Richmond Zine Fest

Richmond Zine Fest is an annual event at which local and national zine-makers can gather to sell and trade their zines and network with other people in the zine community. The zine fest is not just for zine creators and distros. It’s an open event for all ages with tablers selling zines as well as other DIY items, informative and fun workshops throughout the afternoon, and good times, food and conversation in general. This event happens every Fall–typically during the month of October.

The Richmond Zine Fest has been going strong in Richmond, VA since 2007.

History

The 2007 Richmond Zine Fest was held Saturday, April 28th, 2007 at the Firehouse Theatre and The Camel in Richmond, VA.

The 2007 zine fest in Richmond was the first one to be held in 13 years (the last was held in 1994 and had 200 attendees). A zine fest was being held in hopes of creating a network amongst current zine writers and distro owners in Richmond and Virginia (plus the Southern/Mid-Atlantic regions) and raising awareness and encouraging the creation of zines, independent press, and other D.I.Y. endeavors in Richmond and the Southern/Mid-Atlantic regions. The 2007 Richmond Zine Fest had over 40 vendors and between 250-300 attendees.

The 2008 Richmond Zine Fest was held Saturday, October 11th, at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. The event featured 45 vendors, several workshops, and 250 attendees.

The 2009 Richmond Zine Fest was held Saturday, November 7th, at Gallery 5, following a zine-maker art exhibition the previous night at the same gallery as a part of the city's First Friday Art Walk. Including both nights, the event included 50 vendors, several workshops, and more than 300 attendees.

The 2010 Richmond Zine Fest was held Saturday, October 16th, at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. The event featured 43 vendors and five workshops.

The 2011 Richmond Zine Fest was held Saturday, October 8th, at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. This year's fest featured a vibrant poster by local artist and zine-maker Oura Sananikone and among the guests in the room were local boutique comics publisher AdHouse Press, Alex Wrekk of Brainscan zine, Parcell Press, and the folks behind the best zine for bad cinema aficionados I Love Bad Movies.

The 2012 Richmond Zine Fest was held Saturday, October 6th, at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. Poster design in true zinester black and white inky form was created by Chloe Repulsa Nagy. The event featured 42 vendors, 5 workshops, an intro to zine-making table, and 200 attendees.

The 2013 Richmond Zine Fest was held Saturday, October 5th, at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. The poster design was created by zine fest co-organizer and local artist Mara Hyman. The event included a makers and letterpress demo space in collaboration with Ladies of Letterpress, Bowe House Press, and The People's Library of Richmond. Local historian and former editor of the independent magazine Throttle, Dale Brumfield gave a presentation about the surprisingly rich history of independent press and zine culture in Richmond, VA.

Planning for the 2014 Richmond Zine Fest is currently under way and will be held Saturday, October 4th, at the Gay Community Center of Richmond.

The Richmond Zine Fest is currently organized by Liz Canfield, Mo of Cuddle Puddles and Hot Pants zine and Approaching Apocalypse Zine Distro, Celina Nicole of Mean Girl zine, Mara Hyman of You're Not Alone in Being Alone and other zines, and Brian Baynes of Time Shifting zine.

Previous organizers include founding members: Sarah, formerly of Dangeresque zine and Screamqueen Distro, Nicole Introvert, and Taylor of Parcell Press as well as Cat of Catharsis zine, Heidi of Sidenotes zine, and Danny of Don't Tread on Me zine.