Théâtre des Vampires: an IWTV Fanzine

Théâtre des Vampires: an IWTV Fanzine

An open-call all-ships and all-ratings IWTV charity fanzine made by fans for fans.
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$4,117 🎉
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Welcome.”


Welcome to the Théâtre des Vampires, an Interview with the Vampire fanzine created by fans for fans.

In September of last year, we put up a call to the Vampire Chronicles fandom. Our goal was to gather creatives be it book or show fans, cosplayers or authors and collaboratively bring to life a fanzine showcasing the wide range of talent in this community. And hopefully to give fans a chance to physically hold this book and raise some funds for charity in the process.

In the spirit of keeping this a welcoming and inclusive space, the TDV fanzine was an open-call project. We welcomed contributors from all skill levels, and the pieces span all ratings, characters, and ships. We are incredibly proud of the result and equally excited to finally lift the curtains and invite all of you to step in into the Théâtre.
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “The Zine.”

A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a gold frame, against a red silk background.  On the right there is a picture of a mock-up of our fanzine, front, and back cover, with the specifications it will be made with on the left reading as follows: “132 full-color pages - A5 (5.8" x 8.3") - 80lb Satin Text - Softcover - Perfect Binding - Full-colored 100lb Satin Cover with - Gloss Lamination.” The cover features Louis, Armand and Lestat in their TV show likeness, on stage.
Cover art by Haflacky


The 132-page Théâtre des Vampires fanzine features 41 pieces from 41 artists across a range of mediums. In its pages you will find fanfic and fanart, but also cosplays, photographs, essays, and recipes. The book is A5 size (148 × 210mm) with a softcover and perfect binding. The digital version includes alt-text for all visual pieces, and content warnings are available for each piece that may require it. Here is a small taste of what the inside looks like:

A rectangular graphic of with a red silk background and a gold artdeco frame. On the left there is a mock-up of the TDV fanzine. On the left, a mockup of a two page spread featuring a collage of pictures of a Lestat cosplayer, featuring a Louis cosplayer in one of them
Cosplay by Anki, also featuring michelle_requiem

A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a gold frame, against a red silk background.  There are two mockups: one on the left is the front cover of our fanzine, while the one on the right is a flat lay spread of two interior pages, the one on the left features an art piece of different iterations on Claudia, the one on the right is the first page of a written submission titled Genesis
Art by MelloWammy, Fic by Bianca


In addition to the main book, some of the more risque pieces have been compiled into a companion fanzine, Encore, our 18+ add-on. Everyone who may want to purchase the fanzine but avoid explicit content may do so without worries, and those who wish to have the full experience can bundle up. Encore is 52-pages long and features 7 pieces from 6 artists. It is only available for sale for people over 18.

A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a gold frame, against a red silk background. On the left there is a picture of a mock-up of Encore, our 18+ fanzine add-on with the specifications it will be made with on the right reading as follows: “52 full-color pages - A5 (5.8" x 8.3") - 80lb Satin Text - Softcover - Perfect Binding - Full-colored 100lb Satin Cover with - Gloss Lamination.” The cover features Louis on top of Lestat, both naked, united by a lance piercing their hearts.
Cover art by artgroves


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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Rewards.”


Digital Zine

Digital download of the 132-page fanzine as well as Encore, the 52-page 18+ add-on, featuring pieces from over 40 contributors. Encore is available for backers over 18.

Physical Zine

The main book is 132 pages long and features pieces from over 40 contributors. Encore, a 52-page 18+ add-on for those over 18 will be printed separately and features 7 spicy contributions.

Merch
  • two 4x6 in sticker sheets, one with quotes from the books and fandom (designed by asavagegarden), the other featuring portraits of Louis, Armand, Lestat, Daniel and Nicky (designed by SuikaMelon6)
  • two 4x6 in prints featuring the Brat Prince himself, one is a promotional poster of The Vampire Lestat's concert in San Francisco (designed by asavagegarden), the other a portrait of Lestat with his wolfkiller cape (designed by Phoenix)
  • two mini (35mm) buttons featuring Claudia (designed by Hels)
  • jumbo (68mm) button of Akasha (designed by ziggyaarts)
  • 2 in shaker blood vial charm (designed by Isabellehemlock)
  • 2 in double-sided charm featuring the Unholy Family on one side and the Dubai gang on the other (designed by Fablefright)
  • 2 in connected charms featuring Louis and Lestat (designed by MelloWammy)
  • A5 150+ pages journal (designed by CuriosityRocks)

If there is particular piece of merch you want that is not included in your pledge level, they are also all available as add-ons.

