QA
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What prompted you to start publishing zines / books?
In 2002, I was making lots of drawings and at a critical point stumbled on certain self-published comic books, graphic design pamphlets and music zines, they made me realise how easy it was to use a photocopier to make small editions of cheap books. It seemed like a really great form for self-promotion, so I started making experimental booklets, playing with various printing tricks and formats. I lost interest in trying to use them for commercial gain, and eventually I had the discipline to write comics, and to print my own comic books.
Seeing other artists do it themselves, realising there were no publishers that'd be interested in printing my books, and having friendships with various shop people, I soon knew I'd get a lot more satisfaction by printing and distributing them myself.
How do you think the the internet and digital media has affected zine / self-publishing culture?
I don't really feel like there is any real kind of zine / self-publishing culture. I feel quite ambivalent about all of the zine and publishing fairs, because I don't know if that's the best context to be introduced to these publications. I like to have my books on a bookshop shelf, mingling with other books, in places that can give that chance for 'discovery'.
Actually, maybe the fairs are good, anywhere you sell books, you get the opportunity to provide an unknown person with their 'discovery'.
I like selling them online and putting them in envelopes. I'm not interested in the social aspect, my books are far more important than I am, it's probably a lot more interesting for the reader to not know who I am.
The internet is amazing for distributing and promoting self-published books!!!
Especially people blogging and writing about them.
I think the tactile qualities are easily transmittable through good photography, and it's wonderful receiving a new book in the post.
I think that so many artists and graphic design students have got a lot of inspiration from seeing zines on the internet and a lot of people are making experiments, playing with photocopiers, risograph machines, and learning.
I think the only downside is that it may have generated some kind of artificial scene or movement, but as long as you're not an idiot it's easy to see truth, and as long as we use our own discipline we can use our machines to make some great work.
What is the future of zines / self-published books?
lots more people will come and go, making a few tries and then losing interest, zines will become more and more uncool. But I feel like it's inevitable that some people will stick at it, and we might see some truly interesting and wild works of art coming out.
Printing your work helps you to get your ideas finished, complete. It means you can move onto the next one, and keep going forwards. Maybe this is the most important thing about self-publishing. Stops you getting stuck in the mud.
there will be zine workshops at art and graphics schools, and people will try to write essays about the phenomenon! hahaha
In 5 years, we'll have a look around and say "what a waste of paper!"
in 10 years, we'll look back and only the truly remarkable works will still be interesting.
Do you think a digital alternative will eventually replace the printed zine?
Digital books are wonderful for more transient needs, and they will simply demonstrate the difference in experience of reading a physical printed book. We'll learn what books we prefer to hold as paper and understand the value of certain printed publications.
Not that many people are really interested in zines. Those that are interested in zines understand that one of the most appealing things is holding these things in your hand, swapping them, having them in your backpack or whatever.
People will keep making zines, whether anyone buys them or not.
Thinking about political or music zines, there's so much potential for reaching more readers, spreading your message with the internet, I can see a greater relationship, some kind of parallel publishing makes the most sense.
Hey man, who cares ?!!! self-published books and zines come and go, they'll all either end up in the recycling bin or rotting in a soggy basement!!
--
http://lmsn.eu
http://famiconexpress.co.uk
--- On Mon, 17/10/11, William Harvey wrote:
From: William Harvey
Subject: Zines In The Digital Age
To: l_m_s_n@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, 17 October, 2011, 16:21
Hi Famicon Express,
I'm a third year graphic communications student at Bath Spa university. As a part of my final study I'm looking into zines and self publishing in the age of the internet and the ipad and why tactile printed media still matter. I would be extremely greatful if you could answer a few short questions to help aid my research,
What prompted you to start publishing zines / books?
How do you think the the internet and digital media has affected zine / self-publishing culture?
What is the future of zines / self-published books?
Do you think a digital alternative will eventually replace the printed zine?
Thanks!
Will Harvey
www.will-harvey.blogspot.com