On the Edge (multifandom zine)

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Zine
Title: On the Edge
Publisher: OTP Press (aka Other Times and Places Press), agented by Nuthatch
Editor(s): Nina Boal
Date(s): 1993-1994
Series?:
Medium: print
Size:
Genre: slash and het
Fandom: multimedia
Language: English
External Links:
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On the Edge is a slash, femmeslash, and het multifandom anthology.

There were two issues. A third issue (with a Suzan Lovett cover) was planned to be published in October 1996, but this did not occur.

Submission Request

From a submission request for the first issue:

Planned, hopefully, for Fall '92 or Winter '93. This is designed to be a mixed-media adult erotic zine. I don't plan to segregate between "straight" and "slash" for this one, nor do I follow a "quota" system. I will consider male and female slash pairs or else female/male. How much of whatever type appears depends strictly on what I get and accept. Any media universe, or literary universe in the public domain or adapted to media is acceptable. Any combination, usual or not. Will consider trios. Simple send me a story with gut-wrenching plot and/or hot action which will knock my socks off. Just a couple of my foibles: no "Mary Sue", gratuitous violence, or rape-fantasy, (mild, consensual S/M will be considered). SASE for guidelines. [1]

The editor commented on the submissions the first issue of the zine had received:

One of my guidelines for my mixed media zine, ON THE EDGE is for the writer to attempt to make a story meaningful for someone who hasn't seen the show. I have yet to see an EQUALIZER or KNIGHT RIDER episode, yet I received two stories based on these shows which absolutely knocked my socks off, and those of other readers, judging from the LOCS I've received. One of my main reasons for doing my own mixed—media zine was because I was tiring of reading stories in other mixed-media zines which assumed that I had seen the show in question; thus the story would go completely over my head. So in my own zine, I try and correct this tendency when I receive it in a submission to my zine. [2]

Issue 1

cover of issue #1, Baravan

On the Edge 1 was published in 1993 and contains 211 pages.

It was edited by Nina Boal.

The art is by Cat, TACS, Paulie, Rick St. Clair, J.M. McClure, Baravan, Janet Cruickshank and Isoline Sanderson.

From the editorial:

Welcome to this first issue! This zine is dedicated to presenting the loves and relationships of various media personages, in all of their myriad varieties. I have had a lot of fun receiving and editing this melange of stories and poems. The response has been incredible. And so I hope that you, as a reader, will have similar pleasures. I have already received a few stories for an issue #2 of ON THE EDGE for next year, so please, all you writers, submit, submit. Send SASE for writers' guidelines.

Speaking of which, I've stated certain preferences of what I want and what I don't want. But I am the dictator the editor of this publication so I can declare that guidelines are meant to be broken at my whim. So you will see some works which go against my stated guidelines. If any of you writers have a story which you know night knock my socks off, even if it goes against something I've said in my guidelines, go ahead and send it in. You never know.

A sad note. Rodger Gonder, one of the contributors to this issue of ON THE EDGE, and a good friend not only of mine but of many others in the fannish community, died of AIDS last summer (1992). So this issue is dedicated to his memory. Please think of ways in which you can contribute to the fight against HIV and AIDS, even if your tine and/or budget permit only a small contribution. Also, whenever you play, please play safely. Follow "safe-sex" guidelines.

  • from issue #1, Janet R. Cruickshank (Star Trek: TNG)

  • from issue #1, Cat (Blake's 7 with a fan-casted Bodie as an original character)

  • from issue #1, Cat (Blake's 7 with a fan-casted Bodie as an original character)

  • from issue #1, Isoline Sanderson (Gilligan's Island)

  • from issue #1, Paulie (Elfquest)

  • from issue #1, TACS (Man from U.N.C.L.E.)

