Get ready for Vampires of Color, Vol 5 for 2026!

For the last four BIPOC VampDays, we have put together anthology zines showcasing original BIPOC vamps and their stories and raising funds for Sickle Cell research. You can purchase digital copies of Vampires of Color: Volume 1-4 and After Dark here.

SCOPE & TIMELINE

We have a coordinated pre-order release during BIPOC VampDay in September to fund this zine. A selection of finished submissions will be utilized to promote the anthology zine and be available as merchandise to raise charitable donations. Those artists will be notified about this in advance. 

Vampires of Color Print Anthology

  • Submissions (proposals & completed work) – 6/15 through 6/30 at 11:59pm PST
  • Submissions will be reviewed and contacted by 7/10/2026.
  • Editing/Review: 8/1 – 8/31
  • Final Files due by 9/6 at 11:59pm PST.
  • Preorder during #BIPOCVampDay weekend: 9/18 – 9/20

VOC After Dark Digital Anthology (NSFW)

  • Submissions (proposals & completed work) – 6/15 through 6/30 at 11:59pm PST
  • Submissions will be reviewed and contacted by 7/10/2026.
  • Editing/Review: 8/1 – 8/31
  • Final Files due by 9/6 at 11:59pm PST.
  • Preorder during #BIPOCVampDay weekend: 9/18 – 9/20

Applications: COMING JUNE 15TH. || Interest & Notification Form

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT WE’RE ACCEPTING (Vampires of Color):

  • Family friendly vampires (please note if you’d like your work included in the YA/Kidlit release)
  • Vampires for a general audience (PG up to PG-13)
  • SFW writing or artwork (Implied nudity/sexuality is fine, but we’re trying to keep things PG-13)
  • Gore (within reason – they are vampires, but keep it PG-13)
  • Character Art
  • Poster/Cover Art (can also be for a non comic project – like a podcast, YT show, short film, etc)
  • Mini Comics (1-4 pages max)
  • Short Stories or Excerpts (1-3 pages max)
  • TTRPG Characters
  • NSFW for the digital zine only (Implied nudity is fine for the printed zine)**

WHAT WE’RE NOT ACCEPTING:

  • Photography only (Collage is acceptable)
  • Extreme Gore (keep it PG-13, unless submitting to the NSFW zine)
  • Work created with Generative AI, LLMs

Define Vampire?

The only requirement is that your vampires drink blood or consume life force to survive. There are many cultural definitions and mythologies around the vampire, so we’d like to see more interpretations than the usual brooding European vampire. Get creative! They can be living vampires, more witch or fairy like, sparkle or even come from another planet. The only key thing here is they must be BIPOC at the core of their design.

How many pages can I submit for an excerpt?

Maximum length for mini-comics, excerpts or short stories is 2 pages (6″x9″) depending on number of applicants. Depending on the story we may consider 3-4 pages. Keep things concise if possible. For After Dark we can accept longer submissions.

How many times can I submit?

You can submit as many times as you like – however, we will only accept one artist or team project in the anthology to leave room for other applicants.

Do I have to submit a proposal?

Nope, proposals are NOT required. Proposals are an option if you’d like to pitch your project for approval before working on it – especially if your work takes longer to create. Proposals only need to describe your idea and provide some sketches/scripts/WIPs (if applicable) or samples of past work so we can have an idea of what you’ll create.

Can I submit commissioned artwork?

Yes. As long as you can provide written permission from the artist allowing your work to be included. In this case, we will credit both you, the character creator, and the artist who created the artwork.

Can I be paired up with an artist or writer?

If you’d like to find an artist or writer when you submit your proposal, there is an option on the form to ask to be paired up during the proposal/collaboration round, which closes on 7/08.

*Are you accepting NSFW?

To keep the Vampires of Color anthology more accessible, the printed zine is limited to PG-13 content. However, we also have a digital NSFW anthology (Vampires of Color: After Dark) with its own submission form for proposals and already created works.

ABOUT THE TEAM:

Jamila (@vampirepyramidscheme / @blackbettiecosplay), in the capacity of Project Lead/Graphic Designer. They are a queer nonbinary Afro-Caribbean graphic designer and illustrator working as a full time freelancer with experience in print and digital design for advertising and marketing. They’re also the creator and host of BIPOCVampDay. 

Their portfolio is viewable here

Nala J. Wu (@NalaWu / @naladraws), in the capacity of Creative Director. They are a proud neurodivergent & disabled QTPOC Art Director at Hunters Entertainment and an award winning illustrator in TTRPGs! Past projects include Coyote & Crow, Apocalypse Keys, the Adventuring Artist Tarot deck, and more. They are also a professional TTRPG actual play performer best known for portraying vampires on Vampire the Masquerade APs like Itaewon by Night (featuring first and only all-Asian cast to play VtM on stream) and Last of Eden’s Vices (on Goblets & Gays).

Their portfolio is viewable on naladraws.com

Nidi_Indeedy (@nidi_indeedy) is a black, nonbinary demisexual who loves to write stories, creating games TTRPG solo journaling games, and being a Mom to an amazing kid. When not trying to create something new, you can see them engaging in academic research, watching Korean dramas, or simply taking a nap.

They can be found on twitter

PAST ZINE INFO/CONTRIBUTORS

Curious about past year’s zines and contributors, check the archive pages below:

Vampires of Color, Vol 4 / After Dark, Vol 3 (2025)

Vampires of Color, Vol 3 / After Dark, Vol 2 (2024)

Vampires of Color, Vol 2 / After Dark, Vol 1 (2023)

Vampires of Color, Vol 1 (2022)