Start at the beginning.

[Remi Germaine]

So the other day I was talking to a friend who was vigorously working on this little book thing. When I asked him about it he said he was working on making a zine. I had only kinda heard about it before, but never really quite new what it was. But the stuff he was working on was awesome and then he showed me some other zines he had gotten and traded with other people. So, now I'm realizing that its a way bigger idea then i had ever thought.

 

So i guess my question is..how did all of you people start to make zines or heard about them. I feel like I'm a little behind and have only now started trying to make my own. I'm not quite sure where to start so any suggestions would be appreciated. Also any stories on how you started making zines and about the first one you ever did are of great interest to me.I'm just lucky I found this website, it seems pretty neato so far!

[River Body]

Well, I learned about zine's in a book (I think, I don't really remember haha).  The best way to start with zines is to just do it.  There is no right way to create a zine, and there is absolutely no way to do it wrong.  As far as content, just make something that you enjoy! Zine's should first foremost be something that you love, as it sometimes takes a lot of work to create them.  A great book to read about this is Stolen Sharpie Revolution by Alex Wrekk (she's on this website =D) you can buy it on etsy.com, or a few other places for 6$, OR check your local library, that's where I found it.  The library is an excellent tool.  I do my copies there, and a lot of my work, as it's quiet and has a lot of resources available.  You can look up in your library catalog "zine" and it may (or may not, depending on how awesome your library is) come up with a bunch of results.

 

You can also poke around on the internet for some good tips and tricks.  As far as where to start, you should try writing about something that you love! And then look around on here for pen pals and such to trade zine's with!  I am more than willing to trade, for instance, as I'm sure most people here are.  If you have any more questions or would like to discuss this further, I'd love to chat about it! Just message me.

 

Good luck!!! 

-River

[Cathryn Zam...]

Hello,

Just letting you know i am in the same position as you with these awesome little Zines...

I am at the moment coming up with a theme to carry through my Zines. Collaborative work is great too... good to help you get started.... there is a website stickyinstitute.com that tells you sorta how to get started too...

Wish you all the best and hope to see your Zine before too long :) 

CathrynZam