Thursday, September 26, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
GROW: How to take your DIY project and passion to the next level & quit your job!
review from Anne: GROW: How to take your DIY project and passion to the next level & quit your job!
128 pages, 5.5. x 7, June 2013, $11.95 (no trades, ships via Microcosm)
Eleanor C. Whitney, MPA
microcosmpublishing.com
joe@microcosmpublishing.com
This is a rad little book. The design of it is really cool and visually appealing; I would totally have picked it up just to check it out even if the subject wasn't super interesting (and, honestly, it is -- who doesn't dream of ditching the day job to be your own creative boss?). Organized into smart, clear sections dealing with money and building community as well as marketing and media, Whitney includes points and examples from other DIY small-business owners, like Punk Rope and Brooklyn Soda Works. There's also a really great section about "Building a DIY Life" -- which is something that I think all small business owners struggle with. I own and operate a small business, which in the last year has become a larger project (though not quite yet full time), and these are very important points to think about. How do you make your business not just sustainable, but something that grows? There's also a particularly excellent resource section in the back of the book. Worth checking out, for sure.
PRIMAHOOD: THE SECOND ALBUM
review from Anne: PRIMAHOOD: THE SECOND ALBUM by Tyler Cohen
24 pages, 5.5 X 8.5, $8 US (shipping ? trades? ), full color
Primazonia Press
www.primazonia.com
From Tyler's website: "In her creations—the beings, the Primazons—the artist brings together her interests in nature & nurture, comics, anime, book/arts, anthropology, design, scifi, fantasy, dream, and intergenerational relationships." "Also, Primahood is the interweaving of two narrative spaces: MamaPants and Primazonia. Together, they tell stories and ask questions that might lead to thoughts about femaleness, social constructs, where we are, where we are going, and how we relate to one another. Also, you might laugh." It's a lovely colorful piece that's in full color throughout; kind of about kids and parenting, kind of about gender, with kind of a surreal, dreamlike quality. It took a few reads through for me; it was of course visually appealing on first pass but I wasn't always sure that I was following the narrative -- but there isn't really a single set narrative, as it turns out, and it's worth getting to check out the detailed, unusual art. Recommended.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
I AM MY OWN STEREOTYPE
review from Anne: I AM MY OWN STEREOTYPE: THE MY SMALL DIARY COLLECTION
112 pages, 5.5 X 8.5, $8 US (shipping $2 US/$6 elsewhere)
www.mysmallwebpage.com
delangel3@hotmail.com
This collection is a perzine filled with diary comics focusing on the normal events of life with a humorous bent. Well, "normal" for Delaine might not be normal for the rest of us, but this collection is hilarious. There's travel and rollerskates, and brushes with fame, a palm reading from Dame Darcy, Emo Phillips (of course!), car accidents, John Waters, throwing up at a Nirvana show, and a number of other seriously notable adventures over the years. (Never mind the fact that Delaine and Lee are about the sweetest folks you ever might have the good fortune of meeting.) This book collects all three out-of-print My Small Diary zines and adds over 40 new pages, including some guest art, great photos, and a super-handy "The people of My Small Diary" glossary of sorts. Plus, each book is autographed! Full-color cover, perfect bound. All-true and all awesome.
Seriously, don't wait. You need this collection; it's awesome and at $8, it's a total deal. You'll laugh, you might cry, and also, there's a fortune fish in there for you! Highly recommended; don't wait.
This collection is a perzine filled with diary comics focusing on the normal events of life with a humorous bent. Well, "normal" for Delaine might not be normal for the rest of us, but this collection is hilarious. There's travel and rollerskates, and brushes with fame, a palm reading from Dame Darcy, Emo Phillips (of course!), car accidents, John Waters, throwing up at a Nirvana show, and a number of other seriously notable adventures over the years. (Never mind the fact that Delaine and Lee are about the sweetest folks you ever might have the good fortune of meeting.) This book collects all three out-of-print My Small Diary zines and adds over 40 new pages, including some guest art, great photos, and a super-handy "The people of My Small Diary" glossary of sorts. Plus, each book is autographed! Full-color cover, perfect bound. All-true and all awesome.
