Trying to compile a list of asexual zines (& an online asexual zine archive)

[Omnes et Nihil]

So eventually, I'd really like there to be an online archive where people can download asexual zines-- something that collects the asexuality-related zines together in one place and makes them easily available. That way, ace folks can actually access them... and the zines themselves get exposure and don't get lost to history.

Don't get me wrong, online writing is wonderful, but zines are important too... and zines document moments in history in particular ways that I think is going to be especially valuable for ace communities as time goes on.

Step 1: Put together a list of asexual zines and zine that have writing about asexuality.

This is what I have so far:

• "Just Say No Thank You" (Issue 1, 2006; Issue 2, 2007)
• "Entertaining a Ghost" (2007)
• "Weird Terrain" (2009)
• "Asexual Feminism" (Issues 1 and 2, 2010)
• "Asexy" (issues 1 and 2, 2010)— perzine by the editor of "Asexual Feminism"
• "Asexy Life" (2010)
• "Taking the Cake" (2012)
• "F-ace-ing Silence" (issue 1, 2014; issue 2 in progress... see: rotten-zucchinis.tumblr.com)
• "Rotten Zucchinis" (issue 1, 2014)
• Ace Toronto zine— Issue 1: “Asexuality: Coming to Terms” (October, 2014)

Please speak up if you know of other asexuality-related zines or of asexual content in other zines. I know they're out there...

Step 2: Make contact with people who put out these zines and discuss the possibility of an online zine archive project.

Clearly, to make an online archive where these zines are available, I would need to get permission from the people who created the zines. I've sent AVEN pm's to the creators of the zines on this list, but I think several of these people have not been on AVEN in years, and probably won't get the messages.

Does anyone know how to contact any of the people who put out zines from before 2014?

Step 3: Find someone with the appropriate skills to create a webpage for this purpose and/or others eager to be a part of this.

Anyone interested?

[Robin L]

I think a combination of the AVENwiki or WordPress (probably overkill for a page) and an online file service like box.com or Google Drive would work.

[Omnes et Nihil]

Well, that sounds like the logistics are pretty straightforward then... I guess it's mostly just a matter of getting permissions.

[Siggy]

Making an archive is a good idea because these zines tend to get lost.

My coblogger Sciatrix contributed to the Asexual Feminism Zine, so maybe she either has a copy, or knows how to get in contact with the editor, Mage. Except that I mostly remember her talking about this in the context of complaining that she could not find a copy anywhere. I'll ask her about it.

[Omnes et Nihil]

Making an archive is a good idea because these zines tend to get lost.

My coblogger Sciatrix contributed to the Asexual Feminism Zine, so maybe she either has a copy, or knows how to get in contact with the editor, Mage. Except that I mostly remember her talking about this in the context of complaining that she could not find a copy anywhere. I'll ask her about it.

Oh, I guess I wasn't clear. I actually *have* physical copies of all these zines-- a couple years ago I did the work of tracking them down. [i also have hard copies of "Virgin" (issues 1 and 2) and while the first issue mentions asexuality, it doesn't seem to be about asexuality.]

Also, since I've contributed to many of them, I also have digital copies of most of them too. And I can scan the ones I only have in hard copy to make digital files.

The issue is getting permission to post these files publicly online.

[Metaparadox]

Making an archive is a good idea because these zines tend to get lost.

My coblogger Sciatrix contributed to the Asexual Feminism Zine, so maybe she either has a copy, or knows how to get in contact with the editor, Mage. Except that I mostly remember her talking about this in the context of complaining that she could not find a copy anywhere. I'll ask her about it.

Oh, I guess I wasn't clear. I actually *have* physical copies of all these zines-- a couple years ago I did the work of tracking them down. [i also have hard copies of "Virgin" (issues 1 and 2) and while the first issue mentions asexuality, it doesn't seem to be about asexuality.]

Also, since I've contributed to many of them, I also have digital copies of most of them too. And I can scan the ones I only have in hard copy to make digital files.

The issue is getting permission to post these files publicly online.

