ZINESTER Interview with MARYA ERRIN JONES

The last interview! Maybe? Well, here it is!

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.
I'm tabling zines from my Mocha Chocolata Momma series-- zines about the lives of  black women, real and imagined. There are three in the series so far-- I want to make my own personal encyclopedia out of this series, eventually!  I'm also tabling a new zine-- Resting Bicycle Face, about riding a bike as my main mode of transportation. I've been riding almost a year now...

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about? 
I made my first zine five years ago. I mean, I have always been a writer-- but I've also found it hard to find the form I feel most free in. Zines make me feel free. My first zine was Prague: a fucked-up travelogue. Well, it was the best of times, and the suckiest of times. I reissued that zine recently, which was a bit of a challenge. The zine is about my first trip to Europe, in 2001. I sat on that story for a long time-- and making a zine out of it helped me move beyond the hard parts of the journey. I learned to laugh about it.

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.
Mmmm. Okay. Robert Louis Stevenson. Robert Louis Stevenson. Robert Louis Stevenson. Awe man-- we hang out all the time. I dream about him-- he worries about me. I am inspired by his wanderlust-- the man was ill his entire life, but still managed to live a life full of adventure. He wrote for pleasure, and he wrote to get PAID-- and I can't tell the difference entirely-- because I think he truly loved distilling his thoughts into words. He was not the average 19th Century man.

The way he lived influences me, and I like living-- so I've been doing Stevensonian things like using what-if as my prompt, and then peeling back the beautiful and the horrible layers. Going on an adventure to lands where I am lost, on a tiny island in driving ice-rain. His work is only cliche if you've not read him- The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a truly terrifying and beautiful thing. . . I've written songs based on some of his poems. I tweet things he has said, like a beacon signaling from his final resting place. I'm thinking of him as I get ready to start writing this Gothic novel that's been rummaging through my grey matter for a while. What-if . . . what-if . . .
PS-- I write like Hemingway-- I stand up. I treat writing like a sport-- sometimes I stand at the computer or the typewriter or the pen and paper (the scariest, to me) and shadow box.

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"
I usually freeze and stare at them like, WTF?! I always hope they answer their own question. I flash on every pamphlet and parchment that ever endured ink and saying "like a magazine" feels so diminishing. I also say, "Uuuuuuuuuuh."

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection?
I can't stop staring at this tiny zine by Amber Dearest- Kurt Cobain was a Feminist #1. It's so small and English et Francais but feisty like a teacup chihuahua. I'm also in love with this comp zine of drawings and collages by twenty artists- all of Yoko Ono. It's called Hey Lady. There's a large pinback button on the outside. My copy is #24 out of #50. My birthday is on the 24th-- this zine was given to me, randomly-- in truth, because I say it in the back seat of a car in Portland and I squealed. It's MINE.

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?
Most challenging is GETTING IT DONE. I get stuck on IS THIS GOOD, or WHY am I CHARGED with doing this? Isn't there anyone else who . . . then I start writing and I don't want to stop. This Dorothy Dandridge zine has been eating my lunch for almost two years. Her story makes me so said though! Then, I watch the biopic Shonda Rhimes made in the 90s, with Halle Berry as Ms. Dandridge, and my heart breaks all over again. I want vindication for Dorothy.

Why are zines important?
Zines are the scouts of your heart -- the first wing flaps that echo the things in your mind, Zines are figure heads on ships-- sometimes. Something forced forward, driving, leaving without you. Zines can lead the way to something bigger inside you-- maybe a series. Maybe there's a book underneath that zine you wrote. Or maybe that ship has sailed. But you did it- -you have this paperwork that was a pleasure and a struggle to produce. To me zines can also be like an article of clothing you're never seen without. People know that's YOU in there. I used to wear this cotton scarf everywhere-- it was black with white stars, but ended up grey with ghost stars, fraying and unraveling. A friend of mine was convinced I was hiding an open wound for years, like Lancelot or something. Zines can be like a journey, traveling on an open-ended ticket.

Huh?
Thanks, Marya . . .

ZINESTER Interview with LIZA BLEY

Liza Bley (Pronounced BLY, for goddess's sake!) is a force of nature. ABQZFV was an all-night operation to launch, but it was so much better with her, and near impossible without her. Her's what she said...

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.
I’ll have my book, Not Your Mother’s Mealtoaf: A sex education comic book, which is a compilation of 6 past zines that include comics on sex and sexual health by over 50 authors. I’m also working on a second edition of my zine “Can you have sex with objects, like couches? and other questions for the sex ed field.”


