The 2023 fest will be on August 19th from 12 to 6 pm at the Fountain Street Church. Applications were open from May 1st to the 14th. If you'd like to be notified about any updates, including tabling, please join our mailing list (see above).

Applications for fest open in the spring. If you don't see the application tab on our website, applications are not open yet. Please read the application carefully! This zine fest operates on a lotto system, meaning applicants are chosen randomly using a number generator. Emails about the lotto results will be sent out after registration closes. Those selected to table will be sent payment information, and your spot at the fest is secured once you have paid. There is a waitlist available for those that don't make it in the initial lotto. This list is also available to those that missed the initial application deadline. If anyone cancels, I will contact someone off of the waitlist as soon as possible. The application requires you to agree to several guidelines, including bringing zines to sell. It may also require masking (depending on the pandemic). Those that blatantly disregard agreed-upon requirements for being an exhibitor will not be asked to table at GRZF again. This includes applicants that clearly violate our safer spaces policy (which you can read in full on the website).

We welcome zinesters regardless of where you live. We enjoy having a mix of artists from Grand Rapids and out of town.

We welcome young zinesters but ask that anyone under the age of 18 applies with an adult. Also, zines with mature content will likely be present at the fest, if that is a concern.

Full size tables are only available to zine distros. Meaning, you collect/publish zines from multiple authors and distribute them. Applicants who apply for a full table who are clearly an individual zinester will not be accepted. This policy maximizes how many zinesters can participate!

At least 51% of what you bring to sell needs to be zines. As long as this benchmark is met, feel free to bring other items like buttons, prints, or stickers. If you're unsure about your ratio of zines to other items, try viewing your table as an attendee. They should think, "Cool zines! Oh, they have pins and plushies too!" instead of the other way around. Published books and comics are not considered zines. Applicants that blatantly violate this rule (i.e., bringing no zines at all!) will not be asked back to the fest. Applicants who do not make zines will not be accepted. This is one of the few annual zine events in Michigan, and we're excited to highlight zinesters!

A half table is $15. (3ft long) A full table is $30. (6ft long, distros only) All of the table fees go directly to covering our operating costs, like paying for the venue space. GRZF is completely volunteer-run and non-profit, so the table fees are essential to breaking even every year. I pay out of pocket for upfront costs. You can pay more for your table if you'd like to help support our event!

We welcome all genres and styles of zines! However, we are an all-ages event, so please use appropriate content warnings if you have mature or graphic material. That being said, we will not accept applicants and/or zines that violate our safer spaces policy. You can read the policy in full here. We do not accept zines or zinesters that promote oppression and bigotry, and all applicants are screened to the best of our ability.

Feel free to decorate your table as you wish! Keep in mind that half tables are about 3ft wide, so be mindful of your neighbor. If you need to secure anything, please use gentle painter's tape to prevent damaging the tables and chairs generously provided by our venue. Items like tablecloths, signs, small shelves, small display racks, and decorations are ok! Please get prior approval for large additional display structures; we do not allow structures that are a tripping hazard or encroach on your neighbor's space. Space is tight, and we want to make sure everyone has enough room to move around and be comfortable. This is an all-ages event, so please keep that in mind when decorating your table. Some kind of notice of mature content is appreciated. If you have mature content, please avoid placing extremely graphic images front and center.

Besides your zines, make sure you have everything you need for selling. This means plenty of cash for change and a safe place to keep your money. If you are using a card reader, we recommend bringing an external battery to be safe. (The building does have Wifi.) Think about how you want to display your work, including price information. It's common for people to bring items like a tablecloth, informational signs, business cards, etc. We also recommend bringing a water bottle (there is a drinking fountain) and something to eat. A "be back soon" sign may be helpful for bathroom breaks!

I do my best to seat everyone according to the seating requests on the application forms. However, it's impossible to arrange the seats in a way that takes everyone's requests into account. Thank you for understanding. Requests regarding accessibility take priority.

If you make it clear in your application that you're applying as a group, you can share your space. We have room for a maximum of two people at a half table and four people at a full table. However, tables are only six feet long, so we strongly encourage only one person per half table. If you want to table with a friend, we highly recommend applying separately and requesting to be sat together. We do not allow exhibitors to share space with someone without our knowledge and approval. If you would like to inquire about sharing your table or selling your friend's zines, please contact us.

Fountain Street Church has Wifi, air conditioning, a drinking fountain, gendered bathrooms, and a gender-neutral bathroom. The space is ADA accessible, and our event has no religious affiliations.Tables and chairs are provided. There is no specified parking for tablers or attendees, but there is plenty of street and ramp parking near the building. Check out all the parking available here. The building does have air conditioning, but things tend to get warm with so many people in one space. It's an automated system, so we cannot control the AC. You may want to dress accordingly!

We will have an hour before and after the fest where you can check out other tables and chat with your fellow exhibitors. This is an increase from previous years! I anticipate that most people will check out other tables after the fest is closed to the public. During the fest, people typically do one of the following: 1. Ask their neighbor to keep an eye on their table. 2. Have a friend attending the fest watch their table. 3. Have an organizer or volunteer watch their table. 4. Place a "be back soon" sign on their table.

Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel. Table fees will be refunded up to two weeks before the event. Exhibitors who cancel after this period will not receive a refund. We rely on table fees to fund our event, and it's extremely unlikely that we will be able to get someone to take your spot on such short notice. If you have to cancel due to extreme circumstances, like an illness, a refund may be possible.