A zine (pronounced ZEEN) is short for "fanzine" and is usually a small-batch, independently published work that circulates less than 1,000 copies. Anyone can be a zinester (aka "someone who creates a zine"), and most people make zines for the love of creating rather than for seeking a profit. In general, a zine is a pamphlet-like publication that can include text, images, artwork, found objects, or any other creative material that helps to express the author's message.
While the possibilities for zines are almost limitless, a few common characteristics include:
Image credit: "Women Zines 101" by artnoose is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Zine culture is alive and thriving. Zinesters often share their work at local zine fests. These events showcase the wide variety of zines and allow creators to meet fellow zinesters. This documentary short from 2019 features several contemporary zinesters in the Los Angeles area.