Feminist Zine Club: a night of zine-making, reading and poetry with Grrrl founder Lu Williams

Alongside their fairs, Williams runs zine-making workshops dedicated to people who, after flicking through the zines on display at the fair, feel the need to try their own hand at the creative craft. For Feminist Zine Club, Williams is planning on starting the evening with the same idea, “I’ll be bringing a selection of zines along for people to explore and then we’ll crack on and make our own. You don’t need to bring an idea as we’ll be brainstorming together and I can show you some tried and tested writing techniques to get your imagination flowing.” No brainstorming needed prior to the event then!

On top of creating your own DIY self-published magazine and bringing it home with you, you’ll get to take part in important discussions about the future of feminism and how zines can help share uncensored information, document culture, and platform the work of women as well as marginalised genders. When asked what a feminist future looks like to them, Williams told us, “A world that acknowledges how we depend on the health of our planet to survive and the mental wellbeing and safety of women, trans and non-binary people on Earth.”

They continued, “A feminist future looks like safety for all genders, compassion and collaboration between individuals, prioritising wellbeing over capital. I see it as fair pay for everyone and a dismantling of harmful power structures such as colonialism, patriarchy and homophobia which are ideologies and ways of being which negatively affect the most vulnerable in society.” And how can we give a platform to the varied voices working towards creating a feminist future? By making and displaying zines.

“Picking up a zine and reading first-hand ideas, experiences and discovering the imagination of other individuals who you don’t hear about in mainstream media is so liberating. I think there is an innate desire for humans to want to document their existence—through art, culture, Instagram—but zines are a way of doing the same without having to have a million followers, a book deal or an agent. Some of the most powerful zines I’ve read are from people documenting their experience with mental health, late diagnosis of autism, a celebration of ‘normal’ bodies and history of LGBTQIA+ people. It’s incredibly validating to read a zine written by someone with a similar experience to you, and making your own is just as empowering. Trust me, you’ll be hooked.”

So, what about when you’re done creating your own zine during Williams’ Feminist Zine Club? “I’ve curated a selection of writers, poets, musicians, stylists and artists who self publish and use zines as a way to share their art and knowledge with the world. The readings are all from LGBTQIA+ feminist creatives. We’ll also have some time for readings from the audience if anyone wants to share what they’ve made in the workshop or share material from a zine they’ve just launched.” If you’d like to take part, Williams encouraged those interested to send them an email at [email protected].

The event is open to everyone who is respectful of a feminist safe space. “This means there’s no judgement and you’re welcome to try out ideas, no matter how silly or serious!” You can already get your ticket for Williams’ zine workshop for £11 here. If you’d like to enjoy a meal at Selina’s POWERPLANT restaurant afterwards, you can get a prepaid menu for £42.50 here. And if you’re interested in joining later on for the readings, all you need to do is RSVP for free here.

And for those of you who aren’t 100 per cent convinced just yet, here’s what Williams finished our conversation with, “If you need inspiration and would like to drink some Male Tears, then come along for the evening where we’ll be joined by creatives sharing work from their own zines alongside yummy cocktails.”