The Selection Process

Last week, we had the privilege of looking through all the awesome ‘zine submissions for our first-ever PPNNE ‘Zine Anthology! We were thrilled to read your courageous stories, look at your art, and even laugh at your funny, yet poignant comics (ah, the joys of a pap smear).

It’s amazing how the subject matter of sexual health—birth control, abortion, STDs, pleasure—brought out such different stories and points of view. It also showed us just how similar we all are. These similarities will tie the ‘zine anthology together in such a unique, interesting way…and we think it’s going to be rad!

For the zines we want to include in the anthology, we’ll be reaching out to zine artists very soon. Be on the lookout for our email.

In the meantime, check out some of the past episodes of ZINECORE radio. It features some of those zinesters and comic artists who will fill our pages. Hannah Neurotica will announce a brand spankin’ new ZINECORE Radio episode dedicated to this project very soon. To celebrate the completion of the anthology, she’ll feature live readings from the book. Sneak peak, anyone? You don’t want to miss it.

Until then…keep up your courage & creativity!

Selecting Zines for the Anthology

WOW! Time flies and our deadline has come and gone.* We are so excited to announce that on June 30th we will be sitting down with all your awesome zines and selecting the ones most fitting to include in our first ever PPNNE ‘Zine Anthology! 

It has been such a pleasure to see your work. We’ve loved your bravery, honesty, candor, and of course your humor! As a celebration of this project, we thought it would be fun to share a sample of your submitted work. Here’s a short comic strip by Miki Hickel about a speculum vacationing in many famous vaginal shaped locations! 

Mr. Speculum by Miki Hickel

**cough* If certain zines happen to land in our inbox before June 30^th, we miiiiiight be able to add them into the submission pile 😉 *cough*

In the meantime, Hannah Neurotica will be hosting a new episode of ZINECORE Radio with special guest Nicole Miesnik Harris! Nicole is a fiction and non-fiction writer, long time zine artist, and owner/operator of Click Clack Distro. With roots in DIY punk culture, Nicole has been writing about the intersection of having a healthy lifestyle while also being a part of the punk culture. Tune into ZINECORE Radio to hear her live reading, hear her discuss zines, punk, health, and of course take your phone calls! 

Show time: Thursday 23rd at 8pm!
Location: www.blogtalkradio.com/thezineshow
A live chat room will be open during the show so you can get interactive.

Interview with Zinester Jolie Noggle

Our Zine Anthology deadline is fast approaching, which means it’s time to get those last minute submissions in for publishing consideration! For those of you who are still anxious about your creative abilities, or just need that final push of zinespiration – take some zine making advice from punk rock zine creator Jolie Noggle!

Hannah Neurotica: What was it like making your very first zine?

Jolie Noggle: It was fun doing my own zine for the very first time, but also very frustrating because I didn’t think anyone would like it. I really wanted my friends to help me because I didn’t want to do it alone. No one was interested so I gave it up for awhile. I didn’t do a zine for years because I was too afraid and insecure to do one by myself. When I finally did do one, it was the greatest feeling in the world! It felt great to put together something of my very own and trade it for other zines and creations made by other girls! It was awesome!

Hannah: What are five tips you would give to someone who was intimidated by making their first zine?

Jolie: As I mentioned, it took me years to be brave enough to write my own zine! My first tip would be to NOT be afraid to say what you want and write about whatever is on your mind, because what you have to say is important!

Second, don’t listen to the haters! Not everyone is going to like your zine. This is easier said than done, but don’t take it to heart if someone criticizes your zine. It can be a learning experience….

Third, do your own thing! When I did my first zine, it wasn’t anything like other zines I had read, which made me self-conscious. Don’t try to make your zine like someone else’s…. you have your own style so do it how you want. Let your personality shine!

Fourth, even though I have been criticized for using shortened words in my zines, such as “yer” and “becos” I say screw proper grammar! Not everyone is good at spelling and it shouldn’t be an issue in a zine, but that’s just my opinion. If you are insecure about it, don’t even worry. It’s more about the material and the substance of the zine. I’m more focused on the writing or the story, not about how it’s spelled or if words are capitalized properly or if you used the correct punctuation.

 And, last but not least, don’t ever think your zine isn’t good enough! I must confess, I dealt with insecurities about people comparing my zine to theirs and I let it get to me for many years. It took awhile for me to overcome some of these fears. I think everyone is intimidated at first. It gets easier and you get more comfortable. It just takes time.

We Love Our Curve(s)!

Awesome journalist Rachel Shatto plugged our upcoming ‘zine anthology in the magnificent Curve Magazine and Curve Magazine Website!

For those who are unfamiliar, Curve is, “… the nation’s best-selling lesbian magazine.  Curve spotlights all that is fresh, funny, exciting, controversial and cutting-edge in our community. Curve brings you the latest in lesbian-related celebrity interviews, news, politics, pop culture, style, travel, social issues and entertainment.”

