a zine bibliography

    For those of you unfamiliar with zines, here’s a quick definition:  a zine is typically a self-published not-for-profit magazine.  Heterogeneity characterizes the zine world, which spawns diversity in format, size, scope, purpose, and periodicity (often erratic).  In my opinion, one of the best attributes of many zines is honesty.  Zines form out of passion, not profit, and so a reader often finds viewpoints and ideas not commonly found in commercial magazines.  A zine can provide refreshing purity of content in comparison with the watered-down mainstream media, and in the process, give an unfiltered voice to people who are routinely stigmatized and stereotyped.

    This bibliography was originally prepared as part of a course I took on diversity in libraries.  It is in no way comprehensive; there are thousands of zines published worldwide.  When available, I’ve included accompanying websites or email addresses.  It’s always best to contact a zine editor first before sending payment (especially if you’re a librarian who wants to set up a standing order or get a sample copy).  Contact information for most of the following zines (if not provided) can be found in Zine Guide, mentioned in the resource list at the end of the bibliography.

Disclaimer: I haven’t read or seen all of these zines and cannot vouch for value of content, publication frequency, or reliability of the editors.  Most zine editors create zines in their free time and often cannot place them as their highest priority.  Please keep this in mind when waiting for responses to inquiries.   

Alabama Grrl - Women's issues and activism.  Information on the website for the Southern Girls Convention.  Visit this address: http://members.tripod.com/ailecia/

Alternative Press Review - "Your guide beyond the mainstream."  Articles, reviews, columns, and selections from the alternative press. http://www.altpr.org/

Atheist Coalition - "A coalition of unbelievers: atheists, agnostics, rationalists, skeptics, and secular humanists. Our goals include keeping a firm, tall, and wide wall separating church and state; promoting atheism as a worthwhile and wholesome point of view; promoting science literacy; and coordinating efforts with groups who have the same goals." http://www.angelfire.com/biz/atheistcoalition/

Bamboo Girl - "Zine that challenges the issues of racism/sexism/homophobia from the point of view of smart loud non-traditional girls of color." http://www.bamboogirl.com/

Bitch - "Seeks to be a fresh, revitalizing voice for feminism, one that welcomes complex arguments and refuses to ignore the contradictory and sometimes uncomfortable details that constitute the realities of women's lives." http://www.bitchmagazine.com/

Brat - "A youth and young adult activist zine and organization located in Louisville, Kentucky. Our goal is to promote social awareness about and among youth, encourage community-based activism, and support independent, progressive cultures." http://www.brat.org/ Free to prisoners.

Crazed Nation – Mental health issues.  Contact: Crazed Nation c/o David Kime/251 S. Olds Blvd., Apt.84-E/ Fairless Hills, PA 19030-3426.

Cross Bearers – African, African-American, and African-American women’s issues.  Contact: Cross Bearers c/o St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church/POB 090492/Kansas City, MO 64109.  Free to prisoners.

Cultural Survival Quarterly – “The award-winning magazine of Cultural Survival, the non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities around the globe.  Articles explore the interconnected issues that affect Indigenous and ethnic communities.”  http://www.cs.org/

Drop Out -  “Dedicated to discussion of deschooling, alternative education, and dropping out.”  Contact: Drop Out ATTN: Pamela Davis/1114 21^st St./Sacramento, CA 95814-6803.

Duplex Planet – “Zine about life at the Duplex Nursing Home in Boston.”  Features interviews with older adults and personal essays by older adults.  Contact: Duplex Planet ATTN: David Greenberger/POB 1230/Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  Email: duplanet@global2000.net

EatSquid - "A NYC-based web zine. It's a project born out of the perception of the way we see the world. What we have in common is our cultural background - we are all Asian-American. We have been raised within two often contradicting cultures of western and eastern sensibility and this duality is what makes us. EatSquid is a raw look at life and it's about shedding light on what we absolutely love about being Asian."  http://www.eatsquid.net

Esperantic Studies – “An occasional English-language newsletter on current topics and projects in the areas of Esperanto studies and interlinguistics, published by the Esperantic Studies Foundation, 3900 Northampton Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015.” http://www.esperantic.org/

Giant Robot – “From movie stars, musicians, and skateboarders to toys, technology, and history, Giant Robot magazine covers cool aspects of Asian and Asian-American pop culture.  GR's historical pieces on the Yellow Power Movement, footbinding, Asian-American gangsters, and other savory topics have been cited by both academics and journalists.”  http://www.giantrobot.com/

Hardboiled - Asian-American issues.  “Everything from underground films and music to education reform, profiles of community leaders and APA athletes to police brutality against Asian Americans, and even deconstructions of Asian pornography to a look into the world of Asian American zines and independent media.”  http://www.hardboiled.org/

Holy Titclamps – “Promoting the homosexual lifestyle since 1989…nothing should be assumed about anybody’s sexuality, including yours.”  Print copies usually come with the latest issue of Queer Zine Explosion, a queer zine review zine.  http://www.holytitclamps.com/– larrybob@io.com

Mouth – “The voice of the disability nation.  Dedicated to disability rights and discrimination issues.”  http://www.mouthmag.com/

Moxie Magazine - Moxie inspires women to live boldly, pursue adventures, take risks, and provide others with vibrant role models in the process." http://www.moxiemag.com/

North Coast Xpress – “A quarterly magazine committed to educating the public, as well as prisoners, about political, social and economic issues related to justice, including but not limited to: preserving the democratic ideals of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, safeguarding the environment, explaining U.S. domestic and global economics, revealing how the criminal justice system works, and providing a voice for underrepresented minorities.” http://www.north-coast-xpress.com/~doretk/

Oriental Whatever – Asian-American oriented zine.  Contact:  Oriental Whatever c/o Dan Wu/2250 24^th St. #231/San Francisco, CA 94107.  Email: orientalwhatever@hotmail.com

Plotz – Plotz – “The Zine for the Vaclempt.” Jewish issues; “celebrates Jewish pride.”  Current issue is her last before she calls it quits.  c/o Barbara/POB 819, Stuyvesant Station/New York, NY 10009.