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Who and What We Are

Xerography Debt is a review zine for zine readers by zine writers (and readers). It is a hybrid of review zine and personal zine (the ancestor to many blogs). The paper version has been around since 1999. This blog thing is are attempt to bridge the gap between Web 2.0 and Paper 1.0. Print is not dead, but it is becoming more pixelated.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.
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.

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 StreetChicagoIllinois 60610




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


Monday, November 12, 2012

From A.j. Michel: SP 22: Six Categories -- Call for Entries


From A.j. Michel: SP 22: Six Categories -- Call for Entries
In the beginning of the novel Microserfs*, Douglas Coupland has each of his characters list their dream Jeopardy! categories, fields of expertise such as “Career anxieties”, “Cats”, “Psychotic loser friends”, and “Macintosh products”. I can’t remember much else from this nearly twenty-year old novel, but these character “introductions” remain stuck in a shadowy corner of my memory. I’ve mentally made lists of my ideal Jeopardy! boards, with categories like “The Simpsons, Seasons 1 to 8” and “Postage” and “Job Dissatisfaction”.
It’s your turn to list your six ideal Jeopardy! categories that showcase your unique knowledge, quirks, neuroses, talents, habits, whatever.
Email the following to syndprod@gmail.com with the words Six Categories in the subject line.
1. Your six ideal Jeopardy! categories. These should be single words, short phrases, or very short sentences. Brevity is the soul of wit and all that. (Please nothing racist, sexist, overtly sexual, distasteful, etc. If you want to list off sexual things you’re really good at, go fill out an OK Cupid dating profile.)
2. For the credit line, your name and electronic contact information as you want it to appear. For example: Jane Doe - www.janedoe.com or John Doe - john@johndoe.com.
Deadline is DECEMBER 12, 2012. This is a firm deadline. Entries will be printed in the order they are received. You’ll receive a copy of the finished zine as compensation.
Disclaimer: This zine has absolutely no connection to Douglas Coupland, Microserfs, or the television program Jeopardy!
*A long excerpt of what became the novel Microserfs is available here:www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.01/microserfs.html

Friday, September 14, 2012

AWKWARD POSTURE #9

review from Anne: AWKWARD POSTURE #9
16 pages, 6.5 x 6 inches, $2 (everywhere)
trades yes.

Matt Young
thatmatt@apostrophepress.com

AWKWARD POSTURE is a project of five journal comics a week for a year that ends up getting collected into 12 minicomics. It's book 9 of 12 in the series and details last year's trip to the Small Press Expo. Full disclosure -- I was in on this trip (which is always a blast) and so have a fondness for the book. Basically Matt's a cartoonist who survived comics college in White River Junction and decided to do a series of "weekdaily" journal comics. There's a cat and some comics and, overall, it's an interesting project. I love autobio work and this one's a fun title. Includes irthday cats, papercutter accidents, travel, flippin' the bird with a broken finger, bad birthday hats, and mayhem on the road! Take that, Small Press Expo! See you next year!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Canister X Comics

review from Anne: CANISTER X COMIX (No. 1--October 2011, 2--January 2012, and 3--April 2012)

20 pages (#2 is 24 pages), 5.5 x 8.5 $3 US, $3 Can/Mex, $4 world, trades maybe
A.P Fuchs
coscomentertainment@gmail.com
www.canisterx.com

Quarterly perzine/comic that's mostly autobio (though issue #3 is fiction and uses words with photographs rather than the drawing we see in #1 and #2). No. 2 is a 24-hour comic (and the back cover copy is pretty funny: "Inside this issue: a sleepless night, a bizarre superhero's origin, kids and bad language, expensive cupcakes,...and more!) with a wild array of various topics (there's a piece on "navel gazing" that's both gross and terribly funny) and it turns out the cupcake's a muffin (I'm not going to ruin the surprise on that one). But of all the issues I really found myself getting into the first one the most -- it's an origin story of how the author came to be where he is (writing and publishing; check out the website), but it's told in this really interesting, straightforward way that just pulls you in. I like autobio work generally, but I really kind of related to someone who was just putting it out there and explaining why he was doing what he was doing. It's worth checking out for sure.

BROOKLYN #77

review from Anne: BROOKLYN #77

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. I honestly kind of love that I always end up with an issue of BROOKLYN in my mailbox; this particular one's theme is Bushwick.

