Shelby x sweet-thang Zine

Zine

Apr 19

ABOUT Sweet-thang ZINE

sweet-thang is an independent print zine and arts platform featuring work by Black artists of marginalised genders. We aim to foster a creative space for women, femmes, GNC people and non-binary folks. We focus on themes of resistance, healing and free artistic expression. This is a space for joy, in whatever way that manifests. We want sweet-thang to be a tool and resource for self-empowerment!

I created sweet-thang at the end of 2016 because I wanted to see more people like me in the DIY publishing industry, where representation has lacked in the past. I am inspired by the history of zines: their non-traditional and anti-authority messages, their dedication to supporting underground and under-represented voices. Zines can be spontaneous and messy, and within that, they "redistribute power to those that make them" (perfectly put by Lu Williams @ Grrrl Zine Fair). Zines and niche publications have a lot of force and significance in our world, and sweet-thang was definitely born out of the desire to reflect that.

sweet-thang will provide you with beautiful poetry, thought-provoking essays and amazing visuals surrounding any theme and will generally just be a sweet lil' publication for all to enjoy!

We interviewed Zoe Thompson, Editor-in-Chief of sweet-thang Zine, as part of our research for the Bristol + Bath Creative R+D programme to find out more about their work and how it relates to the topic of Amplified Publishing.

Photographer: Cleo Thompson @cleo.jahina

Shelby X: How did you get sweet-thang zine started? When did it start, why and who's involved?

Zoe: The first issue of sweet-thang came out in 2017, but I feel like the idea popped into my head way before as I had long been into publishing and zine culture. Zines are such an exciting medium, and I discovered them at a time when loads of other cool teens my age were making them! Being part of a creative space where I could see myself represented, celebrated and liberated was important to me.

Shelby X: Could you speak on zine-making and DIY culture as a tool of liberation?

Zoe: Zines have a very rich history. They have always existed beneath the radar of mainstream publishing, traditionally spotlighting niche communities or voices that didn’t fit the ‘norm’. I’ve been really inspired by the RIOT GRRRL 90s feminist era of zine-making, which was about handing the mic to women in the male-dominated punk industry. It just seemed like such a fertile time for finding radical tribes and building a subversive, activist community. Zines were the medium that facilitated and distributed these ideas.

Shelby X: What are your views on independent vs mainstream publishing particularly in relation to representation and documenting people's narratives?

Zoe: When it's done with a ‘for us/by us’ approach, I think that independent publishing has the power to represent uncensored voices - and there is so much liberation and power in that!

Shelby X: I see you also have a podcast - Sweet Stuff. What is the role of audio and how does it differ/contribute to the zine?

Zoe: Yes, Sweet Stuff is now an archival project! It was spontaneously made on a random day in 2021 because I was interested in seeing how sweet-thang could exist away from the platforms it had previously grown on. There’s a lot of scope for generating conversation and storytelling in audio, and I’d definitely be interested in bringing Sweet Stuff back one day!

Shelby X: How do themes of community and care show up for sweet -thang zine?

Zoe: Community and care are integral to sweet-thang. It has always existed to nurture and celebrate a community of creatives that supported each other and uplifted our work. As a site of healing, inspiration and empowerment for Black folks, the theme of care is super important.

Photographer: Cleo Thompson @cleo.jahina
Photo shoot credit: ‘Together in Joy’
Collage artists: Naomi Gennery @nn.aa.ii

Shelby X: What's something most people don't know about sweet-thang zine?

Zoe: Interesting Q! I guess some people don’t know that sweet-thang is mostly a labour of love from a person sitting in their PJs in their bedroom haha. I also made the first issue during my A-levels, and curated issue 2 from the comfort of my university dorm room in 2017! Someone once asked if sweet-thang had headquarters and I was like…does my dining room count? I think this is relatable to a lot of independent platforms/publications: we all do such great impactful things that people assume there’s a massive team backed by funding lurking in the background, but more often than not, it’s a small team of volunteers!

Find out more about sweet-thang zine:

Website: www.sweetthangzine.com

Instagram: @SweetThangZine