Independently published media and art is catching on.

You think websites are effective? Try printing up your own fliers, handouts, zines and brochures! People have been doing it for a long time…

(all photos by Michael Levin unless otherwise noted)

I went to a potluck the other night and the host showed everyone her printing press. It’s a work of art and it works, too. She told me I could find used ones and lots of info at Briar Press. Now, you might ask yourself “Why on earth would anyone mess around with a printing press with the web going so strong?” Well, think about it: lots of people don’t use the web. Still more like reading something they can hold in their hands rather than staring at a computer monitor or a cellphone. Plus, it’s just slick to be able to print things up yourself.

Here’s an example printed using the printing press. Beautiful!

(photo from Independent Publishing Resource Center )

Portland, Oregon has a wonderful org called the Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC)

The Independent Publishing Resource Center facilitates creative expression and identity by providing individual access to the resources and tools for the creation of independently published media and art. Since its inception in 1998 the center has been dedicated to encouraging the growth of a visual and literary publishing community by offering a space to gather and exchange information and ideas, as well as to produce work.

Gainesville, Florida has an “alternative library” called the Civic Media Center

If you have realized that the news you get from the mainstream media isn’t really comprehensive or even truthful, and that a lot of news and views are filtered out of  mainstream media outlets, libraries, and thus, public debate, then you’ve found a home. We are one of the few alternative libraries in the U.S. We carry over ten thousand books, journals, ‘zines, videos and audio recordings, newspapers and magazines by independent, non-corporate media on a wide variety of subjects.

The point being that you don’t have to go to a big publishing company to get the word out on paper.

Yep, it’s cool. It’s beautiful. You can do it yourself. I can’t wait to try!