A Little Something for You to Think About

One of the things I think forms the foundation of this particular blogging community, one of the things that connects us, is our desire for growth in all areas of our lives--spiritually, emotionally, relationally, professionally, artistically.  We are a group of highly creative, deeply spiritual (and I don't mean that in a religious sense), incredibly open seekers.  Plugging into this community has changed so many of our lives.  I have watch many of you take amazing leaps in your lives, especially creatively/artistically, with the support of this community.  That being said, I've been tossing an idea around for awhile now, an idea I mentioned a few posts ago that I promised to bring up again, and I would like to get your valuable feedback on it.

I believe I'm a very talented photographer.  I love photography.  I love images.  I want my skill and professionalism in that particular area of my life to continue to grow.  I feel passionate about it and it is something I will pursue the rest of my life.  However, I still feel my writing is my true strength.  I love to take pictures but I ache to write.  I can go days without picking up my camera.  I can't go days without picking up my pen.  So I've been trying to decide what to do about that, trying to decide what's next...is blogging enough or do I want more?  And I always feel like I want more.  One of the things I would really like to do is find a venue that will combine both my writing and my photography but goes beyond blogging.  Lately one of my Mondo Beyondo dreams, one of the creative ideas that is pulling at me, one of the things I know I'd like to give a try if I weren't so damn scared is to create a zine.  A zine is a small self published magazine.  I know there are other bloggers out there who have created their own zines but I'm not very familiar with them so I don't know what they look like or what they entail. 

But here's the deal--I'm not sure how to get started.  What should it look like?  What are my publishing options? Would anyone even be interested in this?  This is my basic vision:  the zine would be called Tangled Wings: the zine about being and becoming (or something along those lines).  It would feature some of my own writing and photography as well as feature the writing and/or photography of some of my fellow bloggers.  There would be a new issue every season (4 a year).  The first issue would probably be an overall introduction of the concept and from there I might choose to have different topics of focus for every issue.  The whole zine idea is still a work in progress (one I'm not even certain I'll pursue but if I'm truly honest with myself I would at least like to give a try) so I don't have all the logistics worked out.

This is what I need from you:  feedback.  Have you or do you know someone who has their own zine?  Have you purchased a zine before and if so what did you like and not like about it?  Do you know of any publishing options (I know Blurb.com is a great one but it's a little more pricey than I want)?  What do you think of this idea?  Is it something you think people would have an interest in (since I imagine the vast majority of the people who might purchase the zine would be people familiar with my blog)?  Is there something particular you would be interested in seeing in this zine? 

This is a brainstorming opportunity so I'm hoping we can all put our heads together and come up with some things I may have failed to consider or some things I may be overlooking.  I think some of you out there know some really great resources that I don't know about so I'm asking for your ideas and suggestions or anything you can think of that might be helpful to me as I consider this endeavor.  And finally if you don't have any particular ideas and/or suggestions a few words of support/encouragement are always nice.

So...what do you think????...I need some feedback...   

Comments

[Marilyn]

I have never read and don't own any zines. I was going to refer you to Jen Lemen, but I see she's commented. I think it's a fabulous idea. And maybe I need to re-think my idea of 'zine' in general...because I always associate it with drawing. And why couldn't it be photography instead of drawing? I like Lulu (since Blurb seems a bit pricey to me)...but don't know if it would fill your needs.

[Thea]

You know I am wild about this idea:)

I think a hrad copy-in color would be the best-as it would be around peoples homes and with them and it would spread your talent with those that don't blog or read online as much.

I think it is a fabulous idea.

I am going to check out some resources for a blurb book, because I have years of photos on my computer of my son and instead of printing a bunch of 4x6 that then float around a book would be great. I will let you know what i discover ion the search.

Love you

[Thea]

You know I am wild about this idea:)

I think a hrad copy-in color would be the best-as it would be around peoples homes and with them and it would spread your talent with those that don't blog or read online as much.

I think it is a fabulous idea.

I am going to check out some resources for a blurb book, because I have years of photos on my computer of my son and instead of printing a bunch of 4x6 that then float around a book would be great. I will let you know what i discover ion the search.

Love you

[liz elayne]

you know that i think this is a fabulous idea my friend. i think that starting simple with the first few makes sense...as does selling them on an etsy site.

i want to write more in an email though...but i wanted to encourage you and say, "yes, yes, yes!" to this idea.

