FanZines

Introduction

Fanzines are made for fans by fans without commercial purposes. They contain mostly stories, poems and art but sometimes also articles and letters to the editor are included as well.

Star Trek led the way regarding fanzines, TOS stories belong to the first ever written by fans for fans. With the spreading of the internet, fandom changed and newer works are mostly published via the worldwide web but for several decades lots of zines were created that meets professional standards. Indeed, there are some professional (Star Trek) writers that started with FanFiction ( e.g. A.C. Crispin, Jean Lorrah, Della van Hise and others).

This is a reason for me to introduce several zines here particularly most is not available online and so the stories are in danger to be buried in oblivion.

Since they are non-commercial work I won't give a direct rating but I will point out what I liked most (which does not mean that the rest is awful!)

All zines mentioned here do not contain slash and are max. PG 13.

Legende

Story or article I consider rather well made. Marks if a story can be found in the internet. A missing of the check mark does not indicate that the story is not available online, it just points out that I either didn't search for it or that I was not able to find it. What: S Story The story length can be very different, ranges form few sentences only to pure novels. As an indication for the length I included a table of content whereby all stories are TOS as long as they are not marked otherwise (e.g. TNG for "The Next Generation"). P Poetry A Art - Drawings and so on M Music - Songs, sheet songs etc. R Report Review of a book/a vhs/a game and so forth O Opinion, letter to the editor and so forth

US Zines

LoneStar Trek

All "LoneStar Trek" zines contains almost exclusively stories of a pretty high standard. One of my favourite zine series, some of the others are on my recommendation list under FanFiction resp. in the case of Mary R./Lynn S. you will find some stories directly there.

The LoneStar Trek issues #1 to #4 contain also few TNG stories but the focus is on TOS. There is a total of 7 issues.

LoneStar Trek #1

Edited by Laurie Haynes and Jan Beckwith Copyright September 1989 100 pages Carton Cover, bound, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist What Recommen- dation Internet 1 Twist of Fate Judy Dugas S   29 An Act of Courage Ginna LaCroix S   41 Deep Trouble Laurie D. Haynes S     61 To Summon the Future Jan Beckwith S     66 Another Generation Jan Beckwith S     75 Heart's Blood Jan Beckwith S     82 It's a Jungle Out There (TNG-Story) Laurie D. Haynes S     Art: Cover, pp. 2, 8, 25, 85, 91, 99 Brett Barham A     pp. 33, 39, 47, 50 Laurie D. Haynes A     pp. 63 Paula Mathai A     pp. 73 Pam Pool A

LoneStar Trek #2

Edited by Laurie Haynes and Jan Meek Copyright August 1990 204 pages Carton Cover, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist What Recommen- dation Internet 1 Judgement of Terror Sharron Crowson art by Brett Barham S A   48 Enemies Sharon Pillsbury art by Caryl Sibbett S A     83 Out of the Then, Into the Now Lynn Syck, Laurel Ridener art by Bev Zuk S     123 Into the Fire Laurie D. Haynes art by Christine Myers S A   157 Imzadi (TNG) Laurie D. Haynes, Judy Dugas art by Brett Barham S A     189 Challenges Jan Meek S     203 Dichtonomy Jan Meek art by Jan Meek P A     204 To the Gold Trimmed Thunder Larissa Moon P

Cover by Patti Prevett
Titles and graphics by Brett Barham
Proofreading by Judy Dugas

LoneStar Trek #3

Edited by Laurie Haynes and Janet Meek Copyright September 1991 199 pages spiral binding, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist What Recommen- dation Internet 1 A Light in the Darkness Deborah Cummins art by Chris Soto S A   85 Freeze and Thaw Laurie D. Haynes art by Brett Barham S A   104 The Web Sharon Pillsbury art by Christine Myers S A   189 The Button (TNG) Janet Meek art by Brett Barham S A     192 Bitter Words (TNG) CharolMel Ambassador S     197 The Sentinal Janet Meek S

Cover by Chris Soto
Titles and graphics by Brett Barham

LoneStar Trek #4

Edited by Laurie Haynes and Janet Meek Copyright November 1991 170 pages Carton Cover, spiral binding, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist What Recommen- dation Internet 1 The Tie That Binds Mary R./Lynn S. Art of The Tie That Binds Kay Wells     60 The Abduction Laurie D. Haynes art of "The Abduction" Brett Harham     88 Starrover Laurie D. Haynes 96 The Vice-Versa Affair Lorraine Anderson art of The Vice-Versa Affair Christine Myers     151 To Soar No More (TNG) Laurie D. Haynes art of To Soar No More (TNG) Brett Harham     167 Come Away Home Jan Meek

