Sean Tejaratchi,
Crap Hound

Age: 27

Recent review (from Heinous): "Gorgeous and disturbing." (From Shark Fear, Shark Awareness): "My friend Dagwood Reeves once mentioned someone who 'put things in a little box that don't belong in the little box.' Sean works with several little boxes at a time and not only puts things in them that don't belong there, but he then puts these boxes side by side which are more comfortably left far apart."

Selection: "Some Things I've Discovered About Clowns" (page 61)

Sample: $5 from P.O. Box 40373, Portland, OR 97240 (checks: Sean Tejaratchi)

Why publish a zine?
It's very, very satisfying. It allows me to work hard and gives me something I can take pride in, as far as workmanship and constructive effort. It has put me in contact with people around the world who share similar interests and ideas. I publish because I was tired of waiting for other people to publish things for me, and because of a general disgust at the way things work in the "real" world.

What should be known about the selection I'm providing for "The Book of Zines"?
They make me laugh. The pictures came from many different sources. Many were contributed by friends around the country, and a few came from scrapbooks I've been keeping since high school.

Do you do any other zines?
"KOOL Man: The Amazing Story of Robert DuPree: The King of Oral Love." It's an expose and a sort of psychological profile of an utter wretch. A nightmarish journey to the center of a turd.

Any general tips for aspiring zinesters?
Rethink things! The model you follow in your head is more often than not based on irrelevant patterns set by large, professional publishers with millions of dollars and no conscience. You are obligated to no one when you start a zine. Think about each step yourself, from the physical size, to the focus, to the printing and distribution. Think about priorities: which is more important to you, money or satisfaction? Are you doing it for fun? Then make choices accordingly. Don't try to make everyone love you and your zine.

What's your favorite part of doing a zine?
Holding the issues in my hand and feeling like I have actually accomplished something that I set out to accomplish. I also love fine-tuning things in the late stages, and working all night alone at the light table with the music playing behind me.

In my other life, I'm an:
Elfen wizard, and a fourth-level bandit, and a fifth-level demigod, and...oh, I forget. Where are my 20-sided dice?