When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?
I'm not sure what my first zine was. My most successful was Not Your Mother's Meatloaf that I co-edited with Saiya Miller. One of my favorite things to do is make friends little mini zines with fun things to do or instructions on how to take care of my dog, Pegasus, while I'm out of town.


Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.
My mother (so sappy), but she's a fucking power house and raised me to get shit done. The DIY health zine, Hot Pants, which focuses around issues those of us with uteri  and vaginas might face, made a lasting impression of how important zines can be for the health of our communities. The patriarchy, so I remember there is still something worth fighting against.

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"
Like independent magaZINES. Typically folded 8 1/2" x 11" paper. They can be about ANYTHING.

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection?
"Love is another word for impunity" - a button


What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?
Oh, starting, is probably the biggest hurtle, but I spend the most time on trouble shooting the layout as I contemplate pouring nacho cheese all over the copy machine.

Why are zines important?
Because books are too heavy.

Ridiculous. But, true.
THANKS, Liza!

ZINESTER Interview with GENA & MAURO

Oh, here we go. Merma & Roberta are HERE. Their hair is here, also. Such fun! 

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.
Together, we will have the following zines:
1. Alpaca Buttah: Volume 1 (all about buttah) This is a zine by our alter egos / rockers, Merma and Roberta. It is about alpaca buttah (our favorite thing in the world). It is a satirical zine.

2. Mauro is introducing her first solo zine, “Will You Sign My Bible?” This zine is about things that make Mauro laugh or weird thoughts that she can't shake and needs to get out in cartoon form. This is a zine where meta and pop-culture life collide.

3. Gena is releasing two solo zines. The first is called “ANNA MALL”. It is reflective of Gena’s solo musical persona and features lyrics and images associated with her act.

4. The second zine by Gena is called “REPTILE ALIENS?! OH MY!” It covers her long-time obsession with the reptilian agenda. Somewhat satirical and it is full of fun conspiracy theories!

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

Our first zine, was Alpaca Buttah: Volume 1. This was a group effort where we each wrote as our personas, Merma and Roberta. It gives recipes on making and using alpaca buttah, ads for buttah, a downloadable playlist about buttah (melting to be exact) and even horoscopes and an advice column (with real questions from people on the internet sent directly to us). It is hopefully the first of many, Alpaca Buttah zines.

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work. This varies for each of us, so we will answer individually:
Gena:
1. Marya Errin Jones – yes I know she is the curator of ABQZF, however, I would not be even attempting to create zines if it weren’t for her pushing me to do so and encouraging this art form. I look at her many amazing zines and get inspired to create my own.
2. Leon Higdon – this was a professor I had at UNM about 12 years ago. He completely changed how I think of stories, both reading them and telling them. He gave me the insight to think, “what is a title really saying” and more. I wish I was a lifelong student of his.
3. Yet to be discovered.

Mauro:
Marya Errin Jones. Yes I am parroting Gena but that is seriously the first person that came to mind. Every time I read her zines, my mind is blown and it makes me want to create and make something cool. She makes it look easy—and I know it’s not! She’s inspired me to get off my cute little rump and to tell the tales I want to tell.
Love and Rockets comix. Los Bros Hernandez. They write about love, sex, music, culture, and superheroes. I’ve loved these ever since I was a kid and they only get better and better and better with time.
RE:search Press. My Dad used to collect these when I was a kid (and maybe we should not have seen some of these volumes as kids—very risqué) but they are rad. Some are about records. Some are about tribal tattoos and taboo piercings. Some are about strange music. They are so great. The dark side of pop culture. I love ‘em!

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"
They are paper versions of stories, comics, poetry, art work and more. They are DIY and each one is unique in its own way. Zines are mini-books.

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection? Yes… not ready to divulge.
We have crushes but they have yet to be discovered!

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?
The most challenging thing for us is cutting down size. Haha. We find ourselves on the verge of novellas often and have to cut out excess material. Editing is crucial with our sometimes silly topics. The thing we most enjoy is having the opportunity to put our thoughts and ideas onto paper to share with others. That we can focus on a singular topic until it has reached its limit in some of the most creative ways imaginable – collage, drawing, poetry, graphics, folding sizes and so much more!

Why are zines important?
Zines are important because they are portable portals to someone's soul. They are places where people create art and can trade insight about the world or worlds. Zines provide an account of cultures, ideas, movements and more for posterity that was once thought as a dying art (paperback books, etc.) but is now being proven to have more value and easier readability than your typical electronic or e-book/zine.

ZINESTER Interview with BILLY McCALL

It's ABQ Zine Fest DAY! We made it! We still have several interviews for you to peruse over coffee, before you head to to Barelas! Here's one! 

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.


I write a lot of different zines, and am always coming up with new ones.  Here are a few of the ones I will have at ABQ ZineFest.

