Sometimes as writers and creators we feel as though we should create a certain item and for zine makers that sometimes manifests as 'I should make a zine about x.' However you need the motivation to actually work on (and complete) that zine otherwise it will languish on your to-do list for months. If you would rather exercise, watch Supernatural, read, craft, cook or ___ then work on your zine then your motivation for that zine topic is lacking.
Choosing a topic
Most zine makers have a lot of ideas for zines and there are two considerations when narrowing down potential zine topics. The first is related to perfectionism. We think 'This topic is great! It will be so fun to make BUT if I wait until my skill in relation to x is more advanced than the whole zine will be that much better. I'll wait...' This reasoning results in you not actively practising that skill AND avoiding a zine topic that you love. One of the wonderful consequences of the small print and distribution numbers of zines is that you can easily re-release updated versions of past zines. You can remake the same issue. You can stop distributing an outdated zine. You can change your pen name and pretend you never released that zine! The second consideration when choosing a zine topic related to your motivation regarding that zine topic in relation to how much time you have available to spend on zine making. If your zine making time is frequently occupied and at odds with time spent on other hobbies, consider making a zine about that hobby - thereby killing two birds with one stone.
My 'Tatting Basics' zine is a zine related to my hobby of Tatting.
Creating Content
Content creation is probably the biggest worry for new new zine makers and the topic that is hardest to give advice on because so much of content creation is entirely reliant on the individual. If you gave the same zine topic to 50 zine makers, the content of all the resulting zines would be unique. The most important thing to remember concerning content creation is... done is better than perfect. If you are motivated and excited to write about monsters in space then do it - even if you struggle with layout or only have enough content for a mini zine. The process of creating the zine you want to create is a valid reason for creating it.
Layout
There are as many ways to layout a zine as there are zine makers. Finding your zine style is a just a matter of trail and error. My first zines took ages to do the layout for and the end product wasn't that good! But as I use the same layout style for every zine, I can now go from a finalised computer file to a zine that is copied and collated in a few - relatively stress free - days. My layout style does not change from zine to zine which may or may not be true for you. I write, edit and organise content in a computer file, then print out and cut-and-paste the content into a layout which is then copied and collated into the final zine format.
I encourage you to create content in a format you are comfortable with.
'Winged Snail Mail' is my oldest - and longest running zine series.
It can be fun to create zines for your own benefit and enjoyment but distribution is a fulfilling part of zine making as well. Increasing the distribution of your zines can help make zine making a monetarily self-sufficient hobby. Most folks start making zines as a creative hobby and understandably do not keep accurate records. As you move your zine making from strictly hobby toward a more monetarily self-sufficient hobby it becomes important to audit your zine situation in order to accurately describe where you are and help you make decisions that reflect your future goals. An audit is simply a realistic examination and description of your current zine situation.
How much does it cost to photocopy one zine?
How much does shipping cost per zine? (domestic and international)
How much are your selling platform fees? (etsy fees, paypal fees)
How many copies of your last issue did you produce?
How many copies do you currently have in stock?
How many did you trade? What was the cost of trading?
How many did you give away?
How many did you sell?
Are you breaking even on your zine production costs?
Are you breaking even on your zine distribution costs?
How can you reduce zine related costs?
The Definition of Success
It is beneficial to have a clear view and definition of what a 'successful zine' is for you. Have you had 'write a zine' on your to-do list for years? Then just finishing is a success! Do you frequently release zines and want to up your game? Sending zines to review sites might be the definition of success.
I define success in terms of the things I can control.
I can control the quality and content of the zine I release.
I can control the methods and frequency of self-promotion.
I cannot control how many zines are purchased.
I cannot control how my zine is received.
It can be difficult to determine what a 'popular' zine topic will be but my zine making endeavours are about more than sales. I enjoy the research and creativity of zine making. For example, I recently released 'Winged Snail Naturalists' Society: Birder Beginnings' which motivated and inspired me to learn about birding which has been on my 'to-do' list for years. The personal consequences of releasing that zine is my continued interest in local birds - and that zine was a success even if I did not sell many copies!
