Difference between revisions of "Microcosm Publishing"

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(we peobably won't have articles about patches and buttons, so they have been de-wikified)
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[[Image:microcosm.gif|frame|Microcosm Publishing logo]]
 
[[Image:microcosm.gif|frame|Microcosm Publishing logo]]
  
Microcosm Publishing is an independent publisher and distributor based out of [[Portland]], OR and [[Bloomington]], IN that distributes [[Zine|zine]]s, [[book]]s, [[pamphlet]]s, [[sticker]]s, [[1" buttons]], [[canvas patches]], posters, t-shirts, films, and more. The focus is on publishing zines and books in the hopes that it will add credibility to zine writers and their ethics. Titles attempt to teach self-empowerment to disenfranchised people and to nurture their creative side.  
+
Microcosm Publishing is an independent publisher and distributor based out of [[Portland]], OR and [[Bloomington]], IN that distributes [[Zine|zine]]s, [[book]]s, [[Pamphleteer|pamphlet]]s, stickers, 1" buttons, canvas patches, posters, t-shirts, films, and more. The focus is on publishing zines and books in the hopes that it will add credibility to zine writers and their ethics. Titles attempt to teach self-empowerment to disenfranchised people and to nurture their creative side.  
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
  
Microcosm Publishing began in 1996 when self-described "hippie pretending to be post-punk" [[Joe Biel]] started the distro and then-record-label as a part-time mailorder out of his bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, many Microcosm employees have come and gone, including [[Brainscan]] editor [[Alex Wrekk]], who was hired in 2003 (and left in 2007). The operation has grown significantly over the years and, as of March of 2007, moved its mailorder operation to Bloomington, Indiana. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles, DIY ethics, and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.
+
Microcosm Publishing began in 1996 when self-described "hippie pretending to be post-punk" [[Joe Biel]] started the distro and then-record-label as a part-time mailorder out of his bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, many Microcosm employees have come and gone, including [[Brainscan]] editor [[Alex Wrekk]], who was hired in 2003 (and left in 2007). The operation has grown significantly over the years and, as of March of 2007, moved its mailorder operation to Bloomington, Indiana. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles, [[DIY|DIY ethics]], and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.
  
 
Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are also responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing.
 
Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are also responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing.
  
Incorporating the tactics of early punk record labels and a very DIY approach, Microcosm uses tactics that are more guerilla styled for promoting their titles than most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.
+
Incorporating the tactics of early [[punk]] record labels and a very DIY approach, Microcosm uses tactics that are more guerilla styled for promoting their titles than most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.
  
 
Microcosm is sometimes equated as the "Wal Mart of Zines" due to the vast selection and customer service that it offers. Due to Wal Mart's poor human rights record and complete inability to build a decent public image for themselves - Microcosm would probably be more accurately called "The Target of Zines", although former employees have no problem with the Wal Mart association.
 
Microcosm is sometimes equated as the "Wal Mart of Zines" due to the vast selection and customer service that it offers. Due to Wal Mart's poor human rights record and complete inability to build a decent public image for themselves - Microcosm would probably be more accurately called "The Target of Zines", although former employees have no problem with the Wal Mart association.
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* [[Bipedal, By Pedal]]
 
* [[Bipedal, By Pedal]]
 
* [[Snakepit|Snakepit 2: My Life in a Jugular Vein]]
 
* [[Snakepit|Snakepit 2: My Life in a Jugular Vein]]
* [[Secret Files of Cap'n Sissy #5]]
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* [[Secret Files of Cap'n Sissy]]
* [[I Hate This Part of Texas #5]]
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* [[I Hate This Part of Texas]]
* [[Dreamwhip #14]]
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* [[Dreamwhip]] #14
 
* [[Doris: Anthology 1991-2001]]
 
* [[Doris: Anthology 1991-2001]]
* [[Doris #23]]
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* [[Doris]] #23
 
* [[Support]]
 
* [[Support]]
 
* [[Cantankerous Titles & Obscure Ephemera, Vol 1 DVD]]
 
* [[Cantankerous Titles & Obscure Ephemera, Vol 1 DVD]]
* [[Green Zine #14]]
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* [[Green Zine]] #14
 
* [[Indestructible]]
 
* [[Indestructible]]
 
* [[Best of Intentions]]
 
* [[Best of Intentions]]

Revision as of 17:03, 16 February 2008

File:Microcosm.gif
Microcosm Publishing logo

Microcosm Publishing is an independent publisher and distributor based out of Portland, OR and Bloomington, IN that distributes zines, books, pamphlets, stickers, 1" buttons, canvas patches, posters, t-shirts, films, and more. The focus is on publishing zines and books in the hopes that it will add credibility to zine writers and their ethics. Titles attempt to teach self-empowerment to disenfranchised people and to nurture their creative side.

History

Microcosm Publishing began in 1996 when self-described "hippie pretending to be post-punk" Joe Biel started the distro and then-record-label as a part-time mailorder out of his bedroom in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, many Microcosm employees have come and gone, including Brainscan editor Alex Wrekk, who was hired in 2003 (and left in 2007). The operation has grown significantly over the years and, as of March of 2007, moved its mailorder operation to Bloomington, Indiana. There is a particular focus towards images and artwork celebrating bicycles, DIY ethics, and radical politics. Many of the items offered are not available easily elsewhere on the web or otherwise.

Microcosm is heralded in the zine community as an entity that, for better or worse, has brought zines into a larger consciousness in the new millennium, after former mainstream interest has largely subsided. They are also responsible for many of the recent zine/book hybrid aesthetics and zines that have fancier covers or design aesthetics such as multiple color screenprints, letterpress, or offset printing.

Incorporating the tactics of early punk record labels and a very DIY approach, Microcosm uses tactics that are more guerilla styled for promoting their titles than most publishers of equal size. They rarely purchase advertising, and rely more heavily on the people who appreciate their craft independently passing out their catalogs in their respective towns.

Microcosm is sometimes equated as the "Wal Mart of Zines" due to the vast selection and customer service that it offers. Due to Wal Mart's poor human rights record and complete inability to build a decent public image for themselves - Microcosm would probably be more accurately called "The Target of Zines", although former employees have no problem with the Wal Mart association.

Microcosm offered custom buttons as a service from 1998-2006. Custom stickers were also offered from 2001-2006. Custom patches and t-shirt printing was also offered briefly in 2002-2003.

Microcosm Publishing was formerly a record label, and released records by Flotation Walls, Bedford, Organic, Cripple Kid, The Unknown, The Roswells, Little Dipper, Rock, Star.

Currently Microcosm has picked up it's largest publishing schedule ever - managing about a dozen publishing projects at any given time - including rebirthing the 2007 Zine Yearbook.

Decisions at Microcosm are made as a group by current staffing employees. Current staff includes Adam Gnade, Dillon Vrana, Jessie Duke, Brittney Willis, Sparky Taylor, Steven Stothard, Nate Beaty, and Joe Biel.

Projects

External Link

Microcosm Publishing