  • from issue #1, Janet R. Cruickshank (Professionals)

  • from issue #1, Cat (Forever Knight)

  • from issue #1, Cat (Del Tarrant from Blake's 7)

  • from issue #1, Rick St. Clair (Star Trek: DS9)

  • from issue #1, TACS (Starsky & Hutch)

  • from issue #1, Nola Frame-Gray (Wiseguy/Beauty and the Beast)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

[Heartsister]: Re "woman with a penis" -- The name of this story is HEART SISTER and it appears in ON THE EDGE. ***SPOILER ALERT*** The viewpoint character, Tasha Yar, perceives this person as being a woman. Even with the appearance of a penis — a bit different than Fergus's perception upon seeing Dil's penis in THE CRYING GAME. Like the film, this story explores the definitions of what is a "woman?" At any rate, this person explains to Tasha that she is a product of "prenatal biological engineering." The story strongly implies (at least to me) that the person possesses XX chromosomes and that all of her secondary physical gender traits are those of a woman, save for the presence of a penis. ***END SPOILER ALERT*** Have you read the story? Just out of curiosity, is it your view that a penis renders a person into a "man?" Please clarify. [3]

[Tarrant]: Alas, I have tried in vain to persuade Janet Cruickshank to write a sequel to her TARRANT story. She did say that others are welcome to write a sequel. The only limitation she has is that she doesn't want Tarrant to be raped or abused again, though he will get flashbacks during the course of his healing. Janet also said that it is perfectly O.K. to have Tarrant and Vila go into a full—blown slash relationship. [4]

[zine]: On the Edge 1 is an old multimedia adult zine that I found in a used box at MWC. It has some B7 content, including an A/V story that is quite good, a BUART that I liked very much, an A/Servalan story and a Jenna/Cally poem. Other fandoms in this zine include Beauty and the Beast, ST:TNG, original Trek, Knight Rider, Quantum Leap, Thelma and Louise, the Equalizer, and The Professionals. It's a nice fat zine with quite a bit for everyone. Those who like het and f/f might find this zine a good buy; there's plenty of those kinds of stories in the other fandoms in this zine.

"Alien Eyes," by Khylara is rather sweet, and it's nice to see some rare J/C stuff.

"Jealousy Games," by Adrian Morgan and Brendan O'Cullane deals with what Vila was doing on Space City besides getting drunk. He and his lover Avon have quarrelled, so Vila looks for what he needs elsewhere, with some unexpected consequences. A/V isn't quite my cup of tea, but I liked this story.

"Nocturne," also by Adrian Morgan and Brendan O'Cullane, is a short, hot PWP featuring Avon and Servalan and set during "Aftermath."

In "Tarrant," by Janet Cruickshank, my favorite pilot finds himself imprisoned and at the mercy of the institution's meanest convict, until one day he's called to the warden's office where rescue awaits. Needless to say, this was my favorite story in the zine. [5]

Issue 2

On the Edge 2 was published in 1994 and contains 147 pages (97200 words).

While the first issue had a lot of art, this one has only two interior pieces. The art is by Cat, Baravan (cover), and Janet Cruickshank.

cover of issue #2, Baravan

From ads in Media Monitor #34 and On the Double #32: "The shocking-orange zine! Now available with a wide range of slash and heteroerotic stories and poems. Everything from love, romance, angst, death, S/M, hard-edged conflict. Plus just good fun!"

From a fan in 1994:

I bought it for one 40 page L. Fish story, and if it is bad, I'll cry. [6]

From the editorial:

Welcome to the second issue of this insanity. I've already gotten a long Robin of Sherwood novella which arrived Just too late for this issue, so it is scheduled for ON THE EDGE 3.

This issue is a bit more “over the top" than the last one — fitting right in with the theme of just about anything going on, depending on what I get and accept. The stories range from a Classic Star Trek death story by Leslie Fish, which has really blown me away. It was written years ago, but is making its zine debut. Even if you just hate death stories, do give this one a try; I don't think you'll regret it. I also have stories ranging from romantic sentimentality to S/M to "hard edge" to just plain fun!

