Interview: The Zinemaker Behind 'Pocket Stories' on Why Small Runs Matter

We sat down with Maya Lin, the editor and founder of the indie zine series 'Pocket Stories', to talk about the art of low-run publishing, the social role of zines in modern communities, and practical advice for first-time zinemakers. Maya’s work emphasizes small editions, tactile design, and collaborative processes that center underrepresented voices.

Why zines? Why now?

Maya explains that zines offer immediacy and intimacy. “Zines allow marginal voices to be heard without gatekeeping,” she says. “They’re fast to produce, cheap to distribute, and they build local networks.” With rising interest in analog media, zines have become a vehicle for community storytelling and accessible publishing education.

“Zines are permission slips: they tell people they can make and share without a massive budget.”

Making low-run editions

Maya emphasizes design choices that make small runs economical. Print-on-demand is convenient but often strips character. She prefers short-run offset or photocopy-based approaches that embrace imperfections. “Limited runs can feel special,” she notes. “They encourage tactile interaction and local distribution.”

Collaborative publishing

'Pocket Stories' often centers collaborations between writers, illustrators, and musicians. Maya says collaboration broadens reach and yields surprising creative results. She structures projects with clear roles and small timelines. For contributors, the promise of a physical object and shared promotion compensates for modest payment rates.

Distribution and sustainability

Maya uses a hybrid approach: local drop-offs in bookstores and cafes, pop-up table sales at community events, and a small online store for out-of-town buyers. She stresses sustainability: recycled paper, soy-based inks, and minimizing plastic in packaging. “Sustainability increases cost,” she admits, “but it aligns with our values and resonates with our audience.”

Advice for new zinemakers

• Start with a clear theme: Curate work that fits one emotional or conceptual thread.
• Keep it short: A compact format encourages readers to finish and share the zine.
• Learn basic layout: Familiarize yourself with simple layout tools and bleed/margin norms.
• Make a sample run: Print 20 copies to test the market before scaling up.

On community impact

Maya highlights how zines can amplify community stories often overlooked by mainstream media. She runs workshops in schools and shelters to teach simple publishing skills. “Publishing a zine can be transformative,” she says. “It gives people authorship over their own narratives.”

Future plans

Looking ahead, Maya wants to create a cooperative press to underwrite small runs for projects that prioritize community benefit over profit. She’s also experimenting with hybrid digital-physical formats where QR codes unlock audio or video supplements that extend the zine’s life beyond print.

Closing thoughts

Maya’s work reminds us that small artifacts can have expansive cultural effects. If you’re curious about zines, start small, find collaborators, and prioritize stories that matter to your community. The tangible nature of zines is not nostalgic so much as intentionally human: in an age of infinite scroll, a printed page demands attention and care.