5 Lies About Zines Most People Believe

[@brattyxbre]

What are some zine misinformation you wanna debunk? Let’s talk about it ⬇️ To read my zines, check out my shop! www.brestinyprintshop.com And to read zines online for FREE check out the resources in the description ❤

[@justinransburg5560]

Thank you for mentioning the Harlem Renaissance! Black/African American contributions need to be continuously celebrated!

[@brattyxbre]

💯🙏🏽

[@Voltergeist]

There's also this belief that huge, kick-started fanzines with extra stuff like stickers and washi tapes and keychains are like...the norm... For zine culture? I've had to explain to a few friends what zines were and they said they thought they were just these hugely funded grand productions of several writers and artists who all got together to make a big project, and yeah it's still a zine, but that's not even the ONLY type of zine, and those kinds are relatively new!!

[@brattyxbre]

True! I’ve heard about that with fanzines and that’s not traditionally how zines were created, and very new. I’m on the fence about those productions personally, because I wonder just how accessible they are. I like them and think they’re super creative and fun…but if they become too expensive to make and sell, I feel they aren’t as accessible to people who don’t have a lot of money to donate to the production/kick starter or buy after it’s all made and complete.

[@Voltergeist]

@@brattyxbre I’m in the same boat. I’d love to hear you talk about it more some time if/when you’re so inclined!

[@octopuddle6933]

​@@brattyxbreI'm kind of a fan of calling big polished fanzines fan anthologies or fanbooks instead tbh

[@plumli4947]

@@brattyxbre I'm in that kind of artist alley/anime/fanartist community (I'm not going into how this happened or why we're like this) and I always wheeze a little people talk about zines, it's like ok, are we making a zine or gold foil cover anthology we're shrink wrapping and we need to appoint one trusted person to hold 5k in their bank account? And then there's some people who just make up a hashtag and just post art on that day and call it a zine. I'm losing my mind out here, I don't wanna gatekeep a word I didn't invent but I just think people are using words they don't actually understand out here. And I am sorry to the zinester community.

[@brattyxbre]

I feel you! Sometimes people will actually accuse other of "gatekeeping" when it's actually just...clarifying? Like, this happens alot where people think zines now have to be this super polished final book and I hate that it's being misunderstood in that way. I hope one day zines become to familiar as a DIY, accessible format so others will stop naming their anthologies/chapbooks/magazines/books as zines just because they are self-published. Maybe more discussions about zines will help! I sooo agree that people just throw the word around all nilly willy hahaha @@plumli4947

[@lou.4554]

I made an improvised zine on a paper towel last week ... just saying that the choice of material is of course not limited to "normal" paper alone, you can as well use a McDonald's napkin to ironically criticise McDonald's in your McDonald's impro-zine, or reuse your cornflakes packaging to tell the story of the brand's mascot ... really nice video, thank you!!

[@brattyxbre]

You’re absolutely right! Thank you for sharing your insight. I’ve seen zines made out of napkins at the bar, and cardboard from the trash… the possibilities are endless when it comes to zines! ❤️

[@jumies4056]

i really appreciate how anti gatekeeping you are, i’ve been making zines and comics (which would’ve been zines if i knew what a zine was at the time) since i was a kid but the online community around zines has helped me learn more and get more confident in my work. the internet is making zines more accessible, and if that’s ruining it for some people i think that’s on them

[@minnowartscrafts]

Same!! Like into my adult life making "pamphlets" for my friends and stuff... like, this video opened my eyes and was like, damn there's a whole COMMUNITY! That's so COOL!!

[@halesbellss]

Lie number 4 kills me because I have such bad political anxiety and in my free time I don’t wanna be consuming politics.

[@ArtbyBrooke]

I appreciate the discussion around money, artists shouldn't HAVE to be starving to be an artist. I love keeping them accessible, but if people are willing to contribute, it's a good thing! It'll give you more ability to be creative if you have security.

[@brattyxbre]

Couldn’t agree more!! Thank you so much for watching my videos 💞

[@ArtbyBrooke]

@@brattyxbre you're so welcome, I LOVE your content. It's super inspiring and relatable!

