Senses of Wonder

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Zine
Title: Senses of Wonder
Publisher: BlackJag Publishing
Editor(s):
Date(s): 2001-2005
Series?:
Medium: print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: The Sentinel
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.
cover of issue #1, Kandace Klumper

Senses of Wonder is a slash Sentinel anthology.

The art by K9 used to be here, but the links are dead.

Issue 1

Senses of Wonder 1 was published in November 2001 and contains 210 pages.

It has artwork by K9, D.L. Witherspoon, Kandace Klumper, Frost Doll and Virginia Sky.

From the editorial:

We humbly bow before Dolimir, who just about single-handedly corralled together (some would say “coerced”, but we want to be kind) the authors whose work you find in this zine. She’s been cheerleader and taskmaster and whip-er, just a darn good prodder. Thank you, K, from the bottom of our hearts.

We’d also like to thank Lola ([email protected]), the beta goddess, for all her hard work. Betas are the unsung heroes of fan fiction and should be praised as often as possible.

What can we say to our authors that will even begin to show the proper amount of appreciation? There is nothing that powerful, so we’ll just say a humble “thank you” and hope that you can intuit (is that a word? It’s hard to keep up with vocabulary changes these days) how much we are in awe of your talent and how much it touched us that you were willing to share these gifts through our zine.

Last, but not least, we’d like to thank the artists who also made a gift of their talent in this zine. We are honored that you trust us with the fruit of your skills. Thank you.

And to you, our readers, we offer our thanks and the guarantee that we will continue to provide the best stories possible. We hope you enjoy!

Some excerpts are here.

  • from issue #1, Frost Doll

  • from issue #1, artist is not credited (a panther attacks a pile of ghostly laundry)

  • from issue #1, Frost Doll

  • from issue #1, debraC

  • from issue #1, K9

  • from issue #1, K9

  • from issue #1, K9

  • from issue #1, Virginia Sky

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for Search and Rescue.

[zine]: 1: Blair, The Vampire Slayer, by Dayspring: I couldn't stand it-- but in a GOOD way!! I laughed so hard I just couldn't hold out. Dayspring owes me a load of laundry, now. ^_~ Seriously (sort of), this is an excellent mix of Buffy and TS, although not a crossover. It's a fabulously funny AU that shows that true love *can* conquer all.

2: Emergence, by Galina: Whoa. Where to begin? This is an episode-related story, one of the most used yet never depleted idea jump-starters: Sentinel, Too. This isn't a first time story, but in a strange way (to me, at least) it does feel as though it is a first time. Possibly because in this story, the Clueless Wonders openly discuss everything they were feeling and going through during that horrible time. At any rate, I was gripped by the story, wondering how things would be resolved. I do so love happy endings. ^_~ Kudos to Galina for a story that not only gets reader emotions involved, but also makes everyone happy (as in, the characters *and* the reader)!

3: If I Said, by Kikkimax: I have it on authority that Kikkimax is usually a gen writer, but Dolimir somehow managed to nag her into writing a slash story for the zine. Thank God she did! This is a post-TSbyBS story that is funny and sad and angry in turns, but ends up where the reader needs it to be. I'll be reading this one over and over!

4: Inscription, by NiteLite: Mainly a Simon Banks point of view story, this is a grin-inducing and warm fuzzies fic in which the captain finds something that Jim has lost. When he returns it, he discovers that it was only one half of a matched set. A very special matched set. I'll shamelessly admit I purred with the warmth of this fic. ^_~

5: In Search Of, by Poyznelf: I have to admit, one of the more original and funny stories I've ever read in which guides and sentinels are a prominent and acknowledged part of society. A personals ad section for these two special breeds where anyone - and here we're thinking of Jim Ellison and Blair Sandburg - can put themselves on display in the hope of attracting a partner and mate. Nice element of foreshadowing brought into play with the addition of one Alicia Bannister who answers Blair's ad as well -- and then is ignored when Blair chooses Jim and vice versa. A really good read; I'm hoping like hell there'll be a sequel! Why not? I usually hope like that every time I read Poyznelf's work!

