Indie Publishing Stories, Part 1: Mixtape!

I’ve been seeing so many cool stories in independent publishing lately. I’ll be sharing a few over the next week or so.

…And for starters, I was so thrilled to get the latest issue of Mixtape! In its bigger-and-badder new format – I put an older issue in the shot for comparison.

In case you’re not familiar with Mixtape, it’s an independent zine (looking more like a magazine every day) from Australia. Justine Telfer is the Editor and Publisher, and her husband Simon does a gorgeous job with the design.

Mixtape started with a photocopied first issue back in 2007, and has grown and developed with every issue since. This move to the new format is very exciting, because it means an indie effort like this is viable.

Mixtape offers ad space to independent craft businesses, but it’s clear that advertisers don’t drive the content the way they often do with mainstream publications. Justine welcomes submissions from all over, so every issue has a great diversity of interesting subjects.

In fact, I’ve been going on a bit here, so I haven’t commented on my favorite things from this new issue! There are two wonderful how-to’s: making a coin quilt, and building a “Multi-Tasker” (a foldable sort of padded cork board you can use for ironing, piecing, pinning, and more).

I love the piece on crafty tattoos by Kylie Robson. And this piece about the glories of old hotel signs by Jessica Wilson.

There are also recipes, a finger-knitting tutorial, profiles of Aussie crafters, music reviews, and more.

An indie publishing project that’s well worth supporting.