At 16 I would tape pound coins to cardboard and mail them. Soon after would arrive the most exciting thing ever – a DIY zine or comic. At 16 getting stuff in the mail is addictive anyway, it's only when we grow older we associate the mail with junk and bills. But these zines were full of craziness, fascinating and weird stories and pictures. I felt kind of honoured that someone had sat and carefully devised this little book just for me, or for a handful of people like me. The other great thing was that for a teenager they were affordable, a few dollars at most. Sometimes I would get letters thanking me for buying their example of creativity. I devoured them. Then boyfriends, clubs, live music and University came along and I left those zines behind.
And then this spring in Asheville NC I stumbled into and found a little rack of them, unassuming but tempting. I bought a few (was complimented by the bookstore clerk on my selections) out of sentimentality and intrigue and I'm now hooked all over again. The edginess, the imperfections, the doodles and monochrome, people can do whatever they want when they autonomous so you get some really ingenious content. It's good to know that despite the birth and endless upward trajectory of the internet, some people still feel compelled to print their words. This rediscovery of DIY publishing is kind of part of my new intention to get back to my roots, to that time in my past when the creative world was new and fertile.I am now considering doing my own, I am already putting together some ideas as well as trawling sites to inspire me.
Welcome back.
Places to feed the zine greed:
Etsy – there are tons of very cool mags and comics on Etsy for a few dollars each
