Retour d'Expozine (Patreon)

I was super enthusiast for Expozine, I printed copies of Canicule, Lacustre and Gribrouillages (a new collective zine). I also printed some "art only" version the tiny Guild (they sold out in the Distroboto machines). 

I went there with my friend Sophy who make animal themed zines and who run a non profit organism to find homes for abandoned cats. 

But the day was really hard for me, some factors multiplied my body dysphoria and I was super anxious. I will spare the details as it is getting drainfull to discuss this (I discussed it on my Instagram). 

In the end I survived my Saturday but I was unable to attend the event on Sunday. (But Sophy was there to sell my stuff). 

The whole experience was a big letdown for me, I was really hoping to have a more positive experience this year as I felt like my transition was progressing. But the menace of meeting my coworkers had a strong emotional impact on me and I felt too much pressure to perfectly pass. I guess that I have to be softer with myself and to appreciate that I was good enough to endure a whole day of this. 

What I learned from Expozine:

• People are not super interested by collective zines that don't tell a story.
• Creating collective zines work better for RPG zines as it create a rich and interesting product but not so much for illustrations based zines. 
• But... people are not super interested by my gaming zines as the event is not frequented by roleplayers.  (I tried to sell my personal copies). 
• People really love my lilim. I sold more print of them than I expected. This was my bit of sunshine as I have a lot of love for my lilim. <3 
• People love to manipulate the mini-zines (but not necessarily to buy them, but again people don't like illustrations zines) 
• People want to buy something to "read". 

Will I participate to the next Expozine? I honestly don't know. A part of me want to face my anxieties and get better while a other part want to protect myself. But things will changes and I will be in a different situation next year. 

I will try to mail you a copy of Gribrouillages (and maybe a pocket guild and other tiny stuff )early this December. (If you are one of my early patrons, update your reward level so that I can get your mailing address)