Hit the Books with Dan Milnor: The Art of Zine Making
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson once said, “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” If Thompson had been writing about publications, he would have been referring to the “zine.” A zine is a small-circulation, self-published magazine or “fanzine,” typically produced with lo-fi technology and based around a cultural phenomenon.
What is and is not a zine?
The term “zine” was coined way back in the 1940s and even entered the Oxford Dictionary in 1949. If publishing conjures up visions of traditional publishers, professional design, high production cost, and overly serious people in smoking jackets, then zine culture is the antithesis. Zines are about do-it-yourself, small-run, avant-garde freedom regardless of race, sex, or financial means.
How often in life are we awarded total freedom to do as we please? Zines aren’t about rules because there aren’t any rules when it comes to this truly democratic medium. Historically, zines were created using copy machines or even by hand in extremely small runs, but today’s print options have loosened up the path for getting from zine A to B.
What’s the best zine format?
Blurb’s softcover trade books are well suited for the future zine maker. They come in small sizes, offer a good range of paper choices, and are priced to sell. A 24-page softcover with economy color paper is only $3.99 with discounts starting at 10 copies. Low prices also mean there is financial room for testing and experimentation, allowing the zine maker to get everything just right before releasing their efforts to the world at large.
The freedom of zine making
I’ve worked as Blurb’s creative ambassador for more than a decade now, and I’ve seen and heard many strange things. One of the most common mistakes I see is a bookmaker making the book they think they are supposed to make and not the book they want to make. This mistake becomes even more egregious with zines because they’re created specifically for people to make what they want regardless of audience size, popularity, or subject matter. Zines demand no apology.
So, here is my advice. Just before you upload your precious zine, think back to the poignant words of the good Dr. Thompson, and ask yourself, “Is my zine weird enough?” Weird is good. I’ll take weird over perfect any day. In today’s world, weird wins because it forces the reader to stop and question what they’re holding in their hand. Weird even beats out the mobile phone from time to time.
If you are new to this idea, and weird makes you nervous, that’s okay. Remember, with print-on-demand, you only have to make one, and the only person who will ever see your zine is you. My guess is you will overcome your nervousness and eventually embrace this ideal. I know I did. And my publishing life is better for it.
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Dan Milnor is a professional photographer and Blurb’s creative ambassador. He shares his photography and bookmaking expertise here every single month. Are you ready to turn your photography into a zine? Join us at Blurb.