At least, I hope you can dance around the May Pole today. Celebrate spring and fertility in all its fashions, but take new issues of Don’t Look with you!

Don’t Look, Issue #10 - May 1, 2008
US Version - 8.5” x 11”

Don’t Look, Issue #10 - May 1, 2008
EU Version - A4

Download Acrobat Reader

In this issue:

• “The Body’s Voice” by Donna Taylor Burgess
• “Distance” by Andrew Rihn
• “Don’t Look” by Lee Barnett
• “Storefront” by Christopher Woods
• “Her Gloves Don’t Match” by Linn Næss

If the folding confuses you, you can either download the instructions or watch the video on how to fold. If you find a better way, be sure to drop us a line.

Happy May Day! Please keep passing the issues on!

I had to make it rhyme. I couldn’t help it.

Yes, along with a brand new issue, Don’t Look has a new site design. Stop by, check it out, sign up and say “Hi.”

Don’t Look, Issue 9 - US Version for 8.5-11” paper
Don’t Look, Issue 9 - EU Version for A4 paper

“Safety On Board” by Lars Riisnæs
“Angel Of Cities” by Elizabeth Barrette
“Figure Study” by Elle Perez
“The Body’s Voice” by Donna Taylor Burgess
“Untitled” by by Henrik and Linn Næss
Cover by Laura Austin and Jack Lee

Folding instructions are available in download form and in video how-to form. If you enjoy our zine, be sure to pass it along. We rely on viral distribution - that means we rely on you to share the goodness.

Please keep distributing the issues.

“Not now, Patrick dear. Your Auntie Mame’s hung.”
- Auntie Mame, 1958

There is such a thing as too much sparkling white wine. I didn’t believe it last night. But this morning, I firmly believe that you can have too much sparkling white wine.

Happy New Year! I raise a toast to you with a new issue of Don’t Look - something that won’t give you a hang-over.

Don’t Look, Issue 8 - EU Version for A4 paper

“Defense Mechanisms” by Linn Næss
“A Song of Waiting” by Lars Riisnaes
“After the Apocalypse” by Mary Lewys
“Beaturtle” by Chris Lewis

“Silent Night” by Laura Austin (cover)

Folding instructions are available in download form and in video how-to form. If you enjoy our zine, be sure to pass it along. We rely on viral distribution - that means we rely on you to share the goodness.

Please keep distributing the issues.

GIVE IT UP FOR THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY!

Can you believe it? I certainly can’t. This year has flown by — and I’ve had a ball. I hope you, dear reader, have enjoyed each issue as much as we here at Don’t Look have had making them. Keep passing the issues on so we can bring new readers, writers, artists, photographers, poets, and fans to our viral publication. Thank you to everyone that contributed. Don’t Look would not have made it this far if not for the dedicated, talented people who work on each issue and who contribute to the minizine. To all those who folded, delivered, placed or left issues for others, I sincerely thank you too.
I bring you, Issue 7, Volume 2:

Don’t Look, Issue 7 - US Version for 8.5-11″ paper
Don’t Look, Issue 7 - EU Version for A4 paper

Folding instructions
Folding instructional video

By popular demand (mine), Christine Stoddard contributed the beautiful cover. Jack Lee, fellow editor and crazy, pitched in portentous tale to tickle your gray matter. Paul Storrie, Christine Stoddard and Wren Griffin contributed to our Six Word Stories — something that’s way too much fun. Linn Næss closes the issue with one of her beautiful pieces.

Photo Contest Winner

Six issues. SIX ISSUES! We are on issue six looking down the two-month barrel at the one year anniversary mark. The photo contest closes; winner announced in November. As with each issue, this one features some amazing works.

Don’t Look, Issue 6 - US Version for 8.5-11” paper
Don’t Look, Issue 6 - EU Version for A4 paper

Folding instructions
Folding instructional video

Wren Griffin contributes another stunning, short story we are pleased to present. Full-time English student/dock worker, Todd Larkin, contributed a brilliant, engaging story. Photographer Lee “Gray” Vincent makes his debut with us, and I hope we can see more of his breath-taking pictures. Also new to us, Christine Stoddard is a full-time student and a paid intern at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Her passions are art and writing, which you can see for yourself. Once again, Tobias McVey displays his cunning talent in his latest poem.

