Design a Zine or Self-Published Booklet

Zines succeed when the format matches the subject: a folded eight-page booklet for a short manifesto, a stapled A5 for a collection of small pieces. The format is not incidental. This designs your first zine: structure suited to the subject, content plan for the page count, production guidance for first-timers, a creative constraint that makes this version specific rather than generic, and the mistake you will probably want to avoid.

I want to make a zine or small self-published booklet on the subject of {ZINE_SUBJECT}. I have never made one before. Help me design it from the concept stage: a format and structure that suits the subject, how to plan the content for [number of pages] pages, practical guidance on production for someone doing it at home or through a print shop, and one creative constraint that would make this version more interesting than a straightforward collection. Tell me the mistake most first-time zine makers regret.