6: Into the Mystic, by Greenwoman: A TSbyBS aftermath story by Greenwoman, one of my favorite people. This one is sad, but offers a hint of hope, forgiveness, and closure. Features the death of a major character after it has taken place and deals with miracles and the belief of them and told very tastefully. Paves the way for a sequel, if the author so chooses. (Yes, Greenie, that *was* a hint. ^_~)

7: Luck, by DCPriestess: Oh. My. God. *swoon, thud!* One of the *hottest* AU's I've read in recent memory, this is a story about luck in gambling and love, on a few rolls of a pair of black and gold dice. Come meet wealthy millionaire gambler James Ellison. Along the way, he meets his "good luck piece", namely one starving grad student by the name of Blair Sandburg. Blair is in Vegas for the express purpose of saving one of his friends from certain doom, only to end up in a situation that was more than he'd bargained for. This story is long, hot and slow, and will have the reader (see: YOU) sitting on the edge of the seat, waiting to see what's around the corner for these two pair.

8: On Two Levels, by Poyznelf: Holy crap! She done it again!! A short little vignette that not only leaves Our Heroes in an agony of frustration, but the reader as well for wondering if or when things will ever get going! Hey! Yo! Get your elfy-self in gear and start up a sequel, will ya?! *Thank* you. ^_~

9: Revelations and World Truths, by Lilguppee: A wonderful, warm-fuzzy story in which Jim finally gets a clue as to what life is like for an anthropologist always on the go. Especially one who always gives what he can for those who need it. Set after the "Survival" episode, Jim has many revelations as he helps his friend maneuver about campus, and takes his role of Blessed Protector up a few notches.

10: Search and Rescue, by Romslinger: *sniffle* Pardon me while I dig out my hankie *hoooonk!* Ah. There we go. Now, then. Romslinger knows I adore her work (and since she's a friend, her as well, but that's besides the point). She knows I fully expect her to continue to write the lovely, emotional, thrilling work she's displayed in the past. I am pleased to report that she has once again met my expectations. This wonderful AU in which Blair is a member of the Search and Rescue organization that employs people and their highly-trained dogs to search through disaster sites for living and dead bodies. His companion is a half-wolf, half-German Shepherd by the name of Mac and they share a special bond. This bond comes in handy when they're sent down to Peru to locate bodies in the wreckage of a horrendous earthquake. One of those bodies is a Major James Ellison. A wonderfully different take on a well-known Near Death Experience, Blair and Jim still manage to meet and connect, though separated by a huge mound of debris. And despite all odds, they still fall in love. Oh, hell. Pardon me again. *sniffle, sniffle, hoooooonk!*

11: Shake, Rattle & Roll, by Ann Heric: One of the best spook stories I've read in a while, this tale is told with a delightful blend of smart-assishness, humor, incredulity, anger, need -- oh, hell, it pretty much runs the emotional gamut. It starts out with a sad beginning and ends with a happy ending and the realization that justice does get served and it's never too late to go home. The reader gets caught up in the existence of a cranky, 25-year-dead ghost by the name of Joe Kennedy and his entanglement with Blair, Jim, and Jim's spirit guide. Bottom line: this story is a hoot and well worth the reading time. Four paws and a tail, up! And while the cat is on it's back, give it a belly rub. They like that. ^_~

12: Something Evil This Way Comes, by Dolimir: See, this is the kind of thing that can really piss a person off. Well, if that person happens to be insanely jealous of really good ideas put down on - well, no, this ain't paper, is it? - whatever the hell this is in such a fascinating, scintillating way that no one (and here this person is thinking of themselves) can ever, ever top it, then yes. I mean, it's really not *fair* to think up such a clever AU in which Blair meets Jim and his unit in N'awlin's, of all places (I think I just pissed off a shrimp-trawler load of Cajuns). Not only that, but Blair is the *good* witch! No, no, no; not a witch *doctor*, I mean an actual witch! Think Glinda, but without the pink or the feminine charms. And definitely a better voice. (shudder) Anyway, it's a no-shit punch-up between the forces of good and evil as Jim's unit, The Panthers, track down a rogue CIA agent - who is, miraculously, NOT Brackett! Things ensue when Blair is drawn into the game and my, oh my, do the sparks ever fly when Blair and Jim - who knows *exactly* what he is and doesn't freak out - bond to give each other strength. Although, you'd think with that kind of athletic maneuverings going on, they'd both be in wheelchairs, but that's for later in the story and oh, hell, just go read it, okay?! I'm going to go chill out, re-think hiring a hitman to clear the way for the rest of us wanna-be great writers, and then read it again, 'cause golrammit, I'm addicted. I'm gonna *get* her for this. But only after the fifth or sixth reading...