The cover is done by a dear friend of mine, a rising artist in his own right, Michael Murray.

Thank you for downloading and reading. Please keep passing the issues on!

See you at Year One.

Friends of Don’t Look:
| | |

I blame Patton Oswald and lazy Sundays for the rather late-in-the-day post. However, before the sun sets on my shores, I give to you the fifth issue of Don’t Look.

Don’t Look, Issue 5 - US Version for 8.5×11 paper

Don’t Look, Issue 5 - EU Version for A4 paper

Tobias McVey brings us new work that we’re very honored to give a home. New-comers C. L. Lewis and A. Rhea Gray complete the pages with art and a wonderful short story. Luckily, we round out the issue with a comic from Randall Munroe’s xkcd.

We still only have one entry for the Don’t Look Photo Contest. Hurry and enter - submission deadline is August 31, 2007. Winner will be announced on our first anniversary, November 1, 2007.

Thank you for downloading, printing and reading - the experiment goes wonderfully. Let’s see if we can keep the virus growing.

Click to watch
(01:37, 1.4 MB)

Brought to you courtesy of Linn Næss, in hopes of clearing up especially that tricky final fold. Hopefully it’s clear enough to manage without informational subtitles.

P.S. I always do each fold twice and use a ruler to make them sharp. I just cheated and did all that before I started filming, to save some time.

Zip-zip-zoom! Another two months fly by faster than something really fast that I would be clever for thinking up. Sorry, my mind’s mush after putting together the latest issue. Can I brag a little?

I love this issue. We have some familiar faces and new ones. I’m very pleased.

Elizabeth Kate Switaj teaches English at ShengDa College in China’s Henan Province. Her writing reflects her travels and the things her students have taught her using the language she teaches them, and it has appeared in numerous small press publications. Her chapbook, The Broken Sanctuary: Nature Poems, is published by Ypolita Press.

Lauren K. didn’t say were she was from or where she was headed, but we were sure glad to have her stop by and contribute. Hopefully, she’ll swing back some day and give us more.

Tobias McVey came to us via our own Linn Næss, but I sure hope he sticks around. He’s one to watch, that’s for sure.

Linn Næss has created another stunning cover.

Wren Griffin returns with a new, surprising story. She saved the day, as she is inclined to do. Damn her heroic hide.

Una gifted us with a delightful poem. It couldn’t have been any better if she put a bow upon it.

I am pleased to announce we have had one entry in the Don’t Look Photo Contest. Once we receive a few more, we’ll post the contestants. Entry has been extended until August 31, 2007. All photographs need to be submitted before then to be considered. The winner will be announced on our first anniversary, November 1, 2007.

Now, without further ado, allow me to present Issue 4 of Don’t Look:

Don’t Look, Issue 4 - US Version for 8.5×11 paper

Don’t Look, Issue 4 - EU Version for A4 paper

Enjoy! As always, feedback, comments and insights welcome. Submissions too! You know where to find us.

Don’t Look minzine - http://www.dontlookzine.com

I still don’t know where she came from. The best explanation I have is Jack found her. Jack tends to do this all the time - finds people online and infects me. It’s like a disease, the sudden attachment and devotion. All I know is she wasn’t here one minute and the next she’s the spokesperson/poster child for Don’t Look.

Linn Næss has rapidly become one of my favorite artists. Her delicate, black ink dancing in white space bedevils my imagination in every cover done for Don’t Look (which would be every one to date, save #2). The way her figures’ hair flows not only defies gravity but drags you along its dreamy path. There are whole stories in that hair.

I was lucky enough to see pictures of her graduating art show (I hope I got that right). With the same anticipation as a sugar-whacked kid hearing Santa’s boots scrape down the chimney, I cannot wait to see what new snares she’ll create.