Proof I Exist - This is a personal, prose-heavy zine all about me and my life, so that might mean anything.  Stories about places I've been, people I love, bands I'm in, etc.  Some photos and drawings, but mostly writing.

Last Night at the Casino - A work-zine all about my job as a casino dealer.  All the strange people, crazy nights, and random oddities of casino culture, from an inside perspective.

The Difference Between - An educational zine explaining the difference between various similar topics.  For example, the difference between baking soda and baking powder, or the difference between Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill.

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

The first time I made a zine was around 1997, when I was a kid in high school.  It was a mix of stories, poetry, photos, and everything else, with contributions from my friends.
Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.
Everything I read influences me one way or another.  All of Al Burian's work (Burn Collector, Natural Disasters) has influenced my writing.  Idy (Something for Nothing) and Alex (Brainscan) have the best layouts of any zines, so that's a big influence.  And then Lisa Barrow (Oh Dear No) has really influenced my editing, not so much for her zine work, but just because she's helped me edit novels and stories and newspaper articles, and I've learned that editing is just as important for zines.


What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"
Zines are self-published magazines, usually photo-copied and hand-made.

Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection?
I have a few zine crushes.  Some of them are because the zinester is so awesome, and some are just because their zine is so great.  For example, I've never met Nichole, from Pieces zine, but her zine totally gets me crushed on her.

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?
The most challenging thing part of zine-making for me is finding the time to put out as many zines as I want to.  There are always more ideas to work on, and I've always got new issues in the works.  I've put out 4 issues of PIE this year, and have the writing done for 2 other issues just sitting on my computer.  As for what I enjoy the most...  I love the writing the most, but also enjoy doing the layouts, and even the copying.  I could make copies for 3 hours straight and still be ready for more.

Why are zines important?
Zines are a way to be educate and communicate in a creative way.  Zines give people the chance to say anything they want, but they also give people the chance to learn about someone else's life.  Zines are a way for weird, unique humans to learn about each other.


Thanks, Billy!

ZINESTER Interview with the makers of TRINITY

Hello again! And again! Here's another zinester interview! This is pretty exciting. Meet the makers of the visal art and aesthetics zine, Trinity.

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

Our zine titled "Trinity" is focused on visual art and aesthetics. Our theme is based off of three main concepts: spirituality, nature, and the human body.

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

About three years ago we participated in a zine titled "porqueria" with a group of people from both Las Cruces and El Paso. It was about POC feminist and queer issues/ being the thing ur grandma shakes her head at.

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

1. We kind of influence each other. We had some art classes together in college and wanted to continue working together.

2. Generally our group is interested in exploring spirituality outside of organized religion, so it makes sense that it became part of our theme.

3. Love and Rockets

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

A self published, DIY book about anything and everything!

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

One of the most challenging things about making a zine is being brave enough to put your work out there. Also putting it together can be a hassle. From gathering everyone's work to actually printing- it can be a bit stressful. We really enjoy getting to collaborate and seeing the finished product tho. It's also really rewarding when people are interested and able to relate to content in the zine.

Why are zines important?

Zines are important because they give people the chance to see things that normally wouldn't be published.



Thanks!

ZINESTER Interview with RHEA TEPP of LA Zine Fest

This Rhea Tepp. Her name matches her might. Zinester, zine fest organizer, musician and artist. In fact Rhea will be performing with her band, Coastal Doom, tomorrow night at the ABQ Zine Fest After-Happening  Let's meet Rhea.

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

I am bringing a selection of primarily Los Angeles based zines that are available at the local bookstore I work at. Most of the zines I will be tabling were created by artists and writers who have participated in previous L.A. Zine Fest events. I'll also have a couple of my own zines to share and my band will be playing the after party at the Tannex!

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

My first zine was an advice column told through a mini comic, called Quick Fix. I created it as a way to write about issues that are emotionally difficult through humor and simple illustrations. I think it helped me more than anyone else!


Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.


The necessity to disappoint and be disappointed, Letters to a Young Poet, my best friend. 



What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

Little pieces of power.

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

Tiny Splendor's work is so beautifully detailed, clever, timeless and amazing! They always put so much work into what they do but make it appear effortless. My dream would be to collaborate with them some day. 

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

The most challenging is working through the fears that would prevent me from finishing a zine and getting to that place where I'm putting something out that I feel good about, but am not super attached to, because sometimes, by the time something is released, you've move past that point creatively. I enjoy that moment right after you've been writing and writing for the sake of getting started and you finally get into that rhythm of momentum when you trust an idea and are moving forward. It's the best feeling! 

Why are zines important?

