By C.E. Hanifin
Enquirer staff writer
Kari Wethington believes that everyone has a story - and they should tell it in a 'zine.
By co-hosting the Rock + Read Fest, Wethington encourages people to self-publish their true-life tales, random thoughts and great ideas. The annual event is devoted to mini-magazines created by locals.
Wethington, 23, and her cousin, Pam Trzop, 20, have been making 'zines as the Cowgirl Superstars since they were teenagers. The pair decided to launch the Rock + Read Fest three years ago to introduce more people to self-published magazines from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, Wethington says.
The Rock + Read Fest also features performances by local musicians, in part so, "people who wouldn't ordinarily read 'zines might check them out," says Wethington, who lives in Clifton and is a copy editor at CiN Weekly.
The Hilltop Distillery, a Northern Kentucky band that plays experimental rock with a Southern twang, and Cincinnati mellow indie-rock artist The Haywards will perform at Friday's event, at the Rohs Street Cafe in Clifton Heights. Festival-goers can browse through and take home a diverse selection of publications, from personal essays to unorthodox craft guides to a 'zine that parodies 'zines. The Super Zine Gallery will put works created by first-time zinesters on display during the event.
Diane Naegel, 23, put together Dirty Spatula, a recipe 'zine, for the festival. The Oakley writer shares Wethington's conviction that everyone should give 'zine-making a try.
"You don't have to wait for somebody else to approve of what you say," she says. "You have the power to put your own writing out there."
E-mail chanifin@enquirer.com.
