Input
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Input |
| Publisher: | "a RAR Production", authorized reprints in the US were by Peg Kennedy and Bill Hupe |
| Editor(s): | Rebecca Reeves |
| Date(s): | 1988-1990 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | print, zine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Blake’s 7 |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Input is a gen Blake's 7 anthology published in Canada. It has the subtitle: "An International Blake's 7 Fanzine."
There were four issues.
Some Flyers
General Reactions and Reviews
A good Canadian B7 zine, alas only four issues were done. Talent from all over the world.[1]
This zine has even more of an international flavor than most B7 zines, as indicated by the contributor bios in the back of each issue, which are marked with appropriate flags -- 4 to 5 per issue!I especially like the stories in script form by Rebecca Reeves, and the newscasts in #3; the dry, deadpan humor of the stories by Ros Williams; the graphic story by Tim Pieraccini in #4; and "Circle of Life," also in #4. "Contagion" is another of Lorna's very grim stories. "Nothing Ever Goes as Planned" could have been in "Roads Not Taken", as it's an alternate Terminal. Hmm, I guess #4 is my favorite issue!
For Gan fans, the Sheila Paulson PGP story in #4 is strongly recommended, as is the story by David Hume in #1. And for Tarrant fans, there's wonderful angst in "Guardian Angel" (again, in #4). In fact, one of the special points of the zine is that it has a good balance in terms of the characters represented.
Also noteworthy are the interviews with the actors.
The long series by J. Kel continues in Dark Between the Stars. I have mixed feelings about this one; I kind of like it (and some of my friends are enthusiastic about it), but I wish it had been more heavily edited. I'd love to sic Judith on it! It also strikes me as being sufficiently far removed from the aired canon that it might not be all that difficult to "file off the serial numbers" and market it as a pro SF novel; I wonder whether the author has ever considered that? [2]
In Rebecca Reeves' zine Input: a fascinating, exciting and well-written PGP, title I forget. Was the writer J. Kel? Rebecca hasn't been able to issue the zine for a while and I still haven't seen the end of this story which is supposed to have since appeared elsewhere and I keep meaning to get hold of it. Avon involved in politics, ambassador for Servalan and trying to break free of her to pursue his own ideals, a clever and imaginative adventure. If the writer is reading this letterzine and can tell me where the finale of the story is, I would be pleased to get it! [3] [4]
Issue 1
Input 1 contains 130 pages and was published in February 1988.
The art is by Donna Paton (front cover, interior), Rosemary Woodhouse, Barry Bowman, and Rebecca Reeves.
- Output: An Introduction by the Editor by Rebecca Reeves (2)
- From 'Orbit:' Heart of Steel, poem by Jennifer Jean Clark (4)
- To Surrender Dreams, fiction by Rebecca Reeves (script form/play) (5)
- With a Friend Like You, fiction by Teresa Ward & Elizabeth Mundell (11)
- A Very Special Day, fiction by Ros Williams (13)
- Trap, fiction by Debra Bruce (19)
- Interview: Sheelagh Wells, conducted by Rebecca and Barbara Reeves (25)
- The Ring of Light and Secrets, fiction by David E. Hume (39)
- Judgement, fiction by Debra Bruce (71)
- Cabbages and Kings, fiction by Faye Bull (73)
- Interview: Gareth Thomas, conducted by Rebecca and Barbara Reeves (on July 31, 1987, at Scorpio V) (79)
- Selections from the 'Travis & the Mutoids Secret Songbook' by Vicki Harrison (filk, Return to Sender; Suspicion; Heartbreak Hotel; You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog; All Shook Up; Love Me Tender) (92)
- Irreconcilable Differences, poem by Teresa Ward (96)
- Could It Be True?, fiction by Paul Delaney (97)
- Oh Hell... It's Avon by Rebecca Reeves (107)
- Contributors (128)
- Limericks by Vicki Harrison
from issue #1
from issue #1
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
Stories, poetry, a short play a la Samuel Beckett, limericks, selections from the Travis and the Mutoids Seceret (sic) songbook, two satisfyingly long interviews with Gareth Thomas and Sheelagh Wells respectively, and some ink drawings.Overall the standard of writing is good, the stories imaginative and largely devoid of cliche. Some feature non-regular characters quite prominently. A long story by David E. Hume "Ring of Light and Secrets" features Gan and Vila, but principally Gan. An interesting story but the ending is perhaps a bit contrived. There is a good short Avon/Vila story "Trap" by Debra Bruce, and a well-maintained comic story "Oh Hell, it's Avon" by Rebecca Reeves. Other stories are by Ros Williams and Paul Delaney.