Cover by Kay Wells
titles by Juliann Richter

LoneStar Trek #5

Edited by Laurie Haynes and Janet Meek Copyright November 19921 201 pages spiral binding, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist What Recommen- dation Internet 1 Snafu Joanne Seward   46 The Next Vacation Pam Corsa art by David Lawrence S A     62 Sailing Away Laurie D. Haynes S 105 The Solution Gloria Fry S   105 No Feet Lorraine Anderson S 140 An Exercise in Survival art by Bev Zuk Laurie D. Haynes S A 156 Weeping Willow Mimi English S 176 Welcome to the Real World Joanne Seward S 181 A Matter of Degree art by Patti Prevett Jan Meek S A

Cover by Kay Wells

LoneStar Trek #6

Edited by Laurie Haynes and Janet Meek Copyright November 1993 175 pages spiral binding, Carton Cover, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist: What Recommen- dation Internet 1 A Light in the Darkness Obligation art by Maggie Symon S A     20 If There Be Unicorns Joanne K. Seward art by Judy Dugas S A     58 Ghosts of Blue and Grey Carolyn Milbrath art by Maggie Symon S A     84 Neural Decay Laurie D. Haynes art by Brett Barham S A 102 Children of the Sun Gloria Fry art by Maggie Symon S A   154 Comfort Jan Meek S     172 Final Legacy Joanne K. Seward art by Jim Meek S A

Cover by Brett Barham

LoneStar Trek #7

Edited by Laurie D. Haynes and Janet Meek Copyright October 1990 242 pages Colored Cover with extra jacket, Spiral Binding, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist What Recommen- dation Internet 1 Death of the Dove Ginna LaCroix art by Brett Barham S A   51 Of One Mind Lorraine Anderson art by Judy Dugas S A     104 All's Right with the World Heidi Bloebaum S     106 Going Home Again Laurie D. Haynes S 142 Phases of the Moon Jan Meek S A     168 Paybacks Jan Meek S     194 The Captain's Holiday Joanne Seward S

Color Cover by Chris Myers
Proofreading by Judy Dugas

Vault of Tomorrow

The "Vault of Tomorrow" zines are mostly pretty good, too. So far, I don't know how many issues were published. As far as I can tell, there are at least 12.

Vault of Tomorrow #8

Edited by Marion Catherine McChesney Copyright May 1985 200 pages, Carton Cover, spiral binding, A4

Content:

Page Title Author/Artist What Recommen- dation Internet 1 Refusion Mary Rottler S 5 Reborn Tacs P   6 Mail Call Meg Fine P     7 A Stranger Met Art by Kenneth Morris Ginna LaCroix S, A     30 When Thinking of Star Trek Robin Walker P     31 The Last Watch Tim Collins S     33 In Dreams Marion Chesney P     35 In Harm's Way Marion Chesney P     36 View of a Silver Lady Ginna LaCroix P     37 Years in a Second Dawn Law S     53 Return to Life Tacs P     55 One Brief Shining Moment Ginger Dawson P     56 And As Will Be Charlotte Davis S     65 Never the Same Again Linda Neighbors S     70 Morning Moments Nora Jeffrey P     72 A Taste of Vulcan Whimsy Ginger Dawson S     76 Distant Dreams Terri Sylvester P     78 Star Trek Revival Weston Scrimger Play     83 Snow Dragons Rosemarie Eierman S     101 Just For the Fun of it Linda Neighbors S     104 Demon Dreans Robin Walker S     111 In the Silence of the Sea-Wind Dawn Lynn Syck, Laurel Ridener S   116 To the Enterprise Kathy Milligan P     118 The Prisoner JoAnn Sides P     119 Interlude Ian Davis S     124 Vulcan Sunset Meg Fine P     126 Soup's On Dan Collins S     139 Auld Lang Syne Kim Knapp S     143 Moments Sharon Fuchs S     146 Memories Marion McChesney P     147 From Flame What Smoke Debbie Painter S

Borders: Editorial, dedication pages and 1-17-37-116-117, by Caro Hedge
Cover by Tacs
Back cover by Marilyn Johanson
Proofreading: Melissa James

The Bloodstone

Carol A. Frisbie, Susan K. James, Merle T. Decker Art: Merle Decker Calligraphy: Diana King Copyright 1983 by Pulssar Presss (Carola A. Frisbie) 180 Pages, with protective sheet, bound, A4

Since this zine doesn't contain single stories there is no table of contents. "The Bloodstone" is a novel in which Kirk and Spock must deal with a medieval world

Unusual but worth reading, the effort and the realization alone is very impressive - much better than several "professional" novels.

