

zine /zeen/ noun, informal 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
short for “magazine” or “fanzine" usually printed, but can also be online self-published writing, comics, collage, visual art, etc. an educational tool no editors, no publishing companies, no right or wrong way to create 6. the best thing ever
*Definition courtesy of our brains


Fill these pages with ideas, inspirations, concerns, questions, and anything that pops into your head!
Why Zines? There are a lot of ways to be creative, and you can put almost anything in a zine. and most people do them entirely themselves, down to the [formatting, printing, and stapling. There are comic & illustration zines, photo zines, zines full of essays or poetry, and even zines on how to make zines! Zines can be silly, sad, educational, practical, political, or anything in between. Something that really defines zines and DIY is the freedom to create without constraint and without limits. Zines can be about anything, and most people do them entirely themselves, even down to the printing. Anyone can be published. Zines are affordable to make and buy, and you don’t have anyone breathing down your neck about how you should express yourself. No right way! No wrong way! Throughout history, self-publishing has been at the forefront of social change. When you don’t have anyone telling you what you can and can’t write, you can create in a really honest and truthful way. You might need to make a few to get the hang of it and find your voice, and that’s okay. Not every zine will be a masterpiece. But every zine you make is an extension of you! So, guess every zine is a masterpiece after all! Make Zines! Build Community! Speak Your Truth! Have Fun!
What are some things that inspire you?
Goals When you sit down to start a zine, it’s helpful to think about why you’re writing it and who it’s for. Sometimes there are no answers to those questions- and that’s ok too! For a lot of us, sitting down and trying to put our thoughts and feelings down onto paper is super daunting. Sometimes, writing out your goals for a project makes it seems a little less intimidating. This zine may be something you sell at zine fests or online, or distribute for free to lots of folks. Or maybe you’ll make zines that are just for you, or to be handed out to only close friend or family. Depending on which one sounds good to you, that may impact what you decide to include in the zine. What do you want this zine to accomplish?
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What are some things that make you mad? • • •
When people ask you what this zine is, what will you say?
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What are some things you’d like to learn more about? • • • •
Things To Think About
Is this zine teaching someone about something? Is this zine telling a personal story? Are you writing this zine on your own or with friends? Does it have a theme? How long do you want this zine to be? Will this zine have multiple volumes, or will this be the only one? Will this you be printing in color or black & white? (This is an important detail when including photographs or illustrations in your zine!)