We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on June 29, 2012.

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A queer Chicago collaborative arts & literary digest featuring culture & class(lessness) prepares its fourth issue.

Chicago IRL (In Real Life) is an arts and literary digest cataloging contemporary queer creative culture in Chicago. We document not only existing queer talent but also create new collaborations and explorations. Chicago IRL launched in June 2011 and is a co-production of graphic designer Topher McCulloch, a South Dakota native who blew into town four years ago and tries to make something awful every day, and Joseph Varisco, a graduate student of social work, Chicago native and creator of the Queer Culture & Social Media Study. We are both passionate about documenting contemporary cultural happenings in and around Chicago. We are now preparing our fourth issue for publication, and we need your help. 

In the first three issues, Chicago IRL has featured diverse work from across the spectrum by over 60 contributors. We are an open call, open submission publication that loves meeting new people through their creative work and we are always looking to include more voices. We hope you will find something that makes you laugh or stimulates you to take action. We only wish to keep it weird and sexy. 

The Goal

The first three issues have been entirely self-funded at a loss out of love. By organizing a comprehensive pre-order through Kickstarter we can increase our cost efficiencies and deliver you an even better product. Since the second issue we've been able to give copies to contributors and donate to local institutions. We'd love to give back even more. Anything raised above and beyond our goal of $1500 to meet the bare minimum costs goes into improving our publication and giving back to our contributors and readers.

Swag

We have a variety of stuff to give you in addition to the latest issue. Stickers, artist postcards, TOTE BAGS!, a selection of artist prints, and even unisex lace jockstraps if that strikes your fancy. All levels above $5 get stickers.

TOTE BAGS!
TOTE BAGS!
Chicago IRL sticker and Artist Postcards by (l-r) Topher McCulloch, Dane Hallmark, and Andy Siharath. More to come!
Chicago IRL sticker and Artist Postcards by (l-r) Topher McCulloch, Dane Hallmark, and Andy Siharath. More to come!
Lady & Lad Lace Jockstrap by contributor Andy Siharath
Lady & Lad Lace Jockstrap by contributor Andy Siharath
WOLFPACK prints by Topher McCulloch
WOLFPACK prints by Topher McCulloch
Photo prints by Andy Siharath
Photo prints by Andy Siharath

More prints and postcards will be announced for you to select from as we get closer to our deadline!

Submit

Are you one of those starving artist types that would still like to get in on the action but can't contribute financially at this time? Great! We've already collected lots of great new material for issue four, but we’d love to get to know you and your work as well. Art, photography, comics, illustration, fashion, performance, reviews, event promos, prose, poetry, confessional erotica, artist profiles, collaborative work, fierce theory/manifestos and more are welcome between Chicago IRL's pages. We do prefer work either by local Chicagoans or else about the city and/or its residents. We’re pretty loose and welcome diverse voices, so if you have an idea but aren’t sure if it fits, let us know.

The extended submission deadline is Friday, June 15th.

More information about the the submission process can be found on our website. Please note, supporting the Kickstarter will have no bearing on the review process for your submission. 

More Exciting Videos!

Performances from our launch party at Northern Lights in June 2011.

Zine Fest Reading Series Videos:

You can sneak a peek at the first three issues in this video:

Need more? We've got lots more ways to connect and interact.

For the curious or impatient, previous issues Chicago IRL can be purchased directly from us online or else found locally in Chicago at Quimby’s, Chicago Comics, and Women & Children First.

Chicago IRL Website
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But don't just take it from us! Read about us in Time Out Chicago, Grateful Grapefruit, and In Our Words or watch a video interview with us and The Qu.

FAQ

Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.

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Funding period
May 30, 2012 - Jun 29, 2012 (30 days)

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    3 backers

    A thank you on our website and a song in our heart.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
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    0 backers

    A thank you postcard sent via snail mail to you and your name listed in the fourth issue.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
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    13 backers

    A copy of the fourth issue mailed to you and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $4 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
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    14 backers

    A copy of the fourth issue mailed to you along with a set of artist postcards and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $4 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $22 or more

    2 backers

    A copy of the fourth issue mailed to you along with a previous issue of your choice, postcards, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $5 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    9 backers

    A copy of the fourth issue mailed to you along with a TOTE BAG!, set of artist postcards, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $5 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $30 or more

    4 backers

    A copy of the fourth issue mailed to you along with a previous issue of your choice, postcards, TOTE BAG!, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $5 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $30 or more

    5 backers

    A copy of the fourth issue mailed to you along with two artist prints OR lace jockstrap, postcards and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $5 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $45 or more

    0 backers

    All four issues mailed to you along with postcards and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $6 for non US or Canada!)

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    4 backers

    All four issues mailed to you along with postcards, artist print, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $6 for non US or Canada!)

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    0 backers

    All four issues mailed to you along with a TOTE BAG!, postcards, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $6 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $65 or more

    0 backers

    All four issues mailed to you along with a TOTE BAG!, postcards, artist print, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $6 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $75 or more

    2 backers

    All four issues mailed to you along with a TOTE BAG!, two artist prints OR lace jockstrap, postcards, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $6 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $85 or more

    1 backer

    All four issues mailed to you along with a TOTE BAG!, artist print, lace jockstrap, postcards, and your name in the thank yous. (Please add $6 for non US or Canada!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    3 backers Limited (2 of 5 left)

    A copy of the fourth issue plus a romantic dinner date with Topher & Joe at your restaurant of choice in Chicago. We'll buy! ($$$ or less on Yelp!)

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $150 or more

    0 backers

    A copy of the fourth issue along with a full page advertisement designed by us promoting whatever your heart desires.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012