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We realize these links are an evolving list. Got a relevant link that fits under one of these headings? Is it relevant to Quimby's customers and fans?  Let us know at info(at)quimbys(dot)com. 

 

Quimby's on the internet
Check out our expansive web presence! You can buy, network, chat, listen, and friend us ‘til the cows come home.

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Podcast

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E-Bay

 

Zine & Comix Distros
Here are some distributors of self-made publications, zines and comics from around the world. Take heed because many distros tend to burn brightly and brilliantly for a short time. They’re always comin’ and goin’ like the wind.

Radiator Comics

Mend My Dress

Valerie Park Distro

Doris Distro

Pioneers

Microcosm Publishing

AK Press

Spit and a Half

Birdcage Bottom books

Sparkplug

Stranger Danger

Antiquated Future

Bunny Ears Distro

Holy Demon Army Distro 

Neither/Nor Zine Distro

Brown Recluse Zine Distro

Crapandemic

Wasted Ink Zine Distro

Woodland Pattern Book Center


Quimby’s-like stores
Unique as Quimby’s may be, we have other brethren across this great nation. Take a trip to these other noteworthy bookshops when you’re in their respective cities, towns, villages, or municipalities. And, don’t forget, most of them consign zines and/or comics!

Chicago Comics (Chicago, IL)

Quimby's Bookstore NYC (Brooklyn, NY)

Atomic Books (Baltimore, MD)

Desert Island (Brooklyn, NY)

Needles & Pens (San Francisco, CA)

Red Emma’s (Baltimore, MD)

Printed Matter (New York City, NY)

Powell’s Books (Portland, OR)

PolyEster Books (Fitzroy, Victoria AUS)

Sticky (Australia)

Skylight (LA)

Secret Headquarters (LA)

Family (LA)

The Escapist (Berkeley, CA)

Drawn and Quarterly Store (Montreal, Quebec)

826 Chicago

Kilgore Books & Comics: (Denver)

Women & Children First (Chicago)

Blood Fruit Library & Coffee (Chicago)

Wolfman (Oakland)

Bluestockings (NYC)

Lion's Tooth (Milwaukee)

 

Zine Resources
For more information about what in the world a zine is, how to make one, how to get self-published work into the world and all of the other great facets of zine culture, refer to these awesome books, websites and such.  Some of these things also have companion zines or books. Also, check many of your favorite zines for zine reviews and what have you. Since many zines also do zine reviews, one suggestion is to check with them about sending your zine or comic for review.

Zine Club Chicago Shout-Out

We Made a Zine Template Based On All the Questions People Ask Us

ZineBook.com

Stolen Sharpie Revolution

Whatcha Mean, What’s a Zine?

We Make Zines

Zine World

Denver Zine Library

ZineWiki

Broken Pencil

Xerography Debt

Mike Gunderloy's How To Publish a Fanzine pdf download

one pager

 

Zine-Friendly Organizations & Places
These non-profits, libraries, community centers and work spaces offer self-publishers of all stripes all kinds of resources for little to no cost. 

Read/Write Library Chicago

Independent Publishing Resource Center

The Center for Cartoon Studies

The Alternative Press Center

Spudnik Press Cooperative

Cyberpunk Apocalypse

Roberts Street Social Centre

Murmur Media

Blood Fruit Library & Coffee

Wasted Ink Zine Distro - Store Front & Zine Library

 

Zine Archives and Special Zine Collections
Librarians love their zines. These institutions and display self-made works for public consumption.

University of Chicago Special Collections 

The Queer Zine Archive Project (QZAP)

Read/Write Library Chicago

POC Zine Project

DePaul University Zine Library

Long Haul Zine Archive

Multnomah County Library Zine Collection

Zine and Amateur Press Collections at the University of Iowa

Octapod Zine Library

Schultz Library at Center for Cartoon Studies

The Ohio State University Rare Books & Manuscripts Library (includes these zine collections)

The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

Fly Away Zine Mobile

The Alternative Press Center

Blood Fruit Library & Coffee

Olympia Timberbland Zine Library

Wasted Ink Zine Distro - Store Front & Zine Library

Cartoonists of Color database

Queer Cartoonists database

Disabled Cartoonists database

DC Punk Archive Zine Library

Zines at the Internet Archive

Sherwood Forest Library

The Small Science Collective

The Quarantine Public Library

 

Small Press Expos
This is where the zinesters and mini-comics-ers gather. Most zine fests and expos offer open registration for little to no cost. However, take heed. Some more specialized conferences cost a pretty penny. 

Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE)

Chicago Zine Fest

Small Press Expo (SPX)

Typeforce

Portland Zine Symposium

Stumptown Comics Fest

Midwest Zine Fest

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art(MoCCA) Fest NYC

Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE)

Maine Comics Arts Festival (MECAF)

Grand Comics Festival

FLUKE Minicomics Festival

Staple! Independent Media Expo

S.P.A.C.E

Alternative Press Expo (APE)

NY Art Book Fair

LA Art Book Fair

Toronto Comics Art Festival

Short Run Small Press Fest

Grand Rapids Zine Fest

Milwaukee Zine Fest

Madison Zine Fest

Richmond Zine Fest

Philly Zine Fest

DC Zine Fest

Allied Media Conference

San Francisco Zine Fest

Vancouver Comics Arts Festival (VanCAF)

Fargo-Moorhead Zine Fest (FMZF) at on tumblr and facebook

LA Zine Fest

Lexington Ephemera Fest

New Orleans Anarchist Bookfair

Tampa Zine Fest

ABQ Zine Fest

Houston Zine Fest

Zinemercado Chicago

Atlanta Zine Fest

Cartoon Crossroads Columbus

Dear Diary Zine Fest

KC Zine Con

Feminist Zinefest NYC

Euzine Comics & Zine Fest

Olympia Zine Fest

Bloomington Zine Fest

Midwest Perzine Fest


Chicago-based Reading Series and Performances
Live lit is alive and kicking in Chicago!

Two Cookie Minimum

Zine Not Dead

Write Club

Salonathon

Pungent Parlour

Guts and Glory

Essay Fiesta

Here’s the Story

Paper Machete

Naked Girls Reading

College of Complexes

Kill Yr Idols Reading Series

RHINO Reads

Psychotic Break

Meanwhile

Liner Notes


Printers
For large press runs or more specialized services.

Copy Max at 1321 N. Milwaukee at Paulina

Docucopies

Perfectly Acceptable Risograph Printing

Salsedo Press

Mission Press  

1984 Printing

The Ink Well

Minute Man Press

Spudnik Press

Issue Press

River View Printing

Got Print

Print Ninja

Linco Printing

Full Line Printing

Rockford Register Star

Blood Fruit Printworks

Lowitz + Sons

Oddities Prints

Mgxcopy.com

A Reliable Printing

Printivity

Mixam

M&G Graphics

Flatlands Press

BearBear

Community Printers

D Printer, Inc.


Publishers

Here are just some of the many small press, comics, activist lit, and so on. In no particular order (mostly).

Akashic Books

Drawn & Quarterly

Fantagraphics

Feral House

Last Gasp

Sara Ranchouse Publishing

Creation Books

Valancourt Books

Process Media

Eros Books

Temporary Services

Autonomedia

Bazillion Points Books

Believer Books

Microcosm Publishing

Pioneers Press

Birdcage Bottom Books

Bongout

Buenaventura Press

Cantankerous Titles

Carpet Bombing Culture

Charles H. Kerr Publishing

Chicago Center for Literature & Photography

City Lights Books

Cleis Press

Continuum Books

Conundrum Press

Counterpoint Press

CrimethInc.

Curbside Splendor

Denis Kitchen Publishing Company

Doris Press

Drag City

Drippy Bone Books

Featherproof Press

Feminist Press at CUNY

Floating World Comics

Gingko Press

Green Candy Press

Haymarket Books

Headpress

Hic & Hoc Publications

Lake Claremont Press

Last Gasp Books

Little Otsu Publishing

Manic D Press

McSweeney's

Minor Compositions

AK Press

n+1

NoBrow Press

Oily Comics

O/R Books

Pegacorn Press

Picturebox

Pigeon Press

Plexus Publishing, Inc.

PM Press

PowerHouse Books

RE/Search

Retrofit Comics

Revival House Press

Seal Press

Secret Acres

SelfMadeHero

Semiotext(e)

Seven Stories Press

Slingshot Collective

Soft Skull Press

Printed Matter, Inc.

