The Clipper Trade Ship/Issues 51-60

The Clipper Trade Ship · Issues 1-10 · Issues 11-20 · Issues 21-30 · Issues 31-40 · Issues 41-50 · Issues 51-60 · Issues 61-70 · Issues 71-79

Issue 51

front cover of #51, Tom Howard

back cover of #51, Jim Stetson

The Clipper Trade Ship 51 was published in April 1986 and contains 36 pages.

300 copies were printed.

The art is by Tom Howard, Melody Rondeau, Doug Herring, Susan Landerman, Su M. Fine, Gennie Summers, Guy Brownlee, Richard Arnold, Shona Jackson, and Jim Stetson.

From the editorial:

This is the Fifty First running of THE CLIPPER TRADE SHIP (TCTS) Classic. Little did I know when I sat down at my desk in 1972 to start a small quarterly marketplace for those few of us who collect Star Trek film clips what this thing called "The Clipper Trade Ship" (clip-trade--get it?) would lead to. And the changes! Well, versatility and adaptability are virtues, aren't they?

Yes, I am indeed thankful for all the people, past and present, who have been somehow instrumental in TCTS's existence — writers, artists, advertisers, dealers, readers, zine editors, printers, and more — some several thousand people over the years. And I am very grateful that the money needed to print TCTS has managed to be there (sometimes just barely) to get each issue out — TCTS has grown to be for me more than an avenue by which to entertain a few hundred people each issue, but also a life-line link with some dear old friends just to let them know I'm still alive.

• In the Captain's Cabin (1)
• Letters (2)
• The Galaxy at His Fingertips, fiction by Richard Arnold (original science fiction) (6)
• Verse by Almarrisa Corban, Amy L. Whiteneck (7)
• Star-Crossed, fiction by Su M. Fine (Star Wars/Star Trek) (8)
• Filksongs by Mary Orwig, Teresa Sarick, D.W. Chong, and Susan Landerman (33)
• The Cargo Hold, ads (35)

• 

  inside page from issue #51

• 

  inside page from issue #51

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 51

Thoroughly enjoyed TCTS 51 — from the excellent front cover of to the equally excellent back cover by Stetson, and all the wonderful stuff inbetween. In fact I was singularly impressed with all the illos this go round.

Corban's verse was beautiful and I found Whiteneck's also quite amusing — and all the filks as well! Landerman and Chong have the touch — they also may be 'touched' but that is probably because they read too many ELFL tales. I still twitch occasionally which has caused some of the patrons to look at me strangely and avoid the reference desk when I'm on duty. Sigh!!

STAR-CROSSED was a very well thought out logical crossmatch of the two most popular universes and highly entertaining, as well as perfectly in character. It was a great treat. And Summers' Illos were a great accompaniment. Keep up the good work, Su, and don't despair. The mundanes are earthbound, they do not look to the stars. Don't let their apathy or cruelty obscure your dreams. For it is the dreamers who will reach out and go after the conquest of space the ones who can see beyond the media hype of the moment and remember the twenty-four that went before and the rest that will follow — like Apollo 7 it will go on. I wish you could have been with me Wed. morning January 29 on the Interstate going to Miami — had you seen the miles and miles of glowing headlights in broad daylight — you would know the dream is not dead. Overkilled by the media — but like a phoenix it will rise again.

Again, congrats on a fine issue.

Richard Arnold's study on an unbalanced mind in The Galaxy At His Fingertips was very well done and could be developed into a longer, more complex piece.

On the Verse page, The Vision Pool easily shines brightest. Almarissa Gorban's words sparkle with their intensity. Amy Whiteneck's
 Star Wars poems are nice, especially the Wookie's thoughts on the dismantled C3PO.

Sue Fine's Star Crossed, the centerpiece of the issue, was extremely well written. Her prose flows easily and she's caught the characters and settings very nicely. As I read the story I could easily visualize the people, places and action. It was an interesting adventure for all involved. I liked the extra touches such as Luke hearing Ben talking to him in Sickbay and McCoy's reaction to his patient's odd behavior. Also R2D2 finding its way to Skywalker's bedside like a faithful puppy. Leia's recycled clothes was in intriguing idea. There were funny lines like Han and Spock's comments on the shopping trip, and touching moments as with the gemstone for the little boy. Han's solution to the forcefield over the spaceport was just the sort of thing Solo would pull! A very nice, very satisfying story.

