Hiya 🌊,
Q1 in The Hype paid newsletter was focused on pitching. For Q2, we are looking at writing as a tool to hype ourselves.
I never want this newsletter to feel like homework. Not every post will be something you can action this week. But in the spirit of finding promotion that feels good to you, I also want to share the things that work for me. Take what fits and leave the rest.
Today's post: How to make a zine
(Pronounced 'zeen' if you've never said it out loud before.)
I've made zines with my kids at weekends, for friends and started including them in my workshops as something interactive that built on my teaching.
I've got a few more events booked for 2026, and I'm planning to use zines differently for each one. I'm really interested in making sure when I do host an offline event, people leave with something tangible and creative.
Zines are a natural fit for me. I've wanted to be a journalist and a writer since as long as I can remember. I often talk about 'think like a magazine' when it comes to your personal brand, your “show a bit of ankle” content is basically your horoscope or recipe page.
If you find todays newsletter useful, please consider sharing with friends (copy URL here).
I'm still figuring out this independent newsletter thing (without Substack👀) so it really helps.
P.S. This is usually a paid reader edition, but thanks to my sponsor Adobe Express for a recent event, I’ve made the template accessible to everyone.
How I made my zine in Adobe Express
Borrow my zine template.
Don't want to start from scratch? I've got you. You can remix one of four zine templates I’ve already made.
Step 1: Draft out your content on paper.
You can google how to make a zine and there are multiple links and resources. I like this one from 42nd Street.
Step 2: Create a landscape slide
Under the Adobe Express A logo on the left, click + sign. Then select landscape.
Step 3: Click + Add content
Under the Adobe Express A logo on the left, click the + Add content and select charts and grids.
Step 4: Select the 2x4 grid
Once you are in Charts and grids. Select Grids from the far right tab at the top. Then scroll quite far down to access the 2x4 grid template.
Step 5: Drag and fill
Using the outer markers, pull the grid to fill your landscape screen. Make sure you have selected landscape A3, A4 or whichever print size you need.
Do not worry about those desert views. Once you start adding your elements like text or images, you can select the layer and delete it.
Step 6: Mock up your design
Using your draft you have made earlier, click to add text or images and fill it out. Using the purple arrow, you can turn the text upside down to make sure when printed it is the right way up.
Hacks
Two add-ons I use ro create my call-to-action:
- Hello QArt to link to my newsletter with a QR code
- Contourify to upload a photo of myself and turn it into an illustration
Good week for
🏃🏿♂️ Runcations. The New York Post wrote about fitness fans traveling around the world for 'runcations' and even using 'running concierges'
Hype Takeaway: Niche offline experiences are where it’s at.
I’m thinking about creating something very niche that has nothing to do with my day-to-day work, just for the joy of it.
Could you create an in-person experience for work or pleasure?
Bad week for:
🫙Gentleman's Relish. In case you have never heard of it, it's a British condiment created in 1828 that is essentially anchovy and spices.
Hype Takeaway: Apparently, low demand made the product commercially unviable. There was definitely a promo opportunity here. Something that iconic shouldn’t just quietly disappear.
Hype Sightings
👀 Journalist Alys Keys is looking for interviews for her newsletter UK 2.0, there is a broad list including UK-based authors with new books about tech, the future, business or finance.
🎙️ Bea Duncan is looking for a senior current affairs podcast producer, assistant podcast producer and someone in that space who gets YT clips.
👩🏻🏫 I finally drove to Nice and hosted my first in-person workshop (hence the zine😉), getting my public speaking and workshop legs back on
📓 Penny Wincer is offering a Grand Place for her Non-Fiction book proposal group
🍲 Become a Creative Lunch Club city host - apply here
One thing before you go...
Missed the live class with Ellen Scott? Don't panic, paid reader can catch up with the replay. we focused on pitching for series and why this is perfect for someone without a publicist, pitching dos and don'ts and things she is looking for coming up.
Register for upcoming classes and watch the replays here.
See you next week (and maybe in a zine?).
Lucy x
Member comments