Yeti Publishing

Taschen Books

Tugboat Press

Uncivilized Books

Write Bloody Publishing

Top Shelf Productions 

Show & Tell Press

TanNLoosePress

 

Zines, Lit Journals, Newspaper Friends of Quimby's

AREA Chicago

Chunklet

Cabinet Magazine

Cinema Sewer

Adbusters

Criminal Class Press

n+1

Razorcake

MAXIMUMROCKNROLL

Yeti

Tape Op

UPPERCASE

Juxtapoz

Fifth Estate

Shots

RFD

Bitch Magazine

Black Velvet

Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet

Lumpen

McSweeney’s

Roctober

The Sound Projector

The Baffler

Tiki Magazine

Mash Tun

The New City

RHINO


Artists Friends of Quimby's

Chris Ware

Dan Clowes

Jessica Abel

Charles Burns

R. Crumb

John Porcellino

Laura Berger

Caroline Picard

Lilli Carre

Beth Hetland

Rachel Foss

Jo Dery

Megan Kirby

Leslie Perrine

Jaclyn Miller

Monica Ray

Dame Darcy

The Ladydrawers Comics Collective

Sarah Becan

Sara Drake

Krystal DiFronzo

Lyra Hill

Jessica Campbell

Leif Goldberg

Jesse Reklaw

Megan Kelso

Missy Kulik

Ezra Claytan Daniels

Trubble Club

Jay Ryan

Shag

Frank Kozik

Winston Smith

Mark Ryden

Mitch O'Connell

Grant Reynolds

Nate Beaty

Jeremy Tinder

Ian McDuffie

Women Street Artists

Carrie McNinch

Johnny Ryan

Robin Bougie's Daily Comic

USS Catastrophe

Paul Hornschemeier

MK Czerwiec

Laura Szumowski

Brett Manning

NightWatch Studios

Paul Nudd

Tom Crites (the late)

Chris Dyers

Joe Tallarcio

YYYYs

Michael DeForge

Ines Estrada

Matt Thurber

Marc Bell

Kim Deitch

Mickey Zacchili

Patrick Kyle

Jack Mulkern

 

Alex Grey

Paloma Dawkins

Brown and Proud Press

Lynda Barry 


Comics & Zines Blogs

For the skinny on the world of comics and zines, click on any of these fine choices.

The Comics Reporter

The Comics Journal

Flog

The Hooded Utilitarian

We Make Zines Blogs

Stolen Sharpie Revolution

 

Chicago Galleries
Art around the Second City. Most galleries have limited hours or are open by appointment so check ahead! Also! They come and go! Check in first!

Co-Prosperity Sphere

Woman Made Gallery

Heaven Gallery

Spudnik Annex

Thomas Robertello Gallery

Threewalls

The Post Family

Johalla Projects

Andrew Rafcaz Gallery

Galerie F

Western Exhibitions

AdventureLand Gallery

 

Places We Like In Chicago
Other businesses that we’re all about! 

Chicago Comics - Our sister store! Humanity's last, best hope. We got the weirdo stuff, they got the super hero stuff. 3244 N. Clark

Space Oddities Chicago What if Quimby's was a used bookstore? And we sold fun vintage thingamadoodles? It would bve this. 1007 N. California

Sideshow Gallery - Want some weird taxidermy? Maybe something that will help you cast a spell? Want some art about those topics? Here's where you can pick up all that stuff. 2219 N. Western.

Busy Beaver Buttons - Need a new custom button for that upcoming zine fest? Busy Beaver’s got a plethora of pin choices, magnets, custom packaging and a helpful buck-toothed mascot that will brighten your day.  3279 W. Armitage Ave.

Café Mustache -  If you can appreciate a bit of latte foam in your facial hair, check out Café Mustache, located a stone’s throw from the California Blue Line stop in Logan Square. Cozy up in a roomy chair in the parlor-esque sitting area or order some nosh, like a delicious hummus platter or fresh pastries. Café Mustache also hosts live readings and music events and is one of the only spots in Chicago to play all vinyl during open hours. 2313 N. Milwaukee.

The WormholeIt was only a matter of time before someone cut out the middle man and put the Delorean in the coffeeshop, right? The Wormhole, besides slinging the usual suspects of coffee and tea, serves us pop culture nostalgia a mere jaunt from the bustling Six Corners intersection of Wicker Park. 1462 N. Milwaukee Ave.

