FAQs for Zine Makers
LEARN ABOUT THE FAIR
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In 2026 we’re using a distro (distribution) consignment model.
Instead of individual vendor tables, makers submit physical copies of their zines to the Biggest Little Zine Fair distro. We keep them in our inventory and sell them at fairs and other events until they sell out.
This means you don’t need to run a table, manage restocking, or pick up unsold copies after each event.
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No. The 2026 fair will not include individual vendor tables.
All zines will be sold through the Biggest Little Zine Fair distro table.
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No. You’re always welcome to come hang out, but you don’t need to attend to participate. Many of our makers submit their work without being present at the event.
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Yes.
Once your zines are in our inventory, they may be sold at multiple events throughout the year until they sell out. This may include:
• Biggest Little Zine Fair
• pop-up events
• social gatherings
• online sales -
Right now we’re planning one major fair:
May 31 — Biggest Little Zine Fair
Additional pop-ups and social events may happen later in the year where distro inventory may also be sold.
We decide this based on organizer capacity. -
We use a rubric!
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You can either mail them or drop them off.
Detailed mailing instructions, drop-off locations, and timelines will be included in your acceptance email.Check the Makers Schedule so you know when to expect those instructions.
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No special packaging is required.
We add a bookmark with a QR code to each zine (or rubber-band it to the zine). Attendees scan the QR code to purchase through our system.
Because of this, zines should arrive ready to browse and handle. If you seal them up as a rule, for example, please provide one open.
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Nope. If a title sells out, we may contact you to request additional copies.
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You’ll be paid after your zines sell.
Payouts typically happen within 1–2 weeks after the event where the sales occurred. Makers provide either Venmo or PayPal information for payouts.
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Nope. By default, we keep your zines in our distro inventory and continue selling them at future events until they sell out.
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Yes.
If you’d like your remaining copies returned, you can request them after the May fair. You can pick them up or have them shipped back if you cover the cost of return shipping.
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Nope. Well, you can. We can’t stop you, but we won’t put more than 5 out.
AFTER ACCEPTANCE
GET YOUR ZINES IN THE FAIR
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Use this link! Or go to Tinyurl.com/2026BLZFapp
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You can submit up to three zine titles so we can include as many makers as possible.
For each accepted title, we’ll ask you to give us 5 copies.
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Yes, as long as we don’t currently have that title in our inventory.
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Yes. Makers can participate from anywhere as long as you can provide physical copies of your zines.
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Right now we’re planning one major fair:
May 31 — Biggest Little Zine Fair
Additional pop-ups and social events may happen later in the year where distro inventory may also be sold.
We decide this based on organizer capacity. -
Ideally the cover of the zine.
We use a digital catalog where visitors browse zines on their phones during the fair. The image helps people recognize and select your work. Don’t stress about perfection, a clear image works great.
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Check the Makers Schedule for application deadlines and important dates.
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If you say it’s a zine, it’s a zine.
We do not accept:
• full-length books
• merch-only submissions
• art prints or posters
• buttons-only submissions
• stickers-only submissions -
Yes!
You can include additional free zines with your shipment if you’d like them added to our free zine table. These do not require an application.
At our larger fairs we typically give away around 1,000 free zines.
You can also include one additional zine for our BLZF Zine Library. -
Everyone gets an email — either an automated acceptance or a personalized note explaining we won’t be moving forward this time. Check your spam, check your spam, check your spam.