Zines are little pieces of power. Zines are not just the object. Zines are your communicated imagination. Zines are little magic worlds within a big beast of the one we were born into. Zines are community. Zines are lifelong friendships. Zines are reminders that everything is temporary. Zines are reminders that no idea is useless. 


Thank you, Rhea! 

ZINESTER Interview with Russell Ouellett

Getting ever closer to the big day. We still have a few interviews to share with you. Say hello to Russell Ouellett!


When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

It's embarrassing but I my first zine was a mammoth full letter-sized 50 plus page ode to marijuana appropriately titled, "From Weed to Weed."  I made it some time in the mid-nineties and still have the original somewhere... maybe I'll print a fresh run for all the cannabis aficionados in ABQ.

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

For ABQZF I found a love pink suitcase that I've been slowing filling with whatever zine-ish stuff I can find in my studio.  I'll have a bunch of poetry zines and some little zine journals. 

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

Zines are DIY or even better DIT (Do It Together) self-published magazines printed on computer/copier paper that usually present some useful yet banal information, challenge the status quo, self-promote, or are simply l'art pout l'art.


Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

That's a tough question for me.  I'm mostly inspired all the time in a vicious cycle of desperation and re-inspiration, especially by the anonymous anarchist artists taking REAL Bullets and Machetes fighting the white power hegemony, while I sit cozily in my tower of privilege... But If I have to name names I'm going to say, "today I'm super inspired by LA funk musician and Stones Throw recording artist DAM-FUNK, Swedish collective Teenage Engineering, and the Navajo Nihígaal bee Iiná."


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

My zine crush is on a bunch of zines I just picked up from the Taala Hoogan peeps at a local fundraiser for those affected by the Gold King Mine tragedy/spill.

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

Getting the pages lined up in order... it makes my brain seize up and sometimes leak out my ears...


Why are zines important?

Making zines is a relatively cheap, self-reflexive practice that is usually a healing way to go about your daily life.

Thanks, Russell! 

ZINESTER Interview with TAHNEE UDERO

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

The most recent one is called High Mija. It’s a female stoner zine that incorporates culture and identity. The first issue is a combination of personal memories, family photos, recipes, and pop culture. The second one is a collaborative issue with submissions from Chicanas from across the US about our adolescent marijuana experiences. It will be released the day [of] fest.

Another one I’ll have is a reprint of the girl gang issue of my teen movie zine Desperate Youth. The third installment is still in the works I swear. I was hoping to have it completed but it’s not done yet. I reached out to the amazing Robin Eisenberg and has agreed to do the cover! I will definitely make merch with whatever she comes up with.

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

The first one I made was a mini-zine out of a folded sheet of paper. It was mostly images I gathered to go with a cassette I released for my solo noise project TAHNZZ. Once I had all my photos I think it took me all of ten minutes to put together. It’s the perfect size for anyone new to making them.

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

They can be summed up as feminism, culture, and my Nana. I give her credit anytime I make or do something creative. My Nana taught me about crafts, design, style, and being resourceful among other things. After I started making zines I went back to her scrapbooks and photo albums and realized that a lot of things she made for our family reunions look like a page from a zine and were made with a copier. I used a flyer she made for our first reunion as a page in High Mija. I like that I am able to incorporate her work with my own even if she is no longer with me.

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

Something you publish yourself. They can be about anything and look like basically anything. They provide freedom and something that you can bring a lot of creativity and expression to. This week I saw a zine size I had never seen before, a triangle. I love what people come up with.

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

I definitely do! I get really excited about all the women of color making radical zines right now. I am extremely inspired by the work of the women involved with St. Sucia, Chingozine, Cosmica, Ms Malcriada aka Suzy X, and CHIFLADAzine to name a few.

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

I have so many ideas for zines. It can be hard to start and most of the time they aren’t fully fleshed out but I try and start anyway. If I’m committed to my idea they will eventually come together, and sometimes you just have to start small. I have limited access to a printer and copier but once that is worked out the process is fun for me. I like designing the layout and cut and pasting my way through the whole thing. If there is frustration it is usually at the copying end.

I’ve only been making zines for a couple of years but the medium really speaks to me. Now that I have found them I will continue to collect and make more. I have some personal zines in mind that will use the old family photos and documents I have to tell my family’s story and my own. The challenge for me is deciding what to work on and making sure I give some time to different projects. It took me a long time to figure out what I’m really interested in and good at. Now that I have I want to keep all those wheels turning.  

Why are zines important? There is a long and short answer to this and I’ve learned more about their historical importance over time. Mostly I think they are a great way to share your story. There is not a lot of room for small ideas and voices, at least the world doesn’t make you feel like there is. It doesn’t seem like there is space for you to be heard too. Zines give you that space. Thanks, Tahnee! 

