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Thanks for the interest in getting your own classified ad in my new zine. The spaces are now full. Sorry, if you didn't get one. You must be quicker next time!

This little zine (and I mean little) is probably (definitely) the most complicated layout I've ever worked with yet. It was born out of an idea I had when I saw some of the mini zines that people are making. I really wanted to have a go.
It also had to cheap to make. Very cheap. Basically, in true tradition of zine making, it had to be produced with a photocopier. A photocopier and a bucket load of creativity.

I spent my childhood making stuff like this; tiny little books. I haven't made anything on this scale since then. The pages are all double sided too, which complicates things further. It's been a concern, after doing all this work, that when it was all folded up and cut out it might not even work.
So, I crossed my fingers and had a trial run....and phew! It works. It actually seems to work.
I'm hoping it'll be for sale in a day or two. Please come back if you'd like a copy of my first  tiny teeny weeny ziney.

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I am currently beavering away, creating my fourth zine in the 'How To Draw' series. This one is, again, about drawing with the ballpoint pen and I'll be taking a closer look at the colour ballpoint. For the first time, I'll also be including a 'problem page'!

So, if you have any questions about drawing with ballpoint pens please ask away. I'll choose a few that I'll endeavour to answer in the new zine - available at the beginning of August.

I'd better get my socks on!

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Thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy of 'How to Draw Like a Loon' thus far. They are still available HERE, before Christmas, to those in the UK. I'll open that up to the 'rest of the world' after the holiday.

You know, I've come across many a learning curve since opening my little Etsy shop, a couple of years back, and especially since I started making and selling zines. One of those curves, that I am currently in the process of tackling, is how to keep the personal touch whilst running an efficient small business.

You see, the postage and packing of the last couple of zines was ridiculously time consuming. I didn't make things easy for myself. In fact I seemed to make them impossibly difficult. Some of you who follow my blog, and who have purchased my zines, may recall the 'Nut' envelope decorating debacle. Plus, you may remember the hand written teeny weeny pixie letters and gift tags that came with 'About A Book' zine and caused my last nervous breakdown.

To say those experiences were stressful is an great big understatement and I will not be going back there. Imagine hand decorating envelopes for over 250 zines. The scene below is just a glimpse into how that felt.

That HAD to change. Since then my friend has taken over the running of my shop and the mailing of zines. While this has meant that the orders are being sent out a day or two after they come in, the personal touch has been lost along the way. So, how do you do both? Is it possible to do both? I think so. And, have a few ideas on how to redress the balance. One is little limited edition compliment slips that change every so often, drawn especially to express my gratitude to you, like the one at the top of his post.

I hope these experiences of mine may be useful to you should you be considering zine making and opening up your own little Etsy shop.

And, finally another little plug for my new zine 'How to Draw Like a Loon'. The perfect stocking filler for anyone who loves to draw. Buy it HERE now.

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Finally, finally my new zine is up for sale. But, hold your horses. This time I made sure I was ready to go. I've waited until I had the zine, the envelopes and the other bits and pieces in my hands before listing it. In the past, you may recall, I jumped in head first, not prepared and I vowed to myself that I'd never do that again. It was soooo stressful.

However, in waiting until I had all the components ready for the off I have missed the 'rest of the world' Christmas deadline. So, I am only going to be putting this little zine up for sale to Europe and the UK this side of Crimbo. Sorry, about that rest of the world. Don't forget to keep some of your Christmas money to get your copy after the holiday.

I'm absolutely chuffed to bits with 'How to Draw Like A Loon'. It's the best yet. I hope you will be just as chuffed.

Some actual photos to come.

So, get your copy HERE.
Europe you HAVE to order this weekend to get Loon before Christmas!

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Here's the last of he classified ads that will feature in my next zine. You know, last year I made a post where I vowed to never ever launch a new zine before Christmas. I am such an idiot. I really am.

Plus, on the subject, I was going to list 'How To Draw Like A Loon' today but after consulting my part time manager/shop keeper/advisor, Tim, I was advised not to. It is currently at the printers and he suggested that I do not list it until I have it in my hands and it's ready to go. That way, I shouldn't be making future posts where I apologise for it being late. Like I usually do.

Also, I would like to take this opportunity to ...er....ahem....apologise to all those who have been waiting to see their classified ads for bloody ages. I....er...welll.....uh....ahem....you know?

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Okay, so page two of the classified ads (above), that will appear in my upcoming zine, is finished Done and dusted. If you have bought some space a big thanks. I hope you like your ad. The last page (below) is almost complete. After fitting in all the ads I have a little space left. Three ad boxes to be precise. If you click on the drawing you can see the space. If you would like to purchase that space then you can; HERE. I will be finishing this drawing in the next day or two so please be quick.

By the way, Wil, don't worry that's not your ad!

