We are now accepting submissions for Issue 26 of the physical zine ZERO PLAN, the theme of which is the ZERO PLAN project itself. Artist Alan Dunn’s ZERO PLAN project is partly a waste of time, money and space but is also a celebration of independent record shops, a protest against record company manipulated prices, a way of discovering new local bands and a means of developing a wide social network of ‘spotters’ who are in turn supporting small record/charity shops.

Since 2014, Dunn has been acquiring copies on vinyl of Paul Young’s ‘No Parlez’ LP (current count 548) as an artwork, and during Covid, began the zine ZERO PLAN to support the project, for which proposals are now welcome. See https://alandunn67.co.uk/zeroplanhistory.html

Background

Artist Alan Dunn’s ZERO PLAN project is partly a waste of time, money and space, but is also a celebration of small independent record shops, a protest against record company manipulated prices, a way of discovering new local bands and a means of developing a new social network of ‘spotters’ who are in turn further supporting record shops and charity shops. See https://alandunn67.co.uk/zeroplanhistory.html

Since 2014, Dunn has been acquiring copies of Paul Young’s No Parlez LP on vinyl (current count 548).

The ‘rules’ are simple – no online purchases, must be bought in an independent record shop or charity shop, try not to pay more than the original 1983 price (£4), take a picture with the shop owner if possible and ask if they sell any local bands. 

During Covid, he began the zine ZERO PLAN to support the project and proposals are sought for Issue 26 that will be ready for the end of February 2026.

The zine is a printed only (no PDF) edition of between 30-50 copies per issue and portrait sized 17x25cm.

Benefits for artists

There is no submission charge.

We unfortunately cannot pay fees, but successful submissions will receive a copy of the printed zine. 

Successful participants will also join an ever-expanding network of ZERO PLAN related artists, writers, record collectors and musicians.

For example, the project has included contributions so far from the late artist Rutherford Chang, record producer Laurie Latham (Ian Dury, Echo & The Bunnymen), the FATCANFLUB and FRANKWASRIGHT zines, songwriter Anthony Moore and artists Luce Bergman, Sean Ashton, BettyBoolean and Ralph Bullivant.

ZERO PLAN is a highly serious project that uses a light touch to engage with many issues around collecting, analogue music, obsession and finance.

The zine has been exhibited as part of the Liverpool Independents Biennial (2025) and FRAC, Normandie (2024).

Submission Guidelines

We welcome digital files for inclusion in the design and/or proposals for badges/postcards/stickers/posters etc (zine will pay production costs).

Both image and text are welcome, and if sound or video is proposed, we will find a way of linking to it from the printed zine.

Please include your name, a short bio (including previous experience), and your Instagram handle.

Thanks
Alan

ZERO PLAN