One special note about two of the PROFESSIONALS stories. These are both sequels to a famous (or infamous, depending on one's viewpoint) Bodie/Doyle Circuit story called "Consequences " which has generated numerous sequels. For those who are unfamiliar with "the Circuit," these types of stories are typed, xeroxed, and circulated freely by various authors among fans. This means that if you don't already have them, typed copies of "Consequences," plus two other Circuit sequels I happen to have can be acquired from me by sending me a 9 x 12 inch envelope with 4 29-cent stamps or IRC's to cover the postage.

  • Editorial (2)
  • Thunderstorm, poem by Khylara ("What's the situation with blonde hair? Napoleon will find out, along with his golden-haired partner.") (MUNCLE, I/N) (2)
  • The Blonde Affair by Mary Millard (missing scenes from "The Girls of Nazarone Affair") (MUNCLE, I/N) (4)
  • Recovered Loss, poem by Khylara (MUNCLE, I/N) (12)
  • Rain by Alison Wilson ("Kitty has found a cute puppy and wants to adopt it.") (Gunsmoke, Matt Dillon/Kitty) (13)
  • Touch, poem by Khylara (Quantum Leap, Sam/Al) (16)
  • Odds On, poem by Jude (Blake's 7, Soolin/Dayna) (17)
  • Last Rites, poem by Jude (Blake's 7, Blake/Avon) (18)
  • Pearls Rare, poem by Jude (Blake's 7, Cally/Jenna) (18)
  • Descensus Averno by Leslie Fish (While it was Leslie Fish's last K/S story published, it was the first she'd written. See A 1980 Interview with Leslie Fish) (A gripping novella.) ("After the deaths of Captain Kirk and First Officer Spock, the remaining Enterprise crew must sort out the true depth of their officers' relationship.") (Star Trek: TOS) (19)
  • Grasping Time, poem by Linda Frankel (Star Trek: TNG, Guinan/Yar) (52)
  • All the Time in the World by Jeff Kasten ("Kira and Dax crash-land on a strange planet, and discover new feelings.") (Star Trek: DS9, Kira/Dax) (54)
  • Robin of Sherwood poems by Linda Frankel (67)
    • A Loving Friend
    • Stealing from a Saint
    • Divine Tears
  • Blind Alley by Kyra Taylor ("Scott and Harley's growing relationship is tested.") (Equalizer, Gage/S. McCall) (72)
  • Platonian Aftermath by Valaria Michaelis ("Kirk is filled with fears after the harrowing experience on Platonius. Can Spock help him use a fantasy to escape his fears?") (Star Trek: TOS, K/S) (107)
  • I Never Could Resist a Man in a Uniform by Mark Ameen Johnson ("The Captain and his favorite tormentor, as you've never seen them before.") (Star Trek: TNG, Picard/Q) (112)
  • Differences, poem by Khylara (Star Wars, Han/Luke) (117)
  • Professionals poems (Bodie/Doyle) by Jude (118)
    • The Kiss
    • Action Men
  • Workout by Jane Mailander ("Cowley is concerned about Doyle's ambivalent feelings toward Bodie. So he orders up a 'refresher course' for Doyle -- the usual pain and discipline, plus that of another type.") (Professionals, Bodie/Doyle/Macklin) (119)
  • Inescapable Consequences: (yet another) sequel to "Consequences" by Airelle ("Doyle determines to deal with his partner's having raped him.") (a sequel to the circuit library story Consequences) (Professionals) (127)
  • Inconsequence by Cat (a sequel to the circuit library story Consequences) (Professionals, Bodie/Doyle) (142)
  • The Mechanics of Sex by Rick St. Clair ("Dr. Beverly decides to initiate Data into new realms of pleasure.") (Star Trek: TNG, Beverly/Data) (144)

  • from issue #2, first page of the Fish story

  • from issue #2, Janet Cruickshank]