The filksongs were fun as usual. I think my favorites were The Klingons Go Blasting Along — very singable, and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Han Solo — a nice mix of the serious and the comic. Filked by Susan Landerman and Kathy Fink respectively. One Tin Cylon was rather one-sided.

Outstanding in the art department were the stark cover by Thomas Howard; Mel's baby Vulcan and sehlat; Doug Herring's Kirk and Spock; Susan Landerman's woman and wolf; Gennie's SW/ST illos for Star Crossed; the spaceman on pg 34; Jim Stetson's fantasy backcover is certainly different; and I really liked the Indian/Klingon by Shona Jackson on the Filk pg.

Hope there'll be more than two stories in CTS next issue! And while I do like reading Trek stories, I also enjoy a lot of other medias as well. I think 50% per zine is almost too much; there are a lot of other very good SF/F and other movies/series that generate excellent fan fiction. But like they say — it's your sine, Melody and Jim, print what you like!

Issue 52

front cover issue #52, Carrie Daugherty

back cover issue #52,Shona Jackson

The Clipper Trade Ship 52 was published in July 1986 and contains 36 pages. Front cover by Carrie Daugherty, back cover by Shona Jackson. Interior art by Leah Rosenthal, Richard Arnold, Susan Landerman, Cheryl Duval, Gennie Summers, G. Hof, Shona Jackson, Melody Rondeau, and Gloria-Ann Rovelstad

From the editorial:

Speaking of printing... some of you may know or have guessed that we frequent conventions in our area, often having a dealer's table or two to hawk zines, film clips, books, and assorted garage clutter. Sitting behind a dealer's table can lead to long stretches of uninterrupted boredom, so, for the first time, Jim took the typewriter along to a convention a few weeks ago to work on this issue. It was fun, & achieved many a laugh or amused smile from con attendees, as we'd placed a sign before its "Living fanzine Editor Display."

However, more than once a suggestion was made that we don't go for. "Get a word processor," they said. "Best thing in the world."

Well... Word processor, computer, decent printer — yes, the cost does add up, but that's beside the point. We're just a bit leery of typing in twenty or thirty pages of manuscript, and having the work saving device refuse to spit out the final project, or suddenly develop amnesia. It's less likely to us that thirty typed pages would suddenly cut a hole in the screen door and make a break for freedom down the street. And being slightly old fashioned, we hate to become too dependent on all electrical devices. A power outage becomes a major crisis, and it's worrisome enough having an electric typewriter. Yes, being able to typeset with ease is rather nice, and the printed page looks very professional (presuming the printer is fairly decent -- we've seen some fanzines printed from some very illegible printers), but.. .but.. .but this is an amateur publication, and we have no intentions of putting on airs that this is anything but.

There is a certain feel this amateur look imparts to us, a kind of innocence, an imaginative intensity, a certain unpretentious look. The emphasis is on what is being presented, not how. So what If there is no clearly defined margin on the right?

We find no shame in our old fashioned ways. Word processors, computers, and such are marvelous tools for some; typewriters and printing presses are for us. The excitement still remains for us as to how TCTS is produced and reproduced.

• In The Captain's Cabin (editorial) (1)
• Letters (2)
• Filksongs - Marilyn Maffia, D.W. Chang, Susan Landerman (3)
• The Last Regeneration by Amy Falkowitz (Doctor Who) (4)
• Key To Guilt by Linda Adams (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) (7)
• A Day in the Life by Diane Farnsworth (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) (11)
• A-Yuk Time by Lorie Johnson (Star Trek) (12)
• The Olfactor (part one) by Jim Stetson (original science fiction) (20)
• Verse - Amy L. Whiteneck, Wendy Atkinson (34)

• 

  inside page from issue #52

• 

  inside page from issue #52

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 52

I'll start with the best first. I thought "The Olfactor" started out somewhat scrambled and slow, but once I got immersed in the atmosphere of the story, I loved it. It had the "feel" of a Sam Spade/Columbo story with just enough irreverence to make it funny.

The "A-Yuk" piece was highly original and obviously took a lot of thought, but lost some of its humor (I thought) because it was so long. The names were priceless (T'Fling?) and the artwork could have easily stood alone as cartoons. Good stuff.

