Zinefest Flyer

 

Meet Mellen, Author of Bediquette

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Mellen. I am an illustrator and designer currently living in Allentown, PA. I attend Kutztown University and will be graduating with my Bachelors in Communication Design in the fall. I like to describe myself as an awesome factory, because I’m constantly trying new things and making cool stuff. It’s awesome.

Who or what are your influences?
My biggest influences include my favorite illustrator FSc, my pets (three cats and one very spoiled dog), daily life, and the magic that is miniature things. I love miniature things.

What subjects do you touch upon in your work?
My work tends to focus around simple day-to-day things showcased in a happy, sometimes silly, and sometimes deep way. I write and draw about feelings I have, no matter how trivial, and the things I see.

What is your most recent work?
My most recent work includes my zines Bediquette and Tonight. They’re sort of polar opposites. Bediquette is a light-hearted “how-to” book for people who share a bed. It’s full of jokes and bad puns. Tonight on the other hand, is a deep look into feelings of hopelessness and loneliness when faced with the reality of being only a small part of a vast universe. I’m also constantly working on any number of illustrations in my free time.

What are you looking forward to most at the fest?
I’m really looking forward to meeting more people in the zine scene. I’ve always been fascinated by zines, and have amassed quite a collection of them, but only recently have I joined in on the fun. I’m excited to share my work with others and grow my collection!

Zine & Letterpress Documentary

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Wednesday! I wanted to share with everyone an opportunity for exposure and idea exchange. I’m in my first year of grad school at Marywood University in Scranton. For my thesis, I’m exploring zine creation and letterpress artists. I will be doing interviews at the Scranton Zine Fest and if you’d like to make your mark in history, please let me know and you can help a girl out with a video camera!

Meet JC, Author of tributaries

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is JC and I’m a public librarian living in Maryland. This is only the third place I’ve lived in my life, the previous two being Illinois and Mongolia. My favorite things to consume are tea and popcorn.

Who or what are your influences?
I read a lot of non-fiction and memoirs, so I’m definitely influenced by the candor and frankness of those genres. I like learning about people, which makes my job as a librarian a great fit. My friends and fellow zinesters are my greatest influences, for being so brave and honest and amazing.

What subjects do you touch upon in your work?
My zine tributaries is about my experiences growing up with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). I’ve had a physical disability my whole life, and I touch upon how that affects work experiences, relationships, and daily machinations.

What is your most recent work?
Tributaries #4 is my newest issue, which discusses my diagnosis after several years of illness and is aimed at informing people about what JRA is and how it affects children and young adults.

What are you looking forward to most at the fest?
Seeing friends and making new ones! I also really like the drive between where I live near DC and Scranton. Pennsylvania knows its scenery. Last year I also remember going to eat some amazing vegan food afterward, so I’ll need to repeat that.

Meet Tony Majorino, Author of Chasm

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Tony and I’m a full-time high school English teacher and part-time zinester. I love life (except when it sucks), people (except the mean ones), and new experiences (all apply). My zines function as a way of expressing things that weigh heavily on my mind or interest me at the time of writing.

Who or what are your influences?
The key influences of my zines stem anywhere from the aesthetics of the hardcore/punk scene, to a nostalgic projection of the things I grew up with, to a general love for creation and art.

What subjects do you touch upon in your work?
I mostly discuss music, education, and anything personal that I feel the need to flush out of my system.

What is your most recent work?
My most recent work was the first issue of my gore-zine Spew which I co-created with Jessica Meoni this past summer.

What are you looking forward to most at the fest?
I am most looking forward to getting my third issue of Chasm out to the public and reading new zines from awesome people.

Meet Jeremy Chapline, Owner of Ink Plate Press

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a self-taught letterpress printer with a BFA in Graphic Design from The College of Saint Rose, who has a passion for hand crafted, quality printed materials. Using 100% cotton paper and running my letterpress with a treadle helps decrease my environmental impact.

Who or what are your influences?
To me, life is all about the experiences and connections we make with others. I honestly believe sending someone a hand printed piece off cotton paper is one of the best ways to achieve these desired experiences and connections.

What are you looking forward to most at the fest?
I can’t wait to meet other artist and people from the community to create such connections.

Pennsylvania Printers

Hello everyone! This is just a quick update. I was just making a note of how many more zinesters from P.A. we have this year in comparison to previous years. Keep up the great work! We now have seventeen people signed up for the fest and it’s getting bigger every week. We’re so excited to see old friends and to connect with new ones. As usual, we are gradually assembling some badass care packages for you to oogle over so just hold tight!