Britton Walters, MOO juice

Age: 24

Selection:"Jail Break!" (page 54); "Things You Never Want to See In Popeye's Arm..." (page 158)

Recent review(from Factsheet Five): "As much fun as a stocking of toys on Christmas morning." (From Bea & Eff): "Our hands-down favorite zine. This guy's a genius!"

Sample:$3 from 1430 S. Cuyler Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402 (checks: Britton Walters)

When did you launch your zine? What inspired you to do so?

While in my senior year of high school, a friend and I won a state art competition and got to go to Gainesville, Florida, and take classes at the university there and meet other kooks like ourselves. We got their addresses so we could send them our "newsletter." Later we actually put one out to tell the folks what we were up to...it started to catch on. When we went to art school it came along and grew. After a falling out with my by-then roommate, I realized I was doing all the work on "Half N Half" (an homage to the masses of coffee we drank on the trip and as a reflection on our equal shares in it), so I decided to start new and whole and kept the dairy theme with MOO juice. It started off as a way to avoid writing letters to all of our friends and developed slowly but surely with the help of the MOO staff into the zine it is today.

Why publish a zine?
As an artist, first and foremost I live to project my ideas from myself, through a media, to the world. Print is powerful and can be understood by the masses. I create a zine that I wish I could find in bookstores and newsstands of the world. Once you start and have great, positive feedback, how can you not continue? MOO grows from issue to issue, more and more out of control. When people respond to what you are saying, it is one of the best things in the world, plus free records and praise isn't all that bad either (just kidding).

Any general tips for aspiring zinesters?
1) Everyone's first few issues suck in comparison to what will happen down the road. I've seen so many zines with promise disappear and it pisses me off. You'll get greater response the more you work at it.
2) Trade issues, trade ad space, and review other zines when you're starting out. The whole scene should support itself and each other. These techniques are the best way to get the word of mouth going.
3) Scheme like you're sneaking across the border. Zines can be expensive. Network and figure out ways to get the best possible product with the least financial burden.

What's your favorite part of doing a zine?
A mailbox full of mail from interesting people. I think that it what it's all about. I love pushing and pulling to to get the letters out of my post office box.

In my other life, I'm a:
Struggling cartoonist, artist and graphic designer, but life is constantly interesting.

Fan Mail
Nerfect.com

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