The last Los Angeles Zine Fest was held at Helms Bakery in 2019. The crowd was large and the exhibiters were excited to share their DIY publications with the word. And in the Fall of that year, they posted on Instagram that “we’re excited and thrilled to announce we’ll be returning to Helms Bakery next year for L.A. Zine Fest’s 9th year (like, whoa)! Mark your calendars for SUNDAY, MAY 31st 2020.” They even held an exhibitor submissions period that closed on January 17^th, 2020. Little did Los Angeles Zine Fest know that two months later the country would shut down as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

No Zine Fest has been held since. Not until it was announced that Los Angeles Zine Fest would return in 2023 and visitor applications would open on February 8^th.

Los Angeles Zine Fest announced on Instagram on February 1^st that they are “SO excited to announce the 2023 fest will be in Long Beach at the Expo Arts Center on Sunday, May 28!” Even though there is already a Long Beach Zine Fest (that remains on hiatus), the Expo Arts Center was the only venue they could find within their budget.

Now, the Los Angeles Zine Fest is returning after a three-year hiatus. More than 100 exhibitors of zines and small press publications will come together to exchange art, ideas and community. These exhibitors will share their handmade chapbooks and one-off graphic novels and even social-justice pamphlets. Such DIY publications are often made by scrappy artists with no budget. Just art supplies and a printer.

Welcome back Los Angeles Zine Fest.