ZINESTER Interview with: DIAHNDRA of JUSTWRITE

Hello zine friends! We're a mere FIVE DAYS from ABQZFV. Gulp. No, no-- everything's fine (revived by smelling salts). We're excited to bring you more interviews this week. We hope you've enjoyed catching up some of the zinesters you'll meet next Saturday. 

Today, we'd like to introduce you to Diahndra of JustWrite-- an organization that uses zines to champion social justice.


Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.    

The zines JustWrite will be tabling at ABQZF are literary and visual art zines, including art work and poetry by our gente in prison and those who are returning citizens.  These zines tell our stories, reflecting on where we've been, where we are, and where we're going.


When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?  

The first JustWrite zine was created in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Detention Center in 2012.  The zine holds our stories - our experiences, where we come from (place, family, culture) our struggles, our inspirations and achievements and covers themes of incarceration, addiction, state and domestic violence.          

                       
Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.  

Our influences are each other, ourselves and the community surrounding us.


What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?" 

 An underground magazine, for us, by us.  A medium in which we can speak to the world and share with the world with no censorship.  A place where we can tell our own stories and deconstruct the way media portrays us, as well as deconstruct issues of race, gender, class, etc.


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

We still have so much to learn about zines, but we love local zinesters because they encourage the publication and sharing of zines and accessibility to arts and culture in our community.  We love Marya and all she's done for the growth of the zine culture in Nuevo.  We love zines that have revolutionized the way we view ourselves and the world around us.  The zines that speak the truth, bring awareness and cover real issues affecting us and the world around us.


What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

 For us, the most challenging thing about making a zine is fitting everything we want to say at the time we're creating a zine into one publication.  Our zines we make collectively are typically bigger and contain more content than your average zine.  This increases the cost of reproducing the zines, however, we don't want to leave anything or anyone's voice out.   The thing we most enjoy is there is no limitation in making a zine; we can express anything we want to express and it's coming from a real place inside ourselves and how we view the world and experience the world.

Workshop participant showing his zine pride.

Why are zines important?  

Zines are important to us because they are a vehicle for change and also a reflection of ourselves and the revolution that is happening inside of us.  Zines allow us to be journalists and share our lived experiences and learn about the lived experiences of others.  For us, zines are a journey in which we come together and tell our stories.  When we're creating a zine, we're opening ourselves up to the world through creative expression and this creates awareness around our situation and it's also an avenue to get our stories out there.

Thanks, JustWrite! 

ZINESTER Interview with: SHELBY CRISWELL

We're back ! Just over about a week to go, folx!  Next in our zinester interview series we'll hear from Shelby Criswell!

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

 A lot of my work revolves around trans issues and just being a human in general. I will have a table full of comix ranging from cute to funny and serious to "Oh shit, I need to shut up and listen to what this person has to say."

When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?


I made my first zine when I was six years old. My dad was a graphic designer so he helped me format the book and print them. They were just a bunch of drawings of my family and bands that I enjoyed like (don't laugh) Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach.



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

 Rebecca Artesmisa's super rad fold out zines are sooooo pretty! I wish I had the ability and patience to sit down and make all of those. The fortune teller fold out zine is definitely my fav!



What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

 I think the most challenging is formatting the book to print right and folding them just perfect, which is also the most tedious part of the whole process. It makes me want to throw up and poop my pants at the same time. But after making them for so long, it kind of comes naturally and folding 200 zines in one sitting becomes a breeze. I enjoy thinking of a concept for a book. I probably have a notebook with thousands of zine/comic ideas that I have never even got close to making and most likely never will.


Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

My grandfather is for sure the first influence I had, just on my artwork in general because he was an illustrator for Hallmark and I always aspired to be a great cartoonist like him. I can also attribute the other two influences on my zine/comic work to Daniel Clowes whose strange comics made me want to illustrate my own stories and the wonderful people over at Bitch Media because they informed me on a lot of issues and inspired me to talk about them.



What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

 Arts and farts, man.

Why are zines important?

 Publicity. Art for art's sake. Activism. Farts. Poetry. Cuteness/Kawainess. Showing the world you're a groupie. Fame. For being awesome. Communication. Having Senpai notice you.




Thank you, Shelby! 

ZINESTER Interview with: SAMANTHA ANDREWS

Hello, Zine Friends!
Meet Samantha Andrews-- first-time zinester with a BRILLIANT zine we're all going to NEED...

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

I will have copies of my very first zine: The Zinesters Guide to Albuquerque, Issue 1. This issue will focus on East Downtown and Downtown Albuquerque. It will have lots of fun, low-budget places and events to check out in Downtown Abq. The zine will feature vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurants, parks, and free things to do. This zine is a perfect gift for someone who is coming to visit Albuquerque for the first time! Or for any Albuquerque enthusiast.



When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

This is my very first zine! Except for maybe zines I made as a kid, but I'd have to ask my mom about what those were like...

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.
My dad has always been an inspiration to me because he just works really hard at everything he does. He has a great work ethic. He always told me that it was ok if I didn't understand something at first, but with time and patience I would get better. I try to emulate that work ethic in many parts of my life. Bikini Kill. Litter Brain. I feel really lucky to be part of this band with a group of awesome girls. They've helped me in so many ways. I love them.

Litter Brain

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

Handmade mini magazine.

Do you have a zine crush?

If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection? I love [Tahnee Udero's] High Mija and her Desperate Youth Zine.


What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

Getting started is always the hardest for me. I tend to have a lot of project ideas floating around in my head and it's hard for me to pin one down and focus on it from start to finish. My favorite part of the process has been putting it all together. Once the writing and drawings are finished I love cutting things up and seeing how everything comes together into a complete piece.

Why are zines important?

I think it's important for people to have an outlet for their creativity and zines are a perfect medium for some people. I used to think that creative people are always just creating perfect, beautiful pieces and that's what they have always done. I know now that's not true, but at one point it was a hindrance to me creating anything at all. Zines are a way for me to create imperfect things but still feel really proud of them. It's more about a process for me, like I'm not trying to make a gorgeous, polished publication; It's just fun, silly, and lets me explore new ideas.

Thanks for all your hard work guys!



Thanks, Sam! 

ZINESTER Interview with: NOT LIKE YOU FANZINE

Hey! 

Wow, it's the last day in September. Things are getting REAL. Legit. Check out zinester interview number three with Not Like You Fanzine.

Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

I will have issues of my zine Not Like You. It covers punk,hardcore, skateboarding and pretty much anything else I find interesting. I will have issues 2,3,4 and the photo special available. Each issue consists of interviews, record reviews, scene news, photos etc etc  Issue 2 even comes with a 7" compilation record. The interviews include Backtrack, Praise, SNFU, The Faction, Ian Mackaye, BL'AST, Final Conflict and a host of others.




When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

I started Not Like You in early 2014. I needed a creative outlet and had done zines on and off since the Mid 80s. The first issue came out in March of 2014 and featured interviews with 2 members of OCHC band Done Dying, NJHC band Huge, Fred Hammer (a staple of the Southern California Hardcore scene) and Tony Rettman (author of Why Be Something That You're Not and NYHC Books.) It also included record reviews, news, some photos and more

Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

My zine work has been influences by classic zines such as Schism, Run It, Boiling Point, No Answers, Hardware, Guillotine, and a host of others, Photographer Glen E. Friedman and his now classic My Rules fanzine, and long time zinester and author Aaron Cometbus.

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

Zines are similar to magazines only they have more heart and substance and usually cover way cooler subject matter.

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

My lips are sealed.

What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?

The most challenging thing for me is getting bands to return the interviews they commit to. I have 3 I'm still waiting to get back, one of which was sent in April of 2014. Punk rock is a lot of things, but timely apparently isn't one of them.

I enjoy everything about it. From doing the interviews, to writing record reviews to laying it all out and putting it together. It's creative from start to finish and is almost therapeutic for me to work on.

Why are zines important? 

Zines are just as important as small press books and comics, as it gives a voice to those who otherwise may not be able to publish if not for the platform we print in. They are windows to subject matter many may not be exposed to otherwise and personal zines are often outlets for the creators, that wind up touching the readers in different ways. Plus it so much cooler to sit down to read a zine than just click on a blog online.

So true.
Thanks, NOT LIKE YOU FANZINE

ZINESTER Interview with: SARA CENTURY

ABQ Zine Fest is only twelve days away! To get the countdown started, we'd like to introduce you to the fine folk presenting their zines at ABQZFV! First up: Artist, filmmaker, musician, podcaster, genius, Sara Century. 



Please tell us about the zines you’ll be tabling at ABQZF.

I have 2 self-published comics, mostly about depressing stuff, but with a few jokes, 'Cut' & 'Bleak City', and whatever else I come up with!


When did you make your first zine, and what was it about?

My first zines were just interviews with bands and that sort of thing. When I was around 24 I started doing a really personal comic / zine about failed relationships called 'New Girlfriend'. That went for 2 issues, then started over and went for 4. My friend Tana Thornock did a few of the comics, too. I hope she puts out more stuff, because her comics are just great, really perfect personal stories. I am currently moving into writing books, but most recently put together the zine for the 6th year of the Gatas y Vatas music festival with Cecilia McKinnon, whose music and friendship I highly recommend.


