What is a Zine? And 4 Reasons Why Everyone Should Make One

What is a Zine?

It’s pronounced “zeen” but other than that it’s hard to define, exactly.  Because the whole point is that there are no rules. So, I show the kids in my workshops zines that other people have made and then tell them, “It can be whatever you want it to be. However, if you want to easily make copies in order to give it to people, it should probably start out as 8.5 x 11” paper.” That said, if you’re a dab hand with copy machines, or InDesign, even that guideline is flexible. Heck, if you want to pronounce it “zyne,” I won’t argue with you.  As Laura Van Leuven says in her post A Brief History of Zines: “There are exceptions to every rule, and though many have shared characteristics, there is no formal definition of a zine.  Chloe Arnold, in her article also titled A Brief History of Zines, offers a helpful clarification that “The most important aspect of a zine is generally that the publication identifies as one.”  

 And here are four reasons why everyone should make them, elaborated on by posts and articles by other people because it’s Thanksgiving week and I have pies to make.

1.) Doing things by hand makes you happy:

 You don’t have to do all the writing and drawing and cutting and pasting by hand if you don’t want to, but it’s really satisfying if you do.  As Carrie Barron MD says in her article Creativity, Happiness, and Your Own Two Hands: “Research has shown that creating or tending things by hand enhances mental health and makes us happy…hands-on work satisfies our primal need to make things and could also be an antidote for our cultural malaise. Too much time on technological devices and the fact that we buy almost all of what we need rather than having to make it has deprived us of processes that provide pleasure, meaning and pride.  Making things promotes psychological well-being.” Come to think of it, you could make a zine about all the things you make in a week.  

2.)    Sharing ideas and creativity with others is good.

 Whether you make your zine alone and then share it with others, or you make a zine in collaboration with other artists, writers, punks, feminists, or Star Trek fans (see Brief Histories above), it’s an awesome way to connect with others. If you’re a little shy about putting yourself and your idea out there, check out Susan Cain’s article, Sharing Your Work Is Key to Creativity.  Here’s How to Do It, Even if You’re Shy. She points out that “Darwin waited 34 years to publish his idea that humans evolved from monkeys. Scholars call this “Darwin’s Delay,” and many believe it was due to his fear that others would judge his heretical for the times theory.”  Just think where we’d be if he hadn’t worked up the courage to share. Hey, that’s an idea: write a zine about monkeys! Anyway, as Cain goes on to say, “…be afraid, but do it anyway.”

3.) Snail mail is fun:

 Not everyone wants to send their zines out into the world via snail mail, but I highly recommend it. Don’t want to take my word for it?  Read Susan Shain’s love letter to letters: We Could All Use a Little Snail Mail Right Now

 Can’t argue with the New York Times, baby!  Put an address and a stamp on your zine and send it out into the world! A zine about snails or envelopes would be fun.  Or one about how snails are envelopes for themselves…

4.) Giving things to people is fun:

 One of the mutable characteristics of zines is that they are free or inexpensive.  Some people charge for their zines, whether to cover the cost of printing and mailing or more.  This is also all good. As Tara Parker-Pope says in her timeless (14 years old but still relevant) article A Gift That Gives Back? The Giving Itself: “Gift giving has long been a favorite subject for studies on human behavior, with psychologists, anthropologists, economists and marketers all weighing in. They have found that giving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends. Indeed, psychologists say it is often the giver, rather than the recipient, who reaps the biggest psychological gains from a gift.”  So, think of your zine as a gift to the world, and GIVE IT AWAY! Then make another zine about what you get back in return. I really want to read that one.  

Guess what this week’s assignment is!  It’s actually not to make a zine, unless you’re ready and raring to go.  It’s to make a list of all the things you could make a zine about.