Fanzines
Biography
Historical Background The term "zine" (derived from the word "fanzine") refers generally to an small, informal, non-professionally produced publication. By their very nature zines are hard to define exactly, but distinguishing common characteristics of zines include a small circulation (sometimes via subscription but often distributed informally among interested parties) and a raison d'etre that stresses free expression over profit. Zines are graphic expressions of their authors' social, cultural, and political interests and concerns. They are creative outlets devoted to individual and idiosyncratic self-expression. A zine can be about pretty much anything: politics, music, sex, gender relations, sports, pop culture - the list is virtually endless. As Julie Bartel, author of From A to Zine (2004) , notes:
"Zines are about diversity, creativity, innovation, and expression. As a group, zines deliberately lack cohesion
of form or function, representing as they do individual visions and ideals rather than professional or corporate
objectives. With zines, anything goes. Anything. They can be about toasters, food, a favorite television show, thrift
stores, anarchism, candy, bunnies, sexual abuse, architecture, war, gingerbread men, activism, retirement
homes, comics, eating disorders, Barbie dolls - you name it."
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Zines and Fanzines Collection
The Fanzines Collection consists of numerous zines acquired by Special Collections at various times and which are not attached to a particular donor or otherwise dedicated collection. This collection is, in a sense, the equivalent of a general materials collection in a library.
The zines in this collection constitute a wide variety of subjects and concerns. Many are perzines, that is, "personal" zines that describe the author's own experiences, thoughts and feelings. Others are anthologies of stories or poetry, or consist of comic or other types of art. Still other zines are designed as outlets for political or social expression. Many zines encompass more than one type or style, reflecting the fluidity of the zine as a product of creative endeavor.
This collection was previously known as the Floating Zine Collection.