AP ZINES
We all have a story to tell. I am telling my story zine by zine.
Zines (zeens) are non-commercial, self-published, DIY paper booklets that are typically printed & shared in small batches (< 1,000).
They provide a creative space for individuals to freely express themselves and share their art, words, and thoughts with an (often niche) audience.
Zines are usually folded into pamphlet or booklet form of various sizes with many ways to bind.
Today, zines are also often produced & consumed digitally.
They got their name in the 1930s, when science fiction fan zines emerged, but they were around long before that. From slavery to the Harlem Renaissance, Black abolitionists, artists and activists had been making and sharing zines promoting Black joy & liberation.
Zines continued to gain popularity in social movements - from civil rights, to lgbtq & women’s rights. In the 90s-2000s they showed up in punk circles expressing underground & counter-culture ideas like anarchism and mutual aid.
Today, zines continue to act as a powerful medium for sharing the experiences of historically marginalized communities and for promoting political activism.
I made my first zine (a 3-part-mini-zine series) in 2022 aiming to raise awareness on my college campus about a voter suppression omnibus bill that passed in MO removing the right of college students to use their campus ID as voter ID. I was disappointed that the university made no effort to inform student voters of this issue prior to an important primary election.
My First Zine
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop
Since then, I’ve made many more zines on various topics for various purposes. I tend to stick with the mini-zine most of the time because they’re just so cute, can easily fit in your pocket, and the small surface area forces you to keep it brief. However, the 1/2 page zine I made for a local advocacy organization might be my most favorite thus far.
Here’s a quick video showing you how I fold a one-page mini-zine.
