Make a Zine!: Underground Publishing Revolution (5th Edition)

Make a Zine!: Underground Publishing Revolution (5th Edition) is a practical, passionate guide to creating and sharing your own zines in a world shaped by social media, algorithms, and mass publishing.

Published by Microcosm Publishing and written by Joe Biel, this updated edition builds on the original work (co-edited with the late Bill Brent) to reflect how zine culture continues to evolve. Designed for beginners, the book walks readers through every step of making a zine—from ideas and layout to printing, sharing, and sustaining a practice—while also exploring more advanced topics like Creative Commons licensing, legality, and long-term sustainability.

Illustrated by a wide range of artists and cartoonists, the book also includes a thoughtful look at the indie comix scene, with a dedicated chapter by punk illustrator Fly (Slug and Lettuce, Peops). Blending history, how-to guidance, and cultural context, Make a Zine! celebrates self-expression, community publishing, and the power of sharing ideas outside the mainstream.

Whether you’re making your very first zine or returning to the copier with fresh perspective, this book is an encouraging reminder that your voice matters—and that publishing can still be joyful, accessible, and radical.