Green Zine #14
Review in progress.
$2.50
$2.50
Hello Alabama -
Courtney of Muse zine moved from North Carolina to Alabama in order to attend grad school. This typewritten zine lays out the heartache she has experienced since her move. Being that her partner is from Alabama, she felt prepared in relocating since he would be with her. Culture shock set in quickly as Courtney realized that in her new town people would assume that she automatically shared the same values, attended church, and would be receptive to racist comments because she is white. Even a guest speaker shows how racism plays a part in this deep part of the south when Courtney learns he is from a nearby library system called, “Uncle Remus.” The other thing that weighs on Courtney is having to stifle her pro-choice politics because of anti-choice terrorism that runs rampant in parts of Alabama. She also touches on greenwashing and recycling in this one shot zine. And to not have the zine finish on a bad note, there is a “cheer up” list at the end.
$2.00
High On Burning Photographs #4
A great cut & paste style personal zine by Ocean in Pittsburgh. In High on Burning Photographs #4 Ocean pays a tribute to tough girls. She touches on her recent sobriety and how in a strange way she felt as if she was betraying her family because of their bonding while intoxicated. There is a bit on her job as a mailroom temp and how she now ensures to put something fun on her bills she pays via mail to give the mail clerk something to smile about. Ocean also tells a story about how an AIDS activist and the AIDS activism group ACT-UP made an impact on her life as an adolescent. In the 24 pages of this zine is great writing and tons of material. The epitome of a short zine boasting quality above quantity.
$1.00
High on Burning Phototgraphs #5 / Asylum #1
This is a great split zine done between Matt and Ocean. This is a unique split due to the fact that Matt is currently incarcerated having met Ocean via a prisoner book program. He had written a delightful letter to the program which Ocean enjoyed so much that they became pals and thus a split zine ensued. Matt writes of a sick cellmate and how he basically became his caretaker, how he created a home in Folsom Prison, and his lack of parole plans. Ocean shares an amazing story of helping her employer attempt to recreate a Jackson Pollock painting, how she broke into her queer identity, and homesickness for NYC. Both zinesters share some books they have read recently as well.
$2.00
How to Guide on Starting a DIY Events Calendar
This is a great little guide on how to keep a calendar in your city or town for upcoming events. It begins by showing you how to start the calendar including where to find the events and how to put them down on paper. Images of some of the calendars from Pittsburgh & Ohio are included to give an idea of how this calendar/flyer can look. There are also tips on how to keep the project in action and how to distribute your completed calendars. $1.00
I’d Start a Revolution/Riot Grrrl split -
A split zine in its truest form. Jolie Noggle and Hannah Neurotica each take a side writing what their experience with Riot Grrrl in the 90s means to them. It’s full of the bottled up energy from that time and a wonderful throwback to the zines of that era. Jolie’s side, I'd Start a Revolution but I Don't Have Time, talks about how she got into the music genre and how it inspired her write zines and start her own spoken word tape label. Also included is a copy of a letter from Kathleen Hanna that helps to kick start her creativity when she’s down. Hannah’s part, Riot Grrrl, talks about what Riot Grrrl did for her as a girl in NYC then going off to college in small town Maine. She brings up how in awe she was at a show when she realized girls were allowed to rock just as hard as the boys. Hannah also touches on her internship at Kill Rock Stars records.
The spoken word CD includes 20 tracks total. Eleven tracks by Jolie and nine by Hannah. Explicit content so please be mindful.
$3.00
I Hate This Part of Texas #5
Luckily,
the beginnings of this zine was one of the things John took with him
when evacuating New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. In this issue
John talks of visits to the hospital both for his own ailment of a dislocated
shoulder and to visit a friend. He also touches on dressing in costume
and drag and how liberating it can be. I enjoyed the piece regarding
spirituality and finding connection and love without necessarily having
belief. A very positive and thought-provoking zine.
$3.00
I Hate This Part of Texas/Keep Loving Keep Fighting #7
A “spliced” zine rather than a split zine so says the introduction
to I Hate This Part of Texas & Keep Loving Keep Fighting #7. Both
John and Hope are New Orleans residents who were directly affected by
Hurricane Katrina. This spliced zine takes into account both of their
experiences with the aftermath of a natural disaster and how they’ve
chosen to continue to live in New Orleans. They both write about their
belongings, both salvageable and not, and also the mud and sludge that
is all over everything up to the levels which the water rose. They
grieve over loss of home and friends, and the changes to their city
including the increased crime and poverty. However the zine does wrap
up on a positive note with the joy that rebuilding their community brings
to them.
$3.00
In or Out? (Bisexuality & A Place to Call Home)
This zine was put together a few years ago by a woman in Canada. It is a good resource for support for bisexual persons and those who have relationships with bisexual identified persons. The zine talks about feeling comfortable claiming the term bisexual but also gives reasons to resist, since the term bisexual implies that there are only two genders. In or Out? also brings up both privilege and oppression one may come across if they are bisexual. There is a section that dispels the ridiculous myths such as “Bisexuals are just hypersexual people,” or “Bisexuals are really just confused.” A good resource list in the back of books and websites, and awesome advice for social workers who are helping someone identified as bisexual.
$1.00
Indestructible
Following
her zine, Green Zine, Cristy Road packs a punch with the beauty of being
a young, queer, female, Cuban punk living in Miami in the 90s in her
book, Indestructible. The details of the discovery of life and meaning
are what is found in the pages of this beautiful novel graced with the
beautiful illustrations she creates. Relationships with men, women,
music, body and creation are all examined in this tale of growing up
and learning to accept yourself and assert yourself in the world.
$6.00
Introvert #4
Introvert
#4 is the zine that I published in October 2005, coming back into zines
after a six year long hiatus. Ten different short pieces throughout.
The style is that sort of teetering between fiction and non twisting
words in an enigmatic puzzle. Everything is based on a true story
or at least a vivid daydream. Topics include an inspiring road trip,
flings, first love, and dealing with being an introvert. This issue
was once described as tasting like sourdough bread with really good
peanut butter. $1.00
Introvert #5
One
of my more honest and raw zines that I have written. Introvert #5
strays from my usual enigmatic writing style. I put my insecurities
and anxieties out there in this issue. I talk about body image, gender
confusion and my irrational fears. Also a short piece on feeling alienated
amongst the crowd I call community. Be mindful of your own mental
health when reading, could be triggering.$1.00
Introvert #6
This zine is dedicated to and about my nephew Ethan who passed away from
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 2007. It took awhile for me
to come to the point in which I could write about his death, but I felt
it was something important. Introvert #6 deals with the past two years
and how I have tried to figure out how to support my family through
this tragedy and come to terms with my own feelings about it. I also
speak about my future fears in having my own children. Included
are also valuable resources for information on SIDS and SIDS organizations.
Please read with caution, could be triggering.
$1.50
It’s Not the End of the World
Ocean brings us a very valuable resource on how to deal with Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis. She starts off with her personal story
of recognizing her own Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and how she has learned
to manage it. Advice in this zine covers a vast amount of areas including
how to not have people minimalize your pain, stretching techniques,
how to diagnose (especially if you are unable to see a doctor), and
common occupational hazards for CTS. This zine is extremely informational
and well put together.
$1.00