Interview with Joanna Kiely

I conducted this interview with Joanna Kiely, via email, about her fourth wave 'Girls Don't Zine'. Though this was for my dissertation, it was good to hear her opinions on diversity within zine culture as she was an active participant in the area I'm investigation.

JASMIN HARBORD:         What sparked your desire to start a zine?

JOANNA KIELY:                 I was bored of what I was seeing and doing on a fashion photography degree and i knew there was a lot of fun being had from what i saw on the internet so I wanted to create a platform to show it off.

JH:                                         What was your first experience with zines? How did you hear about them?

JK:                                         I first saw Beth Siveyer's Girls Get Busy and then my friends at school made theyre own zine called girl love. And then as the scene grew became more aware of more feminist zines like polyester. 

JH:                                         Would you say 'Girls Don't' could be classed as a feminist zine? If so, why? And if not, why not?

JK:                                         Yes definitely! It's a celebration of liberation, especially female. It tackles feminist issues threw satire and art

JH:                                         Why did you chose to distribute 'Girls Don't' in both online (issue 1) and print media? What do you feel were the benefits of using both processes of distrobution as opposed to just one?

JK:                                         Honestly I thought no one would buy it without knowing that was inside. So I put it up online originally so people could try before they buy. Turns out I was wrong though and people where quite excited to discover what the pages held once they had ordered it.

JH:                                         In your opinion, did the web and technology help or hinder the creation of 'Girls Don't'?

JK:                                         Oh help for sure. I put  call for submissions on tumblr and insta and fb and everyone else did the rest. I had an influx of emails and I then put it all together on indesign. Definitely wouldnt have happened if it wasnt for the web and tech! I sadly dont have the patience to do all of that by hand.

JH:                                         The internet allows for almost instantaneous contact with people from around the world, each from different backgrounds, cultures and social norms. Do you feel you received work from a range of people or from a specific group?

JK:                                         I'm not really sure, I know I had contributions from all around the would. But I do feel like maybe it was all the same age group.

JH:                                         Did you have a method for choosing the sorts of work that were included in 'Girls Don't'? If so could you speak about it a little bit?

JK:                                         I choose it mainly on what I thought went well together colour and theme wise, and then also what I thought tackled prominent issues.

JH:                                         And lastly, do you think zine culture is still relevant in today's society? Is it important? Please expand.

JK:                                         Yes completely. I know when I was younger i got a different kind of education from zine culture. I wouldnt have formed many of the opinions i have without that direct link to other girls and artists teaching me. I've met so many people throw zine culture, throught making, reading, and working on other zines and I'm so thankful for that. Zine culture has been a education and a life line for me, as i'm sure it has been for many other people. very important.