I actually really like the photo on the cover of #77 -- it's a long aerial shot of a typical Brooklyn street, but I really just like the composition of it with the street dissolving off on the horizon. #77's a little different than other issues, because it's themed -- and it's full of interesting photographs and Brooklyn history. What I love about this title is that it always reminds me of the borough's rich and storied history; it's a history tour, but with current photographs; it's a fun, interesting read. Get yourself some Brooklyn already (and be sure to check out the Brooklyn-themed zazzle.com stamps Fred's been using for postage lately).

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Call for submissions for Blackguard #5 from Stratu


I can announce the theme for Blackguard #5 - it's gonna be the SCIENCE issue!

And I want you to be in there, if you can get your pens, inks and test
tubes in order, that is.

Or if you know somebody who would like to be a part of it please go
ahead and forward this to them.

I want one-two page strips only. Blind me with science, baby!

Deadline is October 31, 2012.

Thanks to Shaun Craike for coming up with the theme. Many other good
ones, but Science really hit me in the guts as The One.

Anything else you need to know? Wanna do a colour page strip? Email
me. I'm pretty sure I got the cover sorted, but that means three other
colour pages ... for strips, preferably.

Now, to the laboratory!
Perfect [Lab] Leader Stratu
sstratu@gmail.com

blackguard23.livejournal.com
Blackguard
PO Box 35
Marrickville NSW 2204
Australia

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Fuzz Society #1 and #2 and Average Jill #1

The short version is that Fuzz Society #1 and #2 are collections of a webcomic and Average Jill is a 24-hour comic. The longer version's a little cuter; Fuzz Society basically follows Lyra Ladybug as she flies far from home and makes some new friends, including an interesting cast of other characters (Tex, a turtle, and Phyllis, a lovebird, among a few others). Roxanne writes in the afterword of the first issue that she and her husband developed the concept together and these first two books are a way for her to introduce Lyra and the rest of the cast of characters. It so far looks like it's something that all ages could read, though Lyra's a little bit boy-crazy (well, maybe not boy, exactly --  you'll have to read it to find out, but the cover design for the second issue reads "Love is in the air...").

Average Jill #1 is a 24-hour comic summed up well byt he back cover: "Meet Jill. She may not be the smartest or hottest girl on the block, but she's got charm. And will. Get your laughs on in 24 one-shot panels, created as part of a 24-hour comic, which focus on such topics as dating, relationships, parenting, and work life, and maybe you'll see a part of yourself in her. Just maybe." Her titles for these one-panel comics are pretty funny, and if you're a parent, you'll probably really get a kick out of the ones about parenting--they're among the best in the book.

Fuzz Society #1 and #2 (Oct 2010 and Aug 2011)
Average Jill #1 (2011)
Roxanne Fuchs
coscomentertainment@gmail.com
www.fuzzsociety.com
$3 US / $3 Can/Mex / $4 World
trades: maybe
Half-legal (9 inches tall x 6 inches wide)
20 pages, 28 pages, and 24 pages, full color covers, professionally printed

review from Anne: BROOKLYN #76

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. #76 has a little bit of everything--photographs, old advertisements relating to Brooklyn, an interesting history piece ("A Little History Won't Kill You"), a visit to Bergen Beach, as well as the always-appreciated Brooklyn Lexicon & Pronounciation Guide #61 (these always make me laugh like crazy.). Lots of photographs; even those of you who are not familiar with Brooklyn are most likely going to enjoy what you read! Get yourself some BROOKLYN already!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Xerography Debt #31 Coming June 2012


Available from Microcosm in June 2012

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
The Pre-natal Death of the E-book by Joe Biel 
It Means It's Wank by Jeff Somers
Expatriation Daze by Al Burian
Gloomy Sundays by Gianni Simone
At Home in the World of Zines by Carlos Palacios
Index Zine 
Review Form

THE REVIEWS
Anne Thalheimer
Carlos Palacios
D. Blake Werts
Davida Gypsy Breier
Eric Lyden
Fred Argoff
Joe Biel
Julie Dorn
Liz Mason
Maynard Welstand
Stuart Stratu

Monday, April 2, 2012

Posted on behalf of the Salford Zine Library

Hello my name’s Craig and I run the Salford Zine Library.

Many people have different ideas what a zine is. But I will try and sum up what a zine is to me.

A zine is a publication self-made and printed independently by the author. Production methods vary from primitive tools such as photocopiers, pens, paper and the trademark stapler. They can also be professionally printed and made to a very high technical standard and presented as artists’ book.

