Session: Introduction to Zines / Finding Distro for Your Zines (7/14)

Zines = independent, photo-copied, small press run, non corporate, can be about anything

Zines source of community building

Zines compiled in formal and informal ways

Produced via cut and paste, computer programs, use of copy machines for artistic purposes

Pricing - no one wants to pay $3 + for a zine never heard of

Trading: Punk Planet, Fact Sheet Five, Maximum Rock, Art Attack, PDXzine (internet), Zinebook.com

Read zine reviews and offer to trade

Formats: 1/2 size, 1/4 size, packaged, perfect binding, 1/2 legal, 1/4 legal, statements in a package, split zines (shared authorship)

Etiquette: when writing for zine tell about self
Send postage stamps or money for
Include candy or stickers
Don't be catty about other zinesters
Respond immediately for requests for zines
Ask permission to use other zinesters' material

Distro attractive for distribution if zines are clearly written, edited, readable, appealing format, engaging cover, layout relates to content, subject matter is original, binding relates to content

Some distributors prefer "flats" that they can copy themselves

Finding Distros

Time consuming
Distros often specialize in a particular kind of zine
Distros often want to see free copies
Maximum Rock and Roll, DYI yellow pages at byofl.org
Leave zines in buses, Laundromats, library books, restrooms, etc.
Have an organizational plan in writing

Costs: consignment or wholesale (60% of cover)
Trade; exchange for credit towards zines
Watch for "rip-off" distributors

Mail: Send many zines at once, use media rate, invoice, build rapport with post-masters

Session: Zine Libraries (7/14)

Presenters: Bryan - IPRC Portland, Travis - Civic Media Center, Gainesville; ? Olympia

Categories: Music, comics, food and drink, games, queer, humor, misc., personal, political, women's studies, prose and poetry

Catalog by: Title, Author, date, number, and category

Questions arose regarding zines as archival given their ephemeral quality

Zine libraries as public libraries rather than special collections

Zine libraries documenting underground and everyday life

Importance of local collections

Bias toward paper zines as opposed to other types of media zines

Issues of copyright - let it go vs. those who want control

Session: Writing and Community Activism Panel (7/15)

Participants: Writing around Portland, danzine, IPRC, Indymedia

Indymedia:

Part of a global network of 40 ind. Media centers
Network began during WTO in Seattle
Alliance offers alternative to corporate media reports
Publishes weekly news digest made up of email reports and chat room - available at print.indymedia.org
Assumes information leads to better choices
Focus on globalization and worker rights
Administration: core group, consensus decision making
Fact checking takes place through online discussion of indiv. Articles
Sells videos
find ways that people do not have to ask for permission

Write Around Portland:

Literacy = confidence in what you have to say and then mechanics
There are no deserving poor
Helps people speak for themselves to dismantle stereotypes
Finds audiences for people
Debriefs negative public school experiences
Multiple language
Builds community
Creating a model for other cities
501 c3 modeled on Non-Profit Corporation Handbook
Administration: board + 2 co-directors + volunteers; fundraising through house parties, grants
Concerned that fundraising leads to off message
Need for public ethic within communities to fund such organizations

Danzine:

Responds to corruption in sex industry by management
Counteracts stereotypes of sex workers
Unified voice against management
Needle exchange program
Sell sex for money on own terms
Beginning of world wide network
20,000 budget
Administration: board + director + staff + volunteers. No one is paid; fundraising through donations, parties, cabaret, thrift store, grants (difficult to get unless an org to help hookers leave industry)
Human reduction philosophy - accept people where they are, have faith that people can take care of themselves

Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC):

Responds to public's desire to learn about and make zines
Began in 1998 in association with Chloe and Reading Frenzy bookstore
Regular meetings, socials, and exchanges
Zines seen in context of personal is political
Tools to help people create their own media
Community out reach to schools, community presentations
40-100 dollar sliding scale membership fee or 5 dollars an hour
Administration: board + director (Rebecca) + staff + volunteers
20,000 - 30,000 budget
trying to find sustainability