Customer Reviews

Whatcha Mean, What's a Zine?

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have spent the past ten years working with zines in various capacities and when I heard about this book, I had to admit I was skeptical. It is notoriously hard to capture the spirit of zines in book form, but this book is pretty awesome all around. The layout of the book is done exactly like it would have been done if it was a zine, which rocks. The information provided by the book includes clear and insightful guides on how to physically make a zine, as well as heartwarming personal stories about the personal connections that can be made through zines. This is a super helpful book that I'm glad is around.

I am so tired of all things slick and polished and perfect and manufactured and sanitized. Making a 'zine is a great way to be imperfect, original, dirty and raw. This book shows you how. It is quirky and fun and inspiring. Love it!!!

I've been zining off and on for about 9 years now, almost a decade. I've done so much thru zines and now even run a regular e-zine on my own website. It was natural for me to pick up this book when I saw it laying around at teh library. It was love at first sight. Some of the best known names are mentioned in or contributed to this volume. Zining = hardcore rad.

This book may seem somewhat odd to some due to its format, but to zine fans it'll feel like a zine right in your hands! Seriously! It looks and reads just like a zine you'd find in the doorway of any dive or on the newstand of any place or on the table of any coffee house in NY or LA.

It's an easy read and, despite some ppl's unfounded complaints, is quite adult but still should not be given willy-nilly to any youngish folk. I guess resposibility is one again the fault and frame-up of others to place on writers and publishers. It's sooo passe.

There's a lot of 'how-to' info in this book and I'm quite sure that anyone that picks it up, whether zining is old hat or ur the proverbial virgin, you'll be zining in no time. I even started working on a new limited-run zine about Hep C and my trials with it right after I read this book! Def inspirational!

After reading this book, I decided to make my own zine. I titled it "Bill Cosby Nightmare" and handed out all ten hand-made copies to strangers in the street. If I had not read this book, I would never have made my own zine. This book tells you everything you need to know about zines - how they are made, what they are about, their history, etc.... The book itself even feels like a zine, but it's not because it is not hand-made.

This book would be a great gift for anyone who grew up reading and buying and making local zines. It reminds us of our past. It reminds us of how simple things can be.

This book makes a great "bathroom" book.

Anyone who reads this book will be INSPIRED to make their own zine. I don't think you can read this book and NOT WANT to make your own zine.

It's about time somebody explored the world of zines in a proper way!!!! NICE!!!!!

This book is a must for someone who would like to start comics on their own or someone who's into comics or illustration and awakes inspiration. It's a really well put reference. They have superb tips and it's very fun to read. I'm glad and proud of my purchase :)

I spent my teen years devouring music zines, and now in my mid-30s although I'm still a fan of the form, I rarely check them out any more. Nonetheless, I find myself thinking about starting one, so this seemed like a great book to check out. It's certainly true that blogging software has dramatically eased one's ability to present one's thoughts to the entire world. However, blogs have other limitations and for people like me, there's really no substitute for the satisfaction of having a tactile object. This book is a very nice basic introduction to the nuts and bolts of starting a zine (or mini-comic), covering all aspects, from writing to collaboration, cartooning, postage, printing, photocopier tricks, binding and assembly, and finally distribution. There's plenty of step-by-step diagrams, and technical terms are clearly defined, all of which make it a really good resource for teens. Personally, I could have used a little more detail on certain elements -- for example, more on binding would have been nice -- but the editors probably made the right call to keep the book a manageable size. One thing I'm not totally keen on is the design -- it's put together in a zinelike format, three-color printing with sloppy typewriter-style text and tons of handwritten text, all of which make for occasionally confusing reading. Personally, I cleaner and crisper design -- even for zines -- but the book certainly captures the spirit of the zine world and is definitely inspirational.

This is a BEAUTIFULLY put together manual for making a zine or mini-comic. It is clearly made with the love and care of true zine-makers. I have been making zines for over 10 years and still found tons of information within the pages of this wee treasure that I had not before known. I would recommend this for all. It is just a magnificently inspiring and helpful document for self-publication.

This is a terrific book. its informative and does a great job of emphasizing the fun of the process and the communal nature of zines without being hokey. The layout and design wonderfully appoximate the handmade look and feel of a zine and as you're thumbing through it you find yourself thinking about your art supplies.

On the other hand its also very hip with kid friendly contributions that adults can also enjoy by some very talented artists like Ben Jones, Anders Nilsen and Ron Rege. Kinda reminds me of the Muppet Show when someone like David Bowie would appear. Does that make sense? Anyway its really a cool book so check it out!!!

This book takes the joy of zines and collects samples and advice into one compact volume. Looking forward to using it as a resource when I head a project for classrooms and individual students to begin producing their own zines. I have looked at many books and think this one is the best!

good info. and ideas. more for younger people but some good stuff for us old farts. a fun easy read