[@kitinnowhereland]

I never knew how integral zines were to the riot grrl movement! This video encourages me so much and now I am excited to make more silly little zines. When I've tried to explain zines to people who don't know much about them, it isn't unusual if they think zines have to be political and I myself thought that my zines would only be "legit" if I were talking about something deemed smart, timely, or relevant to the grand scheme of things. But I often find so much happiness in reading and creating zines about silly, relatable, or unique things and experiences! i.e. your Nic Cage zines hehe I am so happy the internet has led me to zines and your art. Thank you for sharing all the knowledge you have gained and the resources you find. I'm so happy you're letting people know that zines are for everyone to make and creating them should be accessible. I especially loved when you said anything you create your zine about is special even if you think it's not. You are my zine queen, Bre! :')

[@brattyxbre]

Riot grrrl has inspired SO many zines! I love reading archives from the 90s and seeing what was relevant back then (when I was just a baby lol) Thank you so much for all your kind words and support! It makes me so excited to hear that my videos help you, so now I am motivated to keep making more ❤️ Sending you lots of love this weekend! Take care :)

[@BarKeegan]

I like finding out that the origin of zines was older than I thought. I love how graphic the Fire zine looked

[@SmeeBucket]

Great video! One misconception about zines I've seen is in the form of promotional emails from a self publishing company I use. The past few years, they've been using International Zine Month as a way to entice people to self-publish magazines with them. Now, I absolutely love self publishing, and I like that the company actually promotes work of indie writers during that month, but I'm pretty sure an expensive professionally-printed and bound book is NOT the same thing as a homemade zine. It's still something the indie writer should be proud of, but companies misrepresenting zines like that feels like they're just trying to cash out on them like a trend.

[@brattyxbre]

I completely agree with you! If they cared about international zine month...they should provide information on how people can make zines at home or cheaply with local printers. Then they could say something like, "But if you'd like a more professionally printed work, no one does it better than us!" Like, if they were more willing to promote zines in a way that's DIY and accessible during IZM...rather than trying to profit off of them right off the jump I'd like that kind of email for spreading true zine knowledge. Thank you for sharing; I liked what you had to say!

[@SeikaMori-h1g]

I'm a game designer that just started getting into making zines. One thing that is very common in the indie game community (specifically on itch) is what we call community copies. You put some copies people can claim for free, and these are reserved for those who can't afford to buy. Whenever someone pays for a copy, a new community copy is added, like this those who can afford can add more copies to those that can't. I think this is a cool system to help make a product more accessible.

[@brattyxbre]

That’s so awesome! Donations in the zine community is very common, so I suppose it’s similar. But I love the idea of having free zine copies available for anyone who can’t afford them when I table or sell in my store…thanks for sharing what you know. It changed my perspective! This also reminds me of this awesome system I saw at a restaurant once. Customers who are closing their tab can purchase meals for the homeless. The meal ticket is added to a big wall so when the homeless come in they can pick from a meal ticket (which is already paid for) so they can enjoy a hot meal. Such a great way to care for the community ♥️

[@Emzjellybeanz]

Hell yeah! Love hearing about zines being used to uplift marginalised people

[@Bearbushka]

The biggest in-person feedback / criticism I got on the zine I just made was that it wasn't neat and that it should be neat. Nevermind that the process of creating my zine made nothing line up perfectly when I made copies (a bulky collage with thick papers can shift the folds on even the most perfectly folded master copy) but the whole point of my zine was to just create something to share my love for Calico Critters / Sylvanian Families, not to make this perfect little book. Also thank you for your amazing 16 page zine tutorial, I used it to create my zine ☺

[@brattyxbre]

I’m very glad my 16 page tutorial was helpful! Sometimes I’m never sure if I’m clear or making sense hahaha A neat zine sounds like an oxymoron to me…my zines are never neat! And neither are my friends zines. I think they “unneatness” reflects the passion and sudden inspiration felt from the creator and I love that! Also your zine about calico critters sounds soooooo awesome I’m curious and wanna see if you ever share it online, sell it, or do trades! Hope you have a great weekend @bearbushka ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Bearbushka]

@@brattyxbre at the end of this short I flip through my zine if you want to see ☺️ And I hope you have a beary good weekend too!!! kzbin.info-_MAOkqy95c?feature=share

[@froggyenchiladas]

great video! thanks for sharing the links. will def be using the zine calculator and the library! ive been wanting to read more zines but dont have a lot to spend on them. also i didnt know there were people who thought the internet ruined zines 😂like if it werent for the internet i probably wouldnt even know what a zine was lol

[@brattyxbre]

Right?! It’s usually the gatekeepers who say the internet is ruining zines lol thanks for watching ❤️

[@PorschaWrites]

I'm so glad you mentioned FIRE! As a Black wannabe( zinester) I look up to FIRE and everything out of Kitchen Table Press and the Combahee Collective

