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Zine Fairs, or a Blizzard on a trestle table<\/b><\/p>\n
I started making zines on Christmas Day 2014. \u00a0There was no snow, no blizzard then; that was reserved for later wen I started selling zines at fairs. \u00a0Zine events are white; really white, no matter where they happen in the U.K. \u00a0With a couple of exceptions* I\u2019m often the only black person tabling, though there are usually a some POC attending as shoppers. The Blizzard Scale explained:\u00a0http:\/\/j-applebee.tumblr.com\/post\/160014567848\/the-blizzardscale<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019ve had discussions recently with a few organisers of zine fairs held in different parts of the country about the lack of diversity at their fairs. \u00a0Their responses showed a powerful ignorance of the needs and issues facing zine creators who are marginalised or oppressed (POC, Disabled, Working Class, Older, and LGBT+. \u00a0All these groups are likely to be poorer, so costs for tabling, production and travel to the events will be difficult to budget for.<\/p>\n Issues and Solutions: Access: The U.K is a place with marginalised and oppressed people living in every part of it. \u00a0Zines are at its heart a tool created for these groups whose voices are often ignored and silenced. \u00a0Nobody would know that from the makeup of most zine fairs though.<\/p>\n *Thanks to:<\/b><\/p>\n NW Zinefest\u00a0https:\/\/northwestzinefest.wordpress.com<\/a>,\u00a0<\/p>\n Weirdo Zinefest https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/865940280157674<\/a>\u00a0(2017 event)<\/p>\n \u00a0DIY Cultures http:\/\/diycultures.tumblr.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Penfight Distro https:\/\/penfightdistro.com\/zine-events\/<\/a> has a calendar of Zine fairs throughout the year.<\/p>\n
Finding out about zine events is another issue, as plenty of fairs attract tablers by word of mouth or invitation only, so marginalised creators are unlikely to find out about these events until the publicity for attendees goes out. \u00a0I\u2019ve been told by a one-woman zine fair organiser, \u201cWe can\u2019t force marginalised creators to approach us for tables!\u201d \u00a0This way of thinking is plainly ridiculous. \u00a0If organisers truly want diversity, then they have to make an effort to attract us. \u00a0This could be as simple as doing a general call for tablers, but stating you\u2019re looking for marginalised creators too; having a quota, or offering tables for a reduced fee (even if that reduction is small). \u00a0These things show that you\u2019re aware of us and want us at your zine fair.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve tabled at zine fairs held in the basement of a pub, where zero customers visited. \u00a0The space was down a steep staircase, making it inaccessible to creators and customers with mobility issues. \u00a0This lack of consideration made me despair. \u00a0Accessibility isn\u2019t just just for those in wheelchairs – I\u2019ve also tabled at a fair in the back room of a noisy pub where my tinnitus played havoc the whole time.**. On one horrible occasion, a zine fair was held in a London bookshop which had a racist book prominently displayed there.<\/p>\n