Category: free

  • Off-Site Event: Zine Camp 2023 presented by Zine Club Chicago, July 9th!

    OFF-SITE EVENT!

    Zine Camp 2023 presented by Zine Club Chicago
    2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
    Sunday, July 9, 2023
    Picnic Grove 5 at Dan Ryan Woods
    Free!

    Join Zine Club Chicago for an in-person outdoor hangout for adults who love zines!

    We had such a blast at Zine Camp last year that we’re bringing it back and packing in even more summer fun. Newbies and Zine Club Chicago regulars alike are welcome at Zine Camp 2023, set for 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 9 in Picnic Grove 5 at Dan Ryan Woods on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Free!

    Camp activities include zinemaking, zine trading, and socializing with fellow self-publishing enthusiasts; a crowd-sourced, collaborative, zine-focused Complaint Chorus by Ayun Halliday: a Zinemaking Workshop by Jude R. Bettridge; and SO. MANY. SNACKS!

    We’ll also be hosting a pen pal station so you can strike up a correspondence with one of our out-of-town Zine Club Chicago friends! (Can’t make it to Zine Camp and want a pen pal? Sign up here: tiny.cc/ZineCamp2023PenPals)

    Feel free to drop in anytime between 2-6:30 p.m. and stay for as long as you like. Dan Ryan Woods is a Cook County Forest Preserve; our campsite at Picnic Grove 5 will be located off Western Avenue near 84th St.

    Need a map, directions on how to get there via public transit or car, and accessibility information? You can find all the details about Zine Camp 2023 (including where we’re going for the afterparty!) at zine.camp. Facebook event here.

    Zine Camp is made possible by the generous support of zinemaker and all-around awesome person Lucinda J. Williams. Check out her Bookshelf Voyeur zine series here at our shop and online at quimbys.com!

    Shoutout to our Zine Camp Counselors: Aim Beland, Michael Verdi, Liz Mason, Cynthia E. Hanifin, Ayun Halliday, and Jude R. Bettridge

    Thank you to Aim Beland for designing the Zine Camp 2023 poster!

    Image description: A pink flyer with the illustration of a green tent made out of a stitchbound zine and a tree branch, with this text: Zine Camp 2023; a (free) meetup for adults who love zines; Brought to you by Zine Club Chicago; 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. July 9th; Dan Ryan Woods Shelter #5 @ Western x 84th; for more info, visit zine.camp

  • Zine Club Chicago Online: Fest Finds Edition with Special Guest Co-host Jordan Sea of Sonoma County Zine Club, June 20th!

    Zine Club Chicago Online: Fest Finds Edition
    With Special Guest Co-host Jordan Sea of Sonoma County Zine Club
    7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, June 20 on Zoom
    Free!

    Zine fest season is in full swing, so this month Zine Club Chicago is inviting y’all to share your fave finds from Chicago Zine Fest, CAKE, and other in-person and online events that center self-publishers. We’re super excited to welcome a special guest co-host, Jordan Sea of Sonoma County Zine Club, to give us a West Coast perspective on the return of zine fests around the country!

    Grab the best zines you’re scooped up at recent festivals, BYOS(nacks), and join us on Zoom for Zine Club Chicago Online: Fest Finds Edition with Special Guest Co-host Jordan Sea of Sonoma County Zine Club at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, June 20!

    ** RSVP required ** We want to make sure that our online Zine Club Chicago events are a safe space, so we won’t be releasing the Zoom link publicly. If you’d like to attend, please email zineclubchicago@gmail.com to RSVP by 9 p.m. CT Monday, June 19 (the evening before our event). We’ll email you the Zoom link by 5 p.m. CT on Tuesday, June 20.

    Observer, contemplative, seeking engrossment, zinester, mom, following too many podcasts. Jordan Sea has been a fan of zine culture for 20 years but only started writing Rain Barrel in 2020. Out of a deep longing for Chicago’s zine community and with a desire to enliven zine culture and find other zinesters near them, they began the Sonoma County Zine Club in 2022. Jordan sells their own zines and those of their family on their Etsy store. Their writing has appeared in Snax and Behind the Zines, with their latest Rain Barrel issue featured in Anna Jo Beck’s Zine-A-Month. You can also find Jordan on Instagram at @rainbarrelzine.

    Sonoma County Zine Club is a collaborative space to create and share zines in community. Activities are usually informal, open for folks to work on whatever they wish. Different art supplies are provided, like markers, tape, scissors, rubber stamps, glue sticks, paper, and more! Occasionally a collaborative zine is made on a particular topic. The library provides the space and fun snacks! Sonoma County Zine Club meets on the first Tuesday night of the month at 6 p.m. at the Sebastopol Regional Library in Sebastopol, CA.

