July 2026
Underground literature has always been an essential part of the literary landscape. It challenges conventions, expands the possibilities of language and gives space to voices that often remain unheard within mainstream publishing.
Writers such as Jean Genet, Jörg Fauser and William S. Burroughs proved that some of the most influential works of literature emerged from the margins rather than the centre. Their books questioned literary traditions instead of following them.
The underground is still alive
Many of today's most interesting literary experiments begin outside the established publishing industry. Independent writers and artists continue to explore new forms, often driven by necessity rather than commercial ambition. Their work exists because they feel it has to exist—not because a market demands it.For me, zines are one of the most important expressions of that tradition. They offer complete independence. A pen, a stack of paper, a stapler and a simple printer are often enough to create and distribute a publication. No permission is required. No gatekeepers decide whether a text deserves to exist.
Publishing a zine is more than a practical choice. It is a statement that literature can exist outside commercial expectations and institutional approval. What matters is not the format but the act of writing, printing and sharing.
As long as people continue to create work for its own sake, underground literature will remain alive.