FESTIVAL OF THE PHOTOCOPIER

Have you ever heard of a zine? They are self published, independent, (often) small run publications and there's a bustling scene in Melbourne! Don't let the lo-fi sort of ambience turn you off zines, many are impeccably designed, illustrated and written. And you're sure to find a zine on absolutely anything your heart desires, from the casual (probably not that casual though and pretty intense) fanzine to the obscure and specific.

The spiritual home of zines in Melbourne is the Sticky Institute in the Flinders Street Subway. You can visit their site here. Located in a pretty underground part of the city (haha) it's volunteer run and stocked with hundreds of independent publications from all around Melbourne. Coming up on February 12 is the Festival of the Photocopier at the Town Hall!  It's a free event where you can check out the coolest zines around.

I've recently started getting very enthused by bookbinding and I've always liked to write - I'd like to do more fiction but I never know what to write about so non-fiction seems to be prevailing right now. Combining the two, zines are a perfect way to do something productive with all the musings in your head and best of all, there are no rules because you're making it! I'm very excited. But come along down and be inspired yourself to unleash your inner zine master!

Timeout has an article on how to get your zine our there here or Tavi Gevinson's Rookie blog has an article on how to make them here too. Oh, and while we're here a fun article about the Sticky Institute from the ABC! 

Happy making and reading!