By Slanted Light

Why does the publisher feel that she should be compensated for her outlay, when other fans spend their own money because it enables them to take part in fandom in the way that they want to?

I'm probably a total heretic, but I don't see a problem with a publisher making a little money (outside of the whole copyright/C&D/go to jail issue *g*). Zine publishers provide a fan product, but they have to produce that product in the real world, where businesses tend to want cash up front. So, if I were publishing a zine, I'd have to put, let's say, $2000 on my VISA card before the print shop would let me out the door with the finished product. Then I'd have to hope that in three months, or six months, or a year - or maybe never - I'd sell enough to be able to pay off the printer's bill. Unless you're independently wealthy, you can't keep carrying the freight for any length of time.