how quickly we can procure, review, and decide upon submissions) in hard copy.

 Is Hoax downloadable online?

No. We design Hoax using a PC program and the files are routinely too large to be supported in any format through any hosting site online. We also choose to keep the zine’s content offline to respect our contributors’ privacy – our default position is that writing or art intended for print distribution is not automatically consented to appear online, where it can be documented, searched for, and found by individuals and institutions who are not necessarily intended to see the material. This is also why we do not publish the names of any issue’s contributors online. 

 Where can I find Hoax?

You can purchase Hoax by visiting our etsy site, meeting us at a zine fest on the east coast of the US, or through several distros like Doris, twelveohtwo, Mend My Dress, Stranger Danger, and Sweet Candy. You can also find Hoax at bookstores like Bluestockings (NYC), Quimby’s (Chicago), Wooden Shoe (Philly), Boxcar Books (Bloomington, IN), and Atomic Books (Baltimore).

 Why do you number every 5 pages by hand?

Each issue is printed with a small white border around the page edges as determined by the computer program we use. Including page numbers in the layout of the zine actually cuts into valuable space for written pieces! Hand-numbering every 5 pages lets you, the reader, know that we put lots of love into each individual copy while saving us time from numbering every single page.

 Is Hoax a for-profit zine?

No. Any and all funds procured for or by Hoax go directly back into creating, printing, promoting, and distributing the zine. This is why we as individuals do not trade Hoax—we think it unfair for us as editors to personally benefit from a project that is a collaboration between dozens of individuals.

 Can I copy pieces of Hoax that I like and distribute them?

Yes, within reason! We advertise Hoax as an anti-copyright publication, meaning that the content of the zine is free to be distributed at the reader’s discretion as long as credit is given to the original source. We strongly urge you to keep in mind the boundless hard work of every single contributor to Hoax when deciding to circulate the zine’s content and respect our commitment to dedicating monetary proceeds of the zine to the continuation of the project.

 How do you handle trigger warnings?

We choose to place a trigger warning on the front of our zine rather than on individual pieces. We do this because we recognize that triggers are unique and highly personal. We believe that it is impossible to discern what content has the potential to be triggering to every one of our readers, and we do not want to create a hierarchy of what material is “intense” or “real” enough to warrant a warning. Please contact us if you have suggestions as to how to better incorporate trigger warnings into future issues of Hoax.

 Who are the editors of Hoax?

We are close friends who live in the Northeastern United States. sari identifies with the following qualifiers: white, mid-20s, female-assigned at birth (FAAB), non-binary/trans*/gender variant, queer, able-bodied, Western, working-class to college-educated, depressed, punk, survivor. Rachel identifies with the following qualifiers and more:  white, mid-20s, cis gender female, queer / lesbian, Western, crazy, Jewish, well educated, highly privileged.

Can I get the entire Hoax collection?

No. Issues 1-3 are permanently out of print, and we don’t personally have hard copies of them.

 Are you looking for an unpaid intern?

Yes! We are boundlessly thankful to several of our friends for their help with printing and assembling copies of Hoax in person and always appreciate additional helping hands. Our only intern at the moment is a talkative and sassy cat named Inanna, but she often falls asleep on the job (literally) and tends to create messes instead of alleviate them. Those with opposable thumbs are encouraged to apply.

* ON SUBMITTING *

 Can I submit if I don’t identify as a feminist or a woman?

Absolutely. While at its core Hoax is a feminist publication, we understand that the term is seen as inflexible to some and we believe that “feminisms” come in a variety of forms. We are very aware of the history of people who self-identify as feminist using their alignment with the word to exclude, bar, or intimidate women of color, trans women, gender variant individuals, disabled folks, those of low-income, and other people of marginalized groups from communities, spaces, and circles that are supposedly feminist. We’re also pretty fed up with the tendency for feminist zines to do this and strive to make Hoax a space where people of all genders and backgrounds can discuss the intricacies of their life experiences, feelings, and knowledges.

 What kinds of submissions are accepted?

We are open to a variety of submissions. In the past, we have published personal narratives, interviews, academic essays, poems, short stories, photographs, colleges, and more. We are always in need of artwork that can be used as background images to complement the text.

 What should I send along with my submission?

When e-mailing your material, we ask that you include your mailing address and a 50-words-or-less bio about yourself written in the third person. If your submission is chosen, we will include the bio in the “About the Contributors” section of the zine and will snail mail you a free copy of the zine! Please note that because of the dozens of contributors included in each issue, we have to be very strict about the length of bios – we’re serious about keeping it under 50 words! Feel free to include your contact info such as an e-mail address or website URL if you are interested in potentially being contacted directly by readers.

 How long would you like written material to be?

In general, we prefer to publish material that is between one and five pages single spaced in size 12 Times New Roman font. Please note that when we accept longer submissions, we have less space for other contributors to be published!

 What should I be aware of when submitting material?

Here at the “offices” of Hoax, we welcome submissions that may be very intense, emotional, controversial, and personal. However, we ask that contributors use trigger warnings when e-mailing us such pieces. One of the benefits of collaborating on this project is that we can split up material that is particularly upsetting or unnerving to either of us. This helps ensure that the reviewing and editing process is emotionally safe and does not interfere with our decision making.

 Do you make suggested edits on written pieces?

Yes. We offer edits on most submissions in the hopes that readers with a variety of lived experiences and reading comprehension skills will be able to fully grasp the depth of your piece. Please be flexible and willing to work with us if we make changes or offer suggestions. We will absolutely not print anything that you do not fully approve of, and are willing to work with potential contributors throughout all stages of the writing process.

 You claim to work with contributors during every stage of the writing process. What does this mean?

We are open to working with contributors during the writing process as closely as preferred. In the past, we have read over potential ideas for submissions, co-written drafts of submissions via email, provided multiple rounds of editing, and met with select potential contributors in person. Please note that we are both very busy and we can only commit to helping you write if you are committed to submitting.

 How will I know if my material is chosen?

If your material is chosen, we will contact you with an acceptance e-mail. Please be aware that it sometimes takes us a long time to respond—the two of us also work / are in school and have a number of other responsibilities. We also try to wait until we have received numerous submissions before making any final decisions. Feel free to contact us if you have not heard a response.

 Why was my submission rejected?

There are a variety of reasons why we choose not to publish every piece we receive. Sometimes, we do not have enough space for all of the content that we receive and choose to prioritize pieces that we feel best complement the other work in the issue while sticking to the underlying theme. Other times, we feel that certain submissions would benefit from edits or revisions. If your piece is not printed, we highly encourage you to re-submit to a future issue. We will prioritize working with you to make edits or revisions, if needed.