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How much it costs to make a zine

 

Making art is an expensive endeavor. Last year I started Catahoula Zine, a quarterly print publication that features eight to ten writers and artists reacting to a singular theme. Zines are the original self-publishing platforms. Anyone with access to pen and paper can make one and the beauty of zines lies in their DIY roots. However, you can also make your zine as fancy schmancy as you’d like. I like to collect all types of zines including beautiful risograph prints and ones that more closely resemble scratch paper.

I’m breaking down my expenses from my first year of zine-making in case anyone is interested in starting their own. I print with MagCloud, a print on demand service that offers high quality, perfect bound glossy publications. Depending on the pages and size, I pay between $4-$6 an issue and sell them for $8-$12. That profit doesn’t even cover my expenses though, which I’ve broken down below.

 

 

In 2016 I spent about $1,300 to print four issues, two supplementary issues, and some mini photo prints. I also attended three zine and book fests: Press Fest in Austin, New Orleans Comic and Zine Fest and the New Orleans Bookfair. You don’t have to spend as much as I did to start a zine, but prepare to fork over some cash if you plan on distributing them.

Expenses:

Shipping & postage: $162.34

Printing: $800

Business cards plus a vinyl banner for zine fests: $64

Festival fees: $68

Hotel for one night: $151

Uber in Austin: $35

Grand total: $1,280.34

Expenses not factored in:

Meals in Austin, gas, domain purchase, and monthly Adobe subscription. My true grand total is between $1,600 and $1,800.

Where I saved money:

The Austin trip was part business, part pleasure. I stayed with my sister a few nights (she lives an hour from Austin) so I saved money on hotels. I also have an Adobe student subscription, which gives me access to the programs I need (InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom) for the price of one program.

Where I could have saved money:

I definitely overspent on dog.bites, the supplementary, cheaper zine I produced specifically to sell at zine fests.  I went to Kinko’s and shelled out more than I wanted. I originally wanted to sell dog.bites for $3 a piece but had to sell them for $6 to recoup my costs. I made about $1.40 off each one sold.

I paid for tables at three zine fests but I didn’t have to. NOCAZ offered free tables to locals and New Orleans Bookfair offered a sliding scale. I could have opted for the free table but decided to donate to the cause anyway.

Three of my four first issues had contributors. I sent each writer and artist one free copy of the zine. I could have just sent a PDF of the issue but since I’m not paying anyone I thought a print copy was only fair. This year I’m only accepting submissions for two of the four issues in an effort to save money on shipping and printing costs.

Where I made money:

The fests were my real money makers. I made between $130-$180 per day at NOCAZ (two days) and over $100 at the New Orleans Bookfair. I made $55 at Press Fest. It was the least lucrative fest but I met several people and it was an excuse to visit my sister. I also made money selling issues on the retail level (after the store takes a cut) and directly to readers at two issue launch parties, a pop up art gallery I hosted, and through the Catahoula website.

 

I hope this was somewhat helpful and the financial aspect of zine-making isn’t too discouraging. Money aside, I was introduced to lots of great people doing interesting things and really feel privileged that people trust me to publish their work. Drop a line at hello@catahoulazine.com if you want to chat about zines via email or IRL.

 

 

 

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You’re invited: Catahoula issue two launch party

William Seward Bonnie
art by William Seward Bonnie

 

Come for the zines, stay for the pretzel plate. The second issue of Catahoula is here! The Spring Issue features over 40 pages of art, photography, poetry and prose by artists and writers from New Orleans and beyond. The theme, “wander,” stretches the meaning of the word.  Poems and essays cover everything from daydreaming, being homeless, the exploration of one’s self, travel writing to seeing one’s hometown with a fresh set of eyes.

I decided to throw a launch party as an excuse to get together over cocktails. It gets lonely sitting at home editing copy with just a laptop and a few cats.  My friends at Sarsaparilla were gracious enough to invite us into their space. In case you’ve never been, Sarsaparilla is a weekly pop-up bar serving affordable craft cocktails and small plates every Tuesday inside Dante’s Kitchen. The mood is come-as-you-are; enjoy live music and board games while you stuff your face. Oh yeah, I’ll also have zines available for sale.

 

Catahoula Issue Two Launch Party

Sarsaparilla (inside Dante’s Kitchen)

736 Dante St.

Tuesday April 19 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

RSVP here on Facebook

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events new orleans

Drunken stories, true stories

I’m speaking at two events in two weeks, the first of which is tonight. Yeah, You Write! features poetry and prose from 8 UNO students. I will be reading my true short story “Notes From a Floating Motel.” It’s about all of the fun I didn’t have on a cruise. Go for the free snacks, stay for the literature. 
 Close Me Out! touts itself as “the drunken telling of drunken tales.” I can’t guarantee my inebriation level, but I do have a plethora of old drinking stories to pull from. Don’t worry, the only person I will be publicly humiliating is myself and my husband. Anything for a good story, right?
Yeah, You Write!
Tuesday, September 24 6:00 p.m.
Sandbar at the Cove, University of New Orleans 
Founders Road, 2000 Lakeshore Drive
Close Me Out!
Saturday October 4 8:00 p.m.
Hi-Ho Lounge
2239 Saint Claude Ave

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Yeah, You Write

After clocking far too many hours on my laptop this semester, I’m happy to say that I’ve been chosen to read my original work “Blue Laser Beams” at the University of New Orleans’ Yeah, You Write series. If you’d like to listen to me attempt to not stumble on my own written words, check out the event this Thursday night. My non-fiction story is about a teenager whose fashion choices alienate her from the rest of her classmates. She wants to stand out, yet secretly wants to fit in as well. Here’s a sample:


         

Baker’s neon sign was a laser beam cutting through my fog of teenage angst. I was a product of the 1990s grunge era: a crushed velvet dress, worn with a flannel shirt tied around the waist, and clunky shoes is the look I lusted after. I blended in at school about as well as a duck hunter sporting a safety orange vest on Wall Street. “Sassy Magazine” was my fashion bible, but the clothes featured in the editorial spreads were either too expensive or unavailable to me. Shipping costs were deemed a waste of money in our household, so catalog orders were off limits as well. Little did I know that my shoe fantasies would be fulfilled at Baker’s. And sure enough, tucked away in a forgotten corner of the store were the flashiest shoes I could find and they were seventy-five percent off! Of course they were deeply discounted; no one in my town would be caught dead wearing platform lace ups with the veneer of a diner seat booth. The baby powder blue vinyl, embedded with a million holographic sparkles, reflected the joy I felt in being  one sales transaction away from being just as cool as my rock star idols. The white platform rubber soles with the wrap around faux blonde wood would proclaim my status as someone more worldly than my suburban roots. Everyone I encountered would think “That girl! She listens to Mazzy Star and Nirvana and would pierce her nose if her mother let her!”

Yeah, You Write: UNO Undergraduate Reading
Thursday, March 20 6:00pm
Sandbar at the Cove, UNO Campus 
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NOLA Fashion Week Recap

Oops! It’s been a month since I’ve updated. Sorry y’all. Life tends to get in the way of blogging. I’ve had some major life changes, all of which have been positive but I’ve been distracted, to say the least. Propaganda New Orleans has been keeping my inbox nice and full, but I was able to take time out to attend NOLA Fashion Week earlier this month. Our Creative Director Donovan Fannon took gorgeous photos of the Amanda deLeon show, and there are more on our Facebook page, with pictures still being added. There’s plenty of coverage on my personal Instagram account and the NOLA Prop Instagram as well, but here are some of my favorites.

Team Propaganda- me, Lissy, and Leslie. photo c/o Lissy
Group shot!
Lissy, Meg, and I, minus my NOLA Prop wifey Leslie
Dorothy Wins, always

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Tallulah’ Designs: Created Not Made Kickstarter Campaign

Heather Williams of Alabama based fashion label Talullah is expanding her brand, and she wants you to help her hire. If you aren’t familiar, Talullah is a “created not made” collection of dresses and separates, all handmade by Williams herself. She’s looking to raise $35,000 via Kickstarter to hire on a staff and expand production from 40 dresses to 200, all while sticking to her mantra of lovingly made clothing vs. mass produced goods.

In addition to feeling good about supporting a southern fashion designer, you’ll get Tallulah goodies, at all levels of support. From exclusive t-shirts, jewelry, all the way to custom made dresses. Watch the video below to learn more about the Tallulah brand, or click on their Kickstarter link here to help.

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Half Price Ads In February

My birthday was last Saturday on Groundhogs Day, which is fitting since it is sometimes overshadowed by major events like the Superbowl, Mardi Gras, etc… Mind you I’m not complaining- it just means people are in the mood to party.

Now that I’ve ate my weight in king cake, blueberry pie (thanks Dorothy!) and the presents are all tucked away, I’m offering all of my readers  half price ads on Slow Southern Style for the month of February.  Only two spots remain, so nab yours now. Just use the code “happybday” to take advantage. Head over to the advertising tab on the right to set yours up.

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art events jewelry new orleans southern style

Treat Yo’Self Trunk Show

I can’t think of a better marriage than handmade jewelry and folk art, can you? Jupiter Lala and Rebecca Rebouche are teaming up this Friday for a special trunk show at Rebouche’s charming studio, The Beauty Shop.

In addition to the whimsical mixed media art and painstakingly detailed jewelry, there will be king cake, bubbly, and handmade paper fortunetellers.

Read up about Rebecca Rebouche via my Uptown Messenger article from this past summer, or head over to the Facebook event page to RSVP.

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Tips to get your costume together

It’s officially carnival season- are you as giddy as I am? While I’ve already got most of my costume supplies, I haven’t done a lick of sewing yet. I’m keeping it all a secret this year, but three words: orange short shorts. Want another hint? That’s what my husband is wearing. 



If you need a little help figuring out what in the hell you’re going to be for Mardi Gras, fear not. I’m sharing my tips to get your costume together at the East Bank Regional library on Wednesday, January 23rd at 7:00pm. From what to look out for when shopping, to a list of stores you’ll need to make it happen, consider this DIY Costume 101.  For more information check out the library’s calendar listing by clicking here or sign up on the Facebook event page. Have a question you’d like answered? Leave it in the comments below, or send it to slowsouthernstylellc@gmail.com.



Mardi Gras 2012







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Fa la la la la at Free People

The New Orleans Free People store is creating a retail winter wonderland this Saturday, December 15th to help get you in the holiday shopping spirit. From styling sessions, delectable treats, to a live performance by New Orleans own Elli Perry, this will be one shopping event you won’t want to miss. 
Purchases over $150 are eligible for a raffle for one of two $25 Free People gift cards, and there are free giveaways with every purchase.  RSVP on the Facebook event page here and tell them Slow Southern Style sent ya!
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