[deirdre]

I think it's a great idea. Have you looked at lulu.com? I've browsed the site a couple of times, but it's been a while so I don't remember what they offer, just that it sounded interesting and opened possibilities. Yes, it's a very good idea, one that I hope you'll explore.

[shona]

I think it is a wonderful idea, I would certainly buy one. I like the idea of combining words and photos (which is why I love Somerset Images so much) and to have zine with your photos and words in my hands is a very exciting idea.
I see zines as pieces of art, well thought out, the whole zine advancing the artists vision. My preference would be to have a real one as opposed to me downloading one, but others may like the other. It would be worth the extra postage for me to be able to read a hardcopy.... but that leads you into the quality of the printing and paper, especially with printing your photos. I am just thinking out loud.... but I know little about the production of one, but I can be a consumer :) I will be interested to see how you get on!

[shona]

I think it is a wonderful idea, I would certainly buy one. I like the idea of combining words and photos (which is why I love Somerset Images so much) and to have zine with your photos and words in my hands is a very exciting idea.
I see zines as pieces of art, well thought out, the whole zine advancing the artists vision. My preference would be to have a real one as opposed to me downloading one, but others may like the other. It would be worth the extra postage for me to be able to read a hardcopy.... but that leads you into the quality of the printing and paper, especially with printing your photos. I am just thinking out loud.... but I know little about the production of one, but I can be a consumer :) I will be interested to see how you get on!

[Delia]

I wish you lots of luck with it, no matter how you go! I also think that an online sort of zine has appeal, doesn't it? As someone else said, you could have downloadable components for things to actually have "in hand". I may be biased b/c I work for an online mag (Literary Mama) but I think incorporating both sides might be easier logistically? That said, the idea of a bookish sort of publication from you has great appeal to me as well--and you could sell them easily, I'm sure!
Love and luck to you,
D.

[jen lemen]

oh there's nothing happier that starting a zine! yay you!!! if you want, i'll send you mine for a little inspiration (if you don't have it), just email me your address. for better or worse, i have been to hell and back trying to create zines and am happy to give you the rundown--tricks and tips, so to speak.

best of luck!!!! you're going to love it.

[Sam]

Okay, so I thought I left a comment here yesterday, but apparently I got distracted mid-stream...anyway, I know NOTHING (actually, LESS than nothing) about this zine stuff, but I am confident that you will be led in the right direction on how to pursue this and make it happen. I can tell you that I would LOVE and TREASURE anything I could hold in my hot little hands that was by you and other talented blogging friends...oh! a total keepsake treasure for all time. And you could do an all-poetry one...maybe, if you wanted to...oh, please let it happen, the zine!

[Jennifer]

I think Zines are wonderful little creations meant for the soul. I only own one Zine and is it from Jen Lemen. And before I met her I kept pronouncing "Zine" wrong, in fact I still pronounce it wrong because I kinda like my pronunciation of it. :)

I am in the middle of making my own Zine now. Sometimes I look at it and think: is this even what a Zine is suppose to be. Because to be honest I am not even sure what a Zine is. According to Jen it is a little book that anyone can make and copy on a machine at staples. To me that sounded so simple, it sounded like something I could do. I am almost done with mine. My original intentions are just to give out to a few family members and friends, maybe leave some around town in different places. I do have a mondo beyondo dream of opening up my own Etsy Shop. But for now I just want to be able to create one, and I am curious how it will really turn out.

I think you should make one. I think they are great little books. I pick up Jen's Zine all the time and flip through it because it is filled with so much inspiration. And what is nice about them is you can carry them around with you easily and flip to them any time you like. I also heard their is a store in NYC that sells them.

You have an amazing talent for writing and photography. Combining both of those things into a little book that I could carry around with me and look to when I need some inspiration would be wonderful to have.

If you have any questions about the inner struggle to make a zine or anything feel free to e-mail me. And good luck!

[patricia J mosca]

Take a line from the movie Field of Dreams..
If you build it they will come...Best of luck to you...Could you start with a down loadable one ..and then work your way to print? Make it so that once the customer has paid they can print it out for themself...Just a thought!

[Angela]

this sounds like a fabulous idea! i have eyed some zines over at etsy too, and plan on some purchasing soon. not really much of a rescource myself in this area. but Justine of 62cherry (typepad) may be able to help you out with some of your questions?