On top of all that budding talent, as if that wasn’t reason enough to despise her, she’s a terribly wonderful and giving person. Who else would ship pictures from a photography class to use in our website’s header free of charge? It’s her comic shop that carries free copies of Don’t Look because she runs by and restocks regularly (though I’m starting to suspect it’s an excuse to read comics). She digs up and beats wonderful writers to contribute.

Is there anything she can’t do?

I wonder if she can cook a three minute egg without making it too runny…

When I decided to do this little experiment entitled Don’t Look minizine, I worried I would be all alone. Time is limited for everyone. I knew if this was going to go anywhere but into my regret file, I would have to find exceptionally demented masochists willing to work for no money. Who knew you could find them on the Scandinavian Peninsula?

Not only has she improved the quality of the zine and the content of the website, Linn Næss made Don’t Look international - something I definitely envisioned. If it wasn’t for her, Don’t Look wouldn’t be as successful as it is.

For that, I shall forever be in her debt. Now, where’s that egg?

In lieu of the new issue and issues past, we have added a special page to list all issues of Don’t Look.

All Issues of Don’t Look

Also, I’m proud to say that Don’t Look has its own domain: http://www.dontlookzine.com. Huzzah!

New issue in two days.

I waited to post this the day after April Fool’s, so no one would think it’s a joke.

A comic book shop in Norway stocks Don’t Look.

Aliblabla allows a box of our minizine by the cash register, so customers can pick up a copy on the way out. The very nice owner keeps trying to pay us, but our agent, our poster child, Linn Næss, repeats over and over that Don’t Look is free. So, the next time you’re in Norway, be sure to stop by Aliblabla. Since they’ve been so nice to us, we’ve placed our first “ad” on the front page.

With less than a month away, I need submissions for the next issue of Don’t Look. If you’ve been holding out, wondering if now is the time to submit, now is the time to submit. We still have room and look forward to seeing new, unique and exciting art and writing. Check out our submission guidelines and rules for details.

We also have a submission for our Photo Contest! Woo Hoo! After receiving these photos, I’ve decided to open the contest up. Send me anything with Don’t Look in the picture. Go, create, have fun! Run wild and free! I’ll stop here before I break into song, “Born Free.”

You’re welcome.

If you still haven’t had a chance to see the new issue, download and enjoy. We have two versions to match your needs: Letter (US) and A4 (EU).

Don’t Look, Issue #3 - the US version (8.5×11 paper)

Don’t Look, Issue #3 - the EU version (A4 paper)

Has it been two months already? Are we that far into the new year? Time flies when you’re having fun - and we’ve had plenty of fun here at Don’t Look. With this issue, we go international. That’s right, for all those using A4 paper, we have the European version of the issue for you! Of course, we have the standard US version for those you like 8.5×11 paper.

Don’t Look, Issue #3 - the US version (8.5×11 paper)

Don’t Look, Issue #3 - the EU version (A4 paper)

Welcome to the beginning of viral distribution global domination! Print out copies and leave them where ever you travel - a paper trail to find your way back home!

Folding instructions no longer come with the issue. You can download and print them separately here.

If you like what you read, do think about submitting some of your own work. We’re always looking for fresh, new artists, writers, poets and photographers. Don’t be shy.

Plus, we still don’t have a winner for our photo contest. Keep in mind, folks, we don’t know what it’s like where you live. What you may find mundane, we would find exotic! Give us something unique, different and fun and we’ll reward the best with something very special.

Enjoy! Feedback always welcome.

Edited to add: We were so excited about today’s release that we were horribly remiss in our loving and adoring duties. So let the worshipping start now. First, there’s the incomparable Linn Næss, who is responsible for the absolutely stunning cover art on this month’s issue. It’s really not an easy thing to find a black and white illustration that looks good in such a small space. Linn never lets us down and we would be lost without her.

