I'm publishing a zine!
DIY or die: my experiment in self-publishing.
Welcome to So Relatable, an occasional newsletter that helps creative folks improve their craft, achieve their goals, and eat better snacks. I’m glad you’re here! ✨
A few months ago, I began to toy with the idea of self-publishing.
It started last fall, when my third attempt at a book deal died on submission—a devastating turn of events. Instead of diving directly into a new project, I decided to take a break from writing.
As the weeks and months passed, however, I began to question my decision. Would a truly creative person limit herself to one form, one goal, one path? Would an actual artist dig in her heels and say “novel or nothing?” Would it kill me to try something new? No, no, and no.
I needed a yes, so I gave myself one. I decided to self-publish a zine.
Why a zine? Because right now, most of my output is digital—I work at a SaaS company, I email this newsletter, I post photos that disappear after 24 hours, I write in documents that hover, hidden, somewhere in the cloud.
Self-publishing a zine was an opportunity to create something I could see and hold. Instead of typing, I would write and draw by hand. Instead of the internet’s smooth scroll, I would embrace crooked lines and jagged edges. In a world where everyone is trying to scale, I would celebrate inefficiency and make something with limits and boundaries. A clear beginning. A satisfying end.
For this zine (my first in over twenty years!) I started by writing a braided essay about aging, creativity, and climbing. Then I laid out the text on pages and illustrated each one with a mix of collage, ink drawings, and my first-ever attempt at comics. I tried different techniques, made plenty of mistakes, and learned new skills. I stood in front of a photocopier and watch as my still-warm words whirred into a neat pile, then folded each page and stapled the spines. As I wrote and drew, cut and pasted, I remembered the fun of creativity, the excitement of experimentation, and now—finally, if you’re willing—the delight of connection.
Which brings us to the pitch:
If you’d like to buy my zine and support my work, Venmo $7.00 and your mailing address to @Christine-Hennessey, or PayPal me. I’ll package and mail your zine by the end of September, along with my eternal gratitude.
If this zine had an epilogue, it would go something like this: The phrases “DIY” and “self-publish” are misnomers. Creative work doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and the moment you share your work is when it truly comes to life. I can’t wait to share this zine with you. 💛
Coffee Club Zine Contributions
Want support So Relatable and my creative experiments? 💛 💃 🙌
Buy my zine!!! Venmo: @Christine-Hennessey or PayPal Me!
Can’t afford a contribution? You can also click the ♡ below, forward this to a friend, or share the link on social media. Every little bit helps!
👋 About Me: I’m Chrissy Hennessey, an enthusiastic snacker and native New Yorker living in coastal North Carolina, where I stayed after earning my MFA. My writing has appeared in a decent number of journals, I’ve received fellowships to some fancy residencies, and I’ve written three novels, all currently unpublished. This newsletter is a passion project I started in 2019 as a way to connect with readers and writers, share my creative journey, and build a community. Thank you for being here!
I love this. I want to do this.
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