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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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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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holiday sales

Ugly Xmas Sweater Tees from Skip & Whistle

Once relegated to hipsters or maw maws (that’s grandma, if you didn’t know), tacky Christmas sweater parties are pretty much de rigeur these days. With so many people hitting up thrift stores, eBay, or the back of mom’s closet, the supply doesn’t always meet the demand. It can also be unpredictably hot at this time of year, at least on the Gulf Coast.  No one wants to be stuck in scratchy, acrylic knitwear when even the mistletoe is wilting.
 Local t-shirt shop Skip & Whistle heeded the call and designed a collection of fun, tacky Christmas sweater t-shirts, an excellent alternative that ensures you can be comfortable and not be mistaken for a scrooge. Pick one up now at a special price during Fab.com’s sale by clicking here. Or, if you’re the type that would rather get a last minute gift (hey, some people work better under pressure) visit their Etsy shop at anytime. 

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Andrea Loest Online Trunk Show and Sale

Photo collage c/o Megan Hargroder of Conversations

I have a confession- I’m a very selfish person. Just ask my husband- I always make sure we’re even steven when splitting a pint of ice cream, or indulging in a bottle of wine. So when Andrea Loest invited me to check out her trunk show before it was released to the public, I called a friend (hey- I’m not that greedy) and set a date to see the designs in person to get first dibs.



Andrea serves up one of a kind dresses, all handmade in New Orleans. Her creations normally retail between $600-$800 but you can get your own unique frock for a paltry $100. No two are exactly alike, but they each carry her signature style – lots of decorative stitching, repurposed fabrics, and custom dye jobs.  Make your purchase at her online store, or check it out in person at her studio by setting an appointment via e-mail to andrealoest@gmail.com. It’s a fun way to have your own private shopping experience with a friend or two. And make sure to tell her Slow Southern Style sent ya!


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Guest Post: Timing is Everything

I’m out at sea this week, so while I’m cruisin’ around Mexico I’ve got several lovely ladies taking the blogging reins for me. Let them know how much you like their posts by leaving words of wisdom in the comments. See y’all when I get back and sadly no, my pasty white self won’t be bringing back a tan.



 Anyone can find out where to shop, but a smart southern fashionista knows that when to shop is just as important as whereto shop.
For decades the Junior League’s Bloomin’DEALS Thrift Shop has been a New Orleans shopping destination for those in search of everything from designer handbags to Halloween costumes.  But you already knew that.
Ann Taylor Tweed Blazer
Gently Used Cole Haan Handbag
 What you might not know is that at the end of every season, Bloomin’DEALS Thrift Shop holds a bag day. Patrons fill a 33 gallon bag with “all you can push, pull, or drag” for only $9!  The next Bag Day is Saturday, March 3rd. The doors open at 10:00 am, but to get first dibs you’ll want to grab a latte and be in line before then!. It’s a perfect time to literally grab those staple clothing items that will fill the gaps in your wardrobe.

Return the week after a bag day, to have the first pick at all of the merchandise for the new season. Speaking of new, Bloomin’DEALS Thrift Shop also has Boutique Days featuring brand new merchandise at significantly reduced prices. 
A true southerner can never have enough of her team colors
4645 Freret St.
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504)897-9128
Thanks to Junior League of New Orleans Member Veronica Del Bianco for writing this post.


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Black Friday is not a holiday

Surprise y’all, I’m off on another adventure of the outdoorsy kind. So it goes without saying that I won’t be in queue waiting for the Black Friday sales– sheer shopping pandemonium has never been my thing. In fact I’m probably walking barefoot through a creek right now, eating string cheese and talking to my dog.  If you’re out buying Xmas presents I highly encourage you to shop local, and it doesn’t get more local than art markets. So mark your calendars for a more relaxed, and dare I say fun shopping excursion this holiday season. Handmade objects are much personal than a mass produced scarf you got on sale anyway.




10th Annual King Pin Art Bizarre – Holiday Art Market 
Saturday, November 26, 2011 
12:00pm – 6:00pm 
Kingpin Bar 
1307 Lyons St. 

More information can be found on the Holiday Art Market Facebook page

THE 6TH ANNUAL LAST STOP SHOP AT THE BIG TOP!
HOLIDAY MARKET & PARTY
Thursday, December 15th, 2011
6pm-10pm
Big Top Art Gallery – 1638 Clio St
Many more details forthcoming at: http://www.neworleanscraftmafia.com.
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Cree’s Cheap Chic 10th Annual Costume Sale

Halloween is coming up and y’all need a costume. October 31st is a big night in New Orleans and the town goes wild with goblins, political figures, and creatures that crawled out of the swamp. I’ve written a slew of blog posts if you need a little help deciding what to be this year but what you really need to do is get out and start shopping before all of the good stuff is gone.

Cree McCree, founder of Righteous Fur is having her 10th Annual Halloween Costume Sale this weekend to help you get on the right track. There will be vintage and recycled costumes for men and women, Halloween cocktail couture items such as bat bustiers and skeleton hand bras, and a $5 rack and $1 boxes with “costume makings for all you creative types.” Check out the flyer below for times and location.

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Slow Southern News

Bayou Salvage will be hosting a recycled fashion workshop at the East Bank Regional Library on Thursday, January 27th at 7:00pm. Attendees will learn how to redesign old t-shirts into fashionable items.

Langford Market’s monthly Style 101 event  is “Get the most out of your closet”. Shoppers are encouraged to bring in one item they already own and have trouble styling for assistance. RSVP is requested and the fun is from 7:00pm-8:00pm.

Want super cheap clothes? Plato’s Closet is throwing a dollar sale on January 29th and 30th. All clearance items will be $1.00.

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Slow Southern News

Ruby’s denim buy back is happening January 27-29th. 
Bring in an old pair of jeans and get $50 off a new pair!

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Slow Southern News

There are so many good sales going on this week from some of my favorite stores and designers! Be sure to take advantage of at least one.

Feet First is having a BOGO sale. Buy any sale item and get a second sale item at 1/2 off. Use the code BOGO50 to shop online.

Fairy is having 20-50% off their sale merchandise starting this week.

Billy Reid is having a big 60% sale on all sale items both in store and online.

Pearl Southern Couture has marked down everything in their online store by 45-55% off. Hurry, the sale ends on 1/13!

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