According to Wikipedia, a zine is a small-circulation self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via a copy machine. Zines have been made since the 18th century, but when photo copiers became more common in the 70s and 80s they surged in popularity. There are many ways that a zine can be bound… but whether stapled, glued, sewn, or simply folded, they are easily made expressions of the artist on a variety of topics. Zines have been popular in the sci fi community since the 1930s, and also have a strong history of being typically counter-cultural. Now days, however, zines (originally “fanzines”) are much more wide in their subject matter and scope.
Many zine groups and festivals have popped up around the country, the nearest I know of in my area is KC Zine Con. But pop up tables of zines or offerings in local book stores and online are becoming more common.
For me, the advantage of a zine is that it is an easy and inexpensive way to self publish whatever topic and artwork that I want to put out into the world. I have made a few different varieties of zines through the years, but my current favorite technique is to simply create my message onto a single sheet of paper that can then be copied onto normal paper and folded into a mini zine. I can make a single copy, or multiple copies at a time.
The great thing about creating a zine is that there are really no rules and you can make them in whatever style and with whatever message you wish. Here are a few ideas from my ‘want to make’ list:
- bucket list
- places I’ve been
- gratitude list
- instructions/how to…
- favorite quotes
- people who have influenced me
- biography
- holiday newsletter
How about you? Have you ever made a zine? If you made a zine what would it be?
LuAnn Pepperwood
I’ve made a LOT of zines! (The one-page variety.) Most of them have been little children’s stories to mail to my grandkids. I’ve published a lot of these as free print-ables on the Instructables website.
There was a “Fifty State Zine Swap” offered through Instagram a few years ago. It was great fun. There is also a zine-making group on Facebook, but it wasn’t terribly active for the year that I participated there. (2021? 2022?)
I’m SO happy I discovered your blog. I think zines might be a good offering for the upcoming Topeka Art Guild Open house event. Thanks for your blog post. It has reminded me how much FUN it can be to make zines!
Kayann
How fun LuAnn! I am glad we have connected! I agree that zines are soooo fun! I will be having a workshop on Saturday Nov. 4 making zines, I am really looking forward to a whole day of zine making fun! If you want to come down and join the fun let me know. Thanks for all of the resources that you have mentioned. I would love to go to a zine fest, but an online swap could be fun too.
Happy zine making!
Kayann
How fun LuAnn! I am glad we have connected! I agree that zines are soooo fun! I will be having a workshop on Saturday Nov. 4 making zines, I am really looking forward to a whole day of zine making fun! If you want to come down and join the fun let me know. Thanks for all of the resources that you have mentioned. I would love to go to a zine fest, but an online swap could be fun too.
Happy zine making!