Gina Abelkop is the wonderful mind behind “The Higher The Hair”. Here’s the thing - I’m not a big fan of poetry (this is Jack, by the way, not Mary) but I loved this poem. She’s wonderfully talented and we are honored to have her poetry in this month’s issue.

Scratch Comics is witty and fun and just a joy to read. Go read more. Right now.

Sheena Larson contributed “Balloon Girl” to March’s issue - an amazing, airy sort of drawing that just makes me smile everytime I see it.

We don’t have a website for Una, but I have to mention her here, too. Her sweet, biting poem is quite possibly one of my favorite things about this issue.

We here at Don’t Look thank you all for making this issue such a success!

One of the main inspirations for Don’t Look came from one of my favorite writers. I have admired this writer for almost a decade now, always blown away by the power-per-word punch per page. The stories were so short: compact, complete and hard hitting. I was forever blown away.

Jack Lee has taught me much about the importance of words. My natural inclination tends towards wordiness. More words don’t equal better conveyance of story; more words mean more words. Jack’s stories reach down your throat and yank on your heart and/or stomach, usually in two hundred words or less. In my book, that’s art.

When looking for publishers, Jack had a problem. Not many venues welcome short short fiction. Most publications never mention how low a word count can go. It’s a hard road to walk when all the signs read “No Vacancy.”

This issue’s blame goes to Jack Lee. For years now, Jack has been blaming me for everything. Payback’s a bitch, especially when truth has its back.

I hope this makes the road a little softer.

In an effort to unbreak the site (feel free to pretend that you’re Toni Braxton now), I have combined all our Valentines into one post. [Read more →]

It’s that time, boys and girls. After this post, I’ll be posting each special Valentine that you sent to us. Thanks to you, our Charlie Brown days are over. No more standing at the empty mailbox and waiting for the Red Haired Girl to remember that we’re alive. Today we know that you love us.

Of course, there’ll probably be a messy break-up tomorrow. We’ll be looking for our box of stuff to pick up on the porch.

Only two more days to submit your Lupercalia stuff or our fun V-Day Extravaganza. We have amazing things coming. Why not join in?

E-mail me and/or Jack Lee your fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, photography - anything you’d like. There are no size guidelines, no length guidelines, no form to follow at all.

We’ll publish it.

Come on. Join the fun. You’ll be popular!

Here. You know you want to know what it is. As I’m not Roman, though, I think I’ll stick with the more traditional form of Valentine’s Day. And we have quite the celebration planned here at Don’t Look. This is your chance to send us anything, and we’ll publish it. Send us fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, photography - anything you’d like. There are no size guidelines, no length guidelines, no form to follow at all. Send us a Valentine and we will post it here at the Don’t Look website on February 14. Scribble on a piece of paper with a broken crayon. We want to see it. Take a picture of the person that broke your heart and burn it in interesting places. We want to see it. Write for fifteen minutes and then stop in the middle of a sentence. We want to see that, too. Look, we made you a Valentine just so you’d know we care.

Email your Valentines to jack.lee@dsidecreations.com or mlewys@dsidecreations.com.

Of course you are. People are voyeurs by nature. I know that because at least 143 of you have downloaded January’s issue. Good for you! We’re working hard behind the scenes here to make sure that March’s issue is even better. Those of you out there that are exhibitionists need to checkout our submissions guidelines and get with the showing off. Wicked, twisted, funny, and smart. Tell it like it is. Tell it like it should be. Talk to us. While you’re at it, don’t forget our photo contest! We’ve still got the Banned Book Bracelet by Carolyn Forsman, plus there might be a few extra surprises. No, I’m not going to tell you what. They wouldn’t be surprises then.

I had to include something for you voyeurs out there, didn’t I? For more of Linn’s art, check out Issue One. She’s also the model/photographer used for the overlay image on our header. You’re impressed. You know you are.

We have had over 100 downloads of Issue #2! Thank you to one and all for proving me wrong! You’re the best!

I still can’t believe it.

Clarification for the Photo Contest: it doesn’t matter what issue is in the picture.

Thank you all once again! I’ve never been so glad to be wrong before.