Tuesday, April 05, 2011


XR #80

Finally. My paperzine, Ray X X-Rayer #80, is in the mail. I had to make a special visit to the Post Office to send off a couple of overseas requests, one to Australia, the other to the Netherlands. Airmail postage wasn't as bad as I had eXpected.

For those who tuned in late, my zine is only available via snail mail. I no longer put up free copies (PDF) on my Website. After I made that decision, a fan in Australia told me he was printing out the PDF editions but still wanted to trade zines via snail mail. This was the only feedback I've received over the years regarding my online zine editions. Unless I hear an uproar from other online readers -- who still can access my blog for free -- my decision stands.

Sometimes the Internet/papernet split is annoying. I prefer photons over paper when it comes to writing but I still read a lot of stuff on dead trees. Some meatspace zinesters don't like the Web. Fine by me. For those zinesters I've decided to only review or discuss their publications on paper. This means that while most of my zine consists of posts from this blog, there are a couple of new articles. I'm now pricing my zine at $2.00 (US funds, bills only). It's a basic format, B&W, 8.5 x 11 sheets, corner-stapled, 6 pages. Is it worth two bucks to get a couple of short articles not available on the Web? That's your call.

If you think it's worth it, mail your carefully concealed cash to BoXholder, PO Box 2, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-0002. Mention XR #80.

I do accept trades with other zinesters but selectively. Sorry but I prefer not to send free zines to prisoners. I can imagine the prison mailcheckers/censors toss my work in the trash, deeming it unacceptable.

Now with all those envelopes stuffed, stamped and mailed, I can return to what I really enjoy, research and blogging.