A zine is a self-published, small-circulation magazine or booklet. Synonyms for zine include fanzine, minicomic, chapbook, and indie publication. Fanzines are often created by fans of a particular subject or genre, such as music or science fiction. Minicomics are small, hand-drawn comic books that are often self-published. Chapbooks are small booklets that contain poetry or essays. Indie publications are independently published magazines or books that are not affiliated with a major publisher. All of these synonyms share the common characteristic of being unique, creative, and often alternative to mainstream media. Zines and their synonyms serve as an important outlet for marginalized voices and communities.