A zine (pronounced zeen) is an independently or self-published booklet, often created by physically cutting and gluing text and images together onto a master flat for photocopying, but it is also common to produce the master by typing and formatting pages on a computer. The publication is usually folded and stapled. The first ‘zine’ was made in 1775 when Thomas Paine self-published Common Sense and used it as an instrument in promoting the ideas that contributed to the U.S. War for Independence. Others credit the Science Correspondence Club in Chicago for producing the first zines in the 1930s called The Comet. These were based on the sci-fi genre and called fanzines. With time, the publications came to be known simply as zines. Just a perfect example to demonstrate the free spirit of zine culture.

Zines have always been associated with political themes and continue to be published on the same. From feminism to Black activism, there are zines on every theme possible. However, limited distribution allows only some to become aware of such publications.

Zine culture has made its comeback in the recent years, due rise of individual expression in social media. Social movements like Black lives matter Portland launched a zine to express their work and beliefs. And what’s cool about creating your own zine in the modern era of the internet is that you’ll have no circulation restrictions. Everyone with an internet connection can easily read and share your ideas.