Bust

Bust, once a zine, is now a commercial newsstand magazine published in the U.S.A.

Bust first appeared around the time of the media blitz surrounding Riot Grrrl, but was not directly associated with that movement. It was originally subtitled "The New Girl Order," but later changed to "for women with something to get off their chests." This once photocopied b/w zine is now a slick glossy mass-produced magazine that maintains some of its original feminist bent.

Founding editors "Betty Boob" and "Celina Hex" were New York television producers. After hearing about the "zine revolution," they set out to reverse-engineer a Xeroxed fanzine. The end product was somewhat analogous to "Dirt," the crudely-drawn zine published by Time-Warner.

After ten years of publication, Bust published the book The Bust Guide To The New Girl Order, which included some of the magazine's best loved articles including selections from the 'Man' issues (which have included men like John Cusack, Thurston Moore, and Beck), odes to feminist icons (Gloria Steinem, Yoko Ono, Nina Hartley), pieces by feminist icons, and the infamous "How to be as horny as a guy."

Sex positive, often humorous, and (indie)celebrity filled, it's like Sassy all grown up. It includes regular columns by Betty Dodson (feminist sex guru), East Village Inky writer Ayun Halliday, Lynn Peril of Mystery Date zine, and more names recognizable to those from the larger zine culture.

Bust is also the unofficial sister publication of Bitch magazine, though in recent years, Bust has become more consumerist oriented. Call it the glossy poppy sister of the more thoughtful pop culture examination found in Bitch magazine.

Bust publisher Debbie Stoller is currently embroiled in a trademark dispute over the rights to the name "Stitch 'N' Bitch."