13: You're Already Gone, by Alyjude: Alyjude. One of my most favorite people in the whole wide world. But don't let that stop you with the thought that this one might be biased! Many of us slashers out there have read Alyjude's work and considered her something of a genius, or at least just a really entertaining writer. One of the reasons *I* like her is because of the real-way her characters think, speak, babble and argue, much like people in real life would. It's Reality Fanfic! This time is no exception. Episode related to that awful time when Blair was merely damp, not dead (denial ain't no river in Egypt, kids), there's angst a-boundin', with a delightful mix of humorous memories and funny in-story stuff. Although, since one of my bestest friends in the world is named Rocco, there's this one point in the story where I had a bad mental image that nonetheless made me laugh long and loud, but what the hell. It does a body good. Speaking of good ... this story ... told in Aly's usual style, the guys work things out and Jim finally gets a clue because Blair is finally being completely honest and talking and actually *saying* something for once and not just moving air around in the shape of sound. Really good piece of first time, here. As usual, I'm blackly envious of her talent, but thankful for it as well, since she provides some fabulous entertainment. [1]

[comments on publisher]: This almost falls into the category of "gushing," but in light of various complaints about publishers not coming across as promised (including one of my own), I really have to sing the praise of two publishers. I ordered a copy of Toshua's Shaman exactly 9 days ago and have it in my hand, mailed from Nuthatch (JJ) all the way from Australia. It doesn't get much better than that! I don't necessarily expect that kind of turnaround time, but I sure would like to hold them up as a shining example for at least one publisher I've been waiting for months for even a reply to emails (not mentioning names---yet). I even got prior confirmation that the zine had been sent. The same can be said for Black Jag publishing which I ordered from on the same day as Shaman, and got it one day later than the Nuthatch shipment. I realize people operate their fanzine presses on different levels all the way up to a business and that RL often has its say, but after having a couple of bad experiences after many years of nothing but good experiences, I was sort of getting leery of ordering by mail. [2]

Issue 2

cover of issue #2, Kandace Klumper

Senses of Wonder 2 was published in September 2002 and contains 376 pages. It has the subtitle, "Alternate Realities."

The art is by Frost Doll, AgtSpooky, Virginia Sky, and Remi d'Brebant.

Senses of Wonder 2: Alternate Realities excerpts, Archived version

From the acknowledgements:

From Dolimir: I swore after the last zine that I would never attempt to put another collection together again. However, like childbirth, time seems to dull the memory of the pain and anxiety of the actual event. So, when I teasingly tested the waters in January to see if there was any interest in putting together a second zine I was surprised to learn there was. When, for health reasons, I stumbled, you all immediately and cheerfully took up the slack. As the dcp said, "We're stronger than whiskey, and cheaper than therapy." I am not only in awe of your talent, but your kindness and work ethic as well. Thank you for blessing me with your friendship. While you all talked about contributing to "K's zine," please know that this is YOUR zine. It never would have seen the light of day without your hard work and dedication.

To the reader, what you hold is a collection of gentle slash stories. My goal was to put together the best Sentinel slash anthology on the market. While it may be arrogant to say out loud, I think we more than succeeded. Again, a huge round of thanks goes to Kandy, D.L. and Blackjag Publishing for once again taking on the mayhem and chaos of sponsoring us.

