Canzine shows the roots of magazines and alternative culture

If you want to see the grassroots of the magazine industry, there is no better place than at Canzine, the annual 'zine fair and display of alterrnative culture held in Toronto.

This year's event is on Sunday, October 26th, 2008 from 1pm-7 pm at the Gladstone Hotel Downtown Toronto, 1214 Queen St. West (Queen just East of Dufferin). The event has been organized for many years by Broken Pencil, the magazine about 'zine culture and a $5 admission to the fair comes with a free copy. Full information about the event and exhibitor registration (they're full).

Among the highlights:

• Zine fair -- dozens of indie publishers (print and online) from across North America show and sell their stuff;
• Comedy -- 2 - 3:30, various performances by some of Canada's weirdest and funniest comedians;
• Book pitch -- 3:45 to 4:45, participants get to make a public, two-minute pitch for their book in front of a panel of judges including ECW Press editor Michael Holmes, Literary Agent Samantha Haywood, and writer Hal Niedzviecki. (advance registration required at canzine@brokenpencil.com)
• Plus readings, underground video screenings, hotel room installations and a workshop on how to start and run your own 'zine and book distribution outlet.