MAD Mollusk ZINE AWARDS

Presented by the Angry Whale

Introducing the inaugural Merry Minnow Zine Awards — a celebration of zines and zine makers.

Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by April 1, 2026.

Merry Minnow Whale Zine Awards

P.O. Box 2267

West Columbia, SC 29171

Eligibility:

  • NO PHOTO ZINES - Photographers have their own contest at The Angry Whale Photo Zine Awards

  • One entry per person / additional entries: $10 each

  • Digital or webzines are not eligible

  • Must have been published on or after January 1, 2025

  • Entries may be handmade or professionally printed

  • International entries welcome

  • NO GENERATIVE AI

Awards:

  • 1st Place: $100 USD / Ultimate button pack / trophy

  • 2nd & 3rd Place: Award Certificates / Cool button packs

Judging Criteria:
Entries will be reviewed by Sean Rayford and at least two other zine makers. Zines will be evaluated based on:

  • Design

  • Craftsmanship

  • Originality

  • Content/Storytelling

  • Overall Appeal

Zines will be added to The Angry Whale Zine Collection.

Winners announced: May 15, 2026.

About: Sean Rayford is a freelance photojournalist based in Columbia, SC where he’s been working with New York Times, Getty Images, The Associated Press and other interbational media entities for more than a decade. Rayford’s also been publishing zines since the turn of the century.

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“I’ve been making zines since the early aughts when I published an indie music zine. We had a small rotating volunteer staff and contributors were my coworkers at the record store where I worked. Before turning full-time into photography, I tended bar at a live music venue for about a dozen years.

I love D.I.Y. culture and I think more folks can benefit by embracing self-publishing and zine making.

You can check out some of my recent photo zines and books in my store.

👉 SUBMIT YOUR ZINE ENTRY or ENTRIES:

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