The filksongs were top-notch (as usual), and the art was light and well-used. Loved that cover by Carrie Daugherty (Dr. Who #5 is notoriously difficult to draw). I'm glad you've gone to multiple, shorter stories again, it makes for more interesting reading.

Issue 53

The Clipper Trade Ship 53 was published in October 1986 and contains 36 pages.

300 copies were printed.

front cover of issue #53, Mary Bohdanowicz

back cover of issue #53, Susan Landerman

The art is by Mary Bohdanowicz, Pegasus Hogan, Jerry Collins, G. Hof, J. Alan Tyler, Richard Pollet, Colleen Winters, Gennie Summers, Melody Rondeau, Tom Howard, Dawnsinger, Laura Virgil, Susan Landerman.

The guest editorial focuses on a recently published book called Cult TV by John Javna. Javna, a fan, dedicated his book to Jim and Melody Rondeau, but he also committed a fannish sin: he outed them by printing their home address and noting that people could purchase photocopied scripts from the Rondeaus.

I'd rather make a few comments, though, about a recently perpetrated injustice that Jim and Melody are just too goddamn polite to baste over again in these pages. It concerns John Javna's recently released trade paperback, Cult TV (St. Martin's), and the reference within that advises readers that nearly any TV or movie script they desire can be obtained from the Rondeau's home address.

Again: Javna printed Jim and Melody's home address, suggesting that that's where everybody who reads Cult TV can pick up the scripts they want. This was not smart, or prudent, or responsible.

One of the first inquiries Jim got was from someone at CBS.

[much snipped about copyright, lawyers, CBS and profit, cease and desist letters–and how fans spend a great deal of time and energy keeping under the radar and far away from TPTBs and profit ]

Among others, Cult TV is dedicated to Jim, Melody and your humble guest editorialist. That was a nice gesture. John Javna appreciated our help; he plugged my forthcoming book on THE OUTER LIMITS lavishly, and that was a nice gesture. John himself is very fannish and enthusiastic, where the good-to-awful perennials of TV are concerned. When he tried to support the Rondeaus in kind, as he had plugged my book, he stubbed his toe by printing Jim and Melody's address, in his fannish enthusiasm. Studios have entire floors of attorneys that love to go after a target of opportunity when it presents itself. While a lawsuit or major unpleasantness rarely manifests, having someone say in print that you are engaged in possibly illegal activity can bring uncomfortable afternoons, unwelcome phone calls, and acid indigestion.

Javna obviously assumed that Jim's script service was a business. And what better way to support a business than by running its address, to draw more business? In effect, though, it is like Jim suggesting that maybe John ran photos from the over seventy-five shows covered in Cult TV without securing photo permission from each production company, John would feel irritated and resentful, yes? As does Jim. As does Melody. Because Javna stuck their necks out without their permission.

After the prolonged nastiness involving the FBI, film clip packets, and Twentieth Century-Fox a few years back, the last thing Jim needs in his life is this sort of hassle. It was never his intention to serve as a clearing house for scripts, and his attitude toward this sideline has always been the correct one: scripts possess no intrinsic value. He's not in the business of selling them, rather, he's supplying reference copies as a service, in return for copying costs. Whatever change is left over serves as a meager stipend in return for all the time he spends dashing about xeroxing and mailing. As he frequently notes in his editorials, this time could be spent in a hundred other pursuits—all of them more profitable.

Repeat! NOT FOR PROFIT. If Jim was conducting this as a business, he'd be gouging you for $30 per script...which is done, so I hear, out there in a thriving market that Jim wouldn't have anything to do with anyway. He's a pretty ethical guy.

As for Jim's rights, he's perfectly within them to insist that the offending material be deleted from any future editions of Javna's book. But that's bandaging the wound that never should have been made. John Javna done him wrong, even though it was probably with the best intentions.

[Jim Rondeau's response to the Rondeau's home address being included in a pro book, and the problems this entailed...]:

I do have a quick rebuttal or two to Dave's dissertation; nothing earth-shaking, but I do want to clarify a few points. Yes, we were upset at finding our address printed along with the false claim that we were the source of any script (at least he didn't say we could xerox everything or anything), especially as, when asked how we'd like to be credited for our help in his project, we said only as "photos from the collection of," and then he went ahead and ignored our wishes. But that's only a part of it.

