After being put on the backburner by the pandemic, The Cabinet of Choas Zines are back.
These self-published, class magazines were inspired by events such as the Omaha Zine Fest where creators can show off their work and sell it. The editing and publishing class at WSC will create five zines as a side project this semester. Four upperclassmen out of the six students will have the opportunity to head their own unique zine. They will also over see production and distribution.
“It’s more of a creative outlet,” Chloe Dobois, who is in charge of the first edition, said.
Some of these zines will have planned content, while editors will be asking for submissions for others.
“These submissions include writing, artwork, a grocery list, it can be literally anything that they are looking for,” Professor Sharon Carr said.
She said the zine is very reflective of the person who created it and what they are interested in. The whole mood and feel of the work is different from creator to creator. The zines themselves vary in size and how much artwork or writing is in them.
“It lets students get their first jump into publishing their own magazine and they are totally free to do whatever they want with it,” Carr said.
Zines originated from fanzines about bands and other popular groups.
Carr said they have now evolved into whatever people want to talk about.
Authors can just put their feelings in a quick zine and then hand them out; there are no limitations.
Zines highlight material that doesn’t normally get published. Many festivals that feature zines have been canceled due to COVID 19. Carr said she hopes they come back.
“It lets students get their first jump into publishing their own magazines and they are totally free to do whatever they want with it,” Carr said. “It’s a nice experience for them to have this real world event to actually sell work at.”
The Cabinet of Chaos has its own Facebook and Instagram page. Submissions are still be accepted for the upcoming zines. (Details for submission are in the about section of their Facebook page.) Distribution sites vary. There will be a pick up location in the second-floor humanities Lounge, as well as other locations scattered throughout campus. Zines will also be available at events such as the poetry slam and fiction slam.