[@brattyxbre]

Yes! I totally agree. When I first started making zines I didn’t see a lot of us makin’ em, to know this history/Black zine contribution really inspired me. Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@DunkRyan]

I really loved hearing more about the start of zines in the Harlem Renaissance! I wonder how many from that time exist in archives or collections somewhere

[@brattyxbre]

I’ve seen two archived so far but I know there’s gotta be some deep cuts somewhere online!! An Instagram account I follow called @blackzinefair recently posted a really cool thing about Black Zine History (it’s their first post) and it mentions some of the zines from that time!! ♥️♥️

[@KennyRubenis]

Discovered your videos earlier this week and I love them! Currently thinking about my next zine that I wanna bring on a trip to New York where I'll also be going to a zine fair (not tabling, just visiting). I just wanna bring something cool to give to people I meet there! Your enthusiasm is making me want to start RIGHT NOW, but alas, deadlines come first. Greetings from the Netherlands! (See that, "internet is ruining zines"-people? I would have never known about this other zine maker if it wasn't for the internet!)

[@brattyxbre]

I’m so happy you’re here, Kenny! Thank you for watching it means the world to me ❤️ Definitely make that zine for your New York trip!! I always love being handed zines to get to learn more about the creator or just see their style. It’s a great conversation starter, too. Have a safe trip!!

[@KennyRubenis]

@@brattyxbre Zines ARE great conversation starters! I can be a bit shy when meeting new people, and giving them something small like a zine is a great introduction and especially at zine fairs makes you have something in common with the other person instantly. I saw you have a PO box, so I'll send you one once it's finished :) I'm also planning on making a zine together with the friend I'm visiting NY with (they're a comic artist as well, and it's gonna be their first time in the US) about our trip. Our styles are really different, so it should be a fun way of seeing the same trip from two different perspectives in the same zine.

[@BarKeegan]

And when it comes to profit, artists should all be encouraging each other to be profitable, if only to universally lift the perceived value of art

[@brattyxbre]

Agreed 👍🏽

[@J.Starsatz]

Hey! I just wanted to say thank you for being the reason i learned so much about zines! i just made my first and im so excited for the next and to tell my friends about them!! :D

[@brattyxbre]

That is awesome omg! It’s my pleasure to share what I know…keep making zines! 😭❤️

[@J.Starsatz]

@@brattyxbre I absolutely will! :]

[@james6562]

I recently got into zines, they're kinda helping my creative block :3 So it's nice learn more about them, especially from someone who's so passionate about 'em

[@brattyxbre]

I love comments like this! Thank you for watching and have fun making your zines :)

[@s.3712]

I got inspired by your videos and searched for zines in my city and I found an upcoming zine festival. Thanks, your content is so cool :D

[@brattyxbre]

Wonderful! 💞💞

[@cata_jpg]

watching this while i sort my zine haul from Auckland Zinefest!~ Totally agree on all of these! Also, thanks for the resources! And yesss love Nicezines calculator!

[@brattyxbre]

I’m so jealous you went to Auckland zine fest 😭 I bet it was so much fun!

[@chuzzbot]

I like the idea that it's 'auteur publishing' for some good cope to throw around. :)

[@valleyDweller]

thanks for the free link. nice to be able to dig through a lot of variety.

[@brattyxbre]

No problem, friend!

[@valleyDweller]

@@brattyxbre it all makes me feel very shallow with what I'm doing, but hey, popcorn and cheerios, right?

[@brattyxbre]

😭👍🏽

[@RhebeDraws]

If it wasnt the internet i would never knew my possibilities with self-publications. And would be a frustrated and silenced artist

[@mhmrules]

I would LOVE to read old non-political zines

[@brattyxbre]

They’re truly special. I read one the other day from the 90s about piercings and they bound the zine with a little nose ring…so cute 🥰

[@Otomeza_Production]

とても面白いです。zineを作るインスピレーションをあなたの動画から得ています。ありがとうございます。

[@lisareeg]

so a zine is basically a diy art book with a theme?

[@brattyxbre]

Sure! But zines are not limited to art, they can be about anything. So to hit all the bases I like to describe it as a self published booklet ^_^

[@lisareeg]

@@brattyxbre oooooh cool!

[@bohemiangarden565]

Artists who makes political science fiction zines is like filmmakers who makes westerners or comic book artist making superhero comics

[@brattyxbre]

All zines are valid to me