An esoteric anthology zine about haunted media, false memory, and the analog uncanny. This is the VHS fuzz between childhood memory and dream-logic. It’s not nostalgia—it’s residue.
Crashbox, Claymation, Kid Pix, The Noid
Mac Tonight, Max Headroom, Jack Stauber, lemon demon
California Raisins, Omega Mart, William Gale Vinton, Rankin/Bass
Hey Arnold, SpongeBob seasons 1-3, Corporate liminal horror, Body horror
The weird DVD menus, 2000s infomercials, public access channels, evangelical children shows
birthday parties with suspicious mascots
frutiger aero, Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, Mr. Meaty, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
Screensavers, Vintage Nickelodeon bumpers, Too Many Cooks, Lost TV pilot
VHS tapes found at a yard sale labeled “SUMMER 1998”, Candle Cove, GeoCities pages, The Quiznos Spongmonkeys
Send original work (1–5 page story, comic, collage, or visual piece). Humor, horror, experimental all welcome.
Clearly mark content warnings for gore, body horror, religious themes, or sensitive topics.
Email your work or pitch to: youhadtobethere.zine.2025@gmail.com
Deadline: May 18th, 2025 – 6:00pm EST
Include: name/alias, title of your piece, short bio (optional), any content warnings, and formatting preferences.