Here we are with Sarah Mangle, a Montreal-based zinester that we’re happy to have coming to the fest! Check it out.
Kindly give us a short description of yourself and the work you do.
I am a 33 year old white queer artist and writer living in Montreal. I’m originally from Nova Scotia, and I was born in Pennsylvania. I work a variety of odd jobs to support my creative work: life drawing model, daycare teacher, English teacher, copy editor, and facilitator.
How did you get introduced to zines? Were you influenced by anyone?
The first zine I ever saw was a riot grrl style guerilla insert for “women’s” magazines in the 90’s, although at the time I didn’t know about riot grrl. You were supposed to go into corner stores and surreptitiously slip the inserts into magazines to help people who bought the magazines feel better about themselves. It was a project my social justice club had gotten their hands on and were distributing. I was in this social justice club in high school in Nova Scotia.
What does it mean to do “feminist zine-making”? Does feminism appear in your work (explicitly or implicitly)?
For me feminist zine making is zine making that is pro-sex work, anti-racist, pro-choice, trans-enthusiastic, supportive of live in caregivers and other temporary foreign workers. It is queer positive, it is honest, it is emotive, it is sensitive, it understands layers of survival, and embraces vulnerability and anger and sadness.
What is your favorite zine or piece of mail art? Do you like any specific style/part of a zine?
My favourite zine is When Language Runs Dry. That is a fucking beautiful project. Highly recommended. My preference for style changes, but I feel nostalgic about photocopies, typewriters and hand writing.
If you could sum up your zinester life in a kitchen appliance, what appliance would it be?
Spoon. I try to hold things. I try to savour them. I try to taste things.
Finally, who are some of the other zinesters you’re excited to see at this year’s feminist zine fest?
I’m particularly excited about Annie Mok and Sophie Labelle. I’m also excited to meet new friends!
NYC Feminist Zinefest 