  • Three Strikes by poyznelf ("A reclusive guide finds a sentinel with a little help.") (1)
  • Phone Calls by DCPriestess ("Just being a caring friend, right?") (3)
  • Moonhunt by Dolomir ("Blair Sandburg unwittingly finds himself outside on the evening of a moonhunt. His life will never be the same again.") (4)
  • A Classic Date by Ann Heric ("Jim surprises Blair with some old fashioned romance.") (24)
  • The Sentinel Conspiracy by Kikkimax ("Jim Ellison, front line Alliance Sentinel, is forced to choose a Guide or suffer a bond with a woman he can't stand. Enter Blair Sandburg, reluctant Guide and a man with many secrets.") (55)
  • Biological Exuberance by Delilah Miranda ("Just another Friday night at the bar-Blair experiments with mating strategies, Jim learns a few new words.") (55)
  • After The Wrong Turn by OCONN ("A wrong turn somewhere in their lives leaves Jim and Blair struggling to be together. Warning: Jim and Carolyn are still married.") (59)
  • Letters From Gemini Station by NiteLite ("When a young anthropology graduate joins an off-world expedition headed up by the renowned Dr. Blair Sandburg, he and his teammates encounter more than they bargain for.") (71)
  • Remembering Julie Riley by Zanz ("Stopping on a deserted road to help a young woman who’s stranded, Ellison and Sandburg find that, perhaps, she isn’t the only one in need of help.") (79)
  • Captain’s Discretion by debraC ("Will a secret interfere in the professional and personal lives of two Major Crime detectives and their Captain?") (90)
  • The Club With No Name by Virginia Sky ("There's a stalker on the loose at Rainer University. Unfortunately, Blair Sandburg thinks he's it!") (92)
  • The Back of Beyond by Kira ("A glimpse into the realm of future possibilities.") (112)
  • The Strength of Words by Galina ("Who would Jim and Blair become in the universe of The Lord of the Rings? See for yourself as they battle mighty foes and their own stubborn pride in this tale set in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien.") (crossover with Lord of the Rings) (114)
  • Errands by DCPriestess ("Just another instance of being a caring friend...or maybe it’s more.") (125)
  • The Aegis Group by Veronica ("Anthropology student Blair Sandburg is sent to Peru to help out his old friend Eli Stoddard. What he finds instead leads to romance, adventure, danger -and quite possibly, his destiny.") (128)
  • The Kiss by lilguppee ("A kiss of Silence?") (221)
  • Raven by blankety ("Jim. Blair. Intangible archetypes made flesh. Sugar.") (222)
  • Lohengrin by Jael Lyn ("Sometimes revelations come as a shock.") (224)
  • Of Mazes and Megalomania by Maigret ("In a society of sentinels and guides, an unbonded guide and sentinel must work together to find a madman, but can they do so and stay unbonded?") (246)
  • Chores by DCPriestess ("The morning after figuring out that they are more than just caring friends.") (269)
  • Loving Captain Ellison by Romslinger ("When Jim Ellison wins the Purgatory Lottery, he finds himself back on earth in his beloved Ford pick-up Sweetheart with the new owner, an anthropology student named Blair Sandburg...who just happens to be Jim's assignment. If he can help Blair find a sentinel, Jim will gain his heart's desire.") (270)
  • Not So Blind Date by poyznelf ("Sequel to "In Search of..." in the previous issue. Jim & Blair continue to explore the possibility of their future together.") (325)
  • Final Goodbye by debraC ("A 'final scene' for "Shake, Rattle and Roll" by Ann Heric published in Senses of Wonder 1. Jim and Blair must return to the haunted locker-room, much to their dismay.") (327)
  • Luck: AR by DCPriestess ("Did you read 'Luck,' published in Senses of Wonder 1? Well, thanks to a challenge, here’s an “alternate reality” of the same story. Come meet the dangerous, mysterious James Ellison who is a high roller, and definitely not a cop.") (329)

  • from issue #2, Frost Doll

  • from issue #2, AgtSpooky

  • from issue #2, Frost Doll

  • from issue #2, Remi d'Brebant

  • from issue #2, Frost Doll

  • from issue #2, AgtSpooky

  • from issue #2, Frost Doll

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

See reactions and reviews for Moonhunt.

See reactions and reviews for The Aegis Group.

