The Zine Club

The Zine Club runs at Newcastle City Library on the second Thursday of the month, with sessions from 12 February to 10 December 2026. It's a regular gathering for writers, artists and DIY publishers to celebrate Newcastle's zine culture, blending writing, art, collage and self-publishing as a platform for creative expression. The sessions are self-directed and peer-led, open to everyone aged 16 and over, and the library provides all the supplies on the night, though you're more than welcome to bring your own materials if you've got a particular project in mind.

Part of each gathering is dedicated to folding zines for distribution through The Zine Project, a grassroots initiative that puts Zine Boxes — small outdoor cabinets purpose-built by a local Men's Shed — into neighbourhoods to encourage people to read and make zines. The project was supported by a City of Newcastle Quick Response Grant in 2022, and there are currently three active Zine Boxes across the city, including ones at Darby Street Community Garden in Cooks Hill and Hudson Street Hum in Hamilton. So what you make during the session doesn't just stay on the table; it can end up in a box for someone else to find and read.

It's a low-pressure way to get into self-publishing, whether you're a seasoned zine-maker or just want to see what the fuss is about. The sessions run from 5:30 to 7:30pm, and there are 11 in total across the year. Entry is free, but bookings are essential, so you'll need to secure your spot before heading down to the library at 15 Laman Street, Newcastle NSW 2300.