I'd love to see something like this project! I've gotten into zines recently, and I've been trying to collect all available zines on asexuality. So far I've bought my own copies of Virgin #1 and #2 (still available at the Antiquated Future distro) and Taking the Cake (first zine I ever bought), and have printed out my own copies of Asexual Feminism #1, Asexy Life, F-ace-ing Silence, Rotten Zucchinis, and the Ace Toronto zine. I haven't had any luck getting ahold of Weird Terrain, Entertaining a Ghost, Just Say no Thank You, or Asexual Feminism #2 or the Asexy perzines. I found Mage's AsexualFeminist Etsy site where she used to sell her zines and I sent her a message, but I just got an auto-response saying she was on vacation until July (which I assume was a long time ago).

I do know from looking at the Back of Asexual Feminism #1 that it says it is okay to copy and distribute it, so maybe it says this on her other zines. If it does, you could scan them and upload pdfs. Check the other zines to see if they have a similar message or say "anti-copyright" or something along those lines.

I also have come across some other zines that feature asexuality that aren't on Omnes et Nihil's list. My criteria includes zines on asexuality, where someone talks about their asexuality, or has at least a piece where asexuality is discussed. I don't count zines that just mention it in passing, limit discussion to defining it, are full magazines rather than zines, are ezines, or just happen to be made by asexuals when they don't talk about asexuality. Let's just say I've become mildly obsessed:

• Seawitch #5 - author talks about her demisexuality - I haven't ordered it yet, but you can get it here: http://clementinemorrigan.com/zines/
• Coming Up Aces - NSFW comic on the artist's asexuality. Not a pdf, but available here (I made a personal pdf and printed a booklet version for my collection.): http://imgur.com/gallery/nU5pk
• Better Than Sex - The tumblr post I found this in calls it a zine, even though it isn't printed (I took the images and made a pdf and printed it anyway, though, so it's in my collection.) It's a series of art of things that are better than sex. - http://xyaii.tumblr.com/post/85765127150/whats-better-than-sex-lots-of-stuff-when-youre
• Vitality October 2014 Promo Minizine - Queer short fiction, including one story with ace characters - Free download: http://www.readvitality.com/minizine
• Talking Trash #3: Love Stories - has a piece in it on asexuality - can be read and downloaded here: http://issuu.com/talkingtrash/docs/ttissue3
• Asexual, Bisexual, Cissexual - I lied. This one makes it to the list because the entire zine is about definitions and "Asexual" is in the title. I don't have this one yet, but I think it has a whole section on asexuality. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/119061009/asexual-bisexual-cissexual-a-sexual
• Chickweed #7 - I don't have this one either... and this is going to sound weird, but I know this has a piece talking about asexuality because I saw the pages in an asmr video the author made about her zines. They aren't for sale anywhere, but she explains how to get a copy in the video (in the first minute): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93GSZZEyYTo
• Asexual Pride - This seems like more of an ace 101 pamphlet, but it includes a personal story and was made by one person. Not downloadable, but can be read online. - http://issuu.com/fixersdesign/docs/fixers_asexuality_draft1
• Fucked: On Being Sexually Dysfunctional in Sex-Positive Queer Spaces - This is mostly not about asexuality, but sexual dysfunctions, but there is one piece talking about one author's relationship with the term "demisexuality" and how its definition matches her. - Downloadable pdf for sale here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/183020094/fucked-on-being-sexually-dysfunctional
• Brav_a #1 - This zine is in English and German, but the asexuality piece is in English - http://brava.blogsport.de/download/
• Wer A Sagt, Muss Nicht B Sagen #1-2 - These are entirely in German. I don't know any German. But supposedly these are about asexuality and sex positivity. - http://asexyqueer.blogsport.de/zine/ http://heavymentaldistro.org/zines_deutsch.html
• Some of the materials on the Asexual Awareness Week site are zine-like. - http://asexualawarenessweek.com/downloadable-resources/
• Being Demisexual - This zine isn't available yet. But on the author's facebook page she says it's almost done and just needs to be printed. - https://www.facebook.com/wetcowpatzines
• This etsy page has asexual stuff and zines. I don't know if the zines mention asexuality, though: https://www.etsy.com/shop/UmiNoTenshi
• Nowhere 2B Found - This was a zine for ace and queer identified people. Supposedly there was a finished version that could be purchased, but I've never heard of anyone getting a copy. - Relevant Links: http://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/43496-needed-personal-stories-from-gaylesbianbitransintersexual-asexuals-for-magazine/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nowhere-2B-Found/201809053608 http://wemakezines.ning.com/group/queerzinesandqueerzinesters/forum/topics/nowhere-2b-found-1-now-avaible
• Asexuality: A Brief Introduction - Not a zine, but there's still a free, printable pdf. - http://www.asexualityarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/AsexualityABriefIntroduction.pdf
• Asexy Zine (not the perzine) - I don't know whether there was ever a finished zine, but I remember reblogging a call for submissions on an old blog of mine. The site is gone. - https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://asexyzine.tumblr.com - http://nowchicago.tumblr.com/post/9567916253/krad-eelav-signal-boost-for-asexyzine-here-on (not my blog, but a different signal boost)
• The Ethical Ace - Failed. Never happened, but I know there were submissions. - http://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/83376-new-asexuality-zine-the-ethical-ace-call-for-submissions/
• There were other failed zines on asexuality, but I can't remember all the info. I know there was a call for submissions for an Asexy Life #2.
• I think there's also some more zines that aren't in English but... well, I only speak English, so they're hard to find.