[Victoria]

I've only bought one zine and consider it a keepsake. I like to check them out on-line, too. To include photos and words akin to your blog's layout would seem a good idea to me. Zines are a tool that appear to be growing in popularity. You have a special talent with words and photos that allow others to share in your message of hope.
For me, I get lost in the unrelentless thought process of:
"what they heck, it doesn't matter, who cares, what difference could it possibly make?", etc.
Your gift of words and photos have a way of dispelling this burden for me. I can't explain it, but reading your blog helps to remind me that IT DOES MATTER.
If a flower said, "oh forget it, I'm just gonna wilt anyway." I would beg it to please grow because it's beauty is food for the journey.
I'm always grateful for your words and photos, thank you.

[Victoria]

I've only bought one zine and consider it a keepsake. I like to check them out on-line, too. To include photos and words akin to your blog's layout would seem a good idea to me. Zines are a tool that appear to be growing in popularity. You have a special talent with words and photos that allow others to share in your message of hope.
For me, I get lost in the unrelentless thought process of:
"what they heck, it doesn't matter, who cares, what difference could it possibly make?", etc.
Your gift of words and photos have a way of dispelling this burden for me. I can't explain it, but reading your blog helps to remind me that IT DOES MATTER.
If a flower said, "oh forget it, I'm just gonna wilt anyway." I would beg it to please grow because it's beauty is food for the journey.
I'm always grateful for your words and photos, thank you.

[Melba]

I have a copy of a Portals Zine
http://www.portals-zine.com/
and an
Art and Life from Teesha Moore someone gave me
and a Postal Press
http://serendipityart.squarespace.com/the-postal-press-gallery/
Although I Love "eye candy" I like when Zines are a combination of articles and pictures.
I think it is a challenge for them to be cost effective in most cases. I like when they are in color, but color costs more to print.

Once you have it together I know other people sell their zines on Etsy.

I think you have a good sized audience and could really sell it. I do think it would be alot of work, but
you can do it!

[kristen]

i love magazines, my guilty pleasure, and i love the concept of zines. i subscribe to one and i adore it. it comes 4x a year, (it's also from TX) and it's called the first line. here's the website, www.thefirstline.com.

anyway, i love the idea of a zine. i'm not sure how you'd publish one, i suppose a lot has to do with how you plan to distribute, where and who.

i almost think you'd need to think from the outside in - meaning figure out who you plan to reach and distribute and then work in.

you could make a limited edition and then you'd have more ability to be creative with the binding, even if it's simple.

[Star]

Kudos to you for stepping out in faith and sharing your idea with us!

Beyond cheering you on, I cannot offer help or advice. I've only seen e-zines, and your description in this post indicates that you'd like to get away from the electronic format.

Like Amy, there is definitely a difference in the way printed matter impacts me as opposed to an e-mailed or on-line zine. Although I have many (MANY!) del.ico.us bookmarks, I find that I don't return to most of them as I intend to, but with a magazine or book, there is a connection that is made that seems to linger in my mind long past its first reading.

I keep thinking I'm going to find (make) the time to return to blogging, but I haven't caught up to it yet. I admire that you're gathering your energy and applying it to one of your dreams. Best wishes as you explore the possibilities.

[Jyl]

I'm coming out of lurkdom to tell you how fabulous this idea is and to offer my encouragement. I've been a reader of your blog for some time now. I come here because I have found myself enriched by the combination of your words and photographs. I admire your passion, appreciate your vulnerability, and lust for your courage.

Why courage? Because it was courageous of you to put this out there. To ask us for advice, support and encouragement.

I've bought zines before and am most impressed when the piece is well crafted. It doesn't need to be professionally published, but a piece that looks like something more than a poorly copied pile of papers keeps me coming back.

All my best wishes...

[Jennifer (she said)]

I have no experience with zines but have often thought about the blogs of writers I enjoy and wondered how that writing could be collected in a meaningful way...like an anthology of sorts. It's great to see you reaching for more...if that's what your heart tells you to do - I say go for it.

I have recently begun being tested for gluten sensitivity and so have been looking at blogs about this issue. I think Shauna James Ahern's blog and new book would be really inspiring to you. Her writing is just beautiful. Her book is called gluten-free girl (it's a memoir) and her site is: http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/

[bella]

I have no advice or knowledge, but I wanted to cheer you on! What a fabulous idea.

[amy]

i don't have any experience with creating zines and i've only read a few in my time but a combination of your wonderful words and photos would be a lovely thing. i'm a big magazine reader and as much as i enjoy exploring online, there is something special about holding something beautiful in your hands. being and becoming is a fabulous theme. somehow it connects nicely with the idea of a new issue every season. good luck with this journey. take care.