Showing posts with label Zines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zines. Show all posts

Friday, September 1, 2017

6 Ways to Get Published



I enjoy writing - I published 22 Zines (small magazines for family & friends) from 2000 to 2015, before starting my blog. 
Following are 6 ways I shared my writing in print, was paid for a few, and you can do it too!  
- Basics are listed at the bottom: how you can send your writing to magazines.


1. Submit to a major magazine
I submitted my article to several women’s magazines and received rejections. My husband noticed the celebrity magazine, The Star was having a series on ways to improve your life. 

My volunteering article had the same theme: Help Others, Help Yourself, about how you can learn doing many jobs by volunteering. I submitted, they edited, and paid me $300.



2. Submit to Trade Magazines also called industry newsletters or journals.

In 2001 I learned White Vine Letters, a type of calligraphy. Fast forward twelve years, I thought about writing an article to include historical facts. I asked the teacher I had in 2001, Karla Hamilton, she said to go for it. 

I added a short how-to and was accepted in the book arts and calligraphy trade journal, Bound & Lettered. I was paid $100 in supplies from John Neal Books, White Vine Letters, 2013.


RubberStampMadness is a rubber stamp trade magazine. For the article I wrote, Sculpting the Image, 1992 - I was paid $40. - how carving a rubber stamp compares to sculpting in clay.



3. Write instructions 
I wrote instructions for a class I taught July 2016 & made $300 for one session teaching people how to make this book. 




4. Write for Newsletters 
Association for the Calligraphic Arts - Newsletter, Artist Demonstration at The Getty Museum, 2004. Before I visited The Getty I checked the Event Calendar online and sent an RSVP to attend the demonstration.


For Ampersand, the journal for The Pacific Center for Book Arts, I wrote The Thrill of the Swap, 2008 about the joy of swapping my handmade books.

Also, for the Houston Calligraphy Guild's newsletter, Handscrit, I wrote Eraser Carving, about how carved rubber stamps can be used with calligraphy. I just re-submitted my article to another trade journal.



5. Write an anonymous article for a Public Relations Rep. I wrote an article about the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club Craft Group meeting that I led for The Cinco Spirit, Crafting in Katy, 2017.



6. Print your own magazine
I wrote Zines for family & friends, see my 3 blogs I wrote about publishing, writing & designing ZINES:





Basics:

Go to the Magazine’s web page to be sure what type of articles they print. After you found out if the magazine is right for your masterpiece, go to the About Us page where you will find the various Editors listed.

Writers Market, updated annually, is especially helpful. The 2018 edition sells for $25 from Amazon.

Please let me know if my suggestions helped you in any way!
©Anne Rita Taylor 2017

Friday, November 11, 2016

Designing Zines


As I mentioned last week, a Zine is a self-published magazine with a small circulation. Zines are printed booklets held in your hands. I have Zines about crows, hands, colors, work spaces, risk, fabric, collage, compilations, and poetry.
A small part of my Zine collection with Zines from Alaska, Hawaii, and all around the United States.
Design suggestions include:
  • Make a Zine that opens newspaper-style.
  • Do a faux version of a popular magazine, such as Time or People.
  • Use brown paper bags, binding on one side to pen with pockets.
  • Use cut out words for headlines like a ransom note.
  • Use a photo album, write on index cards and insert.
  • House your Zine inside of colorful file folders.
  • Put your Zine in a bottle; make sure it can be removed for viewing.
  • Write on fabric pieces and make a quilt.
  • Your Zine can be a puzzle with the viewer putting it back together.
  • How about using toilet paper, call it potty mouth and fill it full of expletives.

