Meet Abby Waisler, The 16 year old badass behind All My Friends Zine.
Meet Abby Waisler, The 16 year badass old Behind All My Friends Magazine. I sat down with my rad managing editor, Cassie, to talk to Abby about starting All My Friends, and the impact it has had on her life. Enjoy ;)
Why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself!
Why did you start All My Friends?
Last summer I was working a lot on my photography and making a bunch of work and at the time it was when I first started hearing about zines. I submitted to a bunch and got my work published but I never really found one that I fit into so I was like “What am I gonna do? I want a space, I want a platform but I can’t find one.” I then came to the realization that it was summer, and why don’t I just try to start something. Then it just picked up from there. It was really slow for like 8 months but then it started to grow more rapidly.
Where do you find inspiration ?
We are in such an amazing community right now and I am constantly getting inspired by the other magazines and collectives that I follow. I’ve been a Pinterest fanatic since I was like 10 years old and I am always pinning stuff. I like to also take inspiration from things I see in my life. Sometimes I will take phrases or things I hear and use them in the magazine too!
What message do you want to send with AMF?
To Provide a safe space for Gen Z artists and creatives who want to share work and spread positivity!
What is one obstacle you had with All My Friends?
It's taken over a lot of my life. It's been super hard to balance school, crew, friends, and family and the magazine. I’ve never been super good at time management so i've definitely been tested lately when it comes to that. I also worry a lot about how the magazine and myself will be perceived. I want to always be spreading positivity and I want others to know that as well.
What’s your favorite part of All My Friends?
Probably the friends I've made. Ive defintely made a group of best friends and im always thinking like “what the fuck, what the hell is going on” everyone and everything I’ve met in this community and through this opportunity is so amazing and I love it and everyone so much.
What’s your dream project/ what is something you’ve been dying to do with All My Friends?
I'm a big Journaler and I love writing down my goals. The other day I watched a video on a 14 year old girl teaching these people on how to manifest things now so I'm like “I need to manifest everything now.” One thing I want to do is throw an event pretty soon. I also really want to send our columnists to fashion week in New York.
What should we be on the lookout for?
Issue three is coming out soon. This issue came out in a way that everything fits together. We’re starting a zine network as well as preparing for issue four! Stay tuned for that theme :)
What advice would you give to other people that want to start a zine?
I say this all the time but don't stop. Don't let the follower count affect your work ethic. Ask people for help! Everyone in this community is so kind and always willing to help.
You can follow Abby @abby.waisler and All My Friends, @allmyfriendszine or visit www.allmyfriendszine.com to learn more and get involved!
