Behind the Zines is our weekly series of zine readings by queer zine makers and our second episode is out today!

Happy Alone & other stories is a zine about identifying on the asexual spectrum. Zine maker Seleena Daye uses the zine to discuss coming out as both asexual and queer and not feeling queer enough. The zine discusses taking up space in queer spaces and how queer community has felt synonymous with white middle class and the problems that presesents for Seleena who describes herself as a brown queer working class woman. Seleena writes in a very personal and powerful way and talks about the ace spectrum, friendships, sex, relationships, and race.

Seleena Daye is a soap seller, textile artist, workshop facilitator, and zine maker. Creating work with the themes of race, class, sexuality, making pop culture and fandom. Making zines has been one of her favourite hobbies for over half her life. You can find more of Seleena’s work over at seleenalavernedaye.co.uk

New readings in the Behind the Zines series will be uploaded each week. Each of these zines represents the sometimes secret and always powerful connections which queer zines create. That feeling of being connected to a stranger you’ve never met, a community which feels far away, a place, a song, a feeling, an identity. Each of these zines were selected by queer zine library volunteers and each of us at somepoint have found solace, validation, power, and reassurance from queer zines. These zines have helped us to feel seen, helped us find our way, connected us to each other, and inspired us to make our own zines.