This past week felt like the longest week in history with the continuing quarantine and recent police brutality. I tried my best to distract myself with consuming film noir and Noir stories along with a zoom session with the fine folks at Quimby’s book store in Chicago. Each month, Quimby’s has a “‘ zine club”…

Starting with Sumari BULLetin  in 1986, Mark M Giese has brought the world surreal, honest, collage filled zines for almost 33 years.  He branched into self published books of poetry and observations during the mid 90s and continues being productive today. He discussed his experiences in an e mailed interview.  What inspired you to start…

My two month long Quarantine break hasn’t consisted of only reading, animal crossing, and painting nature- it’s also included attending Zoom meetings of improv shows and Poetry readings. The Second City’s Improv House Party occurs every  Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The sessions consist of mad lib- like games where the audience requests a theme, word,…

By Jenny Maurer With the discourse and sense of uncertainty surrounding reopening retail stores during this period of the pandemic, I thought it’d be interesting to examine a collection entitled Retail Noir I was searching for an solid collection of Noir detective stories when I stumbled across this strange compendium of short stories. The assignment…

Every Spring around May or so, a big round rabbit camps in our backyard, happily munching the dandelions and clover that flood our yard. He gives every bright, cloudless day a feeling of peace. This is especially welcome during this time of quarantine when you don’t know what’s going to happen next. The rabbit gives…

Valerie Valentine started out publishing zines in the 1990s after discovering the book, Zines Volume 1 by V. Vale.  She even did a ‘zine as a final project in college. Her work with ‘zines eventually lead her to publish poetry collections and work as an editor in the publishing  industry. She happily granted an interview…

The 2010 poetry collection, Nosferatu was created for a screening of the classic vampire picture with an orchestra and actors reading her pieces.  The book turns a classic vampire movie into a deeper,   reflective mediation on regret and  sacrifice.  She is a member of the Krayzines collective and  the co founder of the art and…

Weather and temperature permitting, I’ve tried to take a walk outside every day this month. It’s always invigorating to take in the sunlight, surrounded by the blooming flowers and sprouting shoots that return each Spring.  The walks are particularly special  in my neighborhood because residents have been putting up colorful paper heats on windows  and…

The month and a half of quarantine has been rough, but I’ve been trying to keep busy by talking walks, starting puzzles and even re learning pilates.  Of course, I’ve continued to be an occasional gamer and lately, everyone’s got the Animal Crossing franchise on their mind given the latest release, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. …