Welcome to Keep It Weird! Maybe you’re here because you followed the instagram back in its early digital collective days, or you found The Show List. However you got here, thank you, and welcome!
What Is “Keep It Weird?”
Keep It Weird started as a comp-zine project curated and published by cartoonist, Mild Pain, aka me, the author. During the covid lockdown, I evolved the project into a digital collective to help artists sell their work when festivals weren’t happening. And then — it ebbed and flowed to highlight and interview artists that I wanted to support, ultimately snowballing into “The Show List,” which is a spreadsheet tracking zine fests, art book fairs, and indie comic expos in North America. Why? I wanted to keep track of shows to apply to, but there’s no reason to keep this information to myself.
The Show List
This is a free resource put together when I have the time, but I highly encourage people to share it, and look at other resources I’ve compiled.
The purpose of this newsletter is to consolidate monthly/seasonal updates in the indie comics, small press, and zine world. This way, you can find out what’s on the horizon for the fest circuit. To a lesser extent, this newsletter will share updates about artist residencies and grants that sound cool — and they aren’t exclusively small press-based.
What’s not in this newsletter are anime conventions, artist markets, or comic cons. Sorry, but there’s no energy left in the tank to make this project all inclusive. Overall, the information shared here is curated based on my knowledge and networks, and open submissions (more on that later).
What’s Happening
Show Applications
For shows with applications open/opening soon:
8-Ball Zine Library Valentine’s Day Zine Fair (Brooklyn, NY, February 14), apps due January 14
Flemington Zine Fest (Flemington, NJ March 14) apps full but accepting waitlist spots
Toronto Zine Library’s Paper Jam (March 28, 2026), apps opening soon
Tucson Zine Fest (March 28, 2026), apps due by Feb 9
FLUKE Comics & Zine Fest (Athens, GA March 28, 2026), lottery entries available through January 11, 2026
Miami Zine Fair (Miami, FL April 1, 2026), apply by Feb 8
Lancaster Zine Fest (Lancaster, PA April 18, 2026), apps open Jan 11 - Feb 1
Luna Moth Zine Fest (Manchester, NH, April 18, 2026), apps open Jan 12- Feb 15)
Milwaukee Zine Fest (Milwaukee, WI, April 18, 2026), apps opening soon
Anchor Archive Zine Library Fest (Canada, April 18, 2026), apps due by Feb 1
Shows To Attend
Besides the shows mentioned above…
Baltimore Zine Fest in Baltimore, MD January 24, 2-6 pm
DePaul Zine Fest at DePaul University January 31
PIE in Pittsburgh, PA, March 15
SPACE in Columbus, OH, March 28-29
S.P.I.C.E. in Savannah, GA April 17, 18
Brooklyn Independent Comics Showcase in Brooklyn, NY April 18, 19
Olympia Zine Fest, May 30
Bubbles Con in Richmond, VA, May 30
Other Opportunities
Comics Blogger now taking submissions for Incidental Announcements in Comics Blogger #15. Send in your new comic or zines by January 19
Kuš! Comics Residency Open Call 2026, deadline January 31, 2026 (1-2 month residency in Latvia)
Cartoonist Co-Op Minicomics Awards submissions are now open through January 31, 2026 (they’re also taking donations to support the award)
Olympia Zine Fest 2026, seeking artist to create visuals, apply by February 1, 2026 (pays $250 + free exhibitor table)
Kuti magazine is taking submissions, submit by February 9, 2026
2026 Cartoonist Studio Prize, deadline February 28, 2026
Ann Arbor District Library Transgender Day of Visibility Zine Call For Submissions, apply through February 15, 2026
Short Run Seattle Trailblazer Residency application opens February 2026, residency takes place April 12-17, 2026 (women and non-binary comic artists may apply)
How To Contribute
As I said, this is a free resource. This newsletter is an experiment. I try to update the spreadsheet monthly, but there’s always a new show popping up and I can’t keep track of it all. So — if you’re a fest organizer, grant maker, run a residency program or a publication, send me your upcoming opportunities, ideally 1-3 months in advance so I can promote it. If something hasn’t been included, it’s not to be exclusive — this is a one-person project, so please send me information.
If you appreciate this free resource and want to throw me a few bucks to keep my website active and support my time, you can Venmo me @mild_pain or Cash App $miildpaiin. Not required, but I appreciate you appreciating this resource. Ultimately, the best thing you can do is share the sheet, sign up for the newsletter, and submit upcoming news.
Keep It Weird Policy
Keep It Weird is a free, open resources that aims to be an inclusive and accessible project. Feedback is always welcome to make improvements. DIY, indie comics, zines, and art should be for everyone, and knowledge should be shared freely. Barriers and gatekeepers aren’t fuckin’ cool. There is zero tolerance for hatred, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism. 100% no nazis. And FUCK Gen AI art.
