A Novel Idea - Zines

You've read here about a group I am a member of, Sketchbook Skool. Sketchbook Skool is constantly changing and expanding to include all things sketchy. There is a group within this group that produces "zines".  A zine is just what you think it is, a magazine. But it is different than the magazines you subscribe to or buy at the magazine stand at Indigo/Chapters.

A zine is a self-published mini magazine that is created by the author or authors using pen, pencil, collage, paint, stencils, stamps, anything easily attainable to someone without a lot of money. A zine has a wide variety of subjects such that they can be about art, poetry, cartoons, editorials, short stories, anything you can think of. Zines are usually mass-produced by photocopying and given to friends or sold for a few dollars to cover publishing costs. Zines cannot generally be purchased in a bookstore or magazine shop but are sold by specialty zines shops or online on the author's website. Zines are artistic, personal, can be political, cultural or experimental. A word of caution when looking for zines, many are dark and cover subjects not suitable for everyone's consumption. Despite this, I think zines can be positive and up-building as well and this is what interests me.

In the 1920's and 1930's many of the first zines were created for science fiction fans. Then in the 1950's, poets and artists would promote their work in zines. In the 1970's punk was all the rage. Zines continue to popular in certain circles.

Well, I have become interested in producing a zine and have been working on something recently. It is not quite done but I can tell you what it is about. In the last few years, I have started to see that although we live in a large bustling, busy city, there are pockets in which we don't realize we are in the city. Places that we can explore and have adventures in. My first issue of my zine is about Urban Adventures in Toronto. True to the first zines that were published, this issue is in black, white and grey. There is artwork in it and narrative about the adventure. I'm not sharing photos of it because I want it to be enjoyed all at once as you read it.

If you are interested in a copy when it is done, send me a message. I will be handing them out or mailing them depending on your proximity to me. I will only be mailing them within Ontario, Canada at this point.

If you are interested in a tutorial on zines put out by scholastic for elementary school students check out this link.
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/john-depasquale/zine-making-101/