A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Pledge Levels.”
A long rectangle-shaped digital collage with a red silk backdrop and a gold divider near the top.  There are four pledge levels on alternating sides stacked in descending order with descriptions in each bundle reading as follows:  Standing Room (Digital Zine) - Digital copy of the main zine and 18+ add-on Balcony - Restricted View (Physical Zine) - Physical copy of the main zine, Digital copy of the main zine and 18+ add-on Balcony (Physical Zine and 18+ add-on) - Physical copy of the main zine and 18+ add-on, Digital copy of the main zine and 18+ add-on Mezzanine (Basic Merch Bundle) - Two 4x6 in sticker sheets, Two 4x6 in prints, Physical copy of the main zine, Digital copy of the main zine and 18+ add-on
Featuring cover art by Haflacky and artgroves, and merch designs by asavagegarden, Phoenix and SuikaMelon6

A long rectangle-shaped digital collage with a red silk backdrop and a gold divider near the bottom.  There are four pledge levels on alternating sides stacked in descending order with descriptions in each bundle reading as follows:  Orchestra (Premium Merch Bundle) - Two 35mm buttons featuring Claudia, 68mm button featuring Akasha, 2 in double-sided charm, featuring the Unholy Family, and the Dubai gang, Everything included in the Mezzanine Level / Box Seats (Complete Merch Bundle) - 2 in shaker blood vial charm, 2 in connecting charms featuring Louis & Lestat. A5 150+ page journal. Everything included in the Orchestra Level / Royal Box (Complete Merch & Zine Bundle) - Physical copy of the 18+ add-on.  Everything included in the Box Seats Level. Just above the bottom divider reads: “All backers will be listed in the Patronage section of both the print and digital zines.”
Featuring cover art by Haflacky and artgroves, and merch designs by asavagegarden, Phoenix, SuikaMelon6, ziggyaarts, Hels, Isabellehemlock, MelloWammy, Fablefright and CuriosityRocks
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Charities.”


The funds raised from this campaign will go towards the cost of producing a physical run of the main fanzine and Encore, the 18+ add-on, as well as producing the merch items offered in the bundles. 

All proceeds beyond what is needed to cover those production costs and any associated fees (Backerkit, credit cards, etc.) will be split evenly and donated to two charities, one Louisiana-based, to honor the birthplace of the series that inspired this project, and one international, to honor the global nature of the fan community around it. Our contributors who have so gracefully donated their pieces and talent to this project selected The Blood Center as our Louisiana-based charity and Doctors Without Borders as our international one. 

A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a gold frame, against a red silk background.  The pictures are two charity logos and the words above them read: “All proceeds to be split equally and donated to: Doctors Without Borders and The Blood Center.”

The Blood Center is a non-profit organisation and the primary supplier of blood, blood components, and plasma derivatives to local hospitals throughout South Louisiana and Southern Mississippi.

Doctors Without Borders is an international charitable organisation providing care for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural and human-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in 70+ countries.

No contributors or mods are making any profit from this campaign.
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Stretch Goals.”


Thank you so much for the incredible response to the campaign so far! We are so excited we get to make this project a reality and bring to your hands all of our contributors' amazing works in tangible form. With the base funds to make a physical run possible, we can set our sights onto Stretch Goals! 

a digital graphic with a maroon colored backdrop, and gold frame, with the words “UNLOCKED” on the upper left corner against a yellow rectangle and “STRETCH GOAL #1 2000 USD: Double-sided Loustat charm becomes TWO connecting charms. On the right is a mockup of the two connected charms. Towards the bottom reads: “NEXT STRETCH GOAL: 2500 USD." Below the mockup reads “Charm design by MelloWammy.”


a digital graphic with a maroon colored backdrop, and gold frame, with the words “UNLOCKED” on the upper left corner against a yellow rectangle and “STRETCH GOAL #2 2500 USD - The blood vial charm becomes a shaker!”  The image is of a vial charm, implied movement with transparent versions behind it, and blood splatter ontop.  Underneath reads, “Charm design by Isabelle Hemlock.”  Towards the bottom reads: “NEXT STRETCH GOAL: 3000 USD.”

a digital graphic with a maroon colored backdrop, and gold frame, with the words “UNLOCKED” on the upper left corner against a yellow rectangle and “STRETCH GOAL #3 - 3000 USD.”  Beneath the line reads: “A5 (5.8” x 8.3”) 150+ pages journal.  Featuring Daniel, Armand and Louis on the front cover.”  To the right is a mock-up of the journal and beneath it reads: “Front and back cover art by CuriosityRocks.”

