Download the 2007 Workshop Application

List of 2008 WORKSHOPS & DISCUSSION PANELS

Saturday

Zines 101 by A.M. O'Malley, 11:00AM-12:30PM
An introduction for novitiates to the world of zines, learn the basics of zines, how to make zines and why you should with A.M. O'Malley.

Zine Trading by Hannah Sheehan, 11:00AM-12:30PM
This workshop is an introduction to new zinesters about the process of trading zines, providing a semi-structured forum within PZS for those who want to trade zines. Nothing builds a community like exchanging your thoughts in zine form! Hannah Sheehan will provide a guide to trading zines by mail and give a brief talk on how trading can be the most rewarding way to distribute zines. The majority of the workshop time, however, will be devoted to letting attendees trade and mingle.

Shortstory Workshop Part 1 by Justin Hocking, 11:00AM-1:00PM
After drawing inspiration from short-story master Raymond Carver, publishing-industry veteran and IPRC Director Justin Hocking will lead a discussion about what really makes a short story work in this first of a two session workshop. The purpose is to help participants develop as writers and get published, but also to see that you don't have to wait around for a publisher or magazine to validate you. Originated by legendary writers like William Blake and Virgina Woolf, self-publishing has a long history and increasing popularity. You will also create your own personalized covers using a print Gocco machine!

Etsy plus Zines by Nicholeanne and Alex Wrekk, 12:30PM-1:30PM
Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade items (as well as vintage and supplies). Zines fit nicely into Etsy's listings and there is even a zine street team! Join a panel of Etsy Team Zine members to discuss the ins and outs and the community of selling zines on Etsy.- "Chairs"

Practical Mimeograph Printing by Dan Hack and Jake Anderson, 12:30PM-2:30PM
Be the first on your block since the 1950s! This workshop will give the user the skills needed to print using the mimeograph, mutli stamp, and other antiquated methods of office duplication. Dan Hack and Jake Anderson will go over equipment set-up, stencil preparation, printing, and any other basics that will send the user into the wilderness of ragged, inky zine production. Most of the earliest zines - our roots - were printed using the mimeograph. It can be the most DIY method of zine production (short of scratching it out with a sharp rock on bark) - no electricity required!

Zines 202 by Marc Parker, 1:30PM-3:00PM
The Zines 202 workshop assists beginner and intermediate self publishers as they delve further into fervent zine addiction. Topics covered will include layout, creative binding, promotion, etiquette, burnout and zine-related tattoos. Tales of scandal and intrigue, and so forth.

Small Press/Comics Publishing by Dylan Williams, Greg Means, and Aron Nels Steinke, 2:00PM-3:00PM
Aron Nels Steinke, Greg Means, and Dylan Williams will go over how and why they run small press / comic book publishing businesses, including the basics of printing, publishing, and distro.

To get a letter, Write a letter! by Alex Wrekk, 2:00PM-3:00PM
A fun hands on crafty workshop celebrating the art of letter writing! Swap stories about pen pals and bring a zine you picked up this weekend or the address of a penpal that couldn't make it to PZS and, with supplied materials, create some postal art and send a letter. Envelope templates, glue, paper, scissors, pens and stamps provided.

Multnomah County Library Zine Collection Tour by Angela Weyrens and Emily-Jane Dawson, 2:00PM-4:00PM
Take a tour through the Central Library with zine supporting librarians! Learn about a treasured historical building (including "staff only" areas), share well-kept secrets about Multnomah County Library's collection that are helpful to the DIY community (clip art section, picture clippings, book craft and DIY collections), and peruse Multnomah County Library's ever-growing zine collection. After the tour, there will be snack and the opportunity to chat and ask questions.

The Benefits of a Self-Publishing Collective by Robopocalypse Comics Collective, 3:00PM-4:00PM
Members of the RCC will discuss the pros and cons of working in a small collective of self-publishers and artists, and to answer any questions from attendees who may want more info on starting a collective of their own.

Simple Bookbinding by June Coryell, 3:00PM-4:00PM
Part of the spirit of zine making is based on the handmade element. Binding books and pamphlets by hand is a perfect example of this. It is so simple to mass produce books while still making them feel personal and hand constructed with simple binding stitches. Everybody loves a good old fashioned, folded and stapled zine, but there are tons of other ways to bind books with creative stitches, glue, and folds.

Alternatives to Copyright by Magpie, 3:30PM-4:30PM
The purpose of the workshop is to offer people the alternatives to copyright that still protect their work, focusing on the advantages of creative commons, exploring a bit about the history of copyright and copyleft ideas. Although Creative Commons is a newer idea, it really gets at the roots of DIY and zine-making: allowing contribution while avoiding co-option.

Collecting Submissions by Bret Bernhoft, 4:00PM-5:00PM
A workshop to inform zinesters and prospective zinesters on how to advertise, collect and manage outside submissions for their zine, asserting the importance of taking full management of your own zine and how to network locally to attract as much attention as possible to your publications.


Sunday

Shortstory Workshop Part 2 by Justin Hocking, 11:00AM-1:00PM
After drawing inspiration from short-story master Raymond Carver, publishing-industry veteran and IPRC Director Justin Hocking will lead a discussion about what really makes a short story work in this second of a two session workshop. The purpose is to help participants develop as writers and get published, but also to see that you don't have to wait around for a publisher or magazine to validate you. Originated by legendary writers like William Blake and Virgina Woolf, self-publishing has a long history and increasing popularity. You will also create your own personalized covers using a print Gocco machine!