[much snipped about phone calls and other inquiries received from "fans" who were nothing but trouble, photos used in the book not returned in a timely fashion]

It was the sum of these things that got me ticked off—not the fear of studios and their lawyers heating down our doors. Actually, I don't fear any studio getting upset over our script collecting and archival plan. In fact, we've had, in the past, inquiries from production crews trying to locate copies of scripts. We've helped a few researchers along the way—including Dave—which is partly why we're doing it. For money? Ha! We don't even come close to breaking even. I wish there was some way we could.

• From the Bilge, guest editorial by David S. Schow (1)
• Letters (3)
• A Visit to the Star Trek Set on 4/21/86, by Dixie G. Owen (5)
• No Privacy Allowed, fiction by James T. Crawford (The Prisoner) (7)
• For Want of a Nail, fiction by Tom Howard (Star Trek/Doctor Who) (10)
• The Courtyard, fiction by Michelle Carter (Star Trek, features Saavik) (12)
• The Oldfactor, conclusion, by Jim Stetson (original science fiction) (14)
• The Cargo Hold, ads (34)

• 

  inside page from issue #53

• 

  inside page from issue #53

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 53

"A Visit to the Star Trek IV Set" was thoroughly enjoyable. I must admit that I am getting awfully (getting? I mean GONE) curious about what's going to happen in the new movie. I remember the hints George dropped at Timecon had us all clamoring for more. His reply was an infectious laughter... November 26 seems to be dragging its heels in getting here.

"No Privacy Allowed" was a neat twist. I got a tremendous kick out of it. Solitude is infinitely preferable to being smothered "by pseudo friends. A new method of torture has been uncovered! Or is it new?

The Dr. Who/Star Trek crossover was delightful! I admit I had my misgivings about crossovers, but they're so much fun, who cares? My only complaint about "For Want of a Nail" was that it was too short. Michelle's piece was very thought provoking. Of course, we all wondered. . .especially when Spock paused at the end of ST III in front of Saavik and she dropped her head — a little guiltily. Hopefully Michelle's solution will keep Spock from feeling his life was saved at unnecessary cost.

"The Olfactor" was fun. I was in Creative Writing, waiting for class to start, when I began reading it. I cackled at the introduction — foot powder! — and the class looked at me strangely. My favorite line, for obvious reasons (school can be a drag) is, "He never believed in paying somebody else for the privilege of depleting his own education."

Artwork: The bathed, mouthwashed, naked, perfumed Jawa was terrific! I laughed, I looked at it again, and laughed a few more times. I loved your Leonard calling for Bill down the whale's throat. Tom Howard's Doctor and Uhura really captured that moment in the story. In fact, when I saw the illustration I couldn't wait to read his story. Dawnsinger's dragons are delightful! I remember seeing her work at Timecon — it's charming! I'm tickled every time I look at it.

Better go now. Keep trekkin'!

Greatly enjoyed Dixie's "A Visit to the Trek IV Set." I've heard remarks of "both eager anticipation and dread from the fans on ST 4. From what I've heard about it, I'm sure I'll find a lot in it to enjoy. I would prefer it to be set in the future, which I'd rather see more of than the present/near future, but one has to find pleasure in what is offered. I think I enjoyed "No Privacy Allowed" more than any of Jim Crawford's Prisoner stories so far, because "taste-of-his-own-medicine" dished out to Number Two. I especially like that kind of ending.

"For Want of a Nail" also had a very good ending. Just as I
 was thinking, is this all there's going to be, suddenly, those last
 three paragraphs turned it into a marvelous package. I hope Tom
 Howard has some more of this kind of stuff up his sleeve for us.

Michelle's "The Courtyard" was also greatly enjoyed. How could one not enjoy a M. Carter story? She is a very good writer. I'm so glad the movies have given us Saavik! I really like her, and I think Michelle does, too. This is a very good insight into her mind and—pardon me, Saavik—emotions.

"The Olfactor's" conclusion. I enjoyed the first part of this a lot, and I enjoyed the conclusion, but I wish it hadn't been so long. Shorter stories are easier to absorb, and I agree with Tom's letter in that. Jim Stetson writes very well. The interplay between Repulsowitz and Glunk was an amusing subplot of sorts. How about something with Trek characters sometime? He ought to be able to write some good Spock-McCoy dialog.

