In a world of screens and instantaneous digital publishing, what is the role of zines? Zines are small, self-published DIY magazine-like publications that use original or borrowed images and text to discuss a wide range of topics. They are often characterized by their “scrappy messiness” (Piepmeier 221) or “anti-aesthetic.” They employ an informal style that reflects their DIY ethic and mirrors their roots in 70s punk culture. Zines can cover an unlimited variety of topics. Some popular topics, however, include personal hardships, being queer, feminism, political or legal issues, and popular culture (Knobel and Lankshear 3). Zines are often used to challenge established norms, provide social commentary, and as a means of self-expression. They continue to challenge norms today. Many scholars of media have questioned the continued relevance of the zine as digital self-publishing emerged. Anyone with an internet connection can share their ideas and art in seconds with a potentially global audience. Why would people continue to go through all the trouble of printing, cutting, pasting, drawing, and mailing when easier options exist? At first glance, blogging platforms and social media seem to be the obvious choice for self-publishing.
The decision to create a zine is one that many still make, however. Zine Fests, such as L.A. Zine Fest and NYC Printed Matter Spring Zine Fair, where people share zines and creative ideas, still occur regularly. On Etsy, an online vendor of handcrafted goods, 79,760 results return when one searches the word “zine.” It is evident that zines still are made even in the world where blogs exist; blogs, including social media platforms like Instagram, are often seen as the “modern” equivalent of zines due to their shared self-published nature. The continuance of the zine, however, suggests that they have advantages, challenging the 21st century’s primary focus on everything digital. Zines rebel against the cultural dominance of internet blogging platforms, providing similar benefits in the ability to self-publish, while also overcoming some weaknesses of digital publishing by providing a more intimate reading experience, giving creators “safety in-print,” helping creators avoid increasingly strict copyright and community standard restrictions, facilitating a community of creators, and allowing for more creative decisions.
