The Anchorite is an "amateur press association" (APA), also referred to as a "Many-to-Many" or "M2M" group—terms that describe its collaborative, multi-contributor format.
Historically, an anchorite was a type of religious hermit, but in our case, the name is a playful nod to the word "Anchor." It was chosen because the group’s founding members were podcasters and listeners from the now-defunct Anchor podcast hosting service.
An APA functions like an amateur magazine in which all the readers are also contributors. Each issue consists of "zines"—articles written by members—that are mailed to a central coordinator. The coordinator compiles these zines with others from the group and distributes the collated copies to all members.
Before the Internet, APAs served as paper-based forums, allowing members to share ideas, discuss topics, and engage with a community. However, the rise of online communication led to the decline of APAs, as digital forums became more accessible and efficient.
Interestingly, not everyone appreciated APAs. In 1978, E. Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, famously criticized them in The Dragon magazine: "Now APAs are generally beneath contempt, for they typify the lowest form of vanity press. There one finds pages and pages of banal chatter and inept writing from persons incapable of creating anything which is publishable elsewhere. Therefore, they pay money to tout their sophomoric ideas, criticize those who are able to write and design, and generally make themselves obnoxious."
While Gygax's opinion is amusing, many APA participants find value in the creativity and camaraderie these associations foster.
Some APAs are "general interest," meaning members can write about any topic they like. Most APAs, however, are dedicated to a specific area of interest, such as science fiction, comics, or anime. In these cases, members are typically expected to ensure their contributions align with the group’s chosen focus.
The Anchorite centers on tabletop role-playing games. Contributions might include game reviews, proposed rules, play reports, and other gaming-related topics. While there’s a particular interest in OSR-style play—a design philosophy inspired by old-school RPGs—this focus isn’t a requirement. Members are also encouraged to share personal updates and offer feedback, known as "mailing comments," on other members' zines.
No, and that’s one of the key differences between an APA and a magazine. In an APA, every member contributes to the collective experience by writing their own zine. Without participation, there wouldn’t be much to share!
Some APAs allow "inactive" members who only receive copies without contributing, but this is rare and often undermines the collaborative spirit that makes APAs unique. The Anchorite thrives because its members actively engage with the group, sharing their thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
In APAs, members use some specialized terms to describe roles, rules, and contributions. Here’s a quick glossary to help you out:
CM (Central Mailer): The person responsible for collecting, copying, collating, and distributing the APA. In some groups, the CM has significant authority; in others, they are more of an administrator. Also known as an OE (Operating Editor), although most OEs don’t actually edit anything. The Anchorite uses the term CM.
Contrib: Short for "contribution." Refers to a member's submission, often called a zine or an apazine.
Copy Count: The number of copies needed for an issue, so members know how many to produce. In The Anchorite, the copy count is always "1" because the CM handles all copying.
Deadline: The date by which submissions must be received to be included in the next issue.
MAXAC (Maximum Activity): The maximum size allowed for a zine to keep costs manageable. The Anchorite allows zines up to 10 pages (20 pages double-sided, not counting covers). If exceeded, members pay $0.25 per extra page per member. For example:
If your zine is 23 pages (3 pages over MAXAC) and there are 10 members, the fine would be 10 × 3 × $0.25 = $7.50.
MINAC (Minimum Activity): The minimum participation required. In The Anchorite, this means contributing at least once every other issue. Missing two consecutive issues results in a "grace period." Missing three leads to a $1.00 fine, and missing four results in removal from the roster. Extenuating circumstances are considered. Note: Cover art counts as a contribution for MINAC purposes.
Rider: A zine written by a non-member that "rides on" a member's contrib. The Anchorite, like many APAs, does not allow riders.
Spec Copy (Speculative Member Copy): A copy of an issue provided to someone considering membership.
Zine: A widely used term in APA culture. Here, it refers specifically to a member’s contribution.
Publication schedules vary depending on the APA. Common intervals include annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly issues. Each group determines its frequency based on member preferences and the workload involved.
The Anchorite is published every six weeks, striking a balance between giving members enough time to prepare their contributions and keeping the community actively engaged.
Being part of an APA involves some costs, though it's important to note that most APAs are not "profitable." CMs often cover extra expenses out of their own pockets to keep the group running.
Costs and payment systems vary widely among APAs. Here are the two most common systems:
Mailing Account System: Each member maintains a mailing account with the CM. Members send funds in advance, and the CM deducts postal and copying expenses from those funds. When a member's account runs low, they are notified to replenish it.
Dues-Based System: Members pay a set annual fee to cover basic operating expenses. Additional costs, such as copying fees, may be charged separately.
The Anchorite uses the mailing account system. This means members contribute funds upfront, and any copying or postal costs for their contributions are deducted as needed. The exact amount depends on the size of each issue.
Fines collected from members are used to cover common expenses like envelopes, mailing labels, and staples, helping to offset the costs of running the APA.
If, by some chance, there’s a surplus in the fine fund at the end of the year, that surplus will be evenly distributed and deposited into the mailing accounts of all active members. This ensures that any extra funds directly benefit the membership.
Here’s how the process works step by step:
Deadlines: Each mailing includes the deadline for the next issue. Submit your zine to the CM by this date to have it included in the next mailing.
Content: See How to write an Apazine for suggestions.
Formatting Guidelines:
Zines should be formatted for US Letter size paper (8.5" x 11" or 216mm x 279mm).
Use double-sided formatting with at least:
0.375" (9.5mm) for the inside margin or gutter.
0.25" (6.4mm) for all other margins.
If your software doesn’t support gutters, set both left and right margins to 0.375".
Your zine will be printed double-sided, even if you send it as single-sided.
Submission Methods:
Electronic (preferred):
Preferred format: PDF. Export or "print" your zine to a PDF file.
Tips: Ensure fonts are embedded in your file. If you're unsure, stick to standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial
Alternate formats: LibreOffice, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Word, or Mac Pages files are also acceptable. On Windows, you can also "print" to an XPS file. Note: None of these files "embed" fonts, so you need to stick to very basic ones.
Mail: Send physical copies to the CM. Be aware that mailed zines will be scanned into an electronic format before printing.
Account Management:
If your account balance is low, the CM will notify you.
Payment options include Apple Pay, Google Wallet, PayPal, Venmo, or checks.
Distribution:
The CM handles all copying, collating, and mailing of the final issue. Your account will be updated after each mailing to reflect your balance.
Repeat:
Prepare your next zine for the following issue and continue the cycle!
Not at all! While we value the "tactile" experience of receiving a physical product in the mailbox, we also understand that the high costs and delays of international shipping can be a barrier for overseas members.
If you live outside of North America, you’ll receive a PDF copy of the APA instead of a physical one. Since there’s no printing or mailing cost involved, you get to participate as a free member!
Contact me with your questions at AnchoriteAPA@gmail.com.