Artwise: Mary Bohdanowicz cover is nice; especially the upper near-profile of Kirk. Susan Landerman's cat on the back is well done, with good dark and light contrast. A Doctor Who lizard? And is that a Leeli lizard, too? Lovely unicorns by Pegasus; cute little naked Jawa on p. 1 — cute pose. Funny Fresno Demon; that probably means more to Californians and city dwellers than to an Ozarkian, but... Pollet's McCoy looks like he's mad at someone (guess who?). Looks like a nondescript beastie at the top of the letters page. Funny! Hmm, a Winters artist you got now, too, hm? Cute little winged — what? Elf, fawn, with wings? Oh, well, he doesn't need a name, he knows who he is. Cute Spock/whale cartoon, Melody! Hahaha! Love Dawnsinger's dancing dragons on p. 13. Cute illos to "The Olfactor," too. I like the skunks-on-a-leash one. Beautiful Ben Kenobi drawing. Ah, Laura Virgil, no wonder! She is really professional quality. Guess that's all, folks! Thanks for another fine issue.

Issue 54

front cover of issue #54, Tim Truman

back cover of issue #54, Gennie Summers

The Clipper Trade Ship 54 was published in 1987 and is 37 pages long. 300 copies were printed.

The art is by Tim Truman, T'Shona Jackson, Jerry Collins, S.K. Dixon, Su M. Fine, Carrie Daugherty, Laura Virgil, Richard Arnold, Elaine Gregory, Richard Parks, Susan Landerman, Melody Rondeau, J. Alan Tyler, Vicki Brinkmeier, Guy Brownlee, and Gennie Summers.

From the editorial:

We do apologize to contributors who have waited (and are waiting still' a long time to see their work in print. We know how frustrating it is to send off a piece to a fanzine and then not have it see the light of day for years. We do try to use everything as quickly as possible, but, unfortunately, some things keep getting bumped, shuffled, and almost lost. TCTS's format has a lot to do with the problem: we're limited, cost-wise, to so many pages each issue, onto which we cram as much as we can (no space-wasting humongous margins, fancy borders, double-spaced lines, and such). We shoe-horn in as many stories as we can, type up the ads, then see how many pages are left over for poems, filksongs, letters, editorial, etc. We could, but we don't want to do six pages of poetry and twelve pages of filks in one issue (not unless we get really desperate!). We try to keep each issue balanced, and we can only use so much art in the non-fiction pages. Perhaps we should do an issue with a lot of pages of poetry and filks; some of the contributed pieces have been, alas, in the files for more than two years. We've made a minor attempt to compensate contributors by giving them extra issues of TCTS. And they have the right to withdraw a submission at any time (hopefully not just as it's about to get printed!).

On the reverse side of it, we have had a little problem with contributors doing simultaneous submission — sending the same piece to more than one fanzine at the same time. Our policy is to do first-run work. It is very irksome to print something, and then find out that it was printed elsewhere, or printed shortly after we did. True, it gets the contributor more contributor's copies that way, but it doesn't help zines' reputations any.

Then there are those editors that print things the writer or artist says is not for publication... But that's another unethical matter.

Speaking of contributors, someone sent us a friend's Dr. Who story long ago, and we can't remember who, or what we're supposed to do with the contributor's copy. Anyone want to remind us the story behind "Doctor Who and the Chance for Paradise" by Shannon O'Connor? That's why that story hasn't seen the light of day yet.

• In the Captain's Cabin (editorial) by Jim & Melody Rondeau (1)
• Letters (2)
• Just Another Day at the Office by David Marks (Star Trek: TOS) (4)
• The K-9 Konnection by Rachel Kadushin (Doctor Who) (6)
• Other Zines, Other Views (7)
  • a review of Z.I.N.E. from U.N.C.L.E., see that page
  • a review of The Future Tense Affair, see that page
  • a review of The Kuryakin File #1 (1985), see that page
  • a review of Who Else?, see that page
• "Dreamflight", vignette by Trina Johnson (9)
• "Almost", poem by Trina Johnson (9)
• "Phoenix" by April Schowyers (Star Trek) (10)
• "Ultimate Mary Sue" by Pat Hamilton (Star Trek) (12)
• "The Photograph" by Lorie Deapre (13)
• "Death I Know Thy Sting" by Almarrisa Corban (13)
• "Convention" by Carol Mel Ambassador (Star Trek) (14)
• "One Thing in Common" by Dian L. Hardison (Man From Atlantis/Dallas) (15)
• "1812" by Su M. Fine (Doctor Who) (17)
• "The 8th Elf Tale" by Jim and Melody Rondeau (29)
• The Cargo Hold, ads (35)

• 

  inside page from issue #54

• 

  inside page from issue #54

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 54

"Just Another Day at the Office" was a nice insight on Sulu's daily adventures on the Enterprise. I love the line "That was the closest we had come to certain death in a long time. At least since this morning...!" Also, loved the illo on p. 5. Laura Virgil is some artist.