In the two years since the archive was opened the lively world of zines and our library has continued to flourish and grow. We welcome contributions from everyone. To date we have had nearly 1500 submissions from all over the world. Thank you to those who have donated so far….

Many people who have visited the library and come to past exhibitions have been truly inspired.  They have then gone on to make zines of their own and self-publish work they have wanted to share for a long time.

Here at Salford Zine Library there is no curatorship. We do not wish to be the arbiters of taste. The library is completely inclusive and your contribution is important. We tour the UK visiting schools, universities, public art galleries and book fairs.

Since the exhibition came to a close at Salford Museum and Art Gallery the library has been homeless. I have been desperately seeking a new place for it to reside. Looking for a pleasant and safe environment where people can comfortably read and peruse the archive at their own leisure. After much toing and froing looking for the right spaceI have been offered a permanent room at the Nexus Art Café in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

In its new home the archive will be accessible seven days a week from mid May but as you can see the space needs work. With your help and the skills of master craftsman Andy Yates – a man who  says he can drill through anything - we can transform the space into the ideal new home we have long since dreamed of.

Our aim is to raise one thousand pounds by the end of April 2012.

The money raised will go towards the building of shelves, comfy seats to sit down and read, lighting and giving the walls a nice lick of paint.

When the space is clean and safe we can deliver workshops as part of our educational programme and you can read you favourite zines in calm creative comfort.

You can donate in these amounts:

  • For £5! You get an invite to the opening launch night.
  • For £10! You also receive a freshly burnt DVD of the Salford Zine Library film ‘Self-Publishers of the World Take Over.’
  • For £20! Add to it a guided tour of the 3 x 5 metres room with head librarian Craig John Barr.
  • And for £50 and upwards! You get all of the previously mentioned plus you can pick an original piece of artwork listed from my website portfolio. 

Please be generous and give today!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Posted for The Village Learning Place (donate your zines)

The Village Learning Place is growing our local and small press collection!

Self-published and micro-published works are vital to the library community. They exhibit subject matter often overlooked by larger publishing companies, and provide a platform for local authors to present their works. We are gathering local materials for our catalog including: small-press-issued graphic novels and poetry, self-published cookbooks, zines, memoirs, niche non-fiction, local history, and university press research and literature. It is our goal to use this historic neighborhood venue to showcase the works of local authors and artists.

The Village Learning Place (VLP) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit neighborhood lending library, learning center, computer lab, and community garden in the Charles Village neighborhood of Baltimore City. We serve as an anchoring institution, a symbol of community pride, and a partner in creating a healthy and cohesive community.

Because we’re a non-profit, community-run library, we have the freedom to pursue the works of authors that many libraries cannot. This is just one way the Village Learning Place is a unique and integral facet of the Baltimore community.

If you have any works you would like to donate to the collection, or if you have any information that would be helpful to our cause, please contact:

Library Associate Kendra Eaves at 410-235-2210 or Kendra.eaves@villagelearningplace.orgLibrary Services Coordinator Lesley Noll at 410-235-2210 ext:224 or Lesley.noll@villagelearningplace.org 
or 
Douglas Mowbray, Poetry in the Community, 410-235-5712 dmowbray@twentythreebooks.com

We are planning an unveiling reception for this project for National Library Week in April. More details to come!
***
Save the Dates!

2012 Cruellest Month Poetry and Performance Festival

Reading of The Star-Spangled Banner as Waverly Main Street
 commemorates The War of 1812 Bicentennial: April 1

4 Nights of Readings at Village Learning Place: April 5, 12, 17, 26

1 Day of Celebration at Waverly Library: April 28

Friday, March 16, 2012

I think I just fell in love a little bit (two reviews from Anne)

Okay, so I was a little giddy to find two zines about biking in my most recent review stack. I have a little Portland bike envy going on, since while I live near some fairly vibrant bike culture, there's less of it in the city where I live. In addition, both of these zines are just beautiful objects; I'm always a fan of something that's both readable and able to be admired -- i.e. it's a pleasure to look at it, the layout is clean and compelling, and they're just really nicely constructed. Both zines fit this description.

Bikenomics is a collection of 10 articles that Elly Blue originally wrote for Grist.org in 2011, but they flow very well together. She's working on "a book exploring the bike economy around the country" that will be released in 2013 and this zine is a particularly good start to thinking about some of those concepts. It's a very eloquent look at things as wide ranging as the simple number crunching that 6 tanks of $4 gas add up pretty quickly so that city bike will pay for itself a lot faster than you think to recognizing that though biking can be easy for most, it isn't for all. It's a realistic, smart consideration of a fascinating topic, and the zine is absolutely worth reading (even if you don't ride; maybe especially if you don't yet ride!).

