THIS JAM IS 18+ AND BY ITS NATURE INCLUDES DARK TOPICS AND THEMES

The Goal: 

Create a project (Game, comic, ttrpg, prose, poetry, art zine, whatever!) focused on the intersection of horror and fantasy. This jam is to encourage people to explore the  subgenre, as well as motivate artists to finish dark and horror fantasy projects they’ve already started. Your project does not need to be full horror, dark fantasy is welcome as well. So long as the project’s theming leans towards grim, it’s welcome.

At the end of this Jam will be a curated dark/horror fantasy bundle. If you’re interested in that, please also feel free to submit your projects to the bundle! Participating in this jam does NOT guarantee that you will be included in the bundle. 

Works which utilize Generative AI are not eligible for the jam or bundle. 
Works must be original content. Fan works are also not eligible for this jam or bundle. 

FAQ

What is dark/horror fantasy?
Dark fantasy and horror fantasy are subgenres of fantasy focusing on disturbing or unsettling themes. If your fantasy is themed more towards the grim, the grotesque, or the gory, then it counts. If you’re still not sure, think Bloodborne, Fear and Hunger, The Dark Crystal, or Pan’s Labyrinth. You’re also welcome to mix and match subgenres or defy genre conventions all together. It’s horror, get weird with it.

Since this is dark and horror fantasy, are there any topics that are off limits? 
Horror is the exploration of the taboo, so there is no censorship in regards to what you can or can’t cover in your project. However, safety is important, and content warnings are highly encouraged. They don’t need to be front and center if it could spoil your story, but it is best practice to have them easily available so people can know what they’re getting into beforehand. Horror is about being disturbing, but we still want to avoid harm as best we can. 
Content warnings are not a moral judgment, just a safety tool. 
If you have questions about how to approach content warnings for your project, I’ll put together a basic guide to content warnings in the community section. THAT BEING SAID. Works that are expressly endorsements of real world violence or intolerance against minority groups or hate speech will not be tolerated.  

Is NSFW allowed?
Yes, 18+ content is allowed! Due to the nature of horror, this bundle will be 18+. While this is not an erotica centric bundle, horror and pleasure often go hand in hand, so you’re welcome to submit dark/horror romantasy and erotica as well. Put the freak in freaky!

What should I make? 
Anything! TTRPGs, games, comics, fiction, poetry, art zines, some combination of all of that or more! The more diverse the better!

Is this jam curated/is there a winner? 
The Jam itself is not curated and there will be no winner. It’s just about the joy of creating something! But, there will be a bundle made after the jam which will be curated, probably to about 20-30 pieces.  

You say no fan art, are fairy tales allowed? 
Absolutely! Where would we be without dark and horror retellings of fairy tales? Fairy tale retellings are welcome and encouraged! Similarly, works exploring public domain horror concepts (Dracula, Carmilla, Frankenstein, H.P. Lovecraft, etc) are also welcome.

What about Urban Fantasy?
You are welcome to make urban fantasy projects for the jam, but the bundle will be focused on high and low fantasy settings. Sorry! You can make your own bundle though, I would love to see it!

Can my jam project be commercial/cost money?
Yes! Feel free to put whatever price you would like on it. If you are also submitting to the bundle, I’ll probably reach out for access keys for moderation purposes once I have put together my shortlist. 

I’m already working on a project, can I join the jam with that?
Yes! You are welcome to begin work early or continue on a project you’re already making. This is about motivation and finishing a project, not a competition with a strict timeline. 

What if I already finished my project, can I submit it for the jam? 
Absolutely!

I already have a dark/horror fantasy project, can I just submit to the Bundle?
Yes you can! You can submit at this link here! The bundle should launch around the end of November.