Name three influences in your life that have affected your work, or even how you work.

1. Gilbert Hernandez's comics, including Love & Rockets but pretty much everything he has done. My comics take a lot of influence from him, it's not intentional but I think it is obvious, but it's more than my comics. My whole world view had that melancholy yet relentlessly kind angle that I see in his work, and the level of forgiveness he gives even his worst-behaving characters is really profound. We also share an ability to look unflinchingly at the most chaotic and violent aspects of life while retaining a rather absurd sense of humor about it. People criticize him for the way he draws women's bodies, but that criticism is irrelevant because most of his commentary is about how terrible men are to women with specific body types, that they are fetishized for having them, and that everyone's body image reflects deeply on their character.

2. Yoko Ono's words, art, and music, because she is decades ahead of her time, and the world still hasn't caught up or given her even a fraction of the praise she deserves as literally one of the most innovative and influential artists of the latter half of the 20th century. Even the avant-garde fails to acknowledge her or list her among her male contemporaries. It's really gross the way the world has treated her, truly fucked and indicative of much greater issues facing women of color and feminist artists. She has spent her entire life working for peace when pretty much every other artist or musician of the 60s lost their edge to either drugs, money, or Watergate. Her wisdom is great, and her music is, to me, far preferable to that of the Beatles. Her lyrics often qualify as feminist theory in and of themselves.

3. Dorothy Parker, whose wit and writings were an absolute beacon to me as a young teen when I first discovered her in the shelves at the library. She was best known for making jokes and poems about her depression, addiction, and suicide attempts, but her reviews are hilariously snarky before women were allowed to be that, her screenplays were fantastic (the original "A Star is Born" is really just one of the best movies), and her short stories are either hilarious, or devastating, or both. Her humanitarian side was something she often hid, but she was once arrested for protesting the then pending execution of Sacco and Vanzetti, as well as donating most of her estate to the MLK foundation upon her death. She wrote many heart-wrenching stories about the mistreatment of African Americans in the first half of the 20th Century, often in a way that was from a white perspective but that pulled no punches discussing how truly vile white people could be to PoC. Her criticisms are specific to the time period, but of course the actions and scenarios she describes are often ghosted by white people even today, and remain relevant. My small town library didn't carry bell hooks, so these stories were part of my introduction to the true severity of racism, which is often portrayed only as these violent moments, seldom examined via the social sleights and microaggressions inflicted on PoC by white people of every time period. She taught me that I don't have to be nice and I don't have to dumb myself down, that to do either of those things would compromise my value as an artist. My artistic sense of bravery came very much from Dorothy Parker as much as it came from zines and punk rock!

What do you say when someone asks you,  "What are zines?"

"Self-published pamphlets which can be about absolutely anything from the profound to the utterly mundane. The subject matter and the level of quality runs the gamut and back again."
Do you have a zine crush? If so, are you willing to reveal the object of your zine affection?
Hm, there's a few I shouldn't say, but I think I can pretty freely say Vanessa X of Asswipe, which is a really great zine that covers music and the punk rock life that comes out of Oakland, and Osa Atoe of Shotgun Seamstress, who is definitely one of the smartest people on the planet. They are both so incredible, and they have the qualities I find essential in a crush: intelligence, art-obsession, very sharp humor, and kindness. There are so many more zinesters I could rave about, who might be crushes too, but we haven't had the conversation, "Hi, PS I have a crush on you." I'm always pretty secretive about my crushes, anyway. There have been a few times where I started out by crushing on someone, then we became great friends, and I was really stoked not to have acted on my initial thoughts of crushing on them.


What's the most challenging thing about zine making? What do you enjoy most about the process?
Going to the copier is the most challenging part, I think. Formatting is annoying to me, but it's so much of the process, so you have to learn to love it or get out now while you still can. What I enjoy is that if I don't want to make a book, or I don't want to go to a publisher, I don't have to. I'm able to make something that is all me and that is exactly what I want to say. I also really like selling out of a zine. That's the moment when the zine feels completed. I enjoy the process, but the process of creating art is just what my life is centered around, so that's typical.


Why are zines important?

