Pivot zine finally launches. It is fitting to publish it at the start of 2010. Six years ago, while in graduate school for journalism at Syracuse University, I subscribed to Ed2010, a Web community of magazine editors — real and wannabe — who aspired to be editors by the year 2010. Now I can finally say that I am no longer a wannabe. The winter 2010 issue of pivot zine is the first time that I have published a piece of work that has only my imprint on it. I served as the writer, editor and graphic designer of this issue.
Truth be told: launching pivot zine was no easy feat. When I began this project in September 2009, I had aimed for a December launch. I envisioned pivot zine as its own Web site. I grandly aspired to churn out a new issue every three months. As the winter months approached, I realized that I should have taken a class before attempting to build a Web site from scratch, or at least hired someone to do it for me. Other unforeseen developments took time away from the magazine; I started a full-time new job, went on vacation with my boyfriend and the holidays inevitably tugged me into their orbit. For these reasons, I decided to launch pivot zine as part of a new blog on arts and culture that will be updated regularly, with occasional free bonus issues during the year.
Despite some setbacks, I am proud of pivot zine’s content. There is something for everyone. In this launch issue, you will find: book reviews, a story about a new design and salvaged goods blog, an article about women in theatre, a travel piece on Copenhagen, the profile of a Peace Corps volunteer in Samoa, features on food trends and businesses in Brooklyn, a how-to article on citizen journalism, and an opinion on vegetarianism. These are all topics on my mind that I want to share with you.
Get started by downloading the current issue here: pivot zine winter 2010