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So, here's the first of the advertising pages completely finished. Well, apart from the mysterious secret message, that is. I've loved drawing these pages. Taking your ideas and making them into little adverts has been a whole load of fun.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to the other classifieds, they'll be blogged shortly. Thanks to all who bought their advertising slots. The funds will help towards getting this zine printed. And, as ever, thanks for your patience.

Y'all know the drill by now; click on the image to see it in detail, and to read the (end of the)story that made front page of the Bugle.

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I'm just rounding up the last couple of drawings for the next zine. I'm looking forward to getting a new one printed. It's been a long time.

The 'classified ads' drawings (see last post) are just about finished and I'll try to post them by the end of the week. So, if you've bought some advertising space come back to see your hand illustrated ads. In the meantime I leave you with this craziness. Who knows what I'm ranting on about in this drawing. It's very late at night, the time of night when you shouldn't really be allowed a pen and paper and a blog.

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I don't really like to clog up my blog with the same stuff, I like to give you visitors some variety. However, I'm working on a number of labour intensive drawings at the moment, these included. They are almost there now. My next post will be the complete versions. So, if you've purchased advertising space, but do not see your ad yet, hang fire. They'll be along shortly.

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I'm currently enjoying a lovely staycation, with family and friends, which has kept me from blogging. However, I've been doing loads of sketching; journaling my little holiday. I know, I'm getting so brave! Anyways, I'll post all of those drawings over the next few days. In the meantime, I am still working on this illustrated 'classified ad' piece (or pieces).
I still have advertising space left in my next zine if you'd like to purchase some, and I have tried to simplify the buying/pricing process. The business card type ads are now available and at reduced prices. They are filling up though, so to get a spot you should buy sooner rather than later. This is all the space I have, and some of that has ads already lined up.

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So, folks, here's my new idea. I have always wanted to do a 'classified ads' (not sure what they are called in other countries, or even if you have them?) drawing. Plus, it could raise some revenue to get my next zine printed. I have almost finished all the artwork for the new zine, it's another 'Drawing with a Ballpoint Pen' zine, and I've just a couple of pages to complete. It'll be out in early October. And, this time it has more pages.

I've decided to sell the advertising space, but of course there is a twist, I'll be writing and drawing each of the ads in with my own fair hand. I'm adding, to Etsy, the first two options which are;

An announcement or message; words not pictures, 3 lines and up to 110 characters. Ideas for this are birthday wishes (don't forget the zine ain't out 'til October so birthdays after that), thank yous, hellos, would like to meets, marriage proposals, dumpings, coming out of the closet. Whatever you like as long as it can be said in less than 11o characters (one or two over is fine).This will cost $5. View the listing HERE.

Small square ad box; these can include a small icon, maybe your Flickr or Twitter profile icon. It would need to fit into a square, and not be too complicated a design; these boxes are just over an inch squared. I can also add your name (see the Miguel Herranz ad for guidance). Or I can add your Twitter name, and you can leave the rest to me. I'll come up with the bird! This will cost $10. Buy HERE.

Of course, you will not have to pay for any postage - but the price is for the ad ONLY. Not a copy of the zine. They will be listed separately, when released, in a month or so.

If you want one of the larger boxes hang fire and I'll add them in the next day or two. The larger spaces (business card size) can hold your name an image and your web addresses.


I hope this makes sense. I really do.

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Hello, folks.

At last a post. Sorry, no drawing as yet. And apologies for falling of the face of the earth like that. My life for the last month has been all about the woodland zine.

When will I ever learn? Once again I totally underestimated the time and effort that would go into making 75 lots of handwritten notes in each booklet and 75 teeny weeny letters of provenance. Not to mention 75 handmade gift tags. Then all of the packing and postage - and why just put them all in an envelope and send them off when you can put an envelope in an envelope in an envelope?? And, I ain't going to tell anyone about the three days I spent painting PVA on individual oak leaves with a pastry brush before realising it was probably very illegal to send leaves abroad. Anyway, I'm glad to say everyone of these little buggers are now in the mail. Thanks to all of you who purchased them. I do hope you enjoy them. I really do.

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So, I've taken a moment for a little commercial break. I thought I'd just let you know that I have now listed my first three zines (above) as a package. This is the cheapest way of buying them, so it's perfect for those of you who have not yet started your AJ collection (can't tell you how uncomfortable I am about writing this sort of stuff). Anyways, you can find them in my Etsy shop HERE. Also, new to the shop is this hot of the press limited edition zine based on my children's book. I have just 75 of these little fellas for sale. You can read more about them on my children's book blog or HERE.

Plus, in other news, I have recently been interviewed by the folks at the brilliant Empty Kingdom. If you are interested in reading about my work, and me, then click HERE.

Right that's the end of the sales pitch. I promise.

