ABQ Zine Fest 2018 Exhibitor Interviews

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2018 REGISTRATION!! Go for it!!!

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ABQZF7 Exhibitor Interview: Olivia Hunte

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE Olivia Hunte; Intersections Zine PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT? Intersections was created because we wanted a space where individuals with intersecting identities can be represented in positive and supportive media. Within the pages of Intersections you can find people expressing themselves and sharing their experiences of navigating life with their various, marginalized identities. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? A little over a year. WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY. For me a zine is a self-publication where counter-narratives exists. My favorite thing about zines is that there are no restrictions. It's a space where folks have their creative autonomy. HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE?  Zines are a form of storytelling and artistic expression that tends to go against dominant culture. DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION?  No, not at the moment. ☺️ WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS?  The thing I enjoy the most about making zines is creating a space where people can share themselves and their stories. What's most frustrating about the process is stapling my zines; it's hard work! HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER?  Zines have given me the space to be comfortable with sharing myself with those around me. HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES?  I'd have to double check my numbers, but I have a few copies from Brown and Proud Press that are pretty dope! WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? (TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.) Hmm good question. I'm so immersed in what I'm doing with Intersections- exploring intersectionality- that I haven't had time to think about that. WE WILL PROMOTE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE WHEN WE POST YOUR INTERVIEW. On instagram: @inter.sec.tions

Thanks!

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ABQZF7 Exhibitor Interview: Amaris Feland Ketcham

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE?

Amaris Feland Ketcham, Tarantula Hawk Wasp

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! *

WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

These zines are tiny lyric essays about the tarantula hawk wasp. I have been working on a “poetic inventory” of Albuquerque, (including the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande and parts of the West Mesa Open Space). It is analogous to a “scientific inventory” of a location’s biodiversity, where field ecologists catalogue all of the flora and fauna present in the area. Unlike a scientific inventory, the works moves beyond a strictly literal cataloging; instead it explores the relationship between “wilderness and civilization,” human impact on designated nature zones/open space, and how wilds reemerge within the city.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? *

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

This is actually my first zine.

WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? *

DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY.

To me a zine is a handmade, do-it-yourself form of publishing.

How do zines contribute to literary culture? *

I think that zines are incubators for ideas. They allow for experimentation, risk, and failure--and therefore growth.

DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION? *

Not yet. Perhaps I'll meet my zine crush at Zinefest!

What do you enjoy most about making zines? What do you find to be most frustrating about the process? *

I like playing with different materials and ideas, drafting and revising. The most frustrating part is finishing a small print run and finding a typo.

HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER? *

I started making this zine to think through some of the issues of the poetic inventory that I have been working on. First I started making artists books out of some of the poems, then hammering others onto pieces of wood, turning some into small art projects, and really just experimenting with what a poem can be and how it can be communicated.

HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES? *

My collection is still growing, but I just learned that someone I've known for years used to make comic zines about archaeology field work. I now have a stack of reading that I'm really excited about.

WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? *

(TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.)

Autobiographix/essay comics.

LIST ALL SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES, OR OTHER ONLINE SPACES WHERE YOUR WORK IS DISPLAYED. *

WE WILL PROMOTE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE WHEN WE POST YOUR INTERVIEW.

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ABQZF7 Interview with: Art Luman

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZIINE?

Art Luman, Horrible Vacuum International, etc.

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

In addition to the myriad thrilling offerings from Horrible Vacuum Intnl, we will be peddling BANDS! new and old, as well as some other offerings from affiliate producers.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

At least half of my life but much more actively in the past 7 years.

WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY.

The smell of toner and the personal touch of a maniac.

HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE? 

The provide a personal, largely off-net, culture of information, thought, and literature that is so much more direct than any other channel of media dissemination. People make zines. People read zines. You get zines from people. There are no gods, no masters, no rules, no committees.

DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION? 

The works of Marya Errin Jones, I believe you know her. Also Diane Toepfer's Jagger Hair.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS? 

Layout / design. Layout / design.

HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER? 

I like the creativity of working within the limitations of the format.

HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES? 

Probably > 50. Jagger Hair, Mocha Chocolata Momma, Next Stop Adventure, Freeze Dirtbag, Wig Wam Bam, I Heart Barry Manilow, Non-Hierarchical Lists, Rat Man vs. the Mutant Fungus

WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? (TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.)

mitochondrial zines that can be inserted into cells and be distributed like a virus.

LIST ALL SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES, OR OTHER ONLINE SPACES WHERE YOUR WORK IS DISPLAYED. 

http://horriblevacuum.com 

@hvac_international (insta) @horriblevacuum (twitter) 

@artluman (twitter) @markgunkhvac (twitter) 

https://www.facebook.com/horriblevacuum

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ABQZF7 Interview with: Erin E. Barrio

WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE?  Cushy Creatives! PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU’LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT? Our community of creatives at Cushy are each creating an original zine to contribute to our booth at zine fest. We’re covering everything from self-care, to experiences with Hurricane Harvey, to a feminist burn book a la mean girls! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I’ve personally been making and collecting zines since 2004, but most of creatives are new to zines. WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? DEFINE “ZINE,” IN YOUR WAY. DIY process of making - I and most of my contributors used a blend of low and high tech processes to make our zines, but in the end, it’s all about having a process that’s a little messy and mostly hands on. HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE?  They enable under-appreciated voices and narratives to reach people they otherwise wouldn’t have, they take up space in a manner that’s disruptive to the status quo, and raise awareness around discourses and conversations that aren’t necessarily happening in the mainstream. DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION?  I do! But I don’t even know if she’s making zines anymore, but her name is Bates and she used to create these amazing female-centric zines that were just amazing. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS?  I love making in its purest form - sitting down with raw materials and cutting and pasting to make something new. Sometimes I get frustrated with the copying process just because it’s tedious, but it’s a labor of love. HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER?  They’ve helped me be bolder in my writing and in what issues are important to me that I want to talk about. I believe the creatives at Cushy feel the same. HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES?  Oh, wow, I honestly couldn’t say how many zines are in my collection, I store them in several boxes in my home office, but some of my favorites are: “Our Cunt-ry” and “Life Raft.” WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN’T EXPLORED YET? (TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.) One that has different textures in it for a more tactile experience. I have a zine made out of ½ cardstock and ½ tissue paper that I’m obsessed with. LIST ALL SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES, OR OTHER ONLINE SPACES WHERE YOUR WORK IS DISPLAYED.  Cushy Space

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ABQZF7 Interview: Beth Spencer

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE 

Beth Spencer - Cat Lady Survival Guide

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

Cat Lady Survival Guides 1 & 2 are comics about tolerating humans and loving cats. I created them to make people laugh and think "I know exactly how she feels!" My Plants of New Mexico zine is a book of plant drawings and facts that I created to help get acquainted with my new home here in Albuquerque. I love drawing plants!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I just started making zines this year, after years of people asking me to make web comics. I love how challenging it is, but feel like I've already nailed down a process that works for me.

WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY.

Self expression and freedom to make mistakes and changes on your own terms.

HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE? 

They promote consumption of art and ideas without gatekeepers.

DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION? 

I really love Frannerd, Howard Dinkel and Billy Starfield.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS? 

Drawing my ideas is the most enjoyable. Pagination and layout is the most frustrating part for me.

HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER? 

They help me expand my ideas and drawings in ways designing merch can't.

HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES? 

I have about 30 zines and my favorite is my Pizza Pets and Nonsense coloring book.

WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? (TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.)

I'd love to explore collage, and am working on a "stupid things I've seen online" zine, featuring comments I've read on Facebook and beyond.

Thank you, Beth!

https://www.instagram.com/bethykins/, https://twitter.com/bethykins, https://www.facebook.com/bethspencerdesign/

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ABQZF7 Interview: Laura Anh

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE ?