Also, I'm writing a perzine right now that will have some sections where I talk about asexuality. I also have an asexual comp zine still in the planning stage, though I've saved a URL for it on tumblr. I'm a college student, so it may take a while to finish any of these. I'll post more info when I get further into the zine projects.

[Omnes et Nihil]

Thanks for all the suggestions and info Metaparadox! (I didn't want to quote your post since it's so long.)

It will take me a while to work thought that because I can't get to it right away, but I'm so glad you posted it. Are you interested in maybe taking this one with me? (If so, we should talk.)

[Metaparadox]

Here's some other potentials I just found listed in a university zine collection. All mention asexuality in the summary or tags. I'm pretty sure they're all out of print:

- Quantify - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/4992065

- Prude: Compilation Sexuality Zine - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/7772355

- Stay Gold, Pony Boy: Queer Geek Culture and the Brony Phenomenon - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/9706120

- "I knew a motherf*cker like you and she said..." - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/7653352

- Horn and Dress: New Poems - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/9342240 (For some reason the summary of this zine was copied into another listing, but I'm pretty sure this is the one it belongs with.)

- V. Reject - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/8599347 - This one may or may not include writing about asexuality. The author is asexual.

- White Blackbirds: More Conversations with Women Who Aren't Married and Don't Want to Be - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/7915093

And yes, I'd definitely be interested in participating in the project. I'm actually pretty new to the world of zines, but when I get into something i REALLY get into it. I've found all these zines by: Googling, searching Tumblr, searching Issuu.com, searching the AVEN forums, searching Etsy, searching online zine library catalogs, and sometimes entirely by chance. Googling zines is a very effective form of procrastination! In addition to my persistance at research, my potentially helpful skills are: experience with art, graphic design, re-formatting zine pdfs to be printable, and web design (eh... sort of... it's been a while.) I'm a computer science major, so I should be able to wrap my head around new programming languages if necessary. The only problem is that I'm a college student with a chronic illness, so even when I do have free time (which isn't that often), I'm usually exhausted.

Also, what are your ideas for hosting the archive? Should zines that happen to be made by asexuals be included even if asexuality isn't the topic?