QUITTER #7
review from Anne: QUITTER #7
30pages, 1/4 page (5.5 x4.25), $2 US, $3 CAN/MAX, $4 world, trades yes
Trace Ramsey
2907 Farthing St.
Durham NC 27704
traceramsey@gmail.com
cricketbread.com
QUITTER #7 is a perzine collection of creative non-fiction consisting of "memoir vignettes" -- #7 deals with months and seasons with specific stories arranged in no set order. Color-printed cover, staple-bound. It's a snappy little zine, immaculately set-up and easy to read (it's got a crisp layout and clear typeface). November's a little about hunting, what the author called "deer processing" and about family -- which is a theme that runs through many of the stories. Influenced by memory (weather real memories or constructed ones). Solid writing, complex sentences, evocative.
Trace Ramsey
traceramsey@gmail.com
QUITTER #7 is a perzine collection of creative non-fiction consisting of "memoir vignettes" -- #7 deals with months and seasons with specific stories arranged in no set order. Color-printed cover, staple-bound. It's a snappy little zine, immaculately set-up and easy to read (it's got a crisp layout and clear typeface). November's a little about hunting, what the author called "deer processing" and about family -- which is a theme that runs through many of the stories. Influenced by memory (weather real memories or constructed ones). Solid writing, complex sentences, evocative.
BROOKLYN #81
review from Anne: BROOKLYN #81
24 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 $10 for a 4 issue subscription(PAYMENT IN CASH!)
Fred Argoff
Penthouse L
1170 Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn NY 11230
More Brooklyn reviews! Say it with me, people: “The name of this zine is BROOKLYN and that's also what the zine is about, Fred's beloved borough of Brooklyn." History, photography, you name it and it’s in here…provided it’s got something to do with Fred’s favorite borough. One of the things I particularly like about BROOKLYN is that the issues are always packed with photos, history (things that long-term residents know; every issue has kind of a small-neighborhood feel to it, which is a great advantage), and fabulous little Brooklyn tidbits. It's one of those reads that if you don't live there, it's kind of amazing -- like a little bit of armchair travel. If you do live there, I imagine it's like this whole other world discovering these bits of history and photos of houses and neighborhoods and such.
This issue is no exception. Fred's put together a special theme issue (and that theme is doors). The ever-hilarious "Brooklyn Lexicon and Pronounciation Guide" in each issue is a treat to read, and #81 includes such gems as "ommina" and "ongana." There's also a quick tour of Vinegar Hill in this issue, to incorporate a little history as well.
Always a fun read worth your time. So, whaddya waitin' for? Read some Brooklyn already!
OPUNTIA 71.3 (February 2012), 260 (St. Urho's Day 2013), 262 (May 2013), 263 (June 2013)
OPUNTIA 71.3 (February 2012), 260 (St. Urho's Day 2013), 262 (May 2013), 263 (June 2013)
16 pages (all issues), 5.5 x 8.5, $3 "cash for a one-time sample copy, trade for your zine, or letter of comment." (Note: Americans, please don't send checks; bank fees to cash them are high; US banknotes are better.)Dale SpeirsBox 6830Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 2E7
Here's the story: Whole-numbered OPUNTIAs are sercon, x.1 issues are reviewzines, x.2 issues are indexes, x.3 issues are apazines, and x.5 issues are perzines. However, Speirs wrote back in issue 248 that a lengthy project has shifted his writing, and so future issues will be a mix of articles and reviews. Dig? OK. Here we go.
So, in this span of issues, we've again got a good range of material; 71.3 is an apazine (that's worth googling, by the way, or read more about FAPA in #260), DNA and some non-fiction book reviews and an explanation of the title (see 260; I don't want to ruin the explanation!), evolution and a longer piece about "invisible folk other than the films based directly on Wells' novel" (262), and a review of a book about the history of a specific Toronto radio station as well as some interesting photographs (263). Now as ever, I kind of lean toward the perzine ones, but there's something here for everyone especially if you're into reviews.