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Please tell me you've read at least one zine in your life.

Last week, GalleyCat published an essay by novelist Tim W. Brown about zines. That love poem took me back to my coffeehouse days in high school, paying a buck for a collection of poems, hardboiled stories and hand-drawn illustrations.

Check it out, and then follow the link for a mountain of old zines: "A list of publications from the 80s and 90s zine heyday ought to re-open the dusty accordion files stashed inside the brain of anyone remotely aware of publishing trends outside established commercial or academic channels..."

If you want more zine action, check out my interview with zine librarian, Jenna Freedman. Freedman opened a new archive for 1,500 zines at Barnard College--connecting to readers through a webpage, a MySpace account, and a Facebook space. She's making sure that these homemade magazines never die out. 

 

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A new list has hit the world of children’s literature–the Renaissance Learning Report on What Kids Are Reading. After gathering answers from more than 3 million students in U.S. schools, the report announces that first graders love Dr. Seuss, second graders are reading Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, E.B. White’s classic Charlotte’s Web is the third grade favorite, fourth graders flock to Judy Blume’s Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and fifth grade’s number one choice is Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is the most popular book among sixth graders.

Then the news becomes dismal. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is universally beloved by seventh and eighth grade readers and for that yawning chasm of ninth through twelfth grade, To Kill a Mockingbird wins hands down as most popular book for people ranging in age from fourteen to seventeen.

Please don’t get me wrong. These are two wonderful books and deservedly popular among every age group, from Generation Not Yet Born to the Baby Boomers. What bothers me immensely is that these two titles are quite evidently being widely read because they are on school reading lists, and that is the kiss of death for any book. There’s nothing like a good, stiff essay test to drain the life and enjoyment from any piece of literature.

Teachers and librarians deserve a hearty round of applause for rescuing students from the required reading of my youth, which was also the required reading for my mother in the days before World War Two. Silas Marner may well be a dazzling piece of English literature, but you’ll never get me to admit it–or, for that matter, my eighty-plus-year-old mother. Both of us, in our different generations, read it thoroughly enough to pass the following test with flying colors but neither of us would claim it as our best-loved book of that particular year.

This latest list does a great job of showing what is being assigned in classrooms across the country. What it doesn’t show is what “kids are reading,” especially when they hit adolescence, and this is something we all need to know, if only to enlarge our own reading horizons.

At the Tiger’s Bookshelf, we’ve asked questions about ways to make children readers. Perhaps one of the easiest ways is by finding out what they truly enjoy reading, picking it up for ourselves, and then talking with them about it, rather than making us talk to them about what we think they should be reading.

This may lead us into the graphic novel arena, or the world of fantasy and science fiction, or other literary roads that for some of us are less traveled. We could end up reading poems written for a poetry slam, or a zine or two. What is certain is that by asking questions and reading and discussing is going to lead us into more interesting territory than any list-making will.

What’s being read for pleasure by our children and why are those choices popular? When they go beyond the snack reading that every age group indulges in, what books do they turn to? What is being devoured, read again and again,and then passed on to friends?

I don’t know and I would certainly like to find out. Is there anyone out there with some answers?

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I reviewed the first two issues of Trunk Stories for SF Site back in 2005, and so I am happy to see that William Smith is continuing with the venture -- not as a print zine, since costs have become prohibitive, but online. The first story, "Dame Morehead's Sea of Tranquility" by Tobias Seamon, is now available as a PDF download from Smith's Hang Fire Books blog.

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Saturday May 17th, come check out Montreal’s Anarchist Bookfair with over 100 vendors (book sellers and independent presses) that promote “values of mutual aid, direct democracy, anti-authoritarianism, autonomy and solidarity.” If you feel like setting up a workshop, presentation or panel discussion, send in your proposal by March 3rd.

- DD

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Recently I went to my local library with an odd request: Did the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature still exist, or had it been replaced by the Internet? The reference librarian looked me over and sighed. It may still exist, she said, but the library hasn't purchased it since 2001 and few people have ever used it, or asked where it was kept. Once a massive multi-volume record of articles

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Yog's Notebook is currently seeking submissions in the SciFi, Fantasy and Horror categories for their 'zine. They don't pay a lot of money and really this is just a chance to get your name out there. Who knows, this could be your chance at building a grassroots fan base. In five years both you and Yog might be famous...if only because people will puzzle over the meaning of Yog.*

If you're interested in submission guidelines, go forth and click this link.

*And, yes, I do know the origin of Yog.

Oh, and a little something for you female comic lovers as well, check out girl-wonder.org "a collection of sites dedicated to females in mainstream comics. Our goals are to foster an attentive, empowered audience community and to encourage respect and high-quality character depiction within the industry."

I'm now off to visit the little bro and emerge myself Pabst land. Pray for my liver.

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