Top fanzines markets in the UK
The United Kingdom has a rich and varied history of DIY culture and creative fandoms. There have always been numerous grassroots organizations mobilizing around shared interests to get the word out about their passion and connect with other fans.
Although traditionally fanzines were printed in small quantities and distributed by hand, the proliferation of online media has opened up whole new avenues that allow fans to connect. No matter what your interest is, it is likely that you can find a creative fanzine speaking your language. Here are some of the top fanzine categories in the UK.
Sports
There’s no doubt that the United Kingdom boasts many devoted sports enthusiasts. From rugby to cricket, football, and beyond, the market for unique and quirky fanzines is alive and well. Essentially, fanzines provide a space where aficionados can flex their knowledge about the topic while finding clever and creative ways to share info and insight with fellow fans. It is also an area where jargon flows freely and there’s no need to appeal to a wider audience.
Gaming
Speaking of jargon, gaming is another area where fanzines have become a popular way to share tricks of the trade. Whether it is about a particular video game or the booming online casino world, there are devotees eager to share their tricks and connect with other players. It might not be the first place you look for insider tips, but if, for example, you love playing blackjack online in the United Kingdom, it would likely be a good idea to do some research into fanzines relevant to your interest. As the world of online gaming, casinos, and betting grows by the day, you can expect to see a proliferation of subcultures emerge in response to this dynamic (and potentially lucrative) facet of online activity.
Politics & current affairs
Although politics tend to be relegated to the status of the mainstream, there remains a vibrant and diverse set of alternative publications that express views on politics and current affairs, while definitely fitting in comfortably with the fanzine ethos. These publications provide ample space for writers and creators of all cultures, backgrounds, and social status to share their thoughts on the times in which we’re living. Despite having a political bent, fanzines that fall into this category are less about informing the public regarding the details of what is happening and more about expressing a specific opinion, belief, or interpretation of those events.
Activism
Essentially a subset of the category listed above, activist fanzines are political or current affair fanzines kicked up a notch. Meant to inspire a specific kind of social or political action from its readers, these are fanzines that celebrate the different ways in which people within a society have the power to mobilize and make their voices heard. The topics covered here are wide-ranging and relate to everything from animal rights to the treatment of incarcerated persons, to why young people should have more control over the structure of their education.
Punk is still punk
Of course, you can’t talk about fanzines in the UK without paying tribute to the original game in town. Punk and fanzines go hand in hand and this poignant manifestation of the spirit of punk rock continues to hold weight in the current fan climate. Basically any subsequent realm of social activity that offers a vibrant fanzine culture has punk’s production and distribution models to thank for paving the way for future zealots to connect. The DIY approach was the ideal expression of the momentum that punk rock hopes to inspire and it continues to play an important role.
Image via https://proweezine.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/fanzines-what-are-they/