16 pages (all issues), 5.5 x 8.5, $3 "cash for a one-time sample copy, trade for your zine, or letter of comment." (Note: Americans, please don't send checks; bank fees to cash them are high; US banknotes are better.)Dale SpeirsBox 6830Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 2E7
Here's the story: Whole-numbered OPUNTIAs are sercon, x.1 issues are reviewzines, x.2 issues are indexes, x.3 issues are apazines, and x.5 issues are perzines. However, Speirs wrote back in issue 248 that a lengthy project has shifted his writing, and so future issues will be a mix of articles and reviews. Dig? OK. Here we go.
So, in this span of issues, we've again got a good range of material; 71.3 is an apazine (that's worth googling, by the way, or read more about FAPA in #260), DNA and some non-fiction book reviews and an explanation of the title (see 260; I don't want to ruin the explanation!), evolution and a longer piece about "invisible folk other than the films based directly on Wells' novel" (262), and a review of a book about the history of a specific Toronto radio station as well as some interesting photographs (263). Now as ever, I kind of lean toward the perzine ones, but there's something here for everyone especially if you're into reviews.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
A CALL FOR MAIL
A CALL FOR MAIL
MAIL, MAIL ART AND LOVE LETTERS for this exhibition, send the Love Letters that you always wished you had sent
Exciting times! AnA Wojak started her work on The Very Terry Reid Award. In preparation for her BigCi residency in August she created a call for Love Letters that she posted on her Facebook. To help her, we also posted it on our Facebook and on BigCi website:
to participate see http://bigci.org/new-news/
I am sending you the BigCi link, images and info if you'd like also to assist Ana with promotion of this project - it would be great if we generate letters for her.
She is also planning to create a performance at the end of her residency based on extracts from Love Letters.
I am sure it will be something special.
I would appreciate if everyone would pass this on to their friends.
Rae Bolotin
Enquiries should be directed to sculptor@raebolotin.com
MAIL, MAIL ART AND LOVE LETTERS for this exhibition, send the Love Letters that you always wished you had sent
Exciting times! AnA Wojak started her work on The Very Terry Reid Award. In preparation for her BigCi residency in August she created a call for Love Letters that she posted on her Facebook. To help her, we also posted it on our Facebook and on BigCi website:
to participate see http://bigci.org/new-news/
I am sending you the BigCi link, images and info if you'd like also to assist Ana with promotion of this project - it would be great if we generate letters for her.
She is also planning to create a performance at the end of her residency based on extracts from Love Letters.
I am sure it will be something special.
I would appreciate if everyone would pass this on to their friends.
Rae Bolotin
Enquiries should be directed to sculptor@raebolotin.com
Sunday, March 17, 2013
GRUNTED WARNING #13 (Oct 2011)
12 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 (digest), $2 (US, Can/Mex,World), trades yes
sstratu@gmail.com
Stratu
PO Box 35
Marrickville NSW 2204 AUSTRALIA
"Cut & paste zine featuring newspaper clippings of strange deaths, UFOs, all manner of bizarre and grotesque wonder." Extra copies & back issues available for $1.00, stamps (AUS), trade, friendly letter, or unusual/grotesque clippings." This zine is a delightfully weird find; it's got strange clippings of really weird stories and it's got an old-school zine style with the cut & paste approach. Weird and fun.
12 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 (digest), $2 (US, Can/Mex,World), trades yes
sstratu@gmail.com
Stratu
PO Box 35
Marrickville NSW 2204 AUSTRALIA
"Cut & paste zine featuring newspaper clippings of strange deaths, UFOs, all manner of bizarre and grotesque wonder." Extra copies & back issues available for $1.00, stamps (AUS), trade, friendly letter, or unusual/grotesque clippings." This zine is a delightfully weird find; it's got strange clippings of really weird stories and it's got an old-school zine style with the cut & paste approach. Weird and fun.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
PLAYERIST #1 (Dec 2011)
20 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 (A5 size), trades maybe
1 pound 50, US?, Can/Mex?, World?