Laura Anh Animals I know on the Internet, What I Have Lost, This Changes Everything

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

"Animals I Know on the Internet" is literally me drawing all of the cats and dogs and chickens and other creatures that I know by name, whose likes and dislikes I'm familiar with, who I've never seen in real life, who I've sometimes cried over the news of their passing, that I care deeply about and check in with (sometimes more than humans in my life!). They're a part of my life that I want to share with other people! "What I have Lost" catalogs some things, people, scraps of paper, that I've lost in my life-- in no particular order. Ranging from a name and address in a phone book to a Lego knight lost in a movie theater to a missing wallet to family members. It's a way of memorializing and contextualizing loss and grief. The funny thing about that one is that I actually lost it over the course of the year that I was making it and adding to it! "SJZ: Social Justice Zine" is the zine that I put together with submissions from students, alumni, and other people interested in gender justice, pop culture, current events at my university (NMSU) and in the area. We'll be putting together the third volume in Spring 2018.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I've taught them, and had my students in English classes and Gender & Sexuality Studies classes make them since I was in graduate school. I started making them myself in 2009.

WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY.

The homemade, collaged, handwritten, hand drawn aesthetic qualities really appeal to me. I like how short they can be, how they can serialize a moment, a feeling, a relationship or obsession with a particular pop cultural thing.

HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE?

I appreciate most the ways that they allow marginalized voices and experiences to be heard. I love how zines encourage the blurring of literary genre-- how they are often mashups of memoir, graphic arts, self-help, comics, and pop culture critique. I love when zines and zine aesthetics get picked up by publishers like Elisha Lim's 100 Crushes with Koyama Press or Lynda Barry's Syllabus.

DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION?

A Guide to Writing Yourself by Victoria Emanuela and Caitlin Metz is a zine I'm a little obsessed with. And Eloisa Aquino's Life and Times of Butch Dykes series is the kind of zine I aspire to make-- concept and aesthetic-wise!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS?

The most frustrating part of it is just how much time I wish I could devote to zine-making, and my lack of access to certain forms of reproduction. I wish I had a screen-printing side gig! I wish I had a gocco printer! I wish I had better handwriting! I wish I could draw better!

HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER?

I have a problem with perfectionism and anxiety that often prevents me from starting projects because I think I'm not good enough to complete them or to execute them in the way that I have stuck in my own head. I don't want to mess up, so often this discourages me from even starting. So zines give me an avenue to be a creator-- not to make excuses and just to draw and make things and write and finish a project. To plan creative projects and map them out and FINISH them without losing momentum or heart.

HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES?

Between my partner and I, we have a TON. I love that we have Bikini Kill Girl Power. But some of my favorites are also those that were created by students. I had a student last year turn a scene from Maxine Hong Kingston's Woman Warrior into the most amazing zine.

WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? (TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.)

There's a couple I want to do-- personal zines about pop culture crushes, about my brother's death, about learning to practice yoga. I just need to make more time to make them!

Thank you, Laura!

https://issuu.com/wgssprof

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ABQZF7 Interview: Amy Louise Bogen

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE?

 Amy Louise Bogen ("AmyLou") zine: Lost Projects Zine

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! 

WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

I am tabling the first 3 issues of Lost Projects Zine and issue #4 will be debuting at this fest! Lost Projects is a community “tell-all” perzine rag! A safe place to tell your woes to and let ‘em go, this zine is dedicated to lost projects and the art of staying found… I have started, created, and never finished SOO many projects (zines included) over the years that I started this zine to exorcise all of those past projects, get me working on new stuff and inspire others to do the same.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

Zines and I have had an on again off again relationship since we met and fell in love at first sight. I had read about them in my beloved “Sassy” magazine, and ordered some “Deep Girl” comics promptly after reading a review on its glossy pages. I wrote my first zine in the mid-1990’s- the 2000’s but only recently began publishing, this past year again. I have made many comics and zines over the years… “YUM!,” “Lunatics, Idiots, and Women,” and now “Lost Projects”…

WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY.

