BZF co-organizers Kseniya and Matt recently answered a few questions for Laura Jayne Martin of culture blog Thought Catalog.  One day before New York City's premiere zine event, we discuss what makes zines special, how a self-publisher measures success, and how to break into the "zine industry."  Read the full interview here, but here's a bit from Kseniya:

"I think what distinguishes zine fests from other fests [i.e. art & craft fairs] is conversation. You’re sitting there with a stapled bundle of work that you did after your latest trip or break-up or whatever, and that can lead to a more intimate exchange with a fest visitor than, say, a scarf or a doily. I love all forms of DIY, but zines specifically can be quite personal, so get ready for some laughter and tears as you make your rounds through the BZF."

We'll see you tomorrow at the fest: tear streaks, laugh lines and all!

The Brooklyn Zine Fest is this weekend's hot ticket!  According to these esteemed sources:

Village Voice: "If you thought that the rise of digital media called for zine culture's inevitable demise, think again."

Brooklyn Based: "A zine renaissance is upon us."

Flavorpill: The BZF is an "Editor Pick" for Sunday April 15, 2012

We've received some pretty great media coverage leading up to the Brooklyn Zine Fest on Sunday, April 15th, with even more to come.  Check out the latest articles about the BZF, and keep an eye on our Press page for more developments.

Brokelyn: "To dismiss zines as relics of a bygone age... could get you a nasty papercut."

Brooklyn Paper: "It's Zion for Zine Readers"

Brooklyn Exposed has featured the Brooklyn Zine Fest as one of its "21 Cool Events and Festivals Happening This Spring," a list which also includes such great New York City events as the beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival and the foot-stomping Brooklyn Folk Festival.  We're glad to be in such good company!  Come see what everyone's talking about at the Brooklyn Zine Fest on Sunday, April 15th 2012 at Public Assembly.

For anyone who might be curious about how and where to start making a zine of their own, BZF 2012 exhibitor Tommy Pico of Birdsong Micropress has a tutorial for you.  Part of The L Magazine's "How-to Brooklyn" issue, Tommy's article includes helpful tips on developing content, laying out & printing your zine, and getting people to read it.

Even if you're an experienced zine maker, it's a great reminder that anything you'd like to create is just a few steps away from being accomplished.

There's a great article over on The Brooklyn Ink about local zine The Worst: A Compilation Zine on Grief and Loss.  It's an ongoing publication (first and second issues available at their site) in which contributors share how they made it through some pretty terrible experiences, in order to help others get through their own tough times.

As editors of various compilation zines, we have a soft spot for seeing people come together on a small, personal publication.  The Worst is the best example of this -- a collaborative work whose power grows with each new reader.

(Update: Kathleen McIntyre, editor of The Worst, will be selling both issues of her publication at the Brooklyn Zine Fest on April 15, 2012.  Check out the full list of exhibitors.)

The New York Times recently published an article about the resurgence of analog zines in a digital culture.  The author focuses mostly on the scene in Brooklyn, but names some great zines from other locales as well.  Congratulations to all the writers and artists mentioned by the Gray Lady!

Read the article here.