Frequently Asked Questions

DC Zinefest Basics
2023 Logistics/FAQ
Accessibility & Safety Information
FAQ Information for Tablers
Where can I find zines besides the DC Zinefest?

DC Zinefest: What, Where, When, and How?

What is DC Zinefest?
The DC Zinefest is an independent event designed to provide a space for zine-makers, self-published artists, and writers to share their work with each other and the Washington, D.C., community.

When is DC Zinefest?
DC Zinefest 2024 date and location to be announced. Be sure to follow us on Instagram for the latest updates on DCZF ’24 and announcements for tabler registration.

The following information is archival from DCZF 2023.

DC Zinefest 2023 Logistics/FAQ:

How do I get to DC Zinefest 2023?
There are a number of public transportation options as well as street parking to arrive at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.

  • Metro:
    • Gallery PI-Chinatown: The library is a 2 minute paved walk from the Gallery Pl-Chinatown metro station (Green/Yellow/Red). We recommend taking the “Galleries” exit from this metro station. When you emerge from the station, the library will be across the street!
    • Metro Center: The library is a 5 minute paved walk from the Metro Center station (Orange/Blue/Silver). We recommend taking the “12th and G” Street exit
    • Both metro stops include an elevator. Please note that Metro elevator and escalator outages are common—check WMATA’s Gallery PI-Chinatown station or Metro Center station pages for the most up-to-date information.
  • Bus: The MLK Library is also a short walk from various bus lines including: 54, X2, G, 64, 70/79, 80. All bus stops are also a paved walk to the library.

Read our accessibility information on MLK library

Is there parking at DC Zinefest?
Martin Luther King Jr. library is located in a downtown tourist district. On-street parking is available, but often difficult to find. However, there are several paid parking garages near the library.

Where’s the bathroom, water, food, or coffee?
There are restrooms with wheelchair accessible stalls available on the fifth floor, and each floor of the library. There are unisex and family bathrooms available on the fifth floor as well.

There are multiple water fountains available at the library. There is a café, Marianne’s by DC Central Kitchen, on the first floor of the library. The café is open from 9:30am–5pm on Saturdays. Additionally there are multiple restaurants nearby that will accommodate various dietary needs.

When should I get there?
Zinefest will be open to the public beginning at 11:00am and will close at 5:00pm. Tablers, please check in at 10:00am to find your table assignment and set up. Read all our tabler FAQs.

Are dogs welcome at the festival?
Only service animals are permitted at the library. 

What is DC Zinefest’s code of conduct?
Everyone at DCZF must comply with our Safer Spaces policy, and DCPL’s Rules of Behavior policies.

Accessibility & Safety Information

Is DC Zinefest accessible?
Yes! We strive to make our event as transparent and accessible as we can. Please reach out to us via email at dczinefest@gmail.com for any additional information or accommodations not listed below.

  • Mobility:
    • The MLK library has 4 elevators located at each corner of the library. Each elevator is 1-2 minute walk from the entrance. The library is wheelchair accessible on each floor, including the outdoor terrace area.
    • Seating: For zinesters, each table will include 2 chairs. For attendees, there are many seating areas on the outdoor terrace. There is limited seating indoors for attendees.
  • Music: We love a good jam, but won’t be playing any music during the festival. We kindly ask all tablers to keep their tunes at home. 
  • SA/ESA: Only service animals are permitted at the MLK library.
  • Shade: All outdoor tables will be under an awning on the fifth floor terrace.
  • Water: We will have water bottles available for tablers, though we encourage you to bring your own reusable bottle (there are also water fountains in the library). 
  • Restrooms: There are restrooms with wheelchair accessible stalls available on the fifth floor, and each floor of the library. There are unisex and family bathrooms available on the fifth floor as well.

What is your COVID-19 safety protocol?
The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, with a surge of cases happening since this summer. Due to DC Zinefest being a large, indoor/outdoor event, the organizers are planning precautions to keep the community safe and limit COVID exposure when possible for all organizers, vendors, and attendees. Weather permitting, we’ll also have doors open to ventilate some of the indoor spaces. We thank you for following these precautions in advance:

  • Masks are strongly encouraged! Please come wearing a face mask with a good seal for the event. We will be handing out free KN95 masks. Air quality is a priority as COVID is spread through respiratory droplets, and masks are one of the best preventative measures we can take.
  • Test if possible before the event. Rapid tests work best if you swab the cheeks, throat, then nose.
  • Stay home if sick, experiencing symptoms, exposed to COVID-19, or testing positive. There will always be more opportunities to interact with zinesters, so it is not worth getting others sick.
  • Be mindful of space and distancing, and please practice good hygiene/hand washing when handling products and zines.

Someone is harassing me or someone else at the fest. What should I do?
Harassment, intimidation, and other threatening behavior will not be tolerated at DC Zinefest. If you or someone else are being harassed, reach out to your tabler liaison, staff or volunteer to discuss the incident and determine next steps to stop the harassment. DC Zinefest organizers and volunteers will wear identification so you can easily find us during the festival.

FAQ Information for Tablers

Can I bring an extra person who I did not mention in my application?
Our tables include 2 chairs. To reduce crowding, do not bring additional chairs or standing displays.

I need to leave my table to use the bathroom. What do I do?
There will be “tabler liaisons” assigned to you and other nearby zinesters. Your liaison can help you with things big and small — whether you need someone to cover your table for a bit, or if you need to get small bills. Your liaisons will introduce themselves on the day of the fest, and will be available throughout the day.

I’d like to walk around and explore Zinefest. What do I do?
Tabler liaisons can cover your table for a short period of time (10–15 minutes) if you need to use the restroom, grab some caffeine, run to an ATM, etc. However, if you would like to visit other tables during the festival n’ soak up all the zine goodness, we highly recommend bringing a friend with you to cover your table for periods longer than 15 minutes. Or, ask your neighbor tabler(s) if they could watch your table while you explore!

Could I move my table the day of the festival?
DC Zinefest has “assigned seating” to accommodate specific requests by our tablers. When you arrive, check in at the sign-in table and an organizer or volunteer will lead you to your seat.

What if I see an unoccupied table on the day of the fest?
Please remain in your designated table area. Because of our earlier start this year, not all tablers may arrive at the same time.  When in doubt, ask a tabler liaison for advice!

Will food/drinks be provided to tablers?
We will have bottled water available for tablers, though we will ask you to bring your own bottle (you can refill at the water fountains in the library). There is a cafe, Marianne’s by DC Central Kitchen, on the first floor of the library. The cafe is open from 9:30am–5pm on Saturdays. Additionally there are multiple restaurants nearby that will accommodate various dietary needs.

You didn’t answer my question—who do I talk to?!
Feel free to contact us in advance of Zinefest with any questions or concerns at dczinefest@gmail.com. For those tabling, on the day of the fest, there will be a “tabler liaison” assigned to you and other nearby zinesters.

Where can I find zines besides DC Zinefest?

Local to DC:
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Fantom Comics
Big Planet Comics
Joint Custody
Smash!
D.C. Punk and Indie Fanzine collection (DCPIFC)

Localish: 
Velocity Comics (Richmond, VA)
Small Friend Records & Books (Richmond, VA)
Atomic Books (Baltimore, MD)

Online:
Many zinesters have zines for sale on personal websites or you can contact them through social media.
You can also try searching for zines on platforms like: Etsy

Other Zine Fests:
Broken Pencil is a magazine on zine culture and independent arts. They have an extensive list of zine fests. https://brokenpencil.com/zine-festivals-and-small-press-fairs/