Homorobicsby Nicole Georges, 11:00AM-12:00PM
Physically strengthening community members in a feminist, queer, & body friendly environment with an emphasis on pleasure, not weight loss! Relaxed. Fun. Join Nicole J. Georges of Invincible Summer and Bionic Diane Gasperin of Floor Hockey PDX for some super special Zine Symposium Homorobics! Homorobics is a straight-friendly, body positive aerobics class normally held in NE Portland, making a special trip to PSU for the Portland Zine Symposium this to work your body out. Wear your favorite unitard, put on those hot pants, and get ready to move your zinester bodies! We promise you won't get too sweaty to table afterwards.

How To Do Everything by A.M. O'Malley, 11:30AM-1:00PM
A workshop to create a collaborative zine that encourages all participants to provide a page or two on what they are an expert at (how to fly a kite, how to evade a bear...).

A Look at Queer Zine History by DruglessxF, 12:00PM-1:00PM
Queer zines occupy a special place in the culture of zines, they embody elements of a radicalized sexuality. Queer zines, as opposed to mainstream gay literature and periodicals, have long retained a sense of radical politics. Queer zines have never been single issue, but have rather tried to look at self publication as a tool for understanding the power of self actualization of gender, race, feminism, class, in addition to sexual orientation. Queer zines can definitely be interpreted as community, a place for queer zinesters, punks, malcontents, etc. to hear each others' voices.

Never Go To Kinkos Again! by Rustin H. Wright, 12:00PM-1:00PM
We live in a city with plenty of great places to get supplies, wonderful options for learning what you can do, and cheap, practical ways to own your own means of production. So why do so many folks still end up making regular trips to Staples, Office Despot, and Kinkos? Starting with a quick review of where and how to get supplies (including some good dumpster diving areas), Rustin will then get into more detail about what you've got in Portland that frees you from ever again needing the corporate monoliths to make your stuff.

Jam Comics! by BT Livermore, 1:00PM-2:30PM
Jam comics have been used to build community amongst comic artists for quite some time. Workshop attendees will work together to create collaborative comic pages that they will be able to take home with them. Some drawing supplies will be provided by PZS, but feel free to bring your own favorites.

Zinesters Guide to the U.S. Mail by Jerianne, 1:00PM-1:45PM
This workshop will cover the various options zine publishers can use for mailing within the U.S., including detailed information about the new First Class rules, Media Mail, and Bound Printed Matter.

Biweekly Madness by Ladypajama, 2:00PM-3:30PM
In this workshop, attendees will learn how doing something small every couple of weeks can really add up to quite a lot.  Ladypajama will share her experience of making a zine every two weeks for the last 2.5 years and explain how to compile and layout an eight page, quarter size zine.

IPRC Tour by Justin Hocking, 2:00PM-4:00PM
Have you ever wondered why Portland is such an awesome town for zines? Or, have you ever wanted to meet a copy machine named Stan or try on something called The Hat of Shame?  If so, then this tour of the Independent Publishing Resource Center might be just the ticket. Just a short walk from the Portland Zine Symposium, the IPRC is a collective workspace for zinesters, artists and writers, one of the very few centers of its kind.  And as of March 2008, it also just so happens to be celebrating its TEN YEAR birthday!  Come marvel at the IPRC's free public zine library - one of the largest in the world with nearly 6,000 circulating titles. The IPRC also has a new art gallery, currently featuring artwork aby local artist/zinester/wildman Justin "Scrappers" Morrison, as well as a permanent mural by him.  Other highlights include the newly remodeled and expanded letterpress shop, the always-bustling production room, and a new A/C and ceiling fan to keep all zinesters cool. This tour will be led by IPRC Director Justin Hocking.

Screenprinting 101: The Basics by Smitty Amabilis, 2:30PM-4:00PM
This workshop will go over the basics of equipment and supplies need to start screenprinting at home. Screenprinting is a versatile art form that allows for awesome DIY self-expression. Certain elements of screenprinting are easy enough that almost anyone can do it, while other are complex enough that you can still have a lot to learn after years of practice. Screenprinting has been a part of the DIY culture probably since its inception and it can really bring people together to work on a project (like a run of protest shirts)..
DIY Comix by Shawn Granton, 3:00PM-4:00PM
Learn how to make those comics you're piling up in your sketchbook into a completed printed pamphlet with Shawn Granton. Shawn Granton has been producing his mini-comic, Ten Foot Rule, since 1997 and he is a very lazy freelance illustrator. He has been a member and a staffer of the IPRC since 2001. History, technique and what to do with your comic when completed will also be discussed.



Is there a workshop you'd like to see at Portland Zine Symposium? Is there one you'd like to teach? 

Is there a topic you'd like to discuss with fellow zinesters in a public forum? Would you like to lead a discussion on any topic?

Well, you better tell us about it! If you have ideas for workshops and/or panels you'd like to see at the 2008 PZS, email us at pdxzines@gmail.com. If you know someone who teaches workshops or who you think should be involved with panels, send them our way. If you know a zinester who likes to talk about being more active in the zine community, tell them to put their action where their mouth is and send them our way. If you'd like to to lead a workshop and/or panel at PZS, submit a form for our review and probable approval.