See reactions and reviews for Loving Captain Ellision.

See reactions and reviews for Biological Exuberance.

Issue 3

cover of issue #3, Lorraine Brevig

Senses of Wonder 3 was published in was published in 2005 (May on the front, September inside) and contains 347 pages.

It has the subtitle, Better Than Whiskey.

The art is by AgtSpooky, Virginia Sky, Lorraine Brevig, Remi d'Brebant, and Shirley Roman.

From the editorial:

There is a group of ladies out there without whom this compilation would not have happened. They know who they are and know how long it has taken to being this third and possibly final volume of Senses of Wonder to fruition. Little of the delay had to do with Blackjag Publishing but we thank them for their patience and forbearance while they waited for their stories to come to light. Some have been waiting almost three years. We also thank them for the honor of publishing their work. Alyjude and Zanz deserve special mention as the two with the whips. They are responsible for getting these stories rounded up, betaed,and finally submitted to us for publication. A big thank you, to all of you ladies authors and artists alike.

We think you, the reader, will find the wait worthwhile. SoW 3 is by far the best volume yet. We hope you enjoy it for years to come. Thank you for your continued patronage.

Original ad on website: BlackJag Zines, Archived version.

  • Recursion by Blankety (online art by Lupe for this story here, Archived version, also, see below) ("The guys seem to be caught in a time loop, though only Blair is aware of it.")
  • Tune Up by Firefly (5)
  • Cheetos by Aouda Fogg (7)
  • Psych 101 by Alyjude (10)
  • Marshmellows by Aouda Fogg (39)
  • Gimme Three Steps by Blankety (From the zine: "This is an adaptation of a story I wrote under another name in another fandom. 10 points and a Naked!Blair to who guesses right.") (40)
  • The Sense of Place by Delilah (42)
  • Onslaught: Strokes by poyznelf (52)
  • Connections by Lyn (54)
  • Olives, poem by Aouda Fogg (74)
  • Life with Blair: Seafood, art by Virginia Sky (95)
  • If Dogs Could Talk, or The Sentinel's Little Hairball by Lilgupee (96)
  • What Fate Allows by Dolmir (100)
  • Restoration by Veronica (109)
  • He's a Mermaid in the Night by Delilah (126)
  • Squash, poem by Aouda Fogg (143)
  • The Courage to Trust by Zanz (144)
  • Onslaught: Kisses by poyznelff (177)
  • Blair in a Bottle by Alyjude (180)
  • To Do List by dcp (203)
  • Virtue: Passions of the Soul, art by Virginia Sky (211)
  • Confessions in the Dark by Galina (228)
  • Into the Light by OCONN (240)
  • House Blend by NiteLite (263)
  • Nothing to Do But Wait by Jyllean (266)
  • Life with Blair: Teddy Bear, art by Virginia Sky (290)
  • Recursion, Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Fucking Groundhog by Blankety (291)
  • Shattered Dreams by DebraC (297)
  • Tomato by Aouda Fogg (305)
  • Torn by the Storm by Romslinger (306)
  • Spark Plugs by Firefly (offline) (346)

  • from issue #3, AgtSpooky

  • from issue #3, Remi d'Brebant

  • from issue #3, Shirley Roman

  • from issue #3, AgtSpooky

  • from issue #3, Virginia Sky

  • from issue #3, AgtSpooky

  • from issue #3, Shirley Roman

  • from issue #3, Virginia Sky

The three illos below are by Lupe, and they did not appear in the zine.

This series of drawings were created to illustrate "Recursion". In this story the guys seem to be caught in a time loop, though only Blair is aware of it. He replays this breakfast scene with Jim numerous times with hilarious results. This story was written by Blankety and appeared in the Senses of Wonder 3 zine. Unfortunately my drawings didn't make it into the paper zine, but might be included in a CD. -- Graphite on Bristol paper 2004-2005 [3]

  • Lupe

  • Lupe

  • Lupe

References

  1. ^ by Rogue at Destinies Entwined
  2. ^ by lrein at Destinies Entwined
  3. ^ online art by Lupe for this story here, Archived version
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