I’m really into the physical existence of the printing itself, being a paper hound. I’m into color, texture, ink…I also am attracted to the size of the “average/ 5.5x 8.5” zine. It just fits. (When I was a kid, before I could even write I would craft duplicate copies of Readers Digest and National Geographic’s, on the same size paper.) The D.I.Y. ethos is a real draw for me. There is something about a matte page as opposed to a glossy one (even though there are exceptions to “rules.”) I don't run ads in my zines, its "ALL ME" (save for the fantastic floating ½ dozen or so awesome artistic and literary contributors from the community featured in each issue.)

HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE? 

I am just now getting around to publishing in my thirties. There were a lot of things that I let keep me from writing, even though I knew at a very early age that it was for me. Things like class, access to education, mental health and more. There are so many people connected now, world over via the medium of zines that you cannot deny its rightful place within the literary community. Zines are literary. Saying this certainly broadens the definition of the word by including/ showcasing/ celebrating/ highlighting/ exploring those marginalized voices not present in the (white/male/norm) literary past!

DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION? 

In high-school I had a crush on a person that crafted zines, a rarity in my small mid-western suburban town. These days I am most impressed with craft-person-ship of many zines. I get crushes on zinesters font choice, paper weight choice and a creative layouts. I don't crush like back in high-school, yet sometimes feel "crushed" when folks still need to be told what a zine is.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS? 

I love the whole process… writing, illustrating, editing are some of the best parts. I’d also add community to that list of favorite parts of the process… folks who come thru and submit or share. The costs to print can frustrate… (Underemployed full-time student here.) Sometimes at the printer shop, a new or differently skilled employee can turn a 20 min job into a 2 hour sweat-fest… protip: Always finish/print early as to avoid this happening!

HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER? 

Writing, curating, editing, and crafting zines in this day and age has forced me to engage with the mediums of this era (computers n’ whatnot.) My glue-sticks and typewriter collection see less of me than in yesteryears, but in a society that values time n’ money, this slow crafter is appreciative of the ease of many new technologies. It also encourages me to participate in making community. I have grown more serious about my art/ writing/music/thinking/making since I have returned to zine craftivism…serious in that I am more obsessed and active than in ever! Making zines have forced me to be less fearful of making and sharing. I sort of love the personal feel of the medium of the zine, its like showing someone your underwear drawer, your closet, your chewed gum collection or something equally personal. When someone says they like/ or have read my zine, suddenly I am aware that my obsession is on display... but not in that tired social media overwhelming sort of way. Its like “oh, hi, you see me, you sat and listened to my stories for 15 minutes now tell me one of your stories, please!”

HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES? 

200+ I don't buy as much as I would like to… many of my original zines were traded and handed out free. $5-20 zines keep me from buying, I prefer trades! I am one who considers many independently published items to be zines. ie:) I have a stack of 1970’s feminist lit mags. Some old Zap! comics for the R. Crumb. I have scrappy punk rock/ riot grrl Xeroxed zines, with typos galore! I really love those 1990’s zines... Comics by Ariel Bordeaux and obsession zines like Craphound or Thrift Score. Zines of this modern era have evolved so much and so many voices are heard by them... It is overwhelming to say favorite. I do hope to "claim" a modern favorite. Lets trade? Maybe its your zine!?

WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? (TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.)

I have found that I am much more into writing/ illustrating comics than I had first thought I was. I love folks whose work is interactive and I strive for such notions in my own makings. I have a few projects on the back burners. I am a proud “slow crafter!” You'll have to wait and see.

Thanks, Amy Lou! 

Instagram: lostprojectszine Facebook: Lost Projects Zine Lost Projects is sold @ Wasted In Zine Distro in Phoenix

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ABQZF7 Interview: Gregory Baldridge

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE 

Gregory Baldridge and the zine is named Teech

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

Teech is a minimalist comic about teaching. It is a mix of nonfiction stories, journalism, political opinion, with a dash of imagination.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I started drawing Teech about 5 years ago (2012) while I was teaching middle school in New Orleans. I started collecting them into zines a few months later. Teech began as a semiautobiographical space to illustrate the disconnection between childhood and adulthood. Kids see the world in a very different way than adults do.

WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? 

DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY.

To me a zine is a low circulation, independent piece of aft. It can be drawn, written, or mixed media. I think zines often represent an area of importance to a community or sub community that has often been overlooked.

HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE? 

Zines are the true roots of literary culture. They embody who we are as a people and often give a voice to those who are overlooked by publishing companies.

DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION? 

Françoise Mouly has spent a lifetime helping individuals find their voices. She has created her own materials in so many formats and has championed comics and cartoons as literature.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS? 

I control the entire process from concepts to product. I love to watch an idea find its way to paper, to the computer, and back to paper. There is something so exciting about standing over the copier and watching your pages emerge and something zen about the clack of the long armed stapler. The most frustrating part of the process are the words “paper jam”.

HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER? 

Zines are about being the maker. The passion that people put into their zines is infectious. They require you to think about ideas and drive you to be a better artist/writer/maker.

HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES? 

I’m finishing up the 13th volume of Teech currently but I am interested in exploring a lot of areas outside of teaching.

WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? (TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.)

I’m starting to play around with a book about death and how we internalize the process. It is one of the most intimate parts of the human experience.

Thank you, Gregory! 

@teechcartoon, teechcartoon.tumbrl.com, instagram.com/teechcartoon

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ABQZF7 Interview: Bucket Siler

WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR ZINE?

Bucket Siler - various one-off litzines + Santa Fe Zine Fest

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ZINES YOU'LL BE TABLING AT ABQZF7! AND, WHY DID YOU CREATE THEM? WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

I'll have a few one-off litzines, both fiction and creative nonfiction. I write a lot about people that are struggling to connect with each other, psychic & physical distance, & persistent longing. Letters and dreams also feature heavily in my zines, as well as the uncanny. My writing is very personal, even when it's "fiction." I write because I'm trying to work something out that's vexing me, so my stories often end ambiguously.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING/WRITING ZINES? HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

13 years! I made my first zine in Olympia, WA in 2004. It was a poetry zine that I left around town for free. Since then I've made a half dozen or so lit-ish zines of short fiction & creative nonfiction.

WHAT MAKES A ZINE A ZINE TO YOU? PLEASE DEFINE "ZINE," IN YOUR WAY.

A self-published booklet that you produce and sell for love rather than profit. I think the definition of "zine" has broadened in the last few years to include projects that might have been referred to as "chapbooks" in the 90s. Really, a zine can be anything you want it to be, as long as it has a zine-like intention.

HOW DO ZINES CONTRIBUTE TO LITERARY CULTURE?

Self publishing for cheap allows writers to share innovative, risky, experimental, or marginalized work that might not otherwise get an audience. If no one's tugging at the fringes, the rug is never going to unravel.

DO YOU HAVE A ZINE CRUSH?! IF SO, ARE YOU WILLING TO REVEAL THE OBJECT OF YOUR ZINE AFFECTION? 

Right now I'm really into Leticia Gonzales & Eliza Lutz's collaboration The Matron Bestiary.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT MAKING ZINES? WHAT DO YOU FIND TO BE MOST FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE PROCESS? 

The hands-on nature of the process is what really turns me on. When I get frustrated it's almost always the fault of a computer.

HOW HAVE ZINES HELPED YOU GROW AS AN ARTIST/WRITER/MUSICIAN/THINKER/MAKER? 

I'd say zines are responsible for at least 80% of my growth as a "serious" writer. They taught me how to balance the impulse to please myself with an obligation to be a good host to my audience.

HOW MANY ZINES ARE IN YOUR COLLECTION AND WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITES? 

I've read a lot of zines but my permanent collection is small, maybe 12 or 15 zines, because I only keep the ones that I love enough to want to read again and again. The rest I pass on to friends. Cristy Road is an all-time favorite.

WHAT KIND OF ZINE DO YOU WANT TO WRITE/CREATE THAT YOU HAVEN'T EXPLORED YET? 

