Introducing… the 24-Hour Zine Thing!

As the Fringe Festival draws a close, I’m on the hunt for new projects and fun artsy activities to get excited about that aren’t part of my regular life. So far, so good — I scored big time discovering the 24-Hour Zine Thing!

In short, the 24-Hour Zine Thing is a loosely-defined “event” where by the deadline (which may be 31 July, though the site’s extensive FAQ lists that as the 2007 date so far while it’s still getting updated) individual participants (no teams allowed) must submit a zine they created in 24 continuous hours, from concept to final bound product. No brainstorming topics beforehand. No pre-layout. No help. And while there is a time limit, there’s no rules about when these 24 hours have to occur, as long as they’re done by the deadline (i.e. you don’t have to commit to a specific date when you may or may not be able to devote a full 24 hours).

Why did I sign up for this, given that I’ve never made a zine before in my life? First, for a fun, creative challenge. Second, but of equal importance, as a means of therapy for my deadline phobia. I’m one of those people who have trouble figuring out when a project is “finished” — be it a painting, an article, or a zine! — and when deadlines are looming, I’m always afraid that my product won’t be “final,” or worse, not good enough. The 24-Hour Zine Thing gives me a limited amount of time, the same time that everyone else participating will have, and I know that challenge will motivate me. I also know that by the 24th hour I will be a loopy, jittery mess, but as long as I’m happy and have a rush from the challenge, then it’ll be OK. I can book off 15 hours for sleeping immediately after.

While we’re talking zines, allow me to plug one of my all-time favourites:  The One Who Sews Has the Newer Clothes (A Very Basic Introduction to Machine Sewing) by the House of Worn. The team behind Worn Fashion Journal never stops bringing us infinitely useful goodies! I can’t wait to get a the hand-me-down sewing machine that’s coming my way in August and actually figure this stuff out!

Want to join me? (Well, not in the co-creating way, because that’s not allowed, but more in the “I’ll do it too!” way.)