NYU Reads at The Libraries

Events, projects, and resources that highlight NYU's Common Reading

NYU Reads: Community Zine

Program Description

Hey NYU, show us your creativity!

This project invites anyone from the NYU Community to submit creative work based on six selected themes from Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy. Submissions can be Artsy, Literary, DIY, or “Anything Goes” as long as it can fit on a half sheet of paper.

The completed Zine will be catalogued in the library as part of the University Archives. Be a part of NYU History by contributing to a history of NYU Reads: Community Zines!

Themes 

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Every two weeks during the semester, there will be a different selected theme related to Just Mercy. Community members are encouraged to contribute zine submissions based on the current theme. All contributions should be submitted by December 11th.

  • Theme 1: Prison and Policing (September 21 – October 2)
  • Theme 2: Black Lives Matter (October 5 – October 16)
  • Theme 3: Gender & Justice (October 19 – October 30)
  • Theme 4: LGBTQ+ Rights (November 2 – November 13)
  • Theme 5: Radical Empathy (November 16 – November 27)
  • Theme 6: Future Reflections (November 30 – December 11)
  • Theme 7: Utopian Futures (December 21 – the end of the semester)

Zine Submission Ideas

  • “Where Do We Go From Here,” Exit West inspired doors project (see above). 
  • Artsy: collage, alternative book cover design, illustrations, photographs, pass-around drawing, comic(s)
  • Do It Yourself: Madlib, playlist, acrostic poem, puzzle, maze, recipe, meme, book recommendations
  • Literary/Creative Writing: poetry, short story, opinion piece, haiku, limerick, “a day in the life,” pass around story, point of view piece, “Dear You” letter
  • Surprise us! Anything goes!!

Zine Submission Details

  • All submissions are due by Tuesday, December 31st by 5:00pm EST. 
  • If you want to be credited for your submission, include your name, NYU School, and class year (if applicable).  Unidentified entries will be marked as anonymous.
  • Submissions are taken via blog submissions or by email at nyureads-lib@nyu.edu 
  • Some suggested supplies to use are: sharpies, pens, scissors, tape, stickers, paint, old magazines, imagination, clip-art, creativity, and glue sticks, etc.
  • Any questions, contact nyureads-lib@nyu.edu

Some Fine Print

  • By submitting content to the NYU Reads Community Zine, you agree to let the Division of Libraries at NYU reuse, remix, and repurpose your submission for this zine and any associated marketing.  This could include social media, sharing across the University, and other promotional endeavors.  
  • All other rights belong to you, including your original intellectual ownership of your submission.
  • We want zine contributors to feel safe participating in the collaborative NYU Reads Community Zine.  The following code of contribution is declared: this zine is about community, about respect, and about considerate participation.  NYU Libraries respects the multiple identities of its contributors and the variety of contributions that will be submitted.  We are sensitive to issues of, among other things, race, class, gender, sexuality, physical disability, and mental/emotional health.  The NYU Division of Libraries reserves the right to refuse any submission that overtly challenges the safety of the project and its contributors.