July 1-31

International Zine Month

Get creative and celebrate International Zine Month by making your own zines or supporting independent creators - it's all about self-expression!

Yearly Date

July 1

Observed

Internationally

Introduction

Get ready to celebrate creativity and self-expression on July 1st with International Zine Month! This month-long celebration began in 2009 as a way to promote zines, which are self-published magazines or booklets that often contain personal artwork, writing, and unique perspectives. Zines have been around since the 1930s and have been used as a tool for marginalized communities to share their voices and stories. It's a great time to support independent artists and creators by checking out local zine fairs or making your own zine. Let's spread some love for this DIY art form!

International Zine Month Timeline

1930s

Birth of Zines

Starting as fanzines in the science fiction community, zines are born - small, self-published magazines or booklets that promote self-expression.

1970s

Zines in Punk Culture

Zines become pivotal in punk culture, providing a platform for sharing ideas, artwork, and music among underground communities.

1990s

Riot Grrrl Zines

Zines play a crucial role in the Riot Grrrl feminist movement, focusing on personal experiences and political issues.

1996

First Zine Fair

The first Zine Fair takes place in Toronto, Canada, becoming an annual gathering for zine creators and enthusiasts.

2009

International Zine Month

International Zine Month is established to celebrate and promote zines, further encouraging self-expression through this DIY art form.

How to Celebrate International Zine Month

1 Create your own zine

Use this month as an opportunity to create and self-publish your own zine. Let your creativity flow and share your unique perspective with the world.

2 Support local zine creators

Visit your local zine fair or independent bookstore and support local zine creators by purchasing their work. Not only will you be supporting small businesses, but you'll also discover new and diverse voices in the zine community.

3 Host a zine swap

Gather some friends who are interested in zines and organize a zine swap. This is a great way to share and exchange zines, as well as connect with other zine enthusiasts.

4 Join a zine-making workshop

Many art centers and community organizations offer zine-making workshops during International Zine Month. Take advantage of these opportunities to learn new techniques and meet fellow zinesters.

5 Start a zine club

Gather a group of friends who are passionate about zines and start a zine club. Meet regularly to discuss and share your favorite zines, as well as collaborate on creating new ones together.

Why We Love International Zine Month

It celebrates self-expression

International Zine Month is all about celebrating the power of self-publishing and DIY culture. Zines allow people to express themselves and their ideas freely, without any restrictions or gatekeepers. It's a chance to share stories, thoughts, and creativity with the world in a unique and personal way.

Zines connect communities

Zines have a long history of bringing together like-minded people from different backgrounds. They can be found at zine fairs, online forums, and even in libraries. International Zine Month is a great opportunity to discover new voices and connect with others who share similar interests through the power of zines.

It supports independent creators

By participating in International Zine Month, we are supporting independent artists and creators who put time, effort, and passion into making each zine. Zines rely on word of mouth and community support to grow, so by purchasing or trading zines, we are directly contributing to the livelihood of these creators.