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I want to publish a zine. What do I do?

So I want to publish a zine. I have access to decent desktop publishing programs and ideas about where to find content. Anyone have any tips or websites for me?

By Mothra at 04/28/2004 - 3:03pm | Zine Scene | previous forum topic | next forum topic

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hey, look!

here's someone looking for info on military-related zines:
http://www.livejournal.com/community/zine_scene/1001752.html

maybe you could get her to write something? at the very least, you'll know you've got a customer when you finish your first issue. :)

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Tenderfoot: a compilation zine about firsts ~
www.tenderfootzine.com

By tenderfoot at Sun, 05/02/2004 - 4:10pm |

yes, you can definitely ask a

yes, you can definitely ask any particular questions here!

one of the most comprehensive websites that i've come across talking about zines is http://www.zinebook.com.

another one dealing specifically with zines by women is http://www.grrrlzines.net. though i have used it mostly as a directory, i think there's a fair amount of other content there, including interviews.

those are the first ones that spring to mind, when i think of more i'll post again. (there are some bulletin boards and mailing lists, as well, but that may not be as helpful when you're just starting out.)

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Tenderfoot: a compilation zine about firsts ~
www.tenderfootzine.com

By tenderfoot at Wed, 04/28/2004 - 10:16pm |

Cool! I really enjoyed INdepe

Cool! I really enjoyed INdependent. I'll admit I had a lot of stereotyped ideas about military spouses, and that zine opened my eyes and changed my thinking. There's definitely an audience (outside the military!) for what you've got in mind.

Personally, I like the 8x11 folded in half size of zine. Your envelopes and mailing costs will be less expensive that way, than if you go full size, but it sounds like you have something definite in mind, so go with it. As for copying, you just have to shop around. I use Mailboxes Etc, which gives me 3.5 cents/copy if you get over a thousand. My zine is 7 pages, so each one costs .49 to copy.

Good luck getting started, and keep us posted. Do you have a name for it yet?

Miranda: a zine about motherhood and other adventures

By Miranda at Thu, 04/29/2004 - 4:55pm |

Welcome to the zine world! Wh

Welcome to the zine world! What is it exactly that you want information about? Layout, distribution, copying? Have you decided what you want it to look like, what size you want it, etc? In terms of websites, this forum is a great place to get advice.

Miranda: a zine about motherhood and other adventures

By Miranda at Wed, 04/28/2004 - 4:48pm |

Yeah, that was pretty vague,

Yeah, that was pretty vague, huh? I haven't started fooling around with a layout yet, but I have some ideas. I'm going to ask a friend to set up a website for me, and I guess I'll advertise on boards like this. It is going to be a zine for "alternative" military mothers, so I'll use word of mouth and military websites if I ever actually get it up and running.

How do you copy yours? Is it expensive? I am envisioning a newsletter-type layout, regular 8.5" x 11" dimensions. Possibly color eventually, but I guess that is more expensive. Do you have any input on the advantages and disadvantages of the different sizes? I've seen zines that are the full page folded in half, and I like the full page better.

I'm really at square one here. I found out that the other mama stopped making her zine for military family members and I was sad about it, so I decided to make my own!

By Mothra at Wed, 04/28/2004 - 5:04pm |

Great!!!

It's wonderful to see a need for a zine voice and then make it happen! Good for you! My number one bit of advice would be: order other zines and see how they did it! I've done all sizes and mostly I use real photographs and I print at Kinkos which can be costly but they will do side cuts and stapling which is a nice convenience.

I think you might also want to start a file (hard copy) of different things you'll want as possible content. I put it all together with glue stick and I come up with a cover and there she is, ready for Kinkos.

Order my zine and I'll include a compact disc I made in 1999. It's a professional quality cd of original folk music. twelve songs.
$5 to E. Cable Landry
Motherload
Box 51404
Eugene, Oregon 97405

Motherload online:

www.motherload.indiegroup.com

also:
www.elizabethcable.nstemp.com

Life is short, do it now.

By Elizabeth at Wed, 04/28/2004 - 6:26pm |