What's a zine?

Wait – what's a zine?!

"Zines" (pronounced like maga-zine) are self-published codex booklets that can be made by anyone. Typically, a zine is handmade in small batches using a variety of low-cost methods, then distributed in quick and convenient ways (e.g. photocopied) and sold cheaply, shared for free, traded with others, archived for public browsing, or kept as objects to admire.

Zines are safe, accessible, and inclusive vessels aimed at anyone who has ideas to share with the world. Historically, zines have uplifted marginalised voices often overlooked by mainstream media, and enabled people to find a sense of belonging by bridging the gap between and/or building communities.

The process of zine-making is a cathartic experience that can aid with artists' block and provide free rein for testing new ideas. You do not need to be an artist to make a zine, because the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) nature of zines provides an open invite to everyone!

Thanks to the @cut.out.club for pulling together community resources to create this definition.