But I really kind of fell in love with Our Bodies, Our Bikes. I didn't really get into biking as an adult until I had a stretch of time where I didn't have a car and had to get back and forth to work (and here there are a lot of bike trails that run parallel to the major roadways). I'm not yet an all-weather rider (I know some folks in Massachusetts are, but I'm not there yet), but then I got into distance riding. Long story short: I kinda fell in love with my bike and with riding. I loved the idea that I could get myself around without relying on a car, and reading about other women doing awesome stuff on bikes (riding to the birthing center while riding out contractions? Holy crap, that's awesome!) just really made me want to get on my bike and go for a ride. There's a number of different stories in this collection, including one excellent piece about what cycling can do to your body (and how that helped one author learn to love her butt), stretches that incorporate your bike, and a super-smart piece for lady bikers about biking and your lady parts. (Seriously! It's an important subject and people don't talk about it enough!)

It's also got the most adorable back cover photo, of a lady ridin' along on her bike, overjoyed to be out in the sun, wearing socks and shoes and not very much else.

You gotta read this zine. It's really awesome. (You can order it online at takingthelane.com)


Our Bodies, Our Bikes
Taking the Lane Volume 5 (Dec 2011)
by Elly Blue
takingthelane.com
$3 US / ? Can/Mex / ? World
trades: not sure, contact & ask
4.25 inches wide x 6.5 inches wide)
42 pages

Bikenomics: How Bicycling Will Save The Economy (If We Let It) (Sept 2011, 2nd printing)
by Elly Blue
takingthelane.com
$5 US / ? Can/Mex / ? World
trades: not sure
4.25 wide x 7.25 tall
40 pages

both available from
Elly Blue
PO Box 14332
Portland, OR 97293

Monday, March 5, 2012

Three #2

I raved about the last issue of THREE in a previous post, so I was really pleased to see that THREE #2 is continuing solid, compelling work by queer creators. That's a tall order, considering the amount of praise the title has received as well as Ignatz nominations for one of the previous issue's pieces.) Again, the concept: THREE is an anthology by queer comic artists edited by Rob Kirby (you know him from BOY TROUBLE, CURBSIDE, and the particularly excellent STRANGE-LOOKING EXILE) in which each issue contains 3 new stories by three different creators or groups of creators.

It's an excellent production and one of my current favorite titles. This issue features three really different stories. The first, "Dragon" (written by Sina Evil with art by Jon Macy) is beautiful, sexy, playful, complicated, and a little heartbreaking: it's the story of two comics artists who meet for dinner and something a bit more beyond that. It's a story about sex and desire, but also about self-discovery. Evil's storytelling pace is superb (it's his first time writing a comic and not drawing it himself) and Macy's art is by turns smouldering and playful. It's a standout piece and a beautifully done collaboration.

The next piece is a playful cartoon jam by Jennifer Camper and Michael Fahy called "Help Wanted" that's a lot of fun. I can't tell you too much abnout the story without giving away plot twists, but it's about Raoul, his boyfriend and boss Leo Rinaldi, Lana (sister of Leo and swanky airplane pilot), the secrets of the samba, and ... well, you've have to read it to find out what happens next. It's a delight that I don't want to ruin for you, but it's one of the most fun cartoon jams I've read in a long time.

The final piece in this issue is "Nothin' But Trouble" by Craig Bostick and David Kelly, which employs very evocative color work. The story initially follows Jimmy, a guitarist and singer, who picks up a fella named Butch, in a love 'em & leave 'em story with a twist. Midway through the story shifts from Jimmy's perspective to Butch's, and the different color backgrounds of the story begin to make sense -- red for Jimmy and aqua for Butch. It's a love story with a couple of twists, but make sure you pay attention to what's playing on the radio in the background on the story's final page.

Overall, THREE is well worth reading for a lot of reasons; the artwork is always excellent, the stories consistently compelling, the series production is one of the most professional I've seen, and the content is diverse, beautiful, and inspiring. I can't wait for THREE #3, which will have work by one of my favorite folks in comics (Carrie McNinch), work from Ed Luce (which looks adorable and full of bear fellows), and a cartoon jam with folks like Diane DiMassa, Howard Cruse, Ellen Forney, and more -- including Rob Kirby himself.

