As a queer person who grew up in the ’90s and whose mom had very little expendable budget, I OBVIOUSLY loved zines and was elated to hear about the Twin Cities Zine Fest and their series of readings over the next couple of weeks. For those who did not have that experience and may not know what I’m talking about, a zine is loosely defined as a small, self-published collection or snapshot of the zine maker’s original work. Independent comic and collage artists utilize this format frequently.

One of the great things about zines though, is that that definition is loose and a zine can be almost anything so long as it is primarily original work and is self-published. While zines have been around since the 18th century in some format or another, modern makers are often most inspired by the ’90s resurgence that started as part of the riot grrrl movement. Zines are currently seeing another resurgence, likely connected to the ’90s nostalgia that current mainstream culture seems to be infected with, but that also seems to have connected various subcultures back to their ’90s identities as well. Though zine communities may slip under the radar in between those surges of fame, they do exist pretty much all the time. For 12 years, The Twin Cities Zine Fest has offered a cornucopia of independent art, and to me, this event represents the best thing about Minneapolis: cutting edge independent art on a large, visible scale that focuses on the plethora of marginalized voices making themselves heard.

For the past several decades, zines have reemerged into our artistic milieus. The community of creators that pops up is especially interested in expressing anger at the system, highlighting oppressed voices, and otherwise uplifting what we now would call themes of social justice. This means, in short, that there is no shortage of brilliant LGBTQ+ artists involved in any zine movement, and Zine Fest is no different.

As zine artist D. Allen says “Zines and small books often resist capitalistic pressures, in that they can be made cheaply, with shared resources, and given away for free or sold for very little. Also, for me, zine-making and bookmaking are inherently collaborative: It’s about creating small bits of art and information that benefit our communities, that fill some sort of need that conventional publishing has ignored. That’s really queer to me.”

This statement efficiently sums up ideas that many queer writers, including myself, can and have written endless papers and essays about; the freedom, true art, and creativity that marginalization can actually bring if you find a way to work around the resource shortage and suppression these communities face. Zine Fest is a really exciting chance to see such art take a rare moment in the spotlight, which also creates a rare audience and patron experience in turn. If you aren’t familiar with zines, you are going to be thrilled by the newness that Zine Fest will bring you. If you are familiar, then you already know what to expect — anything!

While the Twin Cities Zine Fest has been going strong for 12 years, this is it’s biggest event ever. The Fest itself has over 50 exhibitors, workshops in case you want to learn how to create Zines, and tons of other related activities. Most exciting this year though, there are TWO zine reading sessions, including an all queer reading this Friday at Quatrefoil (the Twin Cities very own queer library)! The other reading is Friday the 23rd at the renowned Minnesota Center for Book Arts and kicks off Zine Fest weekend.

The zine readings are an opportunity to hear something totally different than your normal spoken word experience, as well as gear up for the Fest on Saturday, September 24th. This year’s Fest is at the Walker Community United Methodist Church from 11am-5pm. Though many erroneously think self-published work is often self-serving, zines have always been about community and shared resources. They have always been about fighting oppression (or at least providing a voice to those who have been silenced). They have always existed as a response and subversion to mainstream media. Appropriately then, Twin Cities Zine fest also features community organizations who will be on hand to support the radical efforts of artists and, in many cases, show off their own social justice-oriented DIY published pieces.

As mentioned, THIS Friday at Quatrefoil, from 7-8:30pm, there is an all-queer Zine Reading to help us get extra pumped for this year’s Twin Cities Zine Fest. Artists reading are Sam R. Schmitt, Leda Zawacki, D. Allen, and Stephanie (Stevie) Ursula Aristizába. I’m especially interested in Zawacki’s work, as she states her work as art that “explores themes of Native American mythologies, fantastical creatures, and empowered adventurous women”. She went on to tell me: “With my work I try to give women and girls positive empowering characters to relate to and look up to. To represent women who are brave and adventurous,” a sentiment right up my alley that I can’t wait to see in zine format.

Because zines are about sharing and collaboration, Zine Fest is free and open to the public and taking place at well-known cornerstones for Twin Cities art and advocacy.

Twin Cities Zine Fest
Queer Zine Readings
Friday, September 16th, 7 P.M.
Quatrefoil Library

TC Zine Fest Kick Off Reading
Friday, September 23rd, 7 P.M.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts

12th Annual Twin Cities Zine Fest
Saturday, September 24th, 11 A.M. To 5 P.M.
Walker Community United Methodist Church

All events are free and open to the public.

Further Reading
More on Zine Fest: http://tczinefest.org/
More on artist D. Allen: thebodyconnected.com
More on artist Leda Zawacki: cupofstars.com