fanzines

Fanzines are self-published magazines created by fans for fans, produced outside mainstream commercial publishing and circulated within a defined community. They typically cover a shared interest—most notably science fiction fandom but also music, comics, gaming, anime, and beyond—and include a mix of articles, fiction, criticism, art, and reader letters. Fanzines commonly emphasize participatory culture and volunteer production rather than profit.

Historically, fanzines arose in the early 20th century and especially the science fiction subculture of the 1930s–1960s, spreading via clubs, mail subscriptions, and mimeographed or otherwise duplicated copies. As printing technology evolved, fanzines became easier to produce and distribute. The model also spread to other communities, including punk and music scenes, where low-cost duplication and photocopying enabled rapid, affordable publishing.

Content is typically editor-driven but highly collaborative, relying on volunteers to write, edit, print, and distribute. Common features include letters columns, reviews, fan fiction, artwork, and commentary on current developments in the focal community. Fanzines can be single-issue projects or ongoing series, sometimes collected in archives or libraries as cultural sources.

With the rise of the internet, many traditional fanzines migrated online as web zines or blogs, while some continue as print editions. The fanzine form has influenced independent publishing and DIY media practices, contributing to attitudes toward fan labor, intellectual property, and participatory culture. It remains a historical and contemporary record of fan communities.