Necropolis

Della van Hise and Wendy Rathbone Art: none Copyright 1984 by Van Hise & Rathbone 359 Pages, spiral binding, A4

Usually, I don't review fan fiction; rather, I point out the positive aspects. This case is different, though, since "Necroplis" is no "usual" fan fiction. First, it is with 359 pages a full-grown novel. Second, the authors are Della van Hise and Wendy Rathbone. At least the name Della van Hise should sound familiar to the one or the other: her book "Killing Time" is one of the best official Star Trek novels published by Pocket Books. So the barrier between hobby and professional writers becomes blurred and I take the opportunity to look more thoroughly at "Necropolis".

Because of the high level of "Killing Time" the expectations regarding "Necropolis" were equally high. Unfortunately, I have to say that my expectations weren't really met - I would give the novel three out of five stars.

So, what is all about? A man, Rajakon, escapes from the "Rigel XI Mental Rehabilitation Facility". That wouldn't be that unusual if that man would not be very special himself: he belongs to an Indian tribe, the "Arctics", that was discovered pretty late. He was the first of his people to pursue a Starfleet career to become first officer of the "Elfin Tango". That was 100 years ago. Rajakon didn't age in the meantime.

Finally, his shuttle is found in orbit around "Necropolis", a planet prone for unusual circumstances. Several ships are destroyed in the vicinity, only one person has survived: the Vulcan Dr. T'Merin. Attacker was the "Elfin Tango". To investigate, the Enterprise is sent on a survey and research mission to the Necropolis System.

Although some really good aspects are addressed, most of the story is stuck in confusion. Parapsychology is raised to science and the Vulcan behaves quite emotionally although being a presumed Kohlinar adept. Plenty of time goes by with alleged grave views that are mostly boring.

The great strength of "Killing Time", the relationship between the characters, is not coming into effect. Kirk is mostly in a depressive mood because he is now in his second half of his first five-year-mission and therefore the end is closer than the beginning. Spock started to ignore Kirk more or less since T'Merin was aboard. That could have been a really good start but all conflicts remain rather static. So the atmosphere just doesn't fit and the story is too thin to fill all the 359 pages.

Therefore, the novel is not a must have and since the lager part of the Star Trek fans most likely don't posses it they don't miss anything. The ones who do posses it, however, can expect a pleasant but trivial reading.

I don't regret buying it my no means, though (especially, because my copy is signed by both authors ).

Della van Hise authored another "officially" unpublished Star Trek novel that is possibly available here and there: "My Soul to Sleep" (by the way: I am still looking for it, so please tell me if you sell a copy to Germany )

Zines shops

Zines are not that easy to get, especially if you are not living in the USA (like me) and if you are not a regular guest at cons (like me). The internet offers some possibilities, though. Besides ebay, where sometimes good zines show up (to exaggerated prices, though), there are some shops.

I already bought some at the following shops and made very good experiences. Shipping to Germany was no problem, the contact very nice. Only problem can be customs, so make clear to obey the rules of your country!

http://www.geocities.com/falconprss/Usedzine.html resp.
http://www.fantasiatoys.net
Used (US) fanzines, mostly Star Trek, for sale. Payment with Paypal.

http://www.crossovers.net/makeitgoaway/fanzinehome.htm
Used and new fanzines of several fandoms including Star Trek, for sale. The zine content is not listed so you better know what you want. Payment with Paypal.

http://www.agentwithstyle.com/
Fanzines of several fandoms including Star Trek, for sale. Mostly, the zine content is listed. There is an ordering form - shipping takes quite long and you don't get an order confirmation but everything went smoothly. Payment with Paypal.

ORION PRESS
ORION PRESS was founded in 1979 and hosts one of the largest Star Trek Classic FanFiction archives in the internet. Most of the stories published in ORION PRESS zines are online but anyone who prefers a printed edition or who wants a zine not (yet) on the website can contact the ORION PRESS by email. How to obtain a zine is explained in "Published Zines Listing". I bought a long wanted zine as PDF file (payment with PayPal) but getting a printed edition would have been possible as well. I appreciated the PDF option very much though since it saves shipping (oversees). Contact was very kind and the price was more than fair. Highly recommended!

http://www.fanzinesplus.com ^NEW!
OK, with this link I have a conflict with my own rules (1. recommend only sites where zines are sold where I have purchased something myself and 2. don't include any Slash sites). I make an exception here since behind "Alexis Fegan Black" a real big name is hidden (she wrote one of the best Star Trek books published by Pocket Books). I can't say anything more about the site (yet). Just be aware that most zines sold there include a male/male relationship (Kirk/Spock).