Just order the collection. You're gonna fall in love with it too.

THREE
#2
(June 2011)
Rob Kirby
curbside2@earthlink.net
www.robkirbycomics.com (orders via paypal)
$6.25 US / ? Can/Mex / ? World
trades: maybe "for appropriate/similar stuff"
Half-legal (8.5 inches tall x 7 inches wide)
32 all-color pages

Christian* New Age Quarterly: A Bridge Supporting Dialogue

This zine's title is descriptive and accurate. From the statement of purpose on the masthead: "Our intent is to foster communication between Christians and New Agers. To this end, a diversity of viewpoints is featured. Publication does not imply the publisher concurs with the content." These issues feature a letters column with perspectives and comments from readers, articles on such things as shamanism and spirituality, and includes reference materials, advertisements, and other reading including book reviews. Informative and speculative. If you're interested in these subjects, this zine is a good resource for you and will be thought-provoking. Professionally laid-out, cleanly organized, includes color pages on the inside.

Christian* New Age Quarterly: A Bridge Supporting Dialogue
Vol. 20, #1 (Summer 2011), Vol. 20, #1+ (Autumn 2011), and Vol 20, #2 (Winter 2011)
PO Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07015-0276
info@christiannewage.com
www.christiannewage.com
website: price: $3.50US/ $ 5 Can/Mex / $5 World for sample issue. Subscriptions (4 issues plus supplements) $12.50 US/$18.50 everywhere else.
trades: ? (contact and ask, I guess?)
size: 8.5 tall x 7 wide
page count: 24, 16, 24


BROOKLYN #75

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.

#75 is a "special issue" -- to mark the 75th issue, Fred sorted through his "collection of zine stuff" that was planned for (but didn't make it into) earlier issues and put together kind of a "hodgepodge" with all the usual suspects (and of course all about Brooklyn): photographs, the Lexicon & Pronounciation Guide (including "ida know" and "yizzl" -- don't know these? Get yourself some BROOKLYN already!), the Brooklyn version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a neighborhood tour -- all in all, always an interesting read!

PS: The cover is very funny and probably not something you want to read at your desk at work: it's six middle fingers held high and proud by four people...and one primate.

BROOKLYN #75
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

Thursday, February 9, 2012

2012: THE REVENGE OF REVENGE OF PRINT



Because revenge is a dish best served as seconds.

Last year, after getting tired of hearing folks glibly forecasting the death of print, a number of people in the self-publishing/small press/zines/comics world teamed up to declare 2011 The Revenge Of Print.

Organizers/sponsors included:
Stores: Atomic Books (Baltimore),  Quimby's (Chicago), Reading Frenzy (Portland), Xerography Debt, and Zine World, Razorcake, Maximum Rocknroll, Broken Pencil, and a number of zine libraries and distros around the world.

The challenge was issued - everyone who has ever made a zine, a comic, a mini-comic, handmade booklet, pamphlet or publication - or anyone who still was making one - or even anyone who as ever thought of making one - do it. Make at least one more publication in 2011.

And the results are in. Quimby's and Atomic Books tallied up nearly 2000 titles published as part of, in response to, or in the spirit of Revenge of Print. How's that for revenge?

"Books are over." "Magazines are over." "Comix are over." "Zines are over." "Newspapers are over." Bah! Don't think so. We're over things being over.

And that includes revenge.

So Revenge of Print organizers and members are declaring 2012 The Revenge of Revenge of Print.

Once again we are encouraging/challenging/asking - everyone who ever made (or wants to make) a zine, a mini-comic, a journal, a chapbook, a magazine or any kind of self-made publication of any kind vow that in 2012, they'll make another issue/title/publication.

Yes, we're still making a point. And we're using the very tools credited with the demise of print to do so - the internet!

Join the Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/revengeofprint/

And who is this "we" that's issued this challenge to self-publishers past, present, and future?

"We" are, to date,
Atomic Books - www.atomicbooks.com
Quimby's - www.quimbys.com
Reading Frenzy - www.readingfrenzy.com
and more TBA.

We'll be using the Facebook group as an organizing resource to provide addresses to publications where participants can send copies of their projects for review, and we'll also be listing addresses to real stores who will consign those very same titles so people can actually get copies the old fashioned way, by walking into a store.

Our list of participants has been growing rapidly. The Facebook group already has nearly 1,100 self-publishers. We're hoping you will team-up with us by helping to spread the word!

"Print lives if you want it."
 
Logos above are available for use and should be credited to Bojan.