Hannah Neurotica, who is heading up our zine anthology, was interviewed about life, sex and zines.  She has been tirelessly getting the word out about our anthology, and was featured in the Curve series “Top Ten Reasons We Love…”.  Check out the article here. We are very excited!

And don’t forget! The deadline for your zine submissions is right around the corner: June 1st!! It is not too late to be part of this incredibly fun and important project. Imagine how awesome and empowering it will be to hold the finished published product in your hands and see it in Planned Parenthood waiting rooms!

Interview with Zinester Sage Adderley

Hannah Neurotica sat down with Hard Knox creator Sage Adderley for an interview all about the zine world. The two also co-host ZINECORE RADIO.

I held Hard Knox before I ever met its creator. Hard Knox was the story of a woman’s experience with domestic violence. Her words were painful, familiar, courageous, and empowering.  I sought out the zinester immediately, leading me to one of my most wonderful friends – Ms. Sage Adderley.

Punk-rock, tattooed mother of three, Sage not only writes her own zines but for the last seven years has run one of the most successful zine distros around – Sweet Candy. I was happy as hell when she agreed to be my official ZINECORE Radio co-host this year.

Hannah Neurotica: How did you discover zines?

Sage Adderley: In 2004 I was taking a few writing courses and I became inspired to put together my own art and literary publication. I began searching information about independent publishing online and I came across a zine community on LiveJournal. I began following the community and ordering zines.

Hannah: When did you know zines were something you were passionate about?

Sage: Honestly, it was the first time I received a zine in the mail. I was in awe of the cut-and-paste layout and diary style writing. I was instantly hooked. I ordered more zines and then decided to write my first perzine, Tattooed Memoirs.

Hannah: Aside from making zines, you also run Sweet Candy Distro. Can you talk about it?

Sage: I opened up Sweet Candy Distro very soon after discovering zines. I can vividly remember having a burning to desire to distribute zines as far around the world as possible. That may sound silly, but I truly wanted to be a helpful part of the community.  

Hannah: The first zine of yours I ever read was Hard Knox. It had a huge impact on me and made me want to be more open with others about my own zines. Can you talk about Hard Knox for those who aren’t familiar? 

Sage: Hard Knox was a zine I wrote around 2004 or 2005 and it was very heavy regarding a violent relationship I was in. I never truly dealt with being in a domestic violent relationship. I left him and left those horrible memories behind, but in reality I truly only put a band-aid on my pain and trauma. I decided to write a zine and to this day, it was the most therapeutic thing I have ever done for myself. It was an intense release to write it and then to receive letters from people telling me about their experience with abuse.

Hannah: Let’s switch gears and talk about ZINECORE Radio. You have been amazing and so supportive of the PPNNE Zine Anthology and Speak Out/Open Mic episodes. How do you feel personally about the vote to defund Planned Parenthood?

Sage: I am sad and pissed off. It feels like the wheels are going in reverse; our society is going backwards. How can a place that does a ridiculous amount for people run the risk of being shut down because of the personal beliefs of some people in power?

I am moving to an area where Planned Parenthood will be the place to get my annual check-up, as well as birth control. Like millions of others without health coverage, I am really counting on staying healthy through Planned Parenthood. What is happening right now is a BIG deal.

Hannah: Zines can end up being very personal. Especially when talking about our experiences with sexuality, reproductive rights, sexual rights and health. Why are zines a good art form to express support for Planned Parenthood?

Sage: In the form of zines, a person can tell their story through art, photographs and even in a comic form. There are no boundaries. Stories can be told in whatever format the creator is most comfortable. Everyone’s experience is important and zines can show the variety of ways Planned Parenthood is helping.

Hannah: A lot of people say they want to submit to the PPNNE ‘Zine Anthology but don’t have any idea how to start or what to write about. What might you say to some of those out there who want to submit to this book but don’t know how to start?

Sage: Sometimes it is wonderful to just free write. You may find what naturally comes out is amazing and all you have to do is cut and paste it onto paper. Or it may at least kick you into gear and start churning ideas in your brain. I write zines like I am telling a story to a friend.

Hannah: So what are five tips you might give to those making zines?

Sage: 

-Don’t pressure yourself or force any writing—just be you!

– Remember your zine is for you. Write what is in your heart, not what you think others want to hear.

– Read zines. This is a great way to get a feel of what zines are about.

– Start off small so you don’t feel overwhelmed to fill every page.

– Experiment, there are no rules. Tear up magazines and maps (who cares if it is cliché, do it!) and have fun.

ZINECORE RADIO #21: I Stand with Planned Parenthood SPEAK OUT & OPEN MIC

Address:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thezineshow
Host: Hannah Neurotica with special co-host Sage Adderley of Sweet Candy Distro
Date: Thursday April 7, 2011
Time: 8pm EST
Call in #: (646) 478-4473
To sign up, contact zinecoreradio@gmail.com