  • from issue #2, Cat

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

[I Never Could Resist a Man in a Uniform]: About Mark's story in OTE#2, curiosity is moving me to ask how 12 typos managed to get into a 2-page-and-a- bit text? [7]

[Platonian Aftermath]: This story is only five pages long, but quite satisfying in its own right. Set after the events on Platonius, Kirk decides to seek out Uhura. Not because he desires her, but because he can use her to redirect his desire for Spock. But on the way to her quarters, he runs into Spock, who apparently was seeking out Chapel for the same reason, only to find Chapel and Uhura together. When he tells Kirk this, the two men decide to go to Kirk's cabin for a game of chess. Of course, other things ensue. As with [Descensus Averno], I could not find this on the net. [8]

[All the Time in the World]: Re men interested in lesbian scenarios: Have you read the Kira/Dax story in ON THE EDGE 2? The author, a straight man, explained that he has always seen Kira/Dax in the series, that it is "obvious" (it's quite obvious to me as well). So he felt the need to write a story which would make the obvious actually happen, which to him was to bring Kira and Dax together. He took a classic "first wave" (in Lezlie's classifications) approach. He had the two crash-land on a strange planet They are alone, and one of them is wounded hurt/comfort Them I just can't see any essential difference between his author's process and that of the first-wave female writers who put male characters together.[9]

See reactions and reviews for Descensus Averno.

The Proposed Issue 3

On the Edge 3 was proposed but not published. It was to have been published in October 1996, and was to have a cover by Suzan Lovett.

flyer for the proposed third issue

From a submission flyer:

ON THE EDGE 3 has been postponed until October. This is because I need more of your fine tales. So use your imagination and submit My basic guidelines are the same. I will consider just about anything your fertile imaginations can cook up. I want quality writing, and will be a friendly editor in helping your story really sizzle. I want something that will knock my socks off. So it will have a good chance of knocking the socks of my readers off. ON THE EDGE is a mixed media slash/heteroerotic zine which features relationships between our favorite media characters. Or else your favorite media characters, even if the rest of us may never have done anything before in that particular media "universe.' Any combination is acceptable, male/male, female/female, female/male. Or anyone who might not quite fit into these categories. Or more than two, if it works out. I also would like to see adult-themed stories which might not quite fit into the "erotic relationship" category, but might be too "strong" for gen zines. As for type of story, I'll consider romance, friendly relationship, lust, sex, hard-edged conflict, death, angst, hurt/comfort, trauma-recovery. Or just plain fun! I tend to shy away from stories where someone is raped and then learns to love it, or else realizes that rape is what s/he really wanted from the partner involved. However, obvious S/M fantasies are welcome. Pairing a media character with an original character is difficult, but can be done. And I'll consider it. And as for putting media characters into a cross or into an alternate universe — go ahead. I like A/U tales, as those who read OTHER TIMES AND PLACES know. Please do not use any copyrighted commercial, published literary fantasy or SF universes. This limitation is for legal reasons. You are welcome to place your media characters into a universe you have created.

Please send submissions, either camera-ready or else accompanied by a 3.5" IBM formatted Works for Window, Wordperfect, or DOS text file. I can take submissions over the Internet. Send me a letter by snail-mail for details.

References

  1. ^ from On the Double #23
  2. ^ comments in Strange Bedfellows APA #3 (November 1993)
  3. ^ comment by [N B], the editor of this zine, printed in Strange Bedfellows #1 (May 1993)
  4. ^ comments in Strange Bedfellows (APA) #7 (November 1994)
  5. ^ from Sarah Thompson at Judith Proctor's Blake's 7 site
  6. ^ May 31, 1994, Sandy Hereld, Virgule-L, quoted with permission
  7. ^ from Strange Bedfellows (APA) #8 (February 1995)
  8. ^ from The K/S Press #208
  9. ^ from the editor of "On the Edge", from Strange Bedfellows (APA) #7 (November 1994)
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