Since I saw the episode on The Wizard from which "K-9 Konnection" was taken, Rachel Kadushin story really tickled me, especially the K-9 and Dr. Who hint. Neat! "Dreamflight" had just the right fantastical flare. I wouldn't have minded at all if it had been at least twice that long.

I couldn't help but laugh and cringe when I read "Ultimate Mary Sue." I've just been introduced to Wizards and Warriors, so I know Dirk Blackpool could rival even Captain Kirk. What is this? Luke and Solo and Dirk Blackpool and Kirk and Spock and Apollo and Adama? Whew! That girl gets around.

I had to disagree with "The Photograph," though. Technology was not sufficiently advanced in the twenties to keep Edith Keeler alive for nine months. Or is that what happened? Phenomenal medical techniques seem a little bit obscure. But it's a neat idea, even if it's not completely plausible.

"Death I Know Thy Sting" expressed some of my same feelings on Spock's death, but I don't think he died at all for an "ignominious reason." I really enjoyed "Convention." Just our luck that aliens would land at a science fiction convention and be taken for costume jobs. CarolMel Ambassador knows how to work irony. She also makes me laugh whenever I run into her.

"One Thing In Common" was worth reading because of the ending. J. R. Ewing is really a good rat. I wonder how he and Klingons would get together. "1812" was a totally right Dr. Who story. Thanks, Su M. Fine. Can you persuade her to write some more?

Thank you for the latest issue of The Clipper Trade Ship, #54. It was quite a mixed bag and I was glad to see it.

I like short stories and this ish contained a lot of short stories I was pleased to see that someone else thought that The Wizard had spent his lost years traveling with the Doctor, in "The K-9 Konnection." Considering the number of "black box" devices that show features, it was a conclusion any Who fan would make! "Convention" was very amusing, but it's an old, old storyline. "1812" was a good Doctor Who story, but it might have been more interesting with the Third Doctor rather than the Fourth Doctor.

The reviews of the three Man From U.N.C.L.E. zines were fun to read and well written. The reviews are not only a service to fans on how good or bad a zine is before plunking down their money, but it also alerts fans to zines available. I've got a copy of WHO ELSE? and I was also disappointed with the technical things wrong with the zine. One thing that really bothered me was the obvious spelling errors that should have never gone to the printer, much less be printed. If one is going to the trouble of using high-quality printing, the contents should be literate and worth printing. Had care been taken, it would have been a better zine. I couldn't read the reduced text, either. I wish the whole zine would have been uniform, in type style and quality. We could always use another quality Whozine. Both reviews were very well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all the pieces, both the serious works and the fun ones. For the record, out of the dozen or so issues I read, I found "Rachel" to be the best serious piece, and "Ultimate Mary Sue" to be the funniest. I enjoyed almost all of the artwork and poems. My wife endured my singing of the filksongs. Finally, the Elfl tales were priceless! I am addicted to well-crafted puns.

As a technical writer, I disagree with your assessment of computers and word processing. Frankly, had personal computers not come along, I never would have had the patience to become a writer. I just couldn't handle retyping pages of prose in order to beat a manuscript into shape. As for the potential loss of data, I just developed the habit of saving my work two or three times per hour. The few seconds it takes to save it are perfect for getting up and stretching. Of course, I also take an extra five minutes to make a second backup of important documents I've worked on each and every day. The happy result is I've never lost more than a few minutes' work.

Then there's the matter of spelling checkers, layout programs, other valuable tools. If I was producing a zine like yours, I would certainly not want to give up the tools I'm most comfortable with—and that is really the crux of the matter. All artists do their best work with their favorite tools. My preference is a Macintosh (with a lot of nifty programs) and, when I'm printing a serious document, a laser printer. You guys seem happy with your typewriter and other tools, so hang in there! You do good work.

