What is a zine, and why would I want to make one?
A zine (pronounced "zeen," like the last syllable in "magazine") is a self-published, non-commercial work of written and/or visual art typically produced and distributed in limited batches. In other words, it's a small, handmade booklet that you design, print, and share or sell yourself--without the hassle of waiting on approval from publishers or institutions. Zines and zine culture evolved alongside DIY punk culture, with a long history of engaging marginalized communities and empowering individuals to share their voices on their own terms.
This 3-hour, generative workshop is designed to introduce newcomers to the magical world of zine-making. We'll start with a brief overview of zine history and culture, then we'll explore dozens of examples of zines collected from around the world. As we discuss the wild diversity of topics, layouts, and printing styles seen in modern zines, we'll find inspiration for our own creative work. We'll spend the final part of the class brainstorming ideas for creating our own zines and discuss approaches for designing, formatting, printing, and distributing this uniquely liberating form of creative expression.
Zines are incredibly fun to make, cheap to design and print, and easy to distribute. The beauty of this form is its freedom: There are no limits to what you can put in a zine and no rules about the "correct" way to make one. Have you been itching to create something using both your brain and your hands? Want to learn an easy way to share your work with your community? Are you sick of submitting your work to the internet abyss and never knowing if it was consumed or appreciated? Are you on a budget but have something to say? Join us and design your first zine! Absolutely no experience necessary.
Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout for 10% off through May 6! (Porch members, check your email for your special earlybird discount code.)
.jpg)
Anna Elise Anderson is a writer, artist, and teacher with a B.A. from Davidson College and an M.F.A. from the University of Florida. She served as Artist-in-Residence at Gainesville's Austin Cary Memorial Forest in 2017 as well as the inaugural Steve Kemp Writer-in-Residence at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2019. The first two volumes of her serial zine L.I.F.U. won "Best Zine Overall" in the 2014 St. Petersburg Zine Fest, and her visual art and poetry zine, SHE THING, was selected as a literary finalist for the 2019 Broken Pencil International Zine Awards. In the past, she's worked with the Franklin Park Reading Series in Brooklyn, served as Culture Editor of Charlotte Viewpoint Magazine, and taught creative writing workshops at the University of Florida, Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management, the Great Smoky Mountains Association, Nashville School of the Arts, and The Porch. Her writing on art and design is regularly featured in Architectural Digest and Metropolis Magazine, while her poetry, art, and fiction have appeared in Hobart, Quick Fiction, The Scapegoat Review, Smokies Life, The Healing Muse, Kindling Arts Festival, A.I.R. Gallery, Treehouse Magazine, Grasslimb Journal, Charlotte Viewpoint, Defy Film Festival, Hearty Magazine, The Oakland Review, and elsewhere. She also makes music under the moniker WHEATS.
"Elise Anderson is a great teacher, very inspiring and very engaged with students' learning. You can tell she loves what she does. I'd take a class with her anytime!"
"Elise is an excellent and very organized instructor. She is so approachable and created a positive, safe environment for workshopping pieces, and gave quality feedback on assignments. I hope to take another class from her in the future!"
"Elise Anderson's course was fascinating and immensely useful. Her teaching style was encouraging and engaging, filled with creative approaches for observation and awareness."