(TOPIC, FORMAT, STYLE, ETC.)

I'd like to make a tiny zine! My zines just keep getting bigger and bigger. One of these days I want to make a conscious effort to do a smaller project.

www.bucketsiler.com www.facebook.com/bucketsiler

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The ABQZF7 Exhibitor Interviews coming soon!

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An Interview with Frei Art Cooperative

What's the name of your cooperative?

The Frei Art Cooperative: The Contritions of the Phoenix Zine

There are a lot of moving parts to this collective. Please tell us a little about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF! 

The Contritions of the Phoenix Zine features visual artists/poets/authors/various other artists from around the world, highlights social issues and activism through journalistic articles along with humorous social commentary. Wildflowers for Eric is a small zine dedicated to mental health-with all proceeds going to a family who lost their father/husband to suicide. Wildflowers for Eric features articles written by those with mental & emotional illness, social workers and friends and families affected by mental illness. We also have several small publications highlighting artists who are in The Frei Art Cooperative.

How long have you been writing zines, and how did you get started? How long have you been making zines? 

The co-founder of The Frei Art Cooperative-Grace Fry-Rannila-has been making zines since 1991(ish) as a part of the punk rock movement. Her first multi-issue zine Pariah's Voice had 5 issues in one year. "In the late 1980's and early 1990's finding anything punk rock was tough at first. I lived in a pretty right-wing area of north Texas. You knew the other punks in the neighborhood, well, in our case the 250 mile radius of the house. 

Back then, zines were a vital way for us to share info with the world-bands we saw, bands we heard, anarchist rantings...I don't think I have grown up much from that..." Amy Dolloff, another co-founder of The Frei Art Cooperative, has been making zines for about 3 years. 

Aubrey Byers, the final co-founder of The Frei Art Cooperative, is relatively new to zining with only 6 months under her belt, but within those 6 months she has grown tremendously as a writer and social activist.

What's a zine? How do you describe zines to those new to them? Define "zine," in your way.

zines-self published, small distro publications

Do you think zines important to literary culture? If so, why? 

"I think zines are more important in today's society than possibly any other time in history. We now live in a world of corporate journalism with newspapers/magazines/television selling "the news" to the highest bidder. Mainstream media has created a disintegrated, very fragmented, narrow view of reality. Seeking out and exposing ideas that are an alternative to those bought and sold through commercialism is essential to our humanity." Grace Fry-Rannila 

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection? 

"Julia Eff! They are amazing!" Says Grace Fry-Rannila.

What do you enjoy most about making zines? What do you fine to be the most frustrating thing about the process? 

"I personally enjoy researching articles...I also really enjoy the layout process. What I really dislike is waiting for people to turn their submissions in. We have several contributors, and having to remind people to get their work in makes me feel like a boss, and not in that hip/cool 'hey, i'm like a boss' but in that 'man, the boss man'. That part isn't so great..." Grace Fry-Rannila says.

"For me, I enjoy the monotonous collating process. I find it soothing and mindless. The most frustrating part is deciding what to write about and committing to it!" Amy Dolloff says.

"Finding my voice in social issues is the most surprising and gratifying facet of zine work. I could do without the monotony of collating but it teaches me...patience..." Aubrey Byers says.

How have zines helped you grow as an artist/writer/musician/thinker/maker? *

"Zines have opened the doors for my creativity. I constantly have an outlet for anything I find interesting/important/critical to bring awareness to. I find great satisfaction in any DIY project and zines are limitless!" Amy Dolloff "I feel like zines have reconnected me to myself-my art, my writing, my activism- through cooperation with other artists while also giving them a platform. I feel that it is important for artists and activists to have an equal share of what the public sees-i think that is what makes change possible." Aubrey Byers says.

What kind of zine do you want to write/create that you haven't explored yet? (Topic, format, style, etc.) 

