Big magazines like Cosmopolitan and Rolling Stone may see huge profits and industry influence as their goals, but not all publishers follow the same creed.
"The 'zine business is an alternative art culture that is more about being heard than about making a profit," said Taylor Ball, founder of Parcell Press, a 'zine publishing company.
People who brought their publications to the New Jersey 'Zine Fest on Sunday were not all about making money, but were promoting their creativity, expression and ideas to others.
A 'zine, whose name is derived from the word magazine, is an underground publication which covers personal, cultural and political issues.
"'Zines help bring underground culture to the forefront," said Stephanie Basile, this year's 'Zine Fest coordinator.
'Zine publishers from all over the country attended the event, held at Trayes hall on Douglass campus in the Douglass College Center.
"A 'Zine Fest is a way for people with self-created publications to share their ideas with others," Basile said.
Ball, who is from Virginia, said he started Parcell Press to distribute more 'zines and get more of them into people's hands.
"This is my third time attending the N.J. 'Zine Fest and they have been a great help to meet people, talk to them live and see a lot of new 'zines from the community," Ball said.
Basile got into 'zine production after seeing someone showcasing their 'zine's at a funk show. "I thought they were interesting," said Basile. Her own 'zine, "suburban blight" focuses on her views on social and political issues.
Rutgers students were among the many people who showcased their work at the 'Zine Fest. Students from Culture Jam, an anti-consumerism student group on campus, showcased the first issue of their zine "Brand this".
"The 'Zine Fest is really helpful in getting us out there, and has also introduced us to a whole country of 'zine," said Rutgers College senior Vincent Trivett, the head of Culture Jam.
"Our 'zine represents brand new creative making of media culture, and creative resistance to consumer culture," said Trivett. "We don't sell our 'zines. We are not looking for a profit, just looking to get information out there."
Nehal Mankad, a University College student, created the free 'zine "Funksysteme".
"The mission of Funksysteme is to expand the views portrayed in the media through a difference of opinion to promote freedom of speech, and simply to entertain our readers," Mankad said. "We would consider an issue successful if these points are established for at least one reader."
Funksysteme, which is distributed all around campus, from coffee shops to residence hall lounges, also allows businesses around campus to advertise for a very low rate, Mankad said.
Mosaic, the art and literary magazine of Douglass College, was also showcased at the 'Zine Fest. The annual publication features student poetry, stories, art and photography. "The 'Zine Fest helps us expose Mosaic to the community," said managing editor Audery Andres, a Douglass College senior.
"People with 'zines don't do it to make money," Basile said. "Most actually lose money but it is a way to express oneself and get ideas out there."
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