826 CHIFounded by renowned author Dave Eggers, the 826 franchise has brought creative writing and literacy programming to every corner of the nation. 826 CHI hosts field trips, workshops and extends publishing opportunities to school age children across the city. The Boring Store, their retail outpost, provides shoppers with the singular experience of purchasing spy gear for a good cause. 1276 N. Milwaukee Ave

Spudnik Press CooperativeSpudnik gives zinesters, artists and publishers the raw materials and community to make something. From screen printing classes to their popular Drink & Draw nights, Spudnik supports Chicago creatives with space, equipment and knowledge to execute their vision. Memberships are available as well as hourly rates for open studio sessions. 1821 W Hubbard St.

Read/Write Library ChicagoChurch cookbooks, fancy pants lit magazines, handmade books ??" Read/Write Library Chicago in Humboldt Park catalogs anything and everything printed and related to the city of Chicago. Check out their weekend open hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to peruse a smorgasboard of published delights. Read/Write is also a fully functional venue. On any given night you might find an art opening, media literacy lecture, craft night or cataloging session through its doors. 914 N. California Walton Entrance.

 The HandlebarHey look! It’s a vegetarian restaurant with a bike theme….and they serve fish! Handlebar is a Wicker Park neighborhood favorite known for its tasty sandwiches, savory brunch and hefty dinners. Yes, you can get full on veggie food, my friend. On sunny days their back patio is the perfect spot to drink a craft beer or cocktail and let the noise of nearby Western Avenue melt away. 2311 W North Ave

Bon Bon Vietnamese SandwichesAll the authentic fare of the Argyle Red Line stop only a short jaunt from the Blue Line. Whatta find! Bon Bon serves up the traditional Vietnamese bahn mi alongside pho, bento boxes and more. Bon Bon? More like nom nom. 2333 W North Ave

Myopic BooksThey sell mostly used books. It’s rare to come across a book store that feels like a library ??" comfy chairs, endless shelves, bright but tasteful lighting. And lots of nooks and crannies to climb into! But Myopic is no big box book store. Aside from being a really awesome place to read and peruse, Myopic also will buy your old books and put them into new hands. Everybody wins! 1564 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Sultan’s Market - Sultan’s is the place in Chicago for falafel. They even have the domain name to prove it.  When that $4 is burning a hole in your pocket, try a falafel sandwich, mild or spicy. Not in the mood for chickpea crunchitude? Sultan’s has a salad bar with 30 fresh items and some tasty meat roasting on a spit. Their location closest to Quimby's is at 2057 W North Ave.

CopyMax - Every zinester needs their paper. Fed Ex Office might have  the monopoly on copying services but CopyMax is even better than the O.G.,Kinko’s. CopyMax is independently owned and operated and offers high volume discounts. 1321 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Reckless Records - When you simply must have analog, whether it be fancy compact discs, delightful tapes or the alpha and omega, vinyl, Reckless Records provides a refuge from the tyranny of the mp3. For new and used music that’ll give you hours of finger flicking perusal, look no further than Reckless, with three convenient spots. The one closest to Quimby's is at 1379 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Permanent Records - Another refuge in the sea of digital music, Permanent Records in Ukrainian Village hawks all kinds of tracks. PR showcases local musicians with its own label in addition to new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs and books across all genres, sub-genres and micro-genres. Hey Mom, just like you used to have! 1914 W Chicago Ave.

Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar - Brought to you by the impresario mind of Bridgeport wunderartist Ed Marszewski, Maria’s is more than just a watering hole. Sure, they’ve got tasty brews and spirits up the wazoo. But Maria’s also showcases local artists and free thinkers. Check this spot out for everything from karaoke fundraisers to Chicago history lectures. 960 W. 31st Street, Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago

Kimski - Delicious Korean Polish food attached to Maria's!

Vintage Garage Chicago - Vintage Garage Chicago buys and sells vintage and antique merchandise, and features over 100 dealers in an actual parking garage (roughly) once a month, and features bands. 5051 N. Broadway. See their web site for dates!

Early to Bed - Have a hankering for something new and shiny between the sheets? Aside from offering luxury toys, Early to Bed caters to the needs of trans men with an assortment of packers, harnesses and more. Their website also offers sex advice and informative videos and tips covering everything from nipple toys to lube choice. 5044 N. Clark St.

Stanley’s Fruits & Vegetables - In Chicago, you don’t have to wait for that perfect mix of rain and sun to see a rainbow. Just go on over to Stanley’s, one of the city’s best purveyors of fruits and veggies. It’s a verdant feast for the eyes, nose and stomach and, best of all, easy on your wallet. Stanley’s sells its wares at a reasonable price so you have more dough to drop on zines. 1558 N Elston Ave.