Martin Slidel
martinslidel@facebook.com
facebook.com/playerist
Described by the editor as a "multi-media arts edition" this issue "is based on the themes of the dualities within love and loss." Inside, there are a number of works by a variety of artists; some poets, artwork, drawing, photographs -- it's an assortment of many different things. One of the most compelling ones is a series of photographs called "Previous Personality" that documents the artist's mother's descent into dementia. It's worth checking out for this piece alone.
20 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 (A5 size), trades maybe
1 pound 50, US?, Can/Mex?, World?
Martin Slidel
martinslidel@facebook.com
facebook.com/playerist
Described by the editor as a "multi-media arts edition" this issue "is based on the themes of the dualities within love and loss." Inside, there are a number of works by a variety of artists; some poets, artwork, drawing, photographs -- it's an assortment of many different things. One of the most compelling ones is a series of photographs called "Previous Personality" that documents the artist's mother's descent into dementia. It's worth checking out for this piece alone.
OPUNTIA 69.1C (June 2010), 70.5A (July 2011), 70.5B (August 2011), 71 (Sept 2011), 71.1D (Jan 2012), 248 (April 2012), 251 (Stampede 2012), 259 (Feb 2013)
16 pages (all issues), 5.5 x 8.5, $3 "cash for a one-time sample copy, trade for your zine, or letter of comment." (Note: Americans, please don't send checks; bank fees to cash them are high; US banknotes are better.)
Dale Speirs
Box 6830
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 2E7
Okay, so I obviously have some catching up to do. Here's the story: Whole-numbered OPUNTIAs are sercon, x.1 issues are reviewzines, x.2 issues are indexes, x.3 issues are apazines, and x.5 issues are perzines. However, Speirs writes in issue 248 that a lengthy project has shifted his writing, and so future issues will be a mix of articles and reviews, and getting more time-sensitive work published (uh, unlike me, apparently. Sorry, folks.). Issue #71.5 was the 247th issue, so...that's how we got to #248 and part of why that list up there is so initially baffling-looking. Dig? OK.
So, in this span of issues, we've got a good range of material, from earthquakes ("Shaking All Over" in #259), H.P. Lovecraft (#251), work and retirement (#70.5A) along with some really cool photographs and a very funny story about what a factory worker did on his last day of work to his alarm clock, trains, travel, and construction -- along with some intense mountain driving (70.5B). It's a pretty wild mix of different topics, but interesting reading nonetheless. I kind of lean toward the perzine ones, but there's something here for everyone.
16 pages (all issues), 5.5 x 8.5, $3 "cash for a one-time sample copy, trade for your zine, or letter of comment." (Note: Americans, please don't send checks; bank fees to cash them are high; US banknotes are better.)
Dale Speirs
Box 6830
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 2E7
Okay, so I obviously have some catching up to do. Here's the story: Whole-numbered OPUNTIAs are sercon, x.1 issues are reviewzines, x.2 issues are indexes, x.3 issues are apazines, and x.5 issues are perzines. However, Speirs writes in issue 248 that a lengthy project has shifted his writing, and so future issues will be a mix of articles and reviews, and getting more time-sensitive work published (uh, unlike me, apparently. Sorry, folks.). Issue #71.5 was the 247th issue, so...that's how we got to #248 and part of why that list up there is so initially baffling-looking. Dig? OK.
So, in this span of issues, we've got a good range of material, from earthquakes ("Shaking All Over" in #259), H.P. Lovecraft (#251), work and retirement (#70.5A) along with some really cool photographs and a very funny story about what a factory worker did on his last day of work to his alarm clock, trains, travel, and construction -- along with some intense mountain driving (70.5B). It's a pretty wild mix of different topics, but interesting reading nonetheless. I kind of lean toward the perzine ones, but there's something here for everyone.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Review: PILTDOWNLAD #1: GÜERO CHINGÓN #1-5
Piltdownlad #1: Güero Chingón #1-5
These five, short mini-zines squeeze out the rawness of
childhood into something distilled that causes your breath to catch. The first
issue explains how, in an act of self-protection in shop class, the narrator
becomes Güero Chingón. The second reveals how he figured out panhandling. #3
involves more childhood violence and the odd workings of childhood frienemys.