"I am a music lover, but I haven't figured out how I want to incorporate that into the zine world yet. Music is essential to life and constantly evolving. Everyone should be encouraged to examine how music has an effect in their own life. An audio-zine...yup, that's it" Amy Dolloff "I am interested in comics and graphic novel stories. I hope one day to work with a graphic artist to create a graphic novel based on a few ideas I have scurrying around in my head." Aubrey Byers says.

Thanks, Frei Art Cooperative!

Check out their zine on SATURDAY, October 8! 

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Bianca of In Between Zine! Click the pic to read the interview!

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INTERVIEW with BIANCA of In Between Zine

Hi Bianca! Please tell us a little about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF! 

My zines will be fun, illustrative lil dudes that'll encapsulate various scenarios of the subconscious. I choose to use the phrase "In Between" for my work (outside of zines, too) because it's concentrated in my mental state/illnesses/psyche/self, which rests in the space of the in between, like being in limbo.

What's a zine? How do you describe zines to those new to them? Define "zine," in your way.

To me, a zine is like a little pocket book of fun, that helps string together thoughts and images in an exciting vessel that's easy to share and makes looking at the art a more fun n interactive experience.

How long have you been writing zines, and how did you get started? How long have you been making zines? 

I don't do a lot of zine work, and only started actually making zines in the last year. Zine makers have been a big inspiration for a while. my main work in printmaking has been non-zine related.

Do you think zines important to literary culture? If so, why? 

Yes definitely, I think it's important because it starts bringing visuals into the mix which is more captivating and expressive.

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection? 

Haha no i do not, but the most recent zine i've collected and loved and felt inspired by was 520 by Michael Heck (Pitypartystudios).

What do you enjoy most about making zines? What do you fine to be the most frustrating thing about the process? 

For me, zines have been a way for me to stop thinking about what i'm making and just start making something in the moment. iI's been a lot like a sketchbook for me, so the most frustrating thing has been stressing over what to put in the zines for this event haha!

What kind of zine do you want to write/create that you haven't explored yet? (Topic, format, style, etc.) 

I want to get into more efficient ways of making them, and start using printmaking processes to create them (since I have no access to a studio at the moment).

Thanks, Bianca! Check out In Between at ABQ Zine Fest THIS SATURDAY! 

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Charlotte Thurman and Tara Booth, Life Raft Zine

Please tell us a little about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF! 

Life Raft is a feminist zine centered around female artists.

How long have you been writing zines, and how did you get started? How long have you been making zines? 

We have been making zines together for less than a year. One day, we realized we work well together, think about the same things, enjoy collaborative projects, and wanted to get our voices out into the world. Thus, Life Raft was born.

What's a zine? How do you describe zines to those new to them? 

Define "zine," in your way.

To us, a zine is a way to start a discussion. We would say zines are a DIY project where everyone has a platform to speak and connect with other like minded humans. You have an interest in proper pet iguana care? Great, make a zine about it and you will find your audience.

Do you think zines important to literary culture? If so, why? 

Very much so! Zines create a wonderfully inclusive culture and make it easy for people to have their work "published."

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection? 

We totally have a crush on Yes Ma'am Zine. Do you like us back? Check yes or no.

What do you enjoy most about making zines? What do you fine to be the most frustrating thing about the process? 

The thing we like most about making zines is connecting with other people. We have so much fun interviewing, looking at artist submissions, and reading through essays. It's incredible how much of themselves our submitters put into our zine! The most frustrating thing is working long distance with each other. We started in the same location, but now live across the country from each other. SAD FACE.

How have zines helped you grow as an artist/writer/musician/thinker/maker? 

Zines have made us realize how supportive people can be. It has been an amazing experience to have people exciting about submitting to us, buying our zines and t-shirts, and taking an interest in Life Raft. This support has pushed us to come up with ideas for more zines than we have time for and has kept our drive to create in full swing!

What kind of zine do you want to write/create that you haven't explored yet? (Topic, format, style, etc.) 

We have ideas for upcoming zines and issues on our website, check us out at liferaftzine.com

Thanks Charlotte and Tara! Pick up Lift Raft Zine at ABQ Zine Fest on October 8th!

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Click on the pic and read the interview!