Getting feedback

[Emma Jane Falconer]

I was wondering how much feedback you tend to get on your zines. I've been lucky to not get contacted by any creeps or highly irritating people, but I don't really get contacted by anyone with an opinion either (I'm not into the idea of sending stuff to review sites, it seems too forced, I'd rather get feedback from people who were genuinely interested in reading the zine to start with).

There are people who regularly buy my zines as they come out who have never contacted me with any comment, and often when I've traded with people I just get a note saying "thanks for the zine". In fact, I've pretty much just got feedback from people I'm friends with already, who of course will tend to be biased in my favour. In an anxious moment the other week, I was wondering if it was because my zine was so boring it didn't elicit any response at all, or was so bad people didn't want to be mean, so said nothing, but that's probably just self-doubt.

How about you? Do you get much feedback on your zines?

[ramsey everydaypants]

I've definitely found that the further I go along and the more personal the issue is, the more feedback I get. I was astounded at the feedback to my latest issue, which was about a breakup of a five year relationship. I felt kind of silly putting out the issue, but since my zine generally reflects what's going on in my life at the time, it was only appropriate and it was really cathartic as well. In a way, this was the issue I wanted the least feedback for since it felt sort of embarrassing and a little too personal and I didn't want to feel like I was trying to get sympathy from others, but I guess everyone can relate to heartbreak. I received 3 or 4 emails a week for a few months, and several long handwritten letters from people commiserating in heartbreak. It was actually really nice for my breakup process but I also felt a lot of pressure! Like, I don't know these people at all and they're sharing their heavy feelings with me and hoping for advice or a response. But I guess that's part of the responsibility of sharing your own thoughts.

As much as I love receiving feedback, I'm totally guilty of rarely giving it. This is something I need to work on, I know. I used to be really active in letter writing and zine reading but as I got busier with various other things, all of that got put on the backburner aside from putting out my own zine. I actually like We Make Zines for this because it gives me a reminder that this is a community and if I expect anyone to care about my zine, I have to participate a little!

Generally, in my zine, at the end I always put in that feedback, comments, criticism and just contact are very appreciated and much looked forward to, and include my email address. I think this may help a bit since it's the last thing people see after reading my zine. I also typically include a handwritten note that ends with 'let me know what you think!' and my email address.

[Amy]

I try and write when I really like a zine, but when I don't, it's hard because I don't really know what to say. I don't want to write 'I really hated your zine because it was boring' becacuse that kind of stuff isn't that helpful anyway.

[Adrian Fynch]

Sometimes when I want to send feedback, but I didn't really enjoy the zine, I'll say that it wasn't really my type, or something like that.

Amy said:

I try and write when I really like a zine, but when I don't, it's hard because I don't really know what to say. I don't want to write 'I really hated your zine because it was boring' becacuse that kind of stuff isn't that helpful anyway.

[Danny Olda]

I just got some awesome feedback! Someone wrote me a letter. Though I asked for feedback if she found a time, I forgot to leave my address. So she scanned her letter and emailed it to me! I thought that was really cool. I thought I'd mention it because it made my day. Also, made me think more about setting aside more time to send zinesters letters. Everyone likes a full PO Box.

[sandy]

Not much feedback. It does make me wonder if my work doesn't connect with people the way I'd like - there's probably some of that involved, and some of how things just work.

I'm thinking maybe because the zine scene is made up of creative types (unlike say film, tv and books, where it's creators vs audience), there's an awful lot of mutual respect happening. Creative types understand what goes into the creative process - so you're either offering clinical feedback on how to "do a job right", short & sweet generic feedback, or maintaining respectful distance. On the whole, anyway - there's always exceptions, like engaging personal feedback when something really inspires you, or if you're just the type to share that way. I don't know, though - just speculating. :)

Plus, this is a "rapid-fire" world. Maybe there's just less drive to give feedback because there's so much else going on. :) If I don't manage to give feedback to a zinester, this is usually why. :\