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    More info at quimbys.com and on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook link here.

    Image description #1: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with the crowd photo from Chicago Zine Fest 2023, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Fest Finds Edition with Special Guest Co-host Jordan Sea of Sonoma County Zine Club; Online! Free! Zoom info on quimbys.com; 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, April 25, 2023”

    Image description #2: A photo of zinemaker Jordan Sea, who is smiling and has pink and black hair and rhinestone-studded cats-eye glasses.

  • Zine Club Chicago In Person: Choose Your Own Adventure Zine Workshop With Jude R. Bettridge, May 26th!

    A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with a black-and white image in the center featuring a sword, treasure map, and various other adventure-themed images, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Choose Your Own Adventure Zine Workshop in Collaboration With Jude R. Bettridge; In Person! Free!; Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park; 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023”

    Zine Club Chicago In Person: Choose Your Own Adventure Zine Workshop
    With Jude R. Bettridge
    7-9 p.m. CT Friday, May 26
    Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave.
    Free!

    In May, Zine Club Chicago is excited to welcome Jude R. Bettridge to lead a workshop that gives Choose Your Own Adventure a zine twist! Jude will demonstrate how to make multiple folded, mini-zine formats that offer readers a chance to explore. Create stories that lead to different outcomes, sending your favorite characters on an epic quest of your choosing!

    Join us for Zine Club Chicago In Person: Choose Your Own Adventure Zine Workshop at 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 26 here at the shop. We’ll have zinemaking supplies and snacks on hand! Masks are strongly encouraged when you’re not noshing.

    Jude R. Bettridge (they/them/theirs) is a Chicago-based Jack-of-all-trades artist, whose focus shifts from comics and zines to oil painting and fiber sculpture as often as they change their pants. Their comic work draws inspiration from the great Art Spiegelman, Bill Watterson, and Beth Hetland as they depict the daily struggles of being a neurodivergent super-queer social anomaly in a late-stage capitalistic hellscape. Often featuring fantastical characters and their fat cat, Gravy Boat, their work takes on a cynical, sarcastic lens to talk about mental health, trans rights, environmentalism, queerness, socialism, and much more. Is this a coping mechanism? Maybe. In a nutshell, they just want to talk about zines, queerness, and have someone read their comics.

    Out-of-town friends, Zine Club Chicago will be back on Zoom with y’all in June with a to-be-announced special guest co-host! If you’d like to get together virtually with zine pals in May, check out Zine Party!, hosted by Michael Verdi, at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, May 9. For more info and the Zoom link, visit next.zine.party

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event here.

    Image description: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with a black-and white image in the center featuring a sword, treasure map, and various other adventure-themed images, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Choose Your Own Adventure Zine Workshop in Collaboration With Jude R. Bettridge; In Person! Free!; Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park; 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023”

  • Zine Club Chicago Hosts a Post-CZF2023 Hangout, May 21st!

    A black-and-white, cut-and-paste event flyer that reads: “Join Zine Club Chicago for a Post-Chicago Zine Fest Hangout! 12-2 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park; Free!: Meet up with zine friends and make new ones!; Drop off consignment items!; Eat cookies!; Masks encouraged; More info: quimbys.com”
    12-2 p.m. Sunday, May 21
    Quimby’s Bookstore
    1854 W. North Ave.
    Free!
    Going to Chicago Zine Fest?* Let’s keep the fun fest vibe going all weekend! Zine Club Chicago is hosting a meetup (with snacks, of course) from 12 to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21 here at the shop. Spend time with your zine pals and make new ones, eat some cookies, browse fresh arrivals in the shop, and drop off your consignment items.**
    Free! Masks encouraged. More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event here.
    * We’ll be there! Look for the Quimby’s and Zine Club Chicago tables at #CZF2023.
    ** Please note that we have moved to an email-only consignment check-in system and will not be able to make consignment payouts or check current stock levels of your consignment items during the hangout.
    Image description: A black-and-white, cut-and-paste event flyer that reads: “Join Zine Club Chicago for a Post-Chicago Zine Fest Hangout! 12-2 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park; Free!: Meet up with zine friends and make new ones!; Drop off consignment items!; Eat cookies!; Masks encouraged; More info: quimbys.com”

  • Zine Club Chicago Online: Riotous Zines Edition, April 25th!

    A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with the cartoon image of a person laughing with their mouth wide open, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Riotous Zines Edition; Online! Free! Zoom info on quimbys.com; 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, April 25, 2023”

    Zine Club Chicago Online: Riotous Zines Edition
    7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, April 25 on Zoom
    Free!

    From snarky observations and arch takes to wacky puns and sight gags, zines make excellent vehicles for all kinds of humor. This month, we’ll be discussing — and cracking up about — our favorite titles that make us smirk, giggle, and LOL!