This edition of Input is not one of my absolute favourites but only because I prefer a more substantial hurt/comfort content; it is a thought-provoking and individual zine, well worth reading. [5]
Input 2
Input 2 was published in March 1989 and contains 140 pages.
The art is by Kathryn Andersen, Virginia Turpin, Rosemary Woodhouse, Rebecca Reeves, Annie Hamilton, Annie Hamilton, and Cynthia Case.
- Birds of a Feather, fiction by Virginia Turpin
- Companions, fiction by Jeanne DeVore
- Checkmate, fiction by Alicia Ann Fox
- Waiting, fiction by Ros Williams
- There Was a Crooked Man..., play by Rebecca Reeves
- Blind Faith, fiction by Elizabeth Everett
- Life-Line, fiction by Sheila Paulson
- The Waking, fiction by Debra Bruce
- A Very Ordinary Need, fiction by J. Kel (part 1 of a series in this zine, the continuation in Dark Between the Stars)
- Output: An Introduction by the Editor, by Rebecca Reeves
- Interview: Stephen Greif, conducted by Teresa Ward
- Contributors
- Fanzines & Clubs
- The First Lost, poem by H. Saavedra,
- Insanity, poem by H. Saavedra,
- Obsession of Grief, poem by H. Saavedra,
- To Find a Place to Be, poem by H. Saavedra,
- Haiku: Warlord, poem by Marie Logan
- Haiku: Sand, poem by Marie Logan
from issue #2
from issue #2
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
[Waiting]: Blakes7, notoriously, is a Novel Without Heroes, where the protagonists are morally ambiguous to one degree or another: a Terrorists and Criminal Team v. Minions of Tyranny matchup. This story, first published in the zine INPUT #2 in 1989, is now part of the Bang and Blame PGP archive. In this twisty and thought-provoking story, Avon and Vila have survived GP, the others haven't, and, as in so many PGPs, they're on the run. They turn the tables on the Federation officer guarding them (who isn't quite who he appears to be); there's only one gun, but Vila has it...but Avon has a knife....but Sleer is arriving...but Avon and Vila know who she is...and then there are those rebels....Vila doesn't exactly Save the Day, because it's past saving, but he does get sort of an apology for Malodaar (for what it's worth at this point), and sort of a demonstration about how it happened. Every plot twist is an essay question about how to survive in a world where Last Guys Don't Finish Nice--and about the value of survival as well as whether it's possible. [6]
Input 3
Input 3 was published in December 1989 and contains 146 pages.
The art is by Kathryn Andersen, Rosemary Woodhouse, Dale S. Sproule, Gin Turpin, Tim Pieracini, Laetitia Edwards, Annie Hamilton, Teresa Ward, Rebecca Reeves, Jeff McCoy, and Donna Paton.
From the editorial:
Welcome to another issue of INUT: An International Blake's 7 Fanzine. This tine not only do we span the globe, with contributions from England, Australia, Canada and the united States... but with a wide selection of stories, art and poetry. we also span several decades in the BLAKE'S 7 universe!
We begin with a very young Vila, clutching his toy cat, and trek our way across the years to a PGP Avon clutching desperately at his future. There's a bit of humour, and downright wackiness, and even a few moments for quiet introspection.
I'd like to extend special thanks to Brian Croucher, who with Teresa Ward's help has 'exposed' us to just part of his complex character!! I'll point out here that I didn't even attempt to edit the interview; read it yourself to see my quandary... what would YOU have cut or changed??!!
[...]
Take Kerr and get all the Restal you can!
