Messy Misfits Club
WELCOME TO THE MESSY MISFITS CLUB
This zine started as a dream shared between two people.
In December of 2021 amidst the snowy Chicago winter, Flower (fae/faer) and Riley (she/her) imagined a publication dedicated to the messiness of real queer lives. Topics like sex, queer intimacy and culture, religion, and grappling with identity are all things we're interested in sharing, uncensored.
It only took a month for this pair to become a trio when Emma (they/them) joined the editorial team! With their previous experience in writing and publishing, it finally brought the team to a place where they felt ready to start the first volume --- "Queer Love".
Ever since, the team has grown, more volumes have been published, and our community continues to grow as we rely on each other's support. The Misfits have since moved part of their operation to Madison, WI, where zines will be sold and events will be held in addition to Chicago, IL.
Important News
All of our most important updates for you!
The Future of The Misfits
March 3rd, 2024
A question that often crosses our minds in editor meetings is "Where do we go from here?" With each volume we publish, we grow more inspired and passionate about putting out such amazing, local, queer art. Not only do we strive to put out multiple volumes a year, but we are starting to try and expand into other realms as well. Things you can expect to see from us in the future-- A Misfits Market, Reading Events with Local Authors, More Locations Selling Zines, Collaborations, and VOLUME 6!
Yes, our next volume is coming and we're ready to see what your dirty minds will bring us for our newest theme -- FILTH. Submissions NOW OPEN!
S&E Event Recap
February 23rd, 2024
We had such a great time with those of you who attended our Sex and Exes night of storytelling and fun! Every single performer blew us away, and our vendors were a total hit. You can definitely expect us to continue bringing local artists and vendors to our events (so if you know anyone who would be interested, send them our way!)
If you weren't able to attend, buy a copy of the volume! It has all the readers works plus a few more as well. It is our longest zine to date, and well worth the wait.
Available at Bookstores!
July 25th, 2023
Yes, yes, the rumors are true! Messy Misfits Club has expanded to multiple storefronts! Currently we are selling at five different wholesalers including locations in Chicago, IL and Madison, WI and Seattle, WA!
If you're in Chicago, all of our volumes can be found at Pixie and the Boy on N Milwaukee Avenue, while our second volume is available at Quimby's on W. North Avenue. If you're in Madison, check out A Room of One's Own on Atwood Avenue and Red Clover Tattoo Collective on Main Street for our volumes! Lastly, if you're in Seattle, head over to Elliott Bay Book Company on 10th Avenue for any of our four volumes!
Make sure to get there soon and pick up a copy for you, your friends, and your family, even your coworkers or therapist! Who knows, we could become a household favorite someday!
Read About Us!
Messy Misfits Club is officially published! Our first interview as a zine was for DePaulia, the newspaper for DePaul. We were able to dive into the creation of MMC and how our editors manage. Additionally, we've been referenced in Unbound's Queering the Bible. With some help from our friends and community we've been added to Chillsubs, Duotrope, and The Short List to help expand our audience. Thank you to everyone who's taken an interest in us!
Nina Nazir
Featured Artist
Nina (she/her/hers) recently joined the Messy Misfits Club in our fourth volume. We loved her bright contrasting colors that really bounce off the page. Additionally, you can find her on Instagram @nina.s.nazir. Her artwork brings so much life to our fourth volume and we want you to expereince both of them as well--
"Meander"
"Ultra Violet"
Check Out Our Instagram
