Review: Stolen Sharpie Revolution

Stolen Sharpie Revolution
by Alex Wrekk

Since 2002, Stolen Sharpie Revolution: a DIY Resource for Zines and Zine Culture has been the go-to guide for all things zine-related. This little red book is stuffed with information about zines. Things you may know, stuff you don't know and even stuff you didn’t know you didn’t know! 

Stolen Sharpie Revolution contains a cornucopia of information about zines and zine culture for everyone from the zine newbie to the experienced zinester to the academic researcher. Stolen Sharpie Revolution consists of thoughtful lists and step-by-step how-to guides on everything from definitions of a “zine,” where to find zines, why they are important, how to make them and how to participate in zine culture. 

This book has everything you need to get started creating your own zine, or to figure out what to do with the zine you just made. Stolen Sharpie Revolution serves as both an introduction into the wide world of zine culture and as a guide to taking the next step to become a part of it. 

Review

This is any grrrl's dream publication, basically. It's an awesome little book that will "talk" to you about zines, their importance, and how to get started on your own. It is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the culture or for anyone who has been reading zines (or read A zine) and thought to themselves, "Hmm, I think I could do this." Trust me - I've been there. It's not as easy as just writing or cutting and pasting - there is this whole process that is rewarding, but hard work. 

Don't take my words as discouragement. This is the kind of work that leaves you with something to show for it. But if you're like me, you want someone or something there to kinda hold your hand because putting pieces of yourself on paper and having people actually read it is a terrifying feat for most people. Consider this little red book your hand to hold in your journey of further self-discovery. 

Verdict

Read this. Be creative. Let me know where I can get your zine 💕

About the Author

Alex Wrekk’s life revolves around making things; primarily zines, custom pinback buttons(badges), vegan food, travel plans, and space for a cat in her bed. 

Alex Wrekk has lived in Portland, Oregon since 1999 and has been creating the zine Brainscan since 1997. Brainscan zine has grown and changed with Alex over the years with stories ranging from travel, reproductive health, love and loss, emotional abuse recovery, zine culture, and even fiction all wrapped up in text and photocopier art. She also wrote the book Stolen Sharpie Revolution: A DIY guide for zines and zine culture that is now entering its 5th edition. 

When Alex isn't doing zine things she is doing other zine things like organizing the Portland Zine Symposium, establishing July as International Zine Month, commiserating with Zine Event Organizers around the world, updating the zine event listings on StolenSharpieRevolution.org, hosting the podcast Nobody Cares About Your Stupid Zine Podcast, fidgeting with her Risograph printer, reading from her zines out loud on zine tours or singing in a zine themed pop-punk band called The Copy Scams. 

Alex has been making custom pinback buttons since 2000 under various business names. In 2012 Alex opened Portland Button Works and zine distro, an online and brick and mortar shop in Portland, Oregon selling zines and books and making custom buttons, bottle openers, and magnets in 4 different sizes. She also maintains an Etsy shop with the same name. 

Alex Wrekk twitter http://twitter.com/alexwrekk 

Stolen Sharpie Revolution Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stolensharpierevolution 

Stolen Sharpie Revolution.org http://www.stolensharpierevolution.org 

Portland Button Works Website www.portlandbuttonworks.com 

GIVEAWAY INFO: Alex is giving away 5 print copies of Stolen Sharpie Revolution + a Custom Stolen Sharpie with each one. This is an international giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway