One of the most time-honored methods for getting into print is to print yourself first, as the widespread readership (and eventual book deals) acquired by zinesters such as Pete Jordan (Dishwasher), Aaron “Cometbus” Elliott (Cometbus), and Shelley Jackson (Chainbreaker) can attest. But zines are much more than a building block toward book publishing, they are a vital mouthpiece for creators and teachers with an urge to share a story, a passion, an interview, or a talent for DIY. And since they are relatively inexpensive to make, and even cheaper to accumulate, they’re a very accessible medium for folks on even the most stretched out of shoestring budgets.

While there are no hard rules to adhere to when creating your own zine, it does bear mentioning that the more successful zines generally do incorporate some or all of the following tips into their creation.

Find a focus

Whether autobiographical chronicles, fanzines, or tutorials, the best zines tend to gravitate towards illuminating a specific trend or niche.

Find a format

The “standard” zines are either in “half-sized” or “quarter-sized” tabloid format, referring to whether the paper used is folded twice or four times. Often running between 16 to 96 pages, most zines can be easily “bound” with a series of staples, stitches, or school report-style brads. A great guide to designing and binding a tabloid ‘zine is included in Alex Wrekk’s Stolen Sharpie Revolution, published by Microcosm Publishing.

Get it out there

Many small, independent bookstores will accept a certain number of zines on commission. It can be helpful, too, to think outside of the bookstore bubble when considering commission-based sales. If your zine is about bicycle culture, for example, you can try placing it in your neighborhood bike shop, or if it’s a music fanzine, try the independent record stores. Alternative press conferences and festivals are good places to shmooze and trade copies, and once you gain enough momentum to publish more than a few copies at a time, zine distribution networks can help you get you into bookstores across North America, and even internationally if you’re feeling particularly ambitious.

Check out Part 2 of “Becoming the Media” in next week’s installment of the GIY Guide!