People have always wanted to share their experiences, or tell their side of the story - especially people that aren’t really seen in or represented by traditional media outlets (or sometimes even anyone else).

Which brings us to zines.

Zines are a DIY form of media, and they have a rich history

Zines are self-published magazines, usually in black and white. The word zine comes from 'fanzine,' which was used to describe fan-created magazines about a specific topic or group of people. Zines can be about anything, but they're often personal journals detailing experiences and thoughts that the author feels need to be shared with others.

Zines have been around since at least the 1890s (I would argue) when pamphlets and broadsides were used as promotional tools by businesses; however, their popularity didn't really take off until the late 1960s when underground newspapers were published during protests against the Vietnam War (and later other political issues).

These publications were often produced cheaply on photocopiers and distributed through mailboxes or at events like concerts--this allowed them to reach wider audiences than traditional print media would allow.

Over time, ‘zine’ came to be used as an umbrella term for any independent publication produced by individuals or small groups on a limited budget.

What goes in a zine?

Zines often feature personal stories and reflections; reviews of music, movies and books; interviews with artists; comics about everyday life; activism around issues such as feminism or LGBTQ rights; poetry--anything that inspires you!

The origins of zine culture can be traced back to punk rock subculture during the 1970s when bands like The Ramones began publishing their own magazines out of necessity: they needed something better than what was available commercially at the time (which tended toward glossy magazines with little substance).

As more people got involved in making their own publications through photocopying machines (called "Xeroxing"), these DIY publications became known as "xeroxed fanzines" because they were made using xerox machines rather than traditional printing presses like those found at mainstream publishers' offices today.

Where to find zines

Zines can be found in a variety of places. You can find them in your local library, or you might have one at home that someone gave to you as a gift. There are also zine shops, which sell all kinds of DIY publications from around the world and across time periods. Zine festivals are another great way to discover new zines.

Shop my zines here.

Zine communities

There are many zine communities out there, both online and in-person. Online zine communities can be found on Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In-person zine communities include zine clubs and workshops that take place at libraries or other community spaces. Check out That Monthly Zine Project.