I mean, this question is sweeping. Asking why zines are important definitely leads me to wish to break down each zine I love and say why that one in specific is so important. To start, zines are important to me as a lesbian, as a queer woman. The first lesbian-run 'publication' in North American was 1947's 'Vice Versa', which was typed out on carbon paper and distributed via mail. Each reader was encouraged to give their copy via person or mail to another queer woman, thus despite there being only roughly 10 copies of each issue, hundreds of queer women were able to read the zine. In times where lesbians were literally sometimes sent to mental institutions and practically tortured in attempts to make them straight, or were even sometimes lobotomized, the existence of such a zine is now viewed as being a veritable godsend to the lesbian community. In the 90s, the spread of feminism is almost directly attributed to the zines that were out at that time. Zines have helped countless music scenes and subcultures thrive and survive. That's exclusively from a North American standpoint: one can only imagine what kind of zines are being made in countries with heavy news censorship laws at present simply to spread word of the real news. Zines help survivors of abuse and assault talk about their healing process under a pseudonym, keeping their writers safe while reaching out to others in the same situation. Zines are beyond important, and they will never cease to be important, whatever new forms they might take.


Thank you, Sara!

Visit Sara Century's table at ABQ Zine Fest on Saturday, October 10th. And, later that evening DON'T MISS Sara's solo music set at the Tannex, 8pm. $5

ABQZFV earwig for your eyes!

Video collagist Brian Fejer created this meditation on ABQZFV for us! It’s so much fun. Please watch this visual earwig, and have a great time at zine fest, coming up SO SOON.

The Countdown to ABQZFV!

ABQZFV is nearly here! Thanks for coming out to our pre-zine fest events! It's been great to see you all, and totally fun to get excited about our big day on October 10th. But first-- we have a few more events before we gather our forces and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

1.) On THURSDAY, September 24th at 8pm don't miss GET LOST: a Benefit for ABQZF at Sister, downtown. Three dollars gets you in. We'll raffle off prizes, we'll have ABQZF merch and THREE punks bands on board. Constant Harmony, punk tricksters Rudest Priest, and new darlings, Time Wound. DJ Mello will spin tunes in between! This is your BIG CHANCE to support ABQZF before the fest! 

2.) The FINAL event before the fest!! On OCTOBER 8th at 7pm Join ABQZFV organizers Marya and Liza for a night of last-minute zine-making, cruise the zine library, and help prepare for the big day! We'll be making zines, hanging decorations and more. And then two days later, ABQ Zine Fest!! Yah! We'll have tables and chairs set up so you can work on your final layouts, and a few typewriters to add a little verve to your paste-ups. This event is free-- but if you want to put some dollars bills in the jar, we won't say no! 

3.) Look for Zinester Interviews coming your way, start on OCTOBER 1st! Every day until zine fest we'll post an interview on the exhibitors coming to ABQZFV. The first interview: Sara Century! 

See you at ABQZFV!

Bike to ABQ Zine Fest

Hello cyclists! For the last four years we've produced a cycling event called Seek & Zine. Thanks so much for participating in that super fun event. We're giving the scavenger hunt a little rest this year, but we're still gonna ride!

Our zine fest friend, Lee Ann is leading a ride from the UNM Duck Pond that will end at ABQ Zine Fest! Show up at the Duck Pond at 11AM and take a little ride!

Thanks for leading the charge, Lee Ann!


See you all at ABQ Zine Fest on OCTOBER 10th!

Queen of the Road: Zinester, Mother, Publisher, Sage Adderley

Posted on October 4, 2013

Right now, zinesters are motoring across the deserts of ‘MERICA, soon to arrive in Albuquerque for ABQZF (It’ll be a speedy journey, as nearly all of the Nation’s national parks are CLOSED, but all the better for US. Get here already)!

One such zinester is Sage Adderley, cruising in from Olympia, Washington. Sage is the proud owner of Sweet Candy Distro, one of the most orderly and and diverse distros in all the land.  Sweet Candy works with writers from all over the US and around the globe. Topics featured in SCD include mental health, feminism, body image, gender, parenting, food, travel, art, survival, fiction stories, and so much more. Check it out! The amazing Sage also runs Sage’s Blog Tours-- an online service that secures “book tours” for authors via the pages of popular literary blog sites. WHAT?! Like we said, BRILLIANT.

If that weren’t enough, Sage, mother of three, also just added a book publishing arm to Sweet Candy. She just released Heavy Hangs the Head, by zinester Taryn Hipp (Lady Teeth), and is currently collaborating with zinester Jonas Cannon (Cheer the F Up) to publish his book, The Greatest Most Traveling Circus. In fact, they just launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise the necessary funds to get the book to press. Click the photo below to screen their campaign video!

Photo by Courtney Dowdall

A zinester in her own right, Sage will be tabling her long-running zines, Marked for Life and the comp zine about loving your body,  FAT-TASTIC. She’s also writing and editing her first novel. (Jeez! Did we mention she has THREE KIDS? How do you do it, Sage?!) You can take a look at Sage’s zines right here.But why not save you dollars and purchase zines from Sage in person, on Saturday at ABQZF?!

Photos courtesy of Sage Adderley and Courtney Dowdall.