    Grab the funniest zines in your collection, BYOS(ense)O(f)H(umor), and join us on Zoom for Zine Club Chicago Online: Riotous Zines Edition at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, April 25!

    ** RSVP required ** We want to make sure that our online Zine Club Chicago events are a safe space, so we won’t be releasing the Zoom link publicly. If you’d like to attend, please email zineclubchicago@gmail.com to RSVP by 9 p.m. CT Monday, April 24 (the evening before our event). We’ll email you the Zoom link by 5 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 25.

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event here.

    Image description: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with the cartoon image of a person laughing with their mouth wide open, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Riotous Zines Edition; Online! Free! Zoom info on quimbys.com; 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, April 25, 2023”

  • Zine Club Chicago In Person: Chicago Stories Edition, March 24th!

    A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with an image of the Chicago skyline and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Chicago Stories Edition; In Person! Free!; Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park; 7-9 p.m. CT Friday, March 24, 2023”

    Zine Club Chicago IN PERSON: Chicago Stories Edition
    7-9 p.m. CT Friday, March 24
    Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave
    Free!

    The big-shouldered metropolis we call home has inspired countless self-publishers, so this month Zine Club Chicago is celebrating zines about Chicago! We’ll be bringing back our discussion-meets-show-and-tell format for this in-person gathering, so please bring your favorite Chicago zines to share.

    Join us for Zine Club Chicago In Person: Chicago Stories Edition at 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 24 here at the shop, 1854 W. North Avenue in Wicker Park. We’ll have snacks on hand! Masks are strongly encouraged when you’re not noshing.

    Out-of-town friends, Zine Club Chicago will be back on Zoom with y’all in April! If you’d like to get together virtually with zine pals in March, check out Zine Party!, hosted by Michael Verdi, at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, March 14. For more info and the Zoom link, visit next.zine.party

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event here.

    Image description: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with an image of the Chicago skyline and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Chicago Stories Edition; In Person! Free!; Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park; 7-9 p.m. CT Friday, March 24, 2023”

  • Zine Club Chicago Online: Show Us Your Stacks Edition, Feb. 21st!

    Zine Club Chicago Online: Show Us Your Stacks Edition
    7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, February 21 on Zoom
    Free!

    Whenever we ask folks which subjects they’d like to discuss at our events, zine organization tops the list. So in February, we’re bringing back our popular Show Us Your Stacks theme for the third year in a row!

    This month, we’ll be meeting on Zoom so y’all can show off how you organize the zines you choose to bring home with you. Whether you meticulously catalogue your zines, toss them in random piles, or something in between, we want to know about the ways you arrange, display, and categorize your personal collection.

    Get your self-published stash in order (or leave it messy), BYOS(nacks), and join us on Zoom for Zine Club Chicago Online: Show Us Your Stacks Edition at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, February 21 on Zoom!

    ** RSVP required ** We want to make sure that our online Zine Club Chicago events are a safe space, so we won’t be releasing the Zoom link publicly. If you’d like to attend, please email zineclubchicago@gmail.com to RSVP by 9 p.m. CT Monday, February 20 (the evening before our event). We’ll email you the Zoom link by 5 p.m. CT on Tuesday, February 21.

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event here.

    Image description: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with the image of mini zines tucked into plastic sleeves inside a binder, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Show Us Your Stacks Edition; Online! Free! Zoom info on quimbys.com; 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, February 21”

  • Zine Club Chicago IN PERSON: No Sleep 'Til Stapling Zinemaking Hangout, Jan. 21st!

     

    Zine Club Chicago IN PERSON: No Sleep ’Til Stapling Zinemaking Hangout!
    7-11 p.m. CT Saturday, January 21
    Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Avenue
    Free!

    Is making progress on your zine projects one of your new year’s resolutions? Then kick off 2023 with Zine Club Chicago at the No Sleep ’Til Stapling Zinemaking Hangout!

    Bring your work-in-progress, create a new zine on the spot, or just catch up with other zine folks at our 4-hour Saturday night event here at the shop. (This gathering will channel the chill hangout vibe of Quimby’s Zlumber Parties of yore.)

    We’ll have zinemaking supplies, creative prompts, and snacks on hand. Zinemakers are encouraged to bring their zines to swap with others! We’ll keep the party rolling from 7 to 11 p.m.; feel free to drop in anytime during the evening. (Bonus points if you wear your cutest pjs.)

    Out-of-town friends, Zine Club Chicago will be back on Zoom with y’all in February for a special event that could only happen online! If you’d like to get together virtually with zine pals this month, check out Zine Party!, hosted as always by Michael Verdi, at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, January 10. For more info and the Zoom link, visit zine.party.

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    More info on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event here.