Here are 20 uses for a scarf, a brain teaser from the book: How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb:
  • Leash for a dog
  • In hair for ponytail
  • Tie children together
  • As a tablecloth
  • Tie on Purse for decoration
  • Gag
  • Blindfold
  • Temporary fix for broken sofa
  • Tourniquet
  • To carry books
  • To cover face
  • Curtain on a window
  • As a skirt
  • As a halter top
  • As a bedspread
  • Sling for a broken arm
  • White surrender flag
  • Seat on the ground
  • Tie on car antenna
  • Christmas tree decoration

A couple of fun books to explore directories and reviews:

Please let me know what Zines you enjoy. And remember the Zine Fest in Houston will be held at The Lawndale Art Center on November 19, 2016.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Writing Zines


A few weeks ago I talked about my Zines. When I teach people how to make Zines I use creative writing techniques. These self-published magazines are really fun to make! 

This week: suggestions for what to write about; next week learn how to design your magazine.
Suggestions for writing themes:
  • Rant & rave, let the world know what ticks you off.
  • Create characters and an interesting story line; make it visual with artwork.
  • Pretend you are from outer space; give mundane earthly items a new purpose.
  • Trends: Fashion, home decor, jewelry…pick an era.
  • Choose one letter of the alphabet or one number, base your writing on that choice.

More writing themes:
  • Interesting signs: snap photos of them. Some are really fun to write about.
  • Bring song lyrics to life with photos or drawings.
  • Use interesting fonts or lettering with your quotes or poems.
  • Write about things that make you happy or sad and why.
  • Describe an odd dream or daydream you had and your interpretation.

One of my creativity books is Michael J.Gelb's “How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci.” An exercise balancing your logical and creative side is: Think of different uses for a scarf. I’ll start you off: use as a belt or necktie. Next week I’ll include 20 more uses.

If you are in the Houston area, remember Zine Fest is happening at The Lawndale Art Center on November 19th. - In the Comments below, let me know what books or techniques you use to get your creative juices flowing.
©Anne Rita Taylor 2016

Friday, October 21, 2016

Publishing Zines

A Zine is a Do-It-Yourself magazine. Over the last 17 years I published 22 Zines. My first Zine had my art techniques and I swapped Zines with other artist book makers. 
My last Zine was about my ten days in Paris and contained internet links plus 53 photos - Mon Dieu!
My first Zine was cut and paste. After that, I used my home word processor, then my computer & printed book-style.
Zines are printed in small editions. I received Zines in swaps from Alaska to Hawaii, and practically all 50 states. Some had advertising, contributors or held interviews with other artists.
Starting with my second Zine, each one had the following:
  • Table of Contents
  • Workshop Review
  • Swap Stuff
  • My Carvings
  • A Poem (of my own)
  • Calligraphy
  • Art Book Review

My Zine 10 had instructions and a sample book for a Japanese binding technique, the Tortoise Shell Stitch.
In Zines 13 to 16 - I issued “An Invitation” - to share my interests, my calligraphy, my print carving, and my artwork. Sound familiar? Kind of like this blog.


I contributed an article: Mining for Creativity, a workshop review to L.K. Ludwig’s first Zine, called Memory & Dream in 1999. You can buy her 2008 art journaling book here: https://www.amazon.com/True-Vision-Authentic-Art-Journaling/dp/1592534260





Teesha Moore produced and authored professional Zines for more than 10 years - with advertising, many articles and pictures. They were inspiring! Some of her Zines are still for sale on her Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/teeshamoore  
In 2008, Zine 17: Zine Creation has zine-making instructions. I taught 22 people how to make a Zine at The Printing Museum in Houston; in April 2009 I taught 30 Austin Book Workers - who now have the Austin Book Arts Center - at DOMY Books - now Farewell Books - in Austin. 

Shameless Plug: You may want to Subscribe to my Blog (upper right side) - to know about a future blog that will have my full instructions for making your own Zine. 
The Houston Zine Fest 2016: at The Lawndale Art Center on Saturday, November 19th, from 2:00 to 8:00 pm. Support Zinesters! Check their website for future dates: https://zinefesthouston.org
If you read this far, please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
©Anne Rita Taylor 2016