What is a zine? A zine (pronounced “ZEEN”) is a small-circulation, independently published booklet-style artwork. While a magazine is generally published for-profit by large organisations, zines have their roots in DIY subcultures and minority communities. They are typically not-for-profit and focus on community-building and sharing niche information and art. There is no right or wrong way to make a zine, but they typically take the form of small paper booklets that you can make with nothing more than a pen and paper, or you can go all out with epic illustrations, cut-up collage, fancy poetry, beautiful photography, fantastical storytelling, cool comics, and everything else in between! 

 

My zine practice grew out of my illustration work and my experiences tabling at fairs, markets, and comic conventions, where I first discovered the wider world of zines. Through these spaces, I quickly became obsessed with the format and the creative freedom it offers.

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I create my own zines inspired by a wide range of themes drawn from my life and interests, including art, anxiety, love, nature, feminism, travel, mythology, and cats. Zines give me a space to experiment, tell stories, and connect personal experiences with playful, accessible forms of making.

 

My favourite format is the mini-zine, especially those folded from a single sheet of A4 paper. I love their simplicity, immediacy, and the way they turn something small into a complete, self-contained world of ideas and imagery.

 

In 2020, I co-founded Coin-Operated Press CIC which is my social enterprise zine press. Rooted in Scotland’s creative community, we bring people together through workshops, zine fairs, and our travelling zine library. Each month, we collaborate with artists and writers to create new zines that amplify unsung voices. Our themes range from important causes close to our hearts to playful, joyful ideas that offer a little light in the darkness. We’re passionate about sharing our love for zines and creating educational resources that open up zine-making as a tool for expression, connection, and change.