You've absolutely smashed all of our original merch stretch goals already!

The Loustat charm by MelloWammy has been upgraded from a single double-sided charm to two connecting charms, the blood vial charm by isabellehemlock has been upgraded to a shaker charm, AND we are producing a beautiful A5 150+ pages journal featuring front and back cover art by CuriosityRocks.

Everyone with Box Seats or Royal Box tickets gets the journal addded to their bundle automatically, as well as both charm upgrades. You can also get the charms or journal as an add-on.

We want to try to raise as much as possible with the time we have left on this campaign, so we have set a new stretch goal of 4000 USD. If we reach this goal before the end of the campaign, we will be turning the gorgeous front covers by Haflacky and artgroves into an 4x6 in double-sided print! 

 A rectangle-shaped digital graphic with a maroon-colored satin backdrop and a gold frame. On the top reads: “Stretch goal #4 - 4000 USD.”  Beneath the line reads: “4x6 in double-sided print. Featuring front cover art by Haflacky and artgroves.” To the right are mockups of both covers.  A golden double-sided arrow with the words “A double sided print!” connects them both.


We wanted to extend the love and gratitude to as many people as possible, which is why, should we reach the goal, this print will be automatically sent to every backer at a level with physical rewards 🖤
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Cast.”


This project is only possible due to our incredible ensemble cast. 

All of the pieces in this fanzine, including the covers' art and merch designs for the rewards, were created by this incredible team of artists who graciously donated their time and talent to this project. 

Main cover artist: Haflacky
Encore cover artist: artgroves

A thin digital rectangle-shaped banner with a hint of red ribbon along the edges.  The banner reads in a maroon-colored font: “Featuring visuals by.”



A thin digital rectangle-shaped banner with a hint of red ribbon along the edges.  The banner reads in a maroon-colored font: “Featuring props by.”
AKA merch designs
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Stage Crew.”


Equally valuable is the work of our stage crew AKA the mod team for this project.

Stage Manager and Dramaturg (AKA Social Media and Beta Mod) - Annis
Stage Manager (Social Media Mod) - Abby
Scenographer (Formatting Mod) - Bratlupa
Scenographer (Formatting Mod) - Esin
Stage Manager and Dresser (Social Media and Graphic Design Mod) - Katharina
Producer and Usher (Finance and Shipping Mod) - Ara
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Shipping.”


Shipping will be charged on top of your pledge after the campaign is over.

Our estimates for shipping costs for all levels with physical rewards are:

US: 10 USD
Canada: 21 USD
International: 30 USD 

These estimates may vary if, for example, you add several add-ons to your pledge and the package ends up being significantly heavier, which would affect shipping costs. We will do our best to keep these as low as possible though!
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A digital rectangle-shaped banner with a red ribbon curved against a gold divider.  The word in the center, in a maroon-colored font, reads: “Timeline.”


Based on our crew's previous experience producing and delivering fanzines and merch, we expect to follow this timeline:

  • February - March 2024 - Crowdfunding campaign 
  • Late March 2024 - Funds are collected and production starts
  • April 2024 - Production underway. Pre-order store for digital fanzines opens. Backers addresses are collected for shipping.
  • May 2024 - Rewards start to be shipped to backers. 
  • Early June 2024 - Digital fanzines are made available. 
  • Late June 2024 - Leftovers are made available for sale on our store (here on BackerKit).
  • July 2024 - Store closes. Charity donation is made and receipts are shared with backers and on our social platforms.

Thank you for your interest in this project. If you have any questions feel free to share them on the Community section, and be sure to check our FAQ for some common queries.
If you believe that this project is not in compliance with BackerKit’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service, you can file a report by sending a message via this link: Report this project