My first zine festival went so incredibly welll! I’ve been making zines for about a year, but I never really distributed them, so my secret goal was to make at least one trade (which was extremely terrifying in my head)… I was met with so much enthusiasm and kindness that my one trade turned into many many more :’)
Everyone’s art was so unique and niche about their own lives, but it felt like I had found a wonderfully accepting community who was so passionate about the wonders of DIY!! We were unified through zines and connected through our shared niches and interests. Most of us were all a lil awkward but it was magic because it felt like being awkward was the norm here 
This festival was 4 hours away from where I live and I am plotting how to keep cultivating and growing the zine community in my local area now!! Feeling very inspired and excited about it all.
If you wanna read/print my zines: https://drive.proton.me/urls/S6HFE3F1B8#36ugBgG5jD5h
My website also has all of the text for my second zine for my screenreader friends: https://yint.neocities.org