Al Hoff
Thrift SCORE

Selection: "Sixty-Six Things I Hate about Shopping in Thrift Stores" (page 144)

Recent review (from Zine World): "Mixes irony and obsession with just a hint of Velveeta." (From Karma Lapel): "Friendly, inspirational, practical and delightfully not trendy."

Sample: Back issues are $1 cash from P.O. Box 90282, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Why publish a zine?
Did I already answer this?

Any general tips for aspiring zinesters?
Well, just do it and try to do a decent job. There's a shitload of poorly done zines and yours will just go in that pile. That's not said to discourage people—but frankly a crappy zine is a waste of everybody's time. I appreciate a zine that is well-written and looks fairly nice. It doesn't have to be glossy, but I tire quickly of bad collages and sloppy handwriting. I like to see a zine that somebody has obviously put effort into—whether it's graphics, clever use of illustration, good research, good writing or that really conveys a true sense of what somebody's into.
Once you've done it—be good about sending it—send to other zines, to review zines like Factsheet Five, to small stores that carry zines etc. I also believe it helps to be responsive (mail it out now!) and personal—it's not a ballbuster to include a two-line note thanking Person X for sending a dollar. And be realistic about your success—it takes a while to establish your presence. Persevere—put out another issue. Repeat as necessary.

What's your favorite part of doing a zine?
Mail. I love getting mail. Also, I love that moment when everything is all glued and ready to be reproduced. Research — I love any excuse to go to the library and paw through old magazines.

In my other life, I'm a:
Writer, I guess....and a housewife (though I'm a better writer than housewife).