A zine is the shortest distance between having something to say and putting it in someone’s hands. All you need is paper, a way to copy it and a reason to stay up late.
The format has survived every new technology because it does something none of them do: it exists in one place, for a small number of people, and it cannot be updated after it is printed.
Swap, Do Not Sell
The zine fairs are thriving. Tables are booked months in advance and the swap culture is as strong as ever, with most makers leaving with more zines than they brought.
- Glue sticks, lots of them
- Access to a photocopier
- Scissors you do not mind ruining
- A deadline, even a fake one
Nobody can unpublish a photocopy.
If you have never made one, start small: a single sheet folded into eight pages is enough. The first one will be rough. That is part of the appeal.
I printed this out and stuck it on my studio wall. Literally.
Noted for the follow-up piece, thank you.
Saving this for the next time someone tells me it is just noise.
Finally someone said it.
Great write-up. I was at this one too and you captured the energy perfectly.
Hard disagree on one point, but I love that you went there.