If you hear someone say, “I love when you can just tell that everyone involved is having fun,” chances are pretty good they’re talking about Zine Machine, the magazine named after the original concept: a literal vending machine for zines – but it is also so much more!
Zine Machine is a quarterly publication of writing and visual art formatted as a mini zine which is compatible with its vending machines. (Exact specifications and an example template are available at zinemachine.com/submissions.) New issues are published on the first of January, April, July, and October, and in keeping with the name, these quarterly issues can be purchased via vending machine through partnering retailers. (More information about these locations can be found at zinemachine.com/pop-ups.) These zines are also free to read as digital flipbooks online while individual zines and full issues are available to purchase on the Zine Machine website.
A Different Lit Community
Zine Machine Founder and Editor Kristen Renee Miller runs a legacy publishing house as her day job, and explains, “When I created Zine Machine, I cherry-picked all the easiest and most fun parts of working in publishing and then added in some things I wish I could do more, like making things by hand, meeting more artists, and generally operating in a less-industrialized corner of the lit world.”
While the Zine Machine makes sense given Miller’s motivation, “Why zines?” is something she still gets asked. “I used to have to think about it,” Miller muses, “but I was drawn to zines instinctively — I found them clever and joyful, and that was enough for me. On reflection, I think zines are an antidote to a lot of what’s become ossified about publishing. You don’t see a lot of clout chasing in zines, for instance. You don’t see much mention of writer’s block or a cottage industry of advice blogs around gaming publication as a zine artist. You don’t see institutions of higher learning making bank from a young person’s dream to express themselves artistically through zines. You do see a lot of unburdened playfulness, generosity, innovation, humor, imperfectness, and curiosity. And a lot of brilliance. I’m always completely humbled and inspired when I see an artist putting truly brilliant work into a zine. Zinemaking hasn’t quite cured me of being a perfectionist who hoards my good ideas until long after they’ve gone bad, but I feel like eventually, possibly, it might.”
Encouraging New Zinesters
While fun and playful, Zine Machine comes with some clout. Miller [pictured] is the director and editor-in-chief of Sarabande Books as well as an award-winning poet and translator. She is a 2023 NEA Fellow and the translator of two books from the French by Ilnu Nation poet Marie-Andrée Gill. She is the recipient of honors from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, AIGA, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Gulf Coast Prize in Translation, and the American Literary Translators Association. Her work can be found widely, including in Poetry, The Nation, and Best New Poets.
For writers looking to place works in this fun format, submissions are free and accepted via Submittable every quarter. Miller personally reads the submissions and makes selections for upcoming issues. Once all accepted artists have responded, Miller sends out decline notices, usually within 3-4 weeks of the final submission deadline. Due to volume (for the upcoming issue, the acceptance rate was 2.7%), feedback is not provided except in rare circumstances.
“For readers who are already zine artists or fans,” Miller says, “I hope Zine Machine reflects what they love about the form and community: playfulness, innovation, advocacy, good art, and writing, or a moment of connection with another creative human and their special interest. For readers who are just exploring zines or learning about them for the first time, I hope Zine Machine gives them a sense of possibility. I hope they’re inspired to make a zine. I’ve actually heard from a lot of writers and artists who made their first zine because of Zine Machine.”
Those inspired to make zines include contributors Luisa A. Igloria, Larry Law, Minda Honey, Miriam Calleja, LA Marks, Lindsay Lusby, Kris Kalinowski, Erin Dorney, Lucie Brooks, Kristina Erny, Dana Campbell, Henry Kneiszel, Jane Potthast, Britny Cordera, Sylvie Mayer, Rachel Dorsey, Gina Martucci, Roger Kim, David Handforth, and En En Hsu.
Easy Mode Makes It Work
Every new venture presents unique challenges, but even more so when creating a completely original approach. In this, Miller learned a hard-earned lesson: “Do more things on easy mode. I’m a perfectionist, so I tend to expect every project that’s worth anything to be a drawn-out struggle. The original zine vending machine* sat in my garage half-completed for five years because I believed launching it would be this huge effort and I’d never be able to carve out the time to really do it right [heavy emphasis on the air quotes “right”]. As a thought experiment in spring of 2025, I decided to try executing the easiest possible version of my idea, and the whole thing took less than six months, from drawing up the business model to launching the first issue. And I’ve literally never had so much fun doing anything. So, yes: easy mode.”
Continuing to look for more ways to grow and flex the Zine Machine, Miller shares, “This winter, we released ‘Zine Mixtape Editions’ — full issues of Zine Machine packaged in custom cassette cases. Readers can subscribe to the full year and receive each new issue as soon as it’s released. Later this year, we’ll be releasing ‘Art Book Editions’ — full issues, hand stitched in miniature volumes using traditional book-arts materials and techniques. We’ll also continue to expand our retail partnerships so more indie booksellers and small businesses can operate a Zine Machine in their store.”
*The original Zine Machine is currently operating at KMAC Contemporary Art Museum in Louisville. It’s stocked with zines from past issues of the magazine and special collaborations with local artists.
