Dear Reader,
As a scifi and fantasy fan, I have always loved the world of zines. These small, independent magazines have been a staple of the genre for decades, providing a platform for new and established writers to showcase their work [1]. But beyond simply providing a place for writers to publish their stories, zines have had a profound impact on the genre as a whole.
One of the most significant contributions of zines has been their role in bringing new talent into the spotlight. Many famous science fiction and fantasy writers got their start by publishing stories in zines. Ursula Le Guin, for example, got her start writing for Amazing Stories, one of the oldest and most iconic SFF zines around [2]. Likewise William Gibson, author of the groundbreaking cyberpunk novel Neuromancer, first gained attention through his short story “Johnny Mnemonic,” which was published in Omni Magazine in 1981 [3].
Zines also impact the genre by challenging the status quo. Zines provide a space for underrepresented voices, including women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, to share their stories and explore their experiences [4]. By doing so, they help to expand the boundaries of the genre and create a more inclusive and diverse community of writers and readers.
In addition & in collaboration with promoting diversity, zines have been a breeding ground for new ideas and experimentation in the genre. Because zines are often run by small groups of people with a passion for science fiction and fantasy, they are more willing to take risks and push boundaries than larger publications [5,6]. This has led to the publication of some of the most innovative and groundbreaking stories in the genre!
Finally, zines have had a significant impact on readers, providing a more intimate and personalized reading experience than larger publications. Zines often have a dedicated following of readers who eagerly await each new issue. This creates a sense of community and shared experience among readers that is difficult to replicate in larger publications [6].
Science fiction and fantasy zines have had an enormous impact on the genre, both by providing a platform for new and diverse voices, and by fostering a spirit of experimentation and innovation. As a reader and a writer, I am grateful for the role that zines continue [7] to play in the science fiction and fantasy community.
Before I go, I promised you some recommendations. Here they are! These were the first works I read from each respective author, all short stories published by zines. I continue to enjoy their work to this day, all thanks to the zines that made their work easily accessible.
- Alyssa Wong
- “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers.” Nightmare Magazine, 2015.
- Sarah Gailey
- “Stet.” Fireside Fiction, 2018.
- Shveta Thakrar
- “The Shadow Collector.” Uncanny Magazine, 2016.
If you haven’t yet, check out a zine today, and find some amazing authors!
I’ll make a list of SFF zines soon. Love, love, love short fiction, and hope you do too!
References
- Andrews, D. (2017). Sci-fi Magazines: A Brief History from Analog to Asimov’s. Paste Magazine. https://www.pastemagazine.com/books/sci-fi-magazines-a-brief-history-from-analog-to-asi/
- Le Guin, U. (1973). “Introduction: The Astonishing.” In The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two A, edited by Ben Bova, xiii–xix. New York: Tor.
- Gibson, William. “Johnny Mnemonic.” Omni Magazine, 1981.
- Duarte, Mariana, and Julie E. Moody-Freeman. “The Role of the Zine in Contemporary Popular Culture: Production and Consumption.” Popular Communication 14, no. 2 (2016): 72-83.
- Reid, Suzanne. “The History of Science Fiction and Fantasy Zines.” Book Riot, February 26, 2021. Accessed on April 26, 2023, from https://bookriot.com/history-of-science-fiction-fantasy-zines
- Tidhar, Lavie. “The Importance of Zines.” The Guardian, February 3, 2014. Accessed on April 26, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/feb/03/the-importance-of-zines.
- Cramer, K. (2021). The Resurgence of Zines in Science Fiction and Fantasy. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/books/review/science-fiction-fantasy-zines.html
In The Library 