Starting My 30 Days Challenge

Since starting this newsletter, I’ve had several people tell me,
“I want to make a zine too, but I have no idea where to begin.”

If that’s you—interested in zine-making but not sure how to start—this edition might help.

Why I Keep Making Zines on a Regular Basis

As you know, I publish zines pretty regularly. Sometimes people even ask, “Another new zine already?”
The reason I keep making them so often is simple: I’m constantly showing my work at exhibitions.

In Japan, selling photo prints at shows is rare. But exhibitions cost money—venue fees, print costs, framing… it adds up quickly. Before I started making zines, I was losing money every single time.
That’s when I realized: selling zines could cover the gap.

For visitors too, zines are much easier to buy than framed prints. And once I started selling them, people began asking me, “Do you have a new one this time?”

So I decided: whenever I exhibit, I’ll make a new zine. That’s how it became a routine.
From May to September this year alone, I joined 7 exhibitions and pop-up events in just 4 months. Thanks to everyone who bought my zines in person or online, I didn’t fall into the red—and for that, I’m seriously grateful.

Special shoutout to Tatsuo-san, who picks up every single one of my zines. Thank you!

Deadlines Are Everything in Zine-Making

If I weren’t doing exhibitions, I’d probably make zines way less often. Having a deadline forces me to focus.
Take my 404 CONTACT SHEETS zine—it’s 116 pages, but I still managed to finish it within just 2 weeks before an exhibition. Those 2 weeks were brutal, but without that deadline, it might never have happened.

Let’s be real: without deadlines, most of us will never finish.
So if you want to make a zine, set yourself one.

Host a solo show, join a group exhibition, or apply for a zine fair. Especially with a zine fair—once you sign up, there’s no backing out. That’s the kind of pressure that gets things done.

So What’s the Point of Making a Zine Anyway?

Even with a deadline, if you don’t see the benefits, it’s hard to commit time, money, and energy.
So here’s what I’ve gained from making zines.

First, the obvious: money. Selling zines has allowed me to keep going with my exhibitions.

But maybe more importantly, zines bring better feedback. Online, you mostly get shallow comments: “Nice photo!” “Cool work!” And sure, likes feel nice, but they don’t help you grow.

With zines, people ask: “What does this photo mean?” or “Why did you sequence it this way?” Questions that show they’re actually interested.
Through these conversations, I end up organizing my own thoughts and learning to explain my work more clearly.

Some people say art doesn’t need words. But our thinking happens in language—if you can’t put your ideas into words, you’re leaving your growth as an artist to chance.

That’s why showing your work in real life matters so much. Exhibitions push you forward. And even if you can’t do a show, making a zine and handing it to someone can have the same effect.

If you want to grow as an artist, make zines. They’re tools for real feedback.

My Motivation: I Just Want to Be Interesting

At the root of it all, my motivation is simple: I want to be an interesting person.

Before I started making things, I thought my life was boring and flat. But once I began photography, I started meeting other creative people. Their energy inspired me, and my own life started to feel richer.

That’s why I’m afraid of stopping. If I quit making, I feel like my life would slip back into being boring. And that fear keeps me going.

Let’s Do a 30 Days Challenge Together

If you, like me, want to escape the same old boring routine and live a more interesting life—this is your sign. Start making a zine.

Don’t know where to begin? No theme in mind? Then make yourself the theme.

I don’t mean taking a bunch of self-portraits. I mean documenting your everyday life—what you see, what you notice. Put it together into a zine. Even the most ordinary daily life can feel unique when seen through your eyes.

Here’s the challenge: for the next 30 days, shoot photos every day. At the end of the month, pull them together into a zine.

Even if all of us newsletter readers tried the same challenge, the results would be completely different—because our lives, environments, and styles aren’t the same. That’s exactly what makes it exciting.

As I’m writing this, I’m getting hyped!!! So I’m starting tomorrow too—the beginning of a new month feels perfect.
I’ll also post one photo or short note every day on Threads, then make it into a zine at the end.

Want to join me? Show me your 30 days!

I’ll be posting with #30dayszinemaking on Threads. If you jump in, use the same hashtag and tag me at @_nuts.tokyo_. Seeing everyone’s posts will definitely keep us motivated.

I’ll share my progress in next week’s newsletter. Let’s do this!

Supporting More Artists Together

Last time, I introduced Anju’s debut zine—and it’s now available on my site, FAR EAST DARKROOM (FED.).
Going forward, I’ll keep featuring young photographers and zine creators here in the newsletter, on FED., and even on YouTube.

One quick note: At FED., we purchase every zine outright and pay artists upfront at the time of acquisition. This way, artists don’t have to worry about unsold stock and can fully focus on their creative work. That’s how we aim to support new creators in a sustainable way.

So if you want to help keep this going, please check out the zines on the FED. site. And if something catches your eye, pick up a copy—it really does make a difference.

Thanks so much for your support.

Browse Zines on FAR EAST DARKROOM →

🦖 Come hang out with me on Instagram → @_nuts.tokyo_

🪐 New videos on zines & photography up on YouTube

🧃 Curious about Japanese and Asian zines? Visit FAR EAST DARKROOM.