OUR STORY

School of Zines runs zine-making & self-publishing workshops on Dharug country in multicultural Parramatta.

The creative collective behind School of Zines has deep roots in communities across Greater Western Sydney (GWS). GWS is home to migrants and refugees from over 170 countries who speak over 100 different languages (source: WSU). It is a melting pot of rich cultures, inspiring stories, and unique voices. Our purpose is to foster community connections, celebrate cultural diversity and empower creativity through the simple act of making zines.

School of Zines is a school of thought sustained by art, not profit. We are passionate about zines because they are an accessible form of self-expression, a powerful tool for storytelling, and a sustainable way of publishing.

You don’t need permission to make a zine. Anyone can do it because we all have a voice and a unique point of view. When you self-publish a zine, you empower yourself and the community you represent to be seen and heard.

LET'S MAKE ZINES!

School of Zines is a passion project by Filipina artist and zine maker, Aphrodite Delaguiado. Aph started making zines as a kid growing up in the Philippines during the pre-internet 90s era. As a self-professed introvert, Aph has always turned to art & zines to process life-changing events such as migrating to Australia, surviving highschool, coping with heartbreak, loss, and all the struggles of adulting. In 2010, she self-published her first comic book, Saiko Comics 1: Quarter Life Crisis, and sold her first zine at Sticky Institute in Melbourne. Aph continued to make zines as part of her Think Less Draw More art project from 2009 to 2019.

Aphrodite is a Design (Visual Communication) alumni from Western Sydney University and an experienced designer, illustrator and printer. During the COVID lockdowns in 2021, Aph started producing poetry zines, photo books and anthologies featuring other creatives. She fell in love with the process of publishing – turning a creative idea into a tangible piece of art - thus, Illographo Press was born.

Inspired by the works of Sticky Institute, Good Press and Mtns Zine Club in promoting zine culture, Aphrodite created Wolfbound Books and the School of Zines as a way to pay it forward and share the joy of independent publishing with her community in Greater Western Sydney.

The School of Zines

Aphrodite

PRINCIPAL
Zine master, hustler, in-house designer, photographer and videographer. Aphrodite runs the School of Zines, Wolfbound Books & Illographo Press.
Maricris

LIBRARIAN
Bookseller, library manager and bookkeeper all rolled into one. Maricris works behind-the-scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Lance

VIBE MANAGER (ONLINE & IRL)
Creative protégé & artist in his own right. Lance is our content creator, wingman, and class representative in charge of vibe check and engagement (online & IRL).
Alessandra

WBB BOOKSELLER & WEB MASTER
Bookseller extraordinaire, Alessandra manages our inventory (online & IRL), reads & reviews our collection and takes instagram-worthy pics.
Israa

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR
Israa Merhi is a Muslim writer, poet spoken word performer, and to-be psychologist. She is our Community Connector, in-house Arabic language tutor, and editor at Illographo Press.
Malco2m

IN-HOUSE DJ / ZINE-TERN
Master of good vibes, Major in chill. Listen here: soundcloud.com/malcolm-gilongos
Viv

PROFESSOR OF WORLD WITEWATURES
Writer, folklorist and crepuscular investigator of raccoon culture. Viv is the School of Zines' resident hype man and runs storytelling workshops.
Michi

SENSEI
Writer, translator, zine-maker and indie publisher, born in Tokyo and now based in Sydney. Michiyo runs Uguisu Books with Nicholas Marshall.
Estee

GUEST FACILITATOR
Zinester, designer, art educator and illustrator living and working in the Blue Mountains. Estee is a member of the Mtns Zine Club collective.