THIS SCENE IS DEAD

This blog has changed quite a bit since it first started. It began as a collection of rants and ramblings; musings about my youthful misadventures. Now it has kinda been taken over by all things zine related. PAPER AND INK has somewhat taken over my whole life, not just this blog (and I am by no means upset about that). Without this creative endeavour there is no way I would be able to get myself out of bed every morning and work a shitty job. How anyone works bullshit 9-5s without creative side projects is beyond me. Fair play to them, I couldn't do it. I don't define myself by the job I do, I define myself by the things that I love. The things that I do not because I have to but because I want to.

Last month I tabled at my first ever zine fest. InZine Fest in Coventry. It was only a small event, but a good way for me to test the water before attending bigger festivals and events in the future. Unfortunately it was not advertised as well as it could have been and I didn't sell as many zines as I would have liked. Basically, I spent more on train fare than I earned in sales. Having said that, it was a good experience and I am glad I went.

InZine Fest, Coventry, March 2015

Next month I have two events lined up. Both in London. Both bigger (and hopefully busier) than InZine Fest was. First up is TAKEOVER 2015. An event put on by Alternative Press and The London Radical Bookfair. Then towards the end of May is DIY CULTURES 2015. I am super excited, and also a little trepidatious about attending these two events. I don't really know what to expect but I am really happy that I got tables at both events. They have hundreds of applicants so I am honoured that my little punk rock literary fanzine was chosen by both of them.

In other zine related news, I did a couple of interviews recently, firstly with Open Pen Magazine and secondly with blogger Marian Krick, both about PAPER AND INK, zines in general, literature, inspiration all that good stuff. The next issue of PAPER AND INK, the fifth issue, entitled DAMN THE MAN, about shitty jobs will be out very, very soon. Watch this space.

To everyone that has supported PAPER AND INK over the last two years, whether by buying a copy, or even just retweeting stuff on Twitter, I thank you from the bottom of my cold, dead heart. Your support does not go unnoticed.