    Image description: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with the image of a table full of people making zines, hanging out, and eating snacks, with text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: No Sleep ‘Til Stapling Zinemaking Hangout! In Person! Free!;Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Avenue in Wicker Park; 7-11 p.m. CT Saturday, January 21”

  • Zine Club Chicago Online: Winter Lodge Edition Co-hosted by Zine Party, Dec. 13th!

    A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with the image of a pair of feet clad in cozy socks, propped up on a table next to a stack of books with a mug set on top and a roaring fire in the background, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Winter Lodge Edition Co-hosted by Zine Party!; Online! Free!; Zoom info on quimbys.com and zine.party; 7:30 p.m. CST Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022”

    Zine Club Chicago Online: Winter Lodge Edition Co-hosted by Zine Party!
    7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, December 13 on Zoom
    Free!

    This month, Zine Club Chicago is teaming up again with Zine Party! to ring out 2022 with a festive online gathering! Let’s get cozy, make mini zines together, and discuss our highlights of the year in self-publishing. Zine Club Chicago will set up a swap by mail after the event for folks who’d like to share the mini zine they made, too.

    Grab your zinemaking supplies*, BYOH(ot)C(ocoa), and join us on Zoom for Zine Club Chicago Online: Winter Lodge Edition Co-hosted by Zine Party! at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, December 13.

    ** RSVP required ** We want to make sure that our online Zine Club Chicago events are a safe space, so we won’t be releasing the Zoom link publicly. If you’d like to attend, please email zineclubchicago@gmail.com to RSVP by 9 p.m. CT Monday Dec. 12 (the evening before our event). We’ll email you the Zoom link by 5 p.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 13.

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events.

    Zine Party!, a monthly Zoom hangout for folks who make zines, is hosted by Michael Verdi on the second Tuesday of each month. Find out more at zine.party

    More info at quimbys.com and on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event is here.

    * You’ll need a few sheets of 8.5×11” paper, a pair of scissors, whichever implements you prefer for writing/drawing/etc., and your creativity! If you’ve never made a mini zine before, here’s a quick video tutorial (and we can provide any assistance you need at the event, too): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiUzo41dh5Q

    Image description: A red-and-blue infographic flyer, with the image of a pair of feet clad in cozy socks, propped up on a table next to a stack of books with a mug set on top and a roaring fire in the background, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago: Winter Lodge Edition Co-hosted by Zine Party!; Online! Free!; Zoom info on quimbys.com and zine.party; 7:30 p.m. CST Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022”

  • Zine Club Chicago IN PERSON: SNAX Release Party + Zinemaking Hangout, Nov. 18th!

    Zine Club Chicago IN PERSON: SNAX Release Party + Zinemaking Hangout!
    7-9 p.m. Friday, November 18
    Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Avenue
    Free! 

    In November, Zine Club Chicago is gathering in person to celebrate the release of SNAX, its fresh-off-the-presses collab zine! Join us at the bookstore from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, November 18 to meet some of the awesome SNAX contributors, make fun-sized mini zines with us and, of course, share some snacks!

    The SNAX Release Party + Zinemaking Hangout will be Zine Club Chicago’s first in-person event since February 2020 here at Quimby’s. We’re excited to get together with our local friends! We’ll have zinemaking supplies and snacks on hand. Please feel free to bring a treat to share, if you like. Masks are encouraged when you’re not snacking.

    SNAX contributors, you’re welcome to pick up your free copy of the zine at the party. We’ll have copies for sale at the shop and on our website, as well.

    Online friends, Zine Club Chicago will be back on Zoom with y’all in December to ring out 2022 with an extra fun holiday event! If you’d like to get together virtually with zine friends this month, please join us at Zine Party, hosted by Zine Club Chicago fave Michael Verdi, at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, Nov. 8. For more info and to get the Zoom link, visit zine.party.

    Zine newbies and longtime enthusiasts alike are always welcome at Zine Club Chicago, the city’s only book club-style event for people who read zines. This free monthly series is produced by Cynthia E. Hanifin and sponsored by Quimby’s Bookstore. Anna Jo Beck designs our monthly flyers, created our logo, and made our Zine Club Chicago Shout-Outs site, where folks can peruse and recommend zines we’ve discussed at our events. Thank you to SNAX Co-Editor Rachel Hyman for creating our flyer this month!

    More info at quimbys.com and on the Zine Club Chicago social media channels: @zineclubchicago. Facebook event is here.

    Image description: A multi-colored flyer featuring a collage of various snack foods, the red-and-blue Zine Club Chicago logo, images of a stapler and a pair of scissors, and text that reads: “Zine Club Chicago IN PERSON! SNAX Release Party + Zinemaking Hangout; 7-9 p.m. Friday, November 18; Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave.; Free!; Info: quimbys.com”