Zee Southcombe was one of about 70 creatives at the Hamilton Zinefest, at the Meteor Theatre on Saturday. Southcombe runs her own publishing firm, Blue Mushroom Books, which she set up to give a platform for other artists and writers.
If you need some weird ideas in your life, the Hamilton Zinefest is a good place to start.
The annual gathering of creatives and their endeavours took place on Saturday in the Meteor Theatre. It was a hustling, bustling marketplace of artists, writers, poets, collectors and those with decidedly left-field notions.
Take, for example, the self-published 'zine of Hamiltonian Callum McDougal: Vegan Cannibalism. It is an unassuming 12-page pamphlet that its creator describes as a manifesto, a guide to a way of life.
"It's based on the idea that eating people is not contrary to vegan ethics," the cheerful McDougal explains. "People contribute greatly to environmental destruction. It makes sense that there would be much less environmental destruction if there were less people, and one of the most simple and effective means of making sure there are less people is through cannibalism."
His 'zine contained many hints and tips for how to be a successful vegan cannibal, including how to humanely set traps for people, the best kind of people to consume, and what appears to be a really good recipe for cured infant.
McDougal is aware his design for life - or more pertinently death - might not be to many people's tastes, so he was taking a realistic stance about how many of his publications he could sell at the five hour event.
Jacob Erceg and Shanti Brown were selling prints of Erceg's art, and copies of his self-produced comic, Laidback Bob.
"If, at the end of the day, I have made enough to buy myself a pizza I consider that a great success."
The 2018 festival had moved to the Meteor from its earlier days at the Creative Waikato offices, around the corner in Alexandra St. There are signs already, with no less than 70 creators taking part, that it could be on the way to rapidly outgrowing the new venue.
"It is a great way for people who have created something all by themselves to meet similar sorts of people who they might otherwise never get a chance to," said Bryce Galloway, who established the festival five years ago with his friend, former Ramp Gallery curator Kim Paton.
Artist Jewelia Howard was thrilled to be a part of the fifth Hamilton Zinefest.
"It's primarily a market day, but there are also talks that people give about what they do, why they do it and how they ended up doing it. And every year we throw a great after-party too."
Like all big organised gatherings, there are guests of honour. This year's 'zine stars included Seattle-based Keeli McCarthy from comic publisher Fantagraphics; graphic artist Ross Murray from Mount Maunganui; acclaimed graphic novelist Dylan Horrocks; and comics creator Tim Danko from Auckland.
Then there is children's author, illustrator and fine artist Zee Southcombe, who has recently established herself in Dunedin, far from her former base in Auckland. Southcombe also runs publishing firm Blue Mushroom Books, which is the main purpose of making her way back north to Hamilton.
Artist Samantha Eva had an interesting Fate in store for the Zinefest punters.
"I want to show that there can be some very creative ways of publishing work. These zinefests are an incredibly valuable way that I can connect with people."
The name of her company refers to the bright blue fungi that grows in the New Zealand forests and adorns the $50 note.
"It is also found in India, where I was born, so that is quite a cool connection. I came to New Zealand when I was just five months old, and my parents initially lived in Te Awamutu, so that is a connection that I have to this part of the world."
Aucklanders Nick Jamieson and Clare Gemima were selling copies of their erotic publication Paranaughty Activity and Gemima's Pure Cream line of hand-made, laser-cut perspex artworks.
Many of the 'zines on display in the theatre on Saturday were esoteric, enigmatic or simply perplexing. Hamiltonian Betty Tills' self-made publication Listless was an example of such.
Listless was a carefully compiled and curated collection of lost or discarded shopping lists, most of which she had found in or near the Countdown supermarket on Peachgrove Rd.
"You can find them everywhere if you look," Tills said.
Kenall Miles and JahQuion Brown were in the midst of the bustling 'zine scene.
For Hamilton artist and print-maker Jewlia Howard, the festival is a boon. Her 'zines covered such subjects as "bad Tinder experiences and puns about bees".
"You really need to have a specific festival for 'zines, because there is not really any other way of promoting them," she said.
"It's just such a nice community. Everyone is so friendly and nice to each other."
Hamiltonian Chenoa Murdoch was taking inspiration for her creativity from the midst of the festival itself.