Saturday, January 24, 2009

Marceline's zine challenge


Earlier this month, Marceline of Asking For Trouble made a post in her blog that initiated a challenge to her readers to create their own zine. Marceline is a self-proclaimed "zine evangelist" and has been creating zines for a good long time. In her post, she made her challenge especially pointed at four makers who she would really like to see create their own zine and I was one of those she selected.

When I read her post, I immediately busted out my finest Mufasa interpretation and roared "Is that a challenge?!" at my monitor. Then, I accepted her call with pride and determination because I've always been tempted to try.

So far, I have sketched a few ideas but I am finding this task to be more arduous than expected. I'm not an avid zine-reader so I feel a bit lost. Thinking of a topic or theme seems to be the hardest part. I suspect I need to read a few more zines for inspiration so I'll be more familiar with the genre. I love this kind of research and required reading suggestions are more than welcome! I'd also love a few ideas for what to make my first zine about. So far, my only concepts are a tribute to french toast with techniques and recipe ideas and another about really absurd tips for having a happy relationship with your bunny companions with lots of illustrations of rabbits wearing romaine-leaf capes. So yeah, I need a little help.

8 comments:

ink and ginger said...

Excellent Lion King reference.

I really like Evil Twin Publications:
http://www.eviltwinpublications.com/notta.html

I own several of them, but the title I've seen circulating the most is "Notta Lotta Love Stories." All of them are beautifully written and produced, and there's a great range in terms of scale and theme and production value.

I also really like "Applicant," which is a collection of headshots circa the 1960s - 1980s (?) along with snippets from previously confidential records explaining their rejections.

Aaaaand yes. I used to read a lot more when I was younger, but that's what comes to mind now.

ink and ginger said...

Oh! I totally forgot to mention, one of my favorite zines of all time is "Stolen Sharpie Revolution," which is a zine about making zines. A really good resource, with good tips on logistical stuff as well as how to figure out what to write about in the first place.

Anonymous said...

Oh, both your zine ideas sound great :)

I am totally going to do a post about some of the zines I have very soon, promise. Little Paper Planes has some cool artist zines, if you feel like going down that route.

Jen Collins said...

i'm more of an image person than a word person, so mine is going to be mainly pictures. most of the zines i have are image based, so they'll be my inspiration!

Elise of Argyle Whale said...

I'm so looking forward to your zine Jen!

Thanks for the recommendations. My idea of what a zine is has broadened and will probably make this challenge simpler.

Fluffy Buns said...

Oh - I think it will be pretty obvious that I give the 'BUNNY-ZINE' my vote! My bunny thinks it's a great idea because I might pick up some more ideas of how I cam spoil him. It is really hot here in New Zealand so I have just put some grapes in the freezer to give him when I get home from work. Oh how I love my baby.

Amelia said...

I would definitely love a zine with photos of bunnies in romaine capes. Maybe trying on different capes. I think that's a fantastic idea!

Haley said...

I would totally read both of those zines. Especially the second for the adorable bunny pictures, but you could probably draw some pretty cute french toast too.