The fourth is tragic and made me want to remove all the matches from my home.
The final volume was about new clothes and the cruel pantomime of boys and
girls. Recommended.
Piltdownlad #1: Güero Chingón #1-5
2011
Kelly Dessaint
PO Box 86714, Los Angeles, CA 90086
Email: piltdownlad@gmail.com
Website: www.piltdownlad.com
price: $3 US/ $ 3.50 Can/Mex / $4 World
trades: possible
size: 2”x3”
page count: 5 mini zines at 16 pages each
BROOKLYN #77
review from Anne: BROOKLYN #78 and #79
24 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 $10 for a 4 issue subscription(PAYMENT IN CASH!)
Fred Argoff
Penthouse L
1170 Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn NY 11230
More Brooklyn reviews! Say it with me, people: “The name of this zine is BROOKLYN and that's also what the zine is about, Fred's beloved borough of Brooklyn." History, photography, you name it and it’s in here…provided it’s got something to do with Fred’s favorite borough. One of the things I particularly like about BROOKLYN is that the issues are always packed with photos, history (things that long-term residents know; every issue has kind of a small-neighborhood feel to it, which is a great advantage), and fabulous little Brooklyn tidbits. It's one of those reads that if you don't live there, it's kind of amazing -- like a little bit of armchair travel. If you do live there, I imagine it's like this whole other world discovering these bits of history and photos of houses and neighborhoods and such.
The ever-hilarious "Brooklyn Lexicon and Pronounciation Guide" in each issue is a treat to read, and #78 has this Brooklyn reconfiguring of Jack Sprat (as you'd imagine, but in Brooklyn-ese), and #79 includes photos of Shakespeare in Brooklyn (Shakespeare on the Roof, really and truly on the roof of 57 Thames Street in East Williamburg), Totonno's (must-stop on a Brooklyn pizza tour), and The Hole (I'll leave you with some surprises for the issue).
Always a fun read worth your time. So, whaddya waitin' for? Read some Brooklyn already!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Zine Symposium in Chicago (April 6, 2013) - free to public
OUTSIDERS: Zines, Samizdat, & Alternative Publishing
Saturday, April 6, 2013
This year’s symposium will explore the use of self-produced books and pamphlets to express individualized, unconventional, controversial, or prohibited messages. Topics will range widely in historical and geographical terms, and the speakers will address the current state of self-publishing as well as its history.
Free and open to the public.
The 2013 Caxton Club / Newberry Library
Symposium on the Book
The Newberry Library60 West Walton StreetChicago, Illinois 60610
Read more here: http://www.caxtonclub.org/events/2013-symposium/newberry-chicago-saturday-program-details.html#panel-discussion
Monday, February 4, 2013
Xerography Debt #32 NOW AVAILABLE!
To order a copy of this issue, please send $4 (order online, or send cash, stamps, money order, or check) to Microcosm Publishing
Cover Art by Bojan (Rigor Mortis)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Basic Stuff You Should Know
COLUMNS
THE SOUNDTRACK TO DYSTOPIA By Al Burian
HELLO MISTER POSTMAN By Carlos Palacios
DECLINE OF NORTHERN CIVILIZATION: ON ZINES, DIY, AND ALASKA By Frank Harlan and Josh Medsker
IT MEANS IT'S WANK: DIGITAL IS THE NEW MIDDLE AGED by Jeff Somers
RANDOM THOUGHTS ON ZINES FROM A SEMI-RETIRED SELF PUBLISHER by Kris M.
GLOOMY SUNDAYS: A VISIT TO IRA By Gianni Simone
EXITING THE ECHO CHAMBER By Joe Biel
REVIEWERS
Anne Thalheimer
D. Blake Werts
Carlos Palacios
Davida Gypsy Breier
Donny Smith
Eric Lyden
Fred Argoff
Gavin Grant
Joe Biel
Josh Medsker
Julie Dorn
Liz Mason
Maynard Welstand
Stuart Stratu
Announcements
Index
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)