[Metaparadox]

Found another! Juggling the Rainbow #3 has a piece by a polyamorous asexual. http://jugglingtherainbow.wordpress.com/zine-download/

[Omnes et Nihil]

Here's some other potentials I just found listed in a university zine collection. All mention asexuality in the summary or tags. I'm pretty sure they're all out of print:

- Quantify - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/4992065

- Prude: Compilation Sexuality Zine - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/7772355

- Stay Gold, Pony Boy: Queer Geek Culture and the Brony Phenomenon - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/9706120

- "I knew a motherf*cker like you and she said..." - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/7653352

- Horn and Dress: New Poems - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/9342240 (For some reason the summary of this zine was copied into another listing, but I'm pretty sure this is the one it belongs with.)

- V. Reject - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/8599347 - This one may or may not include writing about asexuality. The author is asexual.

- White Blackbirds: More Conversations with Women Who Aren't Married and Don't Want to Be - http://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/7915093

And yes, I'd definitely be interested in participating in the project. I'm actually pretty new to the world of zines, but when I get into something i REALLY get into it. I've found all these zines by: Googling, searching Tumblr, searching Issuu.com, searching the AVEN forums, searching Etsy, searching online zine library catalogs, and sometimes entirely by chance. Googling zines is a very effective form of procrastination! In addition to my persistance at research, my potentially helpful skills are: experience with art, graphic design, re-formatting zine pdfs to be printable, and web design (eh... sort of... it's been a while.) I'm a computer science major, so I should be able to wrap my head around new programming languages if necessary. The only problem is that I'm a college student with a chronic illness, so even when I do have free time (which isn't that often), I'm usually exhausted.

Also, what are your ideas for hosting the archive? Should zines that happen to be made by asexuals be included even if asexuality isn't the topic?

Wow that's a lot to look into. Thanks so much!

And I think we both have a lot going on so this will be a slow project to finish, but hopefully a doable one.

What I had in mind... an online place that can:

-- list all the ace zines and zines with ace content that we know about: I was thinking it might be a good idea to separate out zines where the whole thing is focused on ace-related stuff and zines where there's only a single mention of asexuality or a single piece on asexuality

-- provide links for where to download any of these zines for free ( for all the zines we can get permission to do that ) and information for where to get the others to extend that that's possible

-- descriptions of each zine ( when we get around to it )

[Metaparadox]

Found evidence of a comic zine titled Asexuality: A Public Service Announcement by Megan Yamanaka and Katie Bryant. This is the most info I've found about it: http://csczine.tumblr.com/post/47708942419/title-asexuality-a-public-service-announcement

[Metaparadox]

Found some more!

- Hoax #10 - Haven't read this, but the description mentions asexuality. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/199276607/hoax-10-feminisms-and-embodiments

- Lips: Expressions of Female Sexuality Spring 2013 - Has piece on asexuality submitted by author of demigray.org. WARNING: lots of sexual imagery in this zine. - http://www.demigray.org/post/69434823164/my-school-was-fortunate-to-have-its-very-own-zine https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/18064

Zines specifically calling for submissions from ace people (not published yet.) None of these are specifically ace zines (except for two), but they invite asexual people to submit or mention asexual issues as desired topics:

Specifically ace:

- Other - A zine for aromantic asexual agender people. Unsure if the project is dead or not. - http://aro-ace-agender.tumblr.com/

- Untitled Asexuality Zine - This is apparently being produced by a campus group. - https://www.facebook.com/events/1711403785750774

Not specifically ace:

- Too F*cked, Too Furious - sequel to F*cked - http://fuckedzine.tumblr.com/post/98468080041/call-for-zine-contributions-too-fucked-too-furious

- Gender Variance 101: An Educational Zine - tagged asexual, demisexual, gray-ace in call for submissions - http://radicalgendercoalition.tumblr.com/post/95045244381/radical-gender-coalition-presents-gender-variance

- Olly, Olly, Oxen Free - tagged asexual in call for submissions - http://unpackingqueer.tumblr.com/post/102454027890/olly-olly-oxen-free-zine-survey

- Sexual Assault and Sexuality Compilation Zine - Mentions asexuality in call for submissions. Unsure if still accepting submissions. TW for sexual assault - http://unionforgenderempowerment.tumblr.com/post/88408694763/sexual-assault-and-sexuality-compilation-zine-call

- Fat Sex Zine - Lists asexuality and demisexuality in the desired topics of the call for submissions. NSFW - http://tippaess.tumblr.com/post/100748203234/im-making-a-zine-about-fat-sex-its-being

- Queer Intersections Zine - tagged asexual, demisexual, greysexual in call for submissions - http://queerintersectionszine.tumblr.com/post/102421777922/call-for-submissions

Also, apparently the Antiquated Future zine distro is no longer selling Virgin #1 or #2. Marching Stars Zine Distro is selling Virgin #1, though.

