TCI Zines

The Creative Independent (TCI) is a growing resource of emotional and practical guidance for working artists. As TCI's Director of Creative Resources, I oversee all of the practical guidance we publish, including how-to guides, tips, reports, zines, and more.

TCI Zines bring together wisdom and insights from the vast TCI archive in order to explore the complex challenges that many artists face. Each zine features quotes grouped around core topics, interview excerpts, commissioned essays, and practical exercises. I led the initial creative direction of this series, partnering with designers at Varyer to create a publication template which we can repurpose indefinitely as we add more zines to the series. I continue to edit the series, and oversee production.

All TCI zines are distributed for free as downloadable PDFs in our Library, and in print at select cultural events. So far, thousands of zines have been distributed to artists for free at events and spaces such as Basilica Soundscape, the NY Tech Zine Fair, Pioneer Works' Software for Artists Day, Sundance, XOXO Festival, and many more. To request TCI zines for use in your classroom or at your cultural event, email info @ thecreativeindependent [dot] com; you can also request individual print copies of our zines by mailing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to TCI's office—click the below zine links for further instructions.

DOWNLOAD & REQUEST TZI ZINES

On making a living as an artist→

Topics covered include making money through your art, financial planning, day jobs, and starting a creative business.

On dealing with creative anxiety→

Topics covered include working with fear, de-stressing, challenging your own ideas of failure, staying healthy, dealing with rejection, and channeling anxiety into creative work.

On finding your voice→

Topics covered include always looking for better ways to express yourself, finding your path, creating work in your own voice, following your curiosity, and more.

On feeling healthy→

Topics covered include balancing health with productivity, working through illness, knowing when to take a break, and the connection between creativity and wellbeing.