The Underground Is Bigger Than the Mainstream: How Finding Your Meaning and Purpose Saves Lives

by Joe Biel, Elly Blue

How do you start a movement that can flourish for decades alongside the mainstream? How do you get out of bed every day to pursue your meaning and purpose when the world is falling apart around you? Microcosm Publishing's Joe Biel and Elly Blue tell the story of how an attempt borne of desperation to find meaning and purpose ended up sticking, growing, and catching on with others who were on the same quest for tools to make life worth living. In this jam-packed zine celebrating Microcosm's 30th anniversary, we share tips and lore about how to publish books and zines, organize events and tours, find your passion, prevent suicide, do mutual aid, and more ways you can take the scrappy spirit of punk rock and other underground movements to build something better than the mainstream and live according to your values every day.

56 pages, Paperback

Published December 8, 2025

About the author

Joe Biel is a writer, activist, journalist, filmmaker, and publisher. He is the founder and co-owner of Microcosm Publishing and co-founder of the Portland Zine Symposium. He often tours the U.S. with his books and films. He has been featured in the Utne Reader, Portland Mercury, Oregonian, Broken Pencil, Readymade, and Bicycle Times.

Reviews

[Annotations&Air · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
I’m still fairly new to Microcosm, so I enjoyed this intro to Joe and Elly’s history and explanation of the way they launched their work. Good explanation of how a small printing press made their way into the world, and how we can all make a difference.

[Darold Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of memoirs in the creation of their publishing company and essays about their personal experiences in building a sustainable business. Overall, an interesting read, but I had thought there would be a bit more practical advice toward the titular finding of one’s personal meaning.