Also found this, which was apparently from an in-progress zine titled Ace Up My Sleeve. It appears to be a dead project, and the artist/writer's blog is gone: http://asexualeducation.tumblr.com/post/46890602349/as-fine-as-dandelions-a-page-from-the-upcoming

[Metaparadox]

Wow... It's been a while since I've contributed anything, but I was super busy with finals and then spent three weeks vacation at my grandma's house. I didn't have full internet access there, so I didn't get any zine stuff done. But I do have new ace zine info!

First of all there is my zine, called Psychometry: A Zine on Found Objects and Small Things With Hidden Meaning. It isn't actually about asexuality, but there is a short paragraph in it about how I bought an asexual flag and how it made me feel. My zine site is here: http://oliviaszines.tumblr.com/. I'm open for trades! You can also buy it on Etsy and Storenvy (links on my tumblr).

Probably the most interesting thing I've come across is some comic zines by the same author (Elizabeth Watasin) that date back as far as 1993. They aren't about asexuality as the word is used today, but apparently this meaning of the word was discussed, as well as in relation to other aspects of gender and sexuality. The two comics were titled The Adventures of A-Girl (which stands for Asexual Girl, according to the author, and it seems there were at least #1-#5 in this series) and A-Girl is Swanky. It turns out that the author has a website. I've also been able to dig up old reviews of the zines and interviews with the author about them. Also, they've been uploaded to the internet (but are mixed in with some of the author's other comics.) Here's what I found:

- http://a-girlcomics.smackjeeves.com/comics/1177212/cover-0/

- http://a-girlcomics.smackjeeves.com/comics/1230010/page-3/ - This A-Girl story/strip is titled "A Question of Asexuality"

- https://a-girlstudio.com/?page_id=135

- http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/aug00/rev_0800_comic_jen.shtml

- http://www.sequentialtart.com/archive/aug00/watasin.shtml

- http://www.opticalsloth.com/?p=2878

- http://kumquat37.tripod.com/comics.html

- http://www.zompist.com/bob7.html

More Zines:

- A: Blackout Poetry from an Asexual Perspective by Beck Paterson - This just showed up on Etsy and is tagged as a zine. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/217503440/a-blackout-poetry-from-an-asexual

- Omnia: Fourth Edition - This appears to be a pop culture zine. It has an article on asexual characters on TV. Full zine readable. - http://www.scribd.com/doc/166259743/Omnia-4th-Edition

I also found this post by someone saying they are writing a perzine where their demisexuality will be discussed: http://feralismyheart.tumblr.com/post/104605066992/hello-i-am-nai-a-transwoman-an-autistic

I also found this call for submissions for a zine by and for ace people of color: http://lawofthetongue.tumblr.com/post/106544362555/call-for-subsmissions-asexual-poc-zine

I also found the official website for the White Blackbirds zine I mentioned on an earlier reply. There are pictures, but no mentions of a way to purchase it or read it: http://www.thelalatheory.com/wb.html

Also, I found out through some research that over the summer (when I'm within a few hours of NYC), I may be able to access Barnard's zine collection (my university has a connection to their library, so I'd be able to get in with my ID card), where some of the older zines I've found out about are located. Well... if I get a chance to go into the city. It's sort of iffy. I didn't get a chance last summer. Maybe someone who lives near a zine library with some of these zines could go check them out (and see if they really have asexual content and write a short summary of it) and/or scan zines (if they say they are freely distributable or copyable).

