Zines

Burnout is a topic on everyone's mind since the pandemonium hit in March 2020. But what about autistic burnout? It's a real thing, caused by the demands of trying to navigate a world not built for you, and autistic and neurodivergent adults have been experiencing it for a long, long time. This collection of first-hand writing is about what burnout feels like, where it comes from, and what to do about it. Features a piece by Burnout co-author Amelia Nagoski, along with series regulars like Eliot Daughtry, Partly Robot, and Joe Biel, and some striking new voices. 

Zine published by Microcosm Mutual aid has received more attention as a radical tactic lately, especially in the wake of the uprisings and protest movements that took the world by storm in 2020. But what does it look like in practice, and what can it mean for neurodivergent folks—who often have different ways of navigating social relationships than neurotypical people do? Featuring contributions from series regulars Eliot Daughtry, Partly Robot, and Microcosm's own Joe Biel, this latest Neurodivergent Pride zine explores how to communicate with and support each other to build the kind of world we'd really like to be a part of. As Joe writes, "it’s not about repairing every misstep so much as it is about the process of transforming ourselves to proceed in a more informed manner moving forward." Let's proceed together, with this zine's help!

For neurodiverse folks, it's a rare thing to have only one diagnosis (or misdiagnosis) at a time—and if we do, it means our doctors are probably missing something. We have a lot of layers, and so many conditions and hurts go hand-in-hand, compounding and leading to each other. Our brain wiring doesn't exist in a vacuum. As Eliot Daughtry writes in his excellently clarifying contribution, "Basic research into statistics on how often the autistic population is affected by conditions like anxiety, sensory processing issues, and learning differences, started to yield some surprising numbers." He includes illustrated charts of common groupings, aka "comorbidities"—including conditions that can be categorized as neurological, psychological, physiological, learning differences, genetics. Also in this issue, Joe Biel talks about getting neurofeedback and navigating the healthcare system, as well as strangers assuming he is homeless.

By Eli Sachse 

Zine / pamphlet. Published by Microcosm! Next-Level Ally: How to Support Your Queer and Transgender Friends If you've ever felt like you're not doing enough to support the queer and trans communities, this zine is a great way to learn how to do more. Be a supportive advocate and speak up even when it's hard, learn how not to overstep, and de-gender your day-to-day language.

Zine / pamphlet. Published by Microcosm! This male/male high-heat erotic short story centers around a werewolf & witch couple fighting back against the oppressive government and corporations of Toronto. Using the calling card “Queer Werewolves Destroy Capitalism,” the pack tears through downtown Toronto to protest the cruel treatment of werewolves and rage against the corporations that oppose living wages and humane treatment of workers. But there’s always time for a bit of stress relief with your partner.

How do you tell someone you want to do stuff with them? How do you ask if they want to do stuff with you? How do you know what stuff you want to do with each other? Enter: Sargeant Yes Means Yes from the Consent Cavalry, a beacon of clarity in a fuzzy minefield of questions. Sarge drops in on a diverse range of folks deciding whether to engage in sexual activity in this short and fun comic guide to communicating what you want, don't want, and how you want it! With wit and charm, Sarge also includes tips on what affirmative consent looks like, advocating for what you want, and setting boundaries that honor your comfort and safety. The result is a positive resource illustrating how easy it really is to respect each other’s bodies and desires. Easy to follow in black and white graphic novel format!

A fun comic to teach people about what queerness means and what the full spectrum of sexual identities and genders looks like. Told from the perspective of a pet snail, it's easy for anyone to understand.

Paperback. "Disabled people have sex!" begins this excellent nonfiction graphic novel by a queer, disabled, sex-positive cartoonist who wants you to have exactly the kind of stupendous, consensual sexytimes you most desire. Contains tips, skills, and encouragement knowing and communicating what you want, self-care, overcoming hang-ups, logistics, using lube, toys, and assistive devices, and talking with your partner(s) about what you want after sex. Every adult human could benefit from reading this.

Need to inform some people about non-gendered pronouns? Need to inform yourself? This fun and simple comic gives you the info you need in a snark way that makes all information more digestible. Not to mention the great illustrations! Enjoy the quick informative read and gain some of that sweet, sweet progressive gender wisdom. You'll feel good about yourself and feel more comfortable about talking about such matters. Short discount

Zine / pamphlet. Published by Microcosm! Sex Tools: Getting Your Groove on Safely, Pleasurably, and Satisfyingly Sex tools! Also known as sex toys or sexual aids, these essential tools for the good life include such devices as dildos, vibrators, butt plugs, scarves, ticklers, needles, and whatever your awesomely dirty mind can devise for the enhancing of sexual pleasure. By bestselling author Dr. Faith.

Zine / pamphlet. Published by Microcosm! How much of your sex life is informed by gender norms that you may not even be conscious of? Eli Sachse's zine is all about learning to explore your sexuality in a healthier way, with great boundaries and consent, whether by yourself, with strangers, or with trusted others. This zine is a thoughtful friend with good. advice, helpful phrases ("No, thank you," is a favorite), and a nonjudgmental perspective of having been there and done all those things. The zine is especially written for people who are exploring their gender identity or beginning to transition, and is also valuable reading for anyone who wants to be a better sexual partner to themselves and others.

Zine / pamphlet. Published by Microcosm! Microcosm publishing bestseller dr. Faith takes on the fabulous topic of... Masturbation! In her usual style of combining hilariousness with science, she breaks down the history of societal shame around self-pleasure, and offers practical and straightforward whys and hows of exploring your sexuality on your own time. From the benefits of learning all the ins and outs of your own sexual response to a candid guide to shopping for and using sex toys, she addresses the needs of CIS and trans folks, busts some myths, and gives some guidelines for talking to your kids about masturbation. She even includes book recommendations! There's a lot to this little zine, whether you're an experienced masturbator or a recent escapee from a fundamentalist cult.

Zine / pamphlet. Published by Microcosm! STI FAQ: Keep Calm and Learn Real Facts About Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Got an STI (sexually transmitted infection)? Or just worried you'll get one? In this informative and crass zine, two sex therapists and a doctor cut through the mysteries and misinformation around STIs and tell you what you actually need to know about herpes, HPV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV/AIDS. This zine covers the medical aspects: How do you know if you have one? How do they test? How are they treated? Then there are the potentially even more important questions: How do you deal when you do have one? Who do you tell and what do you say and when (yes, there's a script)? How do you avoid passing it along in the future? How do you forgive everyone involved and get on with your sex life? 

Zine / pamphlet. Published by Microcosm! Kris Rose and her step-sister grew up watching horror movies together. The Exorcist, The Evil Dead, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Carrie, Friday the 13th, Scream, Hellraiser, and so many more left their indelible mark on her young mind. "For a girl whose life was not perfect, horror was a reassurance that darkness was a normal part of life. It was possible to survive the absolute worst, if you learned a few valuable lessons from one of the most well-known archetypes of modern horror: The Final Girl." Rose takes us on a fun, smart, sassy, macabre tour through scary movies of the 1980s, analyzing the character tropes and celebrating the bad-asses who may not have been believed but fought to stay alive until the bitter end.

By:  Adam Eli (Author), Ashley Lukashevsky (Illustrator), 2020, Paperback, Pocket Change Collective

Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. In this installment, The New Queer Conscience, Voices4 Founder and LGBTQIA+ activist Adam Eli offers a candid and compassionate introduction to queer responsibility. Eli calls on his Jewish faith to underline how kindness and support within the queer community can lead to a stronger global consciousness. More importantly, he reassures us that we're not alone. In fact, we never were. Because if you mess with one queer, you mess with us all.