Atomix - With a space age theme, this coffeeshop and café holds its own on the Damen Avenue and Chicago Avenue intersection in Ukrainian Village. Atomix specializes in coffee drinks and veggie fare. Free wi-fi and comfy booths are another out of this world draw. 1957 W. Chicago Ave.

American Writers Museum - The first and only museum of its kind in the United States, their mission is to engage the public in celebrating American writers and exploring their influence on our history, our identity, and our daily lives. Events include publishing workshops, memoir workshops, readings and more. 180 N. Michigan, 2nd floor

Volumes Bookcafe - Wicker Park welcomes another bookstore to help uphold the rich literary historical legacy of such writers as Nelson Algren. The fine folks at Volumes can help fill in the gaps of the family-friendly items we might be less inclined to carry. And why not enjoy a beverage while you're there? 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave

Chicago DinerDelicious vegan and vegetarian food. 2 locations, the one closest to Quimby's in Logan Square. 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Ground Control - Delicious vegan and vegetarian food. 3315 W. Armitage

Damn Fine Coffee Bar - WOWBOBWOW. Yes, they have donuts. Get Peaked. Next door to Ground Control. 3317 W Armitage.

 

Stuff Slightly Outside the City You Might Be Into if You Like Quimby's

Hala Kahiki - Old school tiki-style joint, with delicious beverages, and with a gift shop. 2834 River Rd, River Grove.

Chef Shangri-La - Tiki decor and beverages with delicious Chinese food as well 7930 W. 26th St. North Riverside

Mitsuwa Marketplace - Asian groceries, food court and more. 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights

 

Tattoo Studios We Like

Insight Studios

Tatu Tattoo

Speakeasy Custom Tattoo

 

Friends of Quimby's

Miscellaneous dear pal of our humble book emporium. 

Chicago Comics -  OUR SISTER STORE at 3244 N. Clark!

Quimby's Bookstore NYC (Brooklyn, NY)

826CHI

Last Gasp

The Bird Machine

Spudnik Press Cooperative

Thrill Jockey Records

Trans Oral History Project Zine Distro

Dance Dance Party Party

Boing Boing

Justseeds

Wurlington Bros Build Your Own Postcards

Weird Chicago Tours

Steampunk Chicago

Baby Art

Cabinet of Curiosities

Facets Multimedia

Mr. Dan Kelly

The Old Town School of Folk Music

PopPunk.com

Portland Button Works

Press Pop

Anne Elizabeth Moore

Sonnenzimmer

The Chicago Underground Film Fest

The Chicago Anarchist Film Fest

Liz Mason

Logan Bay

Corinne Halbert

Edie Fake

Neil Brideau 

Northside Comic Artist Collective

The Mystery League

Cards Against Humanity

Bizarre Bucktown

Detour Smart Phone Guided Walking Tours


Local Listings for Stuff to Do
At a loss for what to do this weekend? If you’re in Chicago, there’s a lot. Narrow your search with any of these extensive collections of happenings about town. 

Chicago Reader

Time Out Chicago

The NewCity

Gapers Block

Illinois Entertainer

Eventbrite

The Visualist

 

Radio and Podcasts We Like
Give your eyes a rest from reading and listen up to some of our favorite radio shows and regular programming.

WLPN

The Quimby's Bookstore Podcast

Long Arm Stapler Podcast

Read and Distribute

WBEZ

WZRD

WNUR

WLUW

WHPK

WFMU

Here's the Thing

Stuff You Should Know

Baby Geniuses

The Best Show

Freakonomics

The Dinner Party

Ray of Blight

The Chicago Underground Music Archive

I Seem Fun

Inkstuds


Local Places to Stay
In town for a spell? Well let us welcome you formally to town. Need a place to hang your hat? Here are some lovely lodging options.  

Urban Holiday Lofts

Wicker Park B & B

Ray's Bucktown B & B

Longman and Eagle B & B

The Robey

Soho House Chicago

 

Chicago Transport
Chicago Transit Authority is for local buses and trains around Chicago.
Metra is the train system for that goes distances further out from Chicago.
The two main Chicago airports are O'Hare and the Chicago Midway.
There are also a variety of Chicago cabs that come around Quimby's if you go down to the corner of Damen, North and Milwaukee.