- Output: An Introduction by the Editor by Rebecca Reeves (2)
- Birthday Presents, fiction by Rosemary Woodhouse (3)
- Paid in Blood, fiction by Tim Pieraccini (11)
- Revelation, poem by Connie T. Cap (34)
- An Oath of Fealty, fiction by Jean Graham (35)
- Awakening, fiction by Gin Turpin (47)
- Interview: Brian Croucher, conducted by Teresa Ward (55)
- On His Madness, poem by Kathryn Andersen (62)
- The Gift, fiction by Ros Williams (63)
- The Bridge, fiction by David Hume (79)
- Anna, poem by Connie T. Cap (82)
- Interlude, fiction by Kristy Merrill (83)
- Requiem: A Sonnet, poem by Connie T. Cap (87)
- What If...??, fiction by Rebecca Reeves (88)
- Schizoid Man, fiction by Alicia Ann Fox (89)
- And Now the News, fiction by Rebecca Reeves (91)
- The Pattern of Infinity: Rain of Judgment, fiction by J. Kel (part 2 of a series in this zine, the continuation is in Dark Between the Stars) (99)
- Contributors (142)
- Clubs & Fanzines (145)
from issue #3, Annie Hamilton
from issue #3, Rosemary Woodhouse
from issue #3, Kathryn Andersen
from issue #3, Teresa Ward, from a photo by Laura Peck
from issue #3, not credited
from issue #3, Dale S. Sproule
Input 4
Input 4 was published in November 1990 and contains 150 pages.
The art is by Kathryn Andersen, Leigh Motooka, Rosemary Woodhouse , Derrin, Eve Yazembiak-Thomas, Annie Hamilton, Tim Pieracini, Dale Sproule, and Rebecca Reeves.
From the editorial:
This will be the last INPUT for awhile. As I've already explained to some of you, while editing I just don't have time for writing of my own. I've a couple of dozen stories banging around inside my head, just waiting to come out, so until I get some of then down on paper, the editing will have to wait.
[...]
This is not to say there will NEVER be another issue; if there's one thing I've learned in SF fandom, it’s that you never say never.
But for now, you have a whole zine ahead of you. Enjoy!
- Output: An Introduction by the Editor, by Rebecca Reeves (2)
- Distortion, poem by Michael J. Macomber (4)
- In the Beginning, fiction by Gin Turpin (5)
- Stonecutter, poem by Lorna Breshears (10)
- Deliverance? Well, Not Quite, fiction by Ros Williams (11)
- Trooper, poem by Michael J. Macomber (22)
- Explanations, fiction by Teresa Ward and Cami (23)
- Contagion, fiction by Lorna Breshears (27)
- Shame, poem by Michael J. Macomber (29)
- Interview: Michael Keating" conducted by Rosemary Woodhouse (from March 1990, took place in Cheltenham) (31)
- Circle of Life, fiction by Lorna Breshears (37)
- Nothing Ever Goes As Planned, fiction by Alicia Ann Fox & Pamela London (39)
- Cyber-surgeon, poem by Michael J. Macomber (51)
- Masquerade, graphic story, fiction by Tim Pieraccini (52)
- A Case of Deja Vu, fiction by Sheila Paulson (61)
- All My Life, poem by Michael J. Macomber (86)
- Guardian Angel, fiction by Cami & Teresa Ward (87)
- Drowning, poem by Michael J. Macomber (94)
- The Pattern of Infinity: The Bed at Midnight, fiction by J. Kel (part 3 of a series in this zine, the continuation is in Dark Between the Stars) (95)
- Almost an Epitaph, poem by Jenny Hayward (145)
- Contributors (146)
- Fanzines & Clubs (149)
from issue #4, Leigh Motooka
from issue #4, Tim Pieracini
from issue #4, Kathryn Andersen
from issue #4, Annie Hamilton
from issue #4, Derrin
from issue #4, Rosemary Woodhouse
from issue #4, Rosemary Woodhouse
from issue #4, Derrin
from issue #4, Leigh Motooka
from issue #4, Annie Hamilton
from issue #4, Leigh Motooka
References
- ^ Katspace, by Kathryn Andersen
- ^ a review by Sarah Thompson at Judith Proctor's Blake's 7 site
- ^ The continuation of J. Kel's series is in Dark Between the Stars.
- ^ comments by Ros Williams in Horizon Letterzine #3 (August 1992), naming some of the best Blake's 7 fic they've read
- ^ reviewed by Chris Blenkarn in AltaZine #2, summer 1996; the review can also be read at Judith Proctor's Blake's 7 site
- ^ from Crack Van, recced by executrix, October 18, 2004