I want to start a zine

[Ned Kelly]

I've got no idea where to even start! :crying:
Help!!!?

[¿Que?]

You need some sort of layout software and learn how to use it. Find a tutorial. I have adobe somethingorother but it's expensive and I got it through questionable means.

So then you need to decide if it's going to be one page, or like a newsletter type thing or what.

Then you need to decide if you want to just go for a kinkos regular paper or newsprint. I think newsprint might be more expensive in the long run because you'll have to print a shitload, probably more than you need. You don't want to be stuck with 50 copies of your zine that nobody wants. So just make like 20 or 30 regular kinkos paper stuff (or better yet, some local printer in your area).

Design the layout based on the type of material you have. Puts some pictured on it to make it more interesting to look at too.

And that's it. The hardest part really is getting people to actually read the thing.

[Niccolò Rossi]

Before you get to the logistics of producing a zine you need to establish some more fundamental issues first. For example, What's the goal of producing a zine? Who is your target audience? Where are you going to circulate it?

Nic.

[Ned Kelly]

I want to write about strike actions, industrial issues, student issues, around Melbourne, and attempt to circulate it through Trades Hall

[ellipsis]

You need some sort of layout software and learn how to use it. Find a tutorial. I have adobe somethingorother but it's expensive and I got it through questionable means.

Not really, you can lay them out by hand and then photocopy the pages, or just use a word processor. Zines are DIY, so you can really make them whatever way works for you.

I say check out zine library (http://zinelibrary.info/)

they have zines about making zines, if you just search the site.

[¿Que?]

Not really, you can lay them out by hand and then photocopy the pages, or just use a word processor. Zines are DIY, so you can really make them whatever way works for you.

I say check out zine library (http://zinelibrary.info/)

they have zines about making zines, if you just search the site.
Ah, yes, thanks for the correction!:thumbup1:

[Bitter Ashes]

The more old fashioned way of getting these things done is through a photocopier. You get the text and pictures cut out into little pieces and put them onto an A4 piece of paper. Move them around and arrange them however you like and then glue them into place. You then take you sheet of paper with your prototype to a photocopier and away you go! :)

[Sasha]

some pro-tips by ian bone:


October 11, 2011 (http://ianbone.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/the-mystification-and-professionalisation-of-radical-paper-production/)
THE MYSTIFICATION AND PROFESSIONALISATION OF RADICAL PAPER PRODUCTION (http://ianbone.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/the-mystification-and-professionalisation-of-radical-paper-production/)

Here’s the quick ten point talk I gave to the Rebellious Media conference on local radical papers based on my experience with Alarm in Swansea and the Bristolian;


1. Content is all important – presentation is fuck all. You’ll never need more than two sides of A4

2. Need to get down there and muck rake – it’s the NOTW audience your after.

3. Council corruption, regeneration, property deals will get you started. Once up and running punters will give you stories.

4.Aim high – Alarm sold 5,000 a week Bristolian 15,000. Should be possible to sell more than local evening paper.

5.Distribution: Regular street sales, same place/time every week. Pubs will take papers no problem. Use Metro holders to stick your own papers in….especially on buses you can use their distro system

6.Nothing wrong with plagiarism

7. Avoid funding like the plague. Like Bill Hicks said about advertising any paper that takes funding is fatally compromised. Two sides of A4 easily survive on sales/ donations. if it cant its crap.

8.Humour vital – give councillors and bigwigs nicknames. the Bristolian renaming a police operation with a ridiculous name to protect badger cullers ‘Operation Gasbadger’ brought ridicule on it. swansea council leader Sid Jenkins renamed Sid Vicious and never recovered.

9. Your aim is to make your paper’s view of life in your town the common sense version (Gramsci on hegemony).

10. I was offering a copy of Alarm to a bloke in a pub. he waved me away ‘i aint interested in polItics’. ‘Oh no’ said his mate ‘this aint poltics this is the truth’ Game over


:cool:

[The Idler]

Just don't waste your money on printing more than 20-30 copies until you can anticipate demand.
You can use OpenOffice Draw, Serif or similar software for layout. You can even use OpenOffice Writer or MS Word/Publisher if necessary.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

http://www.scribus.net

Open source publication and layout software...

Freeeeee