I'm also still working on my own perzine that will include pieces on asexuality. I also have plans for an asexual themed comp. zine.

[beckloltxtit]

Hello!

I don't have anything to add in terms of zine titles, but I am very excited to see my work mentioned in this thread:

More Zines:

- A: Blackout Poetry from an Asexual Perspective by Beck Paterson - This just showed up on Etsy and is tagged as a zine. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/217503440/a-blackout-poetry-from-an-asexual

I'd love to contribute to this project. How can I help?

[Omnes et Nihil]

Hello!

I don't have anything to add in terms of zine titles, but I am very excited to see my work mentioned in this thread:

More Zines:

- A: Blackout Poetry from an Asexual Perspective by Beck Paterson - This just showed up on Etsy and is tagged as a zine. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/217503440/a-blackout-poetry-from-an-asexual

I'd love to contribute to this project. How can I help?

There's lots of stuff to do.

Metaparadox seems to be a wiz at *finding* zines, so now we have a lot of titles to work from. I'm pleasantly surprised by how many zines have articles in them about asexuality.

I've started a wordpress blog for this (which isn't announced formally yet until there's a bit more on it)... but it will be very slow going if I do that part myself-- especially my notorious lack of competency with things like that.

If you're interested in putting stuff on the wordpress,

or if you'd like to read zines and write descriptions and maybe "keywords",

or try to contact the zine creators for permission to host actual pdfs of zines if those aren't already links available online...

We can figure more out in detail if you pm me, and we can maybe continue the conversation by e-mail?

[littlepersonparadox]

Hey

As for the idea of merging zines with the wiki were in the process of re-hauling it and would be a good idea of having a link to the collection someplace. Or a collection right on the page. PM me if you want to, it should be pretty easy to add in.

[ithaca]

As some of you may know, I'm doing archives of all things aces: http://www.asexuality.org/en/forum/108-world-watch-archive/

I think just a few of these zines were published in the years I've archived so far, but it'd still be really important for me to get copies of all of them (I wouldn't put them online without permission), as eventually I will catch up with everything.

I have an official email which is archives@asexuality.org if you could help me at all :)

[Robin L]

Looks like here's one.

[Omnes et Nihil]

Looks like here's one.

Thanks!

[Metaparadox]

Looks like here's one.

I checked the thread and the link has been removed. It may be one of the two new zines I found with ace content:

- A Zine/Some Tumblr Posts About Asexuality - This is a two-in-one minizine about asexuality. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/222669442/mini-2-in-1-asexuality-zine

- 2 Fucked 2 Furious: Still Sexually Dysfunctional in Sex-Positive Queer Spaces - I've been aware of this zine since the call for submissions, which specifically invited ace people to submit. I've bought the pdf and can confirm that there is some ace content. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/224020040/2fucked-2furious-still-sexually

[Omnes et Nihil]

Looks like here's one.

I checked the thread and the link has been removed. It may be one of the two new zines I found with ace content:

- A Zine/Some Tumblr Posts About Asexuality - This is a two-in-one minizine about asexuality. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/222669442/mini-2-in-1-asexuality-zine

- 2 Fucked 2 Furious: Still Sexually Dysfunctional in Sex-Positive Queer Spaces - I've been aware of this zine since the call for submissions, which specifically invited ace people to submit. I've bought the pdf and can confirm that there is some ace content. - https://www.etsy.com/listing/224020040/2fucked-2furious-still-sexually

Thanks I'll make sure I have them on the spreadsheet.

[Metaparadox]

I forgot to mention! I have a new zine out with ace content. I have a piece in it about ace pride and the ace flag, as well as a glossary of ace spectrum terms. The title is (meta)paradox #1 and you can see more about it here:

http://oliviaszines.tumblr.com/post/112679029459/i-finished-my-first-cut-and-paste-perzine-its

https://www.etsy.com/listing/224891555/perzine-metaparadox-1

[Metaparadox]

New zine find!

- Seawitch #7 - Talks about demisexual identity - http://clementinemorrigan.com/store/