What are zines?
Zines are self-published booklets that can be constructed in a variety of ways. Typically created by hand and printed with a photocopier, zines can also be screenprinted, risograph printed, or created digitally. Because of their DIY (do-it-yourself) nature, zines are a flexible and cheap publishing format that can be traded, given out, or sold at small press fairs and local bookshops.
Historically, zines have often been a form of expression and resistance. One example of early zine-like materials comes from the Harlem Renaissance, beginning in 1917. During this time, the self-published works of Black authors were referred to as "little magazines". The word 'zine' comes from the term 'fanzine' (fan magazine), popularized by science fiction enthusiasts during the 1930s to describe their self-published works. In subsequent years, zines have become more heavily associated with punk and Riot Grrrl subcultures, queer culture, and collaborative artist collections.
Additional Reading
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Working with and Using ZinesA digital zine created at the University of Illinois Library.
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Celebrating International Zine Month at Watson LibraryArticle by Melissa Raymond for The Met.
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A Radical Black Magazine From the Harlem Renaissance Was Ahead of Its TimeArticle by Jon Key for Hammer and Hope.
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A Brief History of Zines and Why You Should Make OneArticle by Alanna Stapleton for Medium.
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Online Zine Resources from A to ZResources compiled by Cathy Camper for School Library Journal.
Zine Library at Queer.Archive.Work.
Photos by Zaidee Everett, 2024
