* OUT NOW!! * Andy Cornell’s new issue is still building upon and critiquing the punk and activist communities in a very necessary way. This issue tackles relevant issues through his own stories including skateboarding injuries from not wearing a helmet, student racial and anti-sweatshop activism, working for the Steelworkers Union, a couple weeks on the road with Mobilivre Bookmobile, thoughts on freedom fries and the PATRIOT act, book reviews of radical autobiographies, and my favorite article of all, a crazed account of the west Philadelphia co-op strike of 2002 where disagreements over one staff person’s position and reluctance to work with the group lead to shutting down the co-op, macho intimidation, and putting a pallet of food on the trolley tracks! The tales of working in the steel union were equally fascinating as it challenges punk activism up a notch and tells stories of a queer man working in an industry where many of us do not get an inside look. A fascinating document of his last few years.

* RECENTLY REPRINTED!! * In a time when sexual assault and abuse are an increasing problem; even in so-called radical and punk communities, and when most women have been sexually abused in one way or another, Cindy Crabb (Doris Zine) brings us a document showing ways to prevent sexual violence and support survivors of sexual abuse. The zine helps to define consent, some letters that Cindy has received, listening, talking about sex, power dynamics, comics by Fly, and much more! A crucial resource that reads much like a regular issue of Doris.

Like any DIY project, we’re in near-constant financial peril. That’s nothing new. And we know that most folks who support Microcosm don’t have a ton of cash to spare, especially in the form of a straight-up donation. So, rather than passing the hat around, here’s a chance to remind you all of other ways to support Microcosm!

We just did a reprint of Green Zine #14 at a far superior printer! Now it has proper paper stock, cover stock, the images bleed off the page, and a little pink ink in there too. I’m much happier with the results this time and feel it’s a better representation of Cristy’s work.

AVAILABLE NOW!! Moe Bowstern has brought us the inside story about being a woman who fishes commercially for years. If that doesn’t seem fascinating to you, you have another thing coming. Moe is an amazing storyteller and reveals much about the history of commercial fishing in Alaska through a very descriptive and personable narrative that can be understood by any layperson. She tells great stories of the crews she’s been involved with and their dynamics as well being a woman involved in a very male dominated profession. Moe has a passion for fishing and the sea and she shares this with you in her zine. This is her story of being on the job and “how she got xtra tuf” on a few different episodes of labor disagreements that held up work (technically not “strikes”) over many years. Fascinating reading as she combines her artistic and DIY sensibilities with labor tactics in order to achieve the fishermen’s goals and get everyone back to work! The book sports a fancy letter pressed cover by Third Termite Press with 30 different colors schemes! Check out the June issue of Smithsonian Magazine for an article about Moe and the Fisher Poets!. Read the press sheet.

FINAL VERSION HERE NOW! John Gerken is definitely a genius. This issue contains things that will make you laugh, smile, and cry – visiting friends in the hospital, the early morning, the story of the zine’s title, picking up your friends shifts at work, Shelley’s annual trips to India, and organizing drag shows. But the real gem of this issue is the story of teaching 9-15 year olds how to fix bikes. It transcends the obvious and covers all kinds of education – homophobia, identity, feminism, and to question what we mean when we say “community”. It’s all very exciting and best of all it sparked new life and faith in myself. Maybe it can do that for you too; especially if you need it.