Issue 55

front cover of issue #55, Melody Rondeau

back cover of issue #55, Susan Landerman

The Clipper Trade Ship 55 was published in April 1987 and contains 36 pages.

The art is by Melody Rondeau, Shona Jackson, Michael B. Smith, Carrie Daugherty, Pegasus Hogan, Jerry Collins, Gloria-Ann Rovelstad, Tom Howard, Gennie Summers, Su M. Fine, Guy Brownlee, and Susan Landerman.

• In the Captain's Cabin (1)
• Letters (2)
• Other Zines, Other Views (5)
  • a review of Linguacode #7, see that page
• Michelle L. Carter's Infirmity - Star Trek ("A story taking place during ST:IV that follows the cut lines regarding why Saavik stayed on Vulcan") (7)
• Pig's Eye by CarolMel Ambassador (11)
• Filksongs by Su M. Fine, Ann Collins Smith, Mary Orwig, Wendy Atkinson, Lisa Scott, Dorothy Eckert (9)
• For a Rainy Day by CarolMel Ambassador (Blake's 7) (11)
• Fall In by James T. Crawford (The Prisoner) (13)
• Quarry by Ron Murillo (Blake's 7) (16)
• Verse by Shirley Meech, Amy L. Whiteneck (19)
• Castle of Sorcery by Gennie Summers (Dr. Who/Conan) (20)
• The Cargo Hold, ads (32)

• 

  inside page from issue #55

• 

  inside page from issue #55

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 55

In 1987, The Clipper Trade Ship # 55 featured a Dr. Who/Conan crossover story by Gennie Summers called "Castle of Sorcery". As far as I know, it is the only documented meeting between these two celebrated science fiction/fantasy characters. Had I known of this back in the late eighties, my reaction would have been ecstatic to say the least. I spent the better part of that decade obsessed with both Conan and Doctor Who, even though the two fictional concepts had little to do with each other.

The tale had the 4th Doctor and Leela visiting the Hyborian Age by accident. Upon arriving, they found an unconscious Conan lying face down in the sands of some desert. In order to save him from the perilous heat, they dragged him inside the TARDIS. What followed was a fascinating collision of two worlds.

The letters, per usual, were enjoyable reading. Like quite a few other readers, I, too, chuckled tremendously over "The Ultimate Mary Sue"! Reminds me so much of my own wonderfully horrid creations.

The curls on the drawing of Tom Baker's drawing on page 6 are great, "but why, oh why, can't anyone do his teeth right?

"Infirmity" was plain excellent! Of the filks, "Vulcan Ears" is hysterical (I have yet to sing this without cracking up!) and "The Key to the Future" has just the right touch of sentimentality. The others are great too (maybe even my own).

Despite the fact that I know but little about Blake's 7, "For a Rainy Day," and especially "Quarry" were extremely fun reading. Of all the Prisoner stories I have read in TCTS, "Fall In," I'm afraid, is the weakest. The two sets of verse just made me sit back and smile.

"Castle of Sorcery" I have mixed feelings about. Mostly good though. Actually, the only real complaint I have is that of Leela's characterisation. The only time I ever saw her near that civilized was in "Horror of Fang Rock," and that was originally written for the Sarah Jane character anyway!

So all in all, I would give this issue a 87.5 on the fannish scale. Nice job, J. & M.! By the way, why do you always put your best fantasy art on the back cover?!

Thanks for the zine. I haven't LoC'd in a shamefully long time.

Of the stories: "Infirmity" is one more 'Saavik's pregnancy' story, and "Pig's Eye" is a fitting corollary. I see you've discovered Blake's 7 — well, some people eat pickled pig's feet, burritos, or jellied eels. I've gotten to the point where I no longer run screaming at the sight of those dour faces — the fan stories are much better than the series.

"Fall In" is GRIM — what is it with these British TV series? No one likes anyone — except for Dr. Who, and he's nuts. Of course, when Dr. Doctor meets Conan... "Castle of Sorcery" was easily the best story in the zine.

Filks are fun; art is excellent, as usual.

I had a lot of fun reading this issue, and I especially enjoyed Gennie Summers' "Castle of Sorcery" and the delightful illos she drew for it. Zan-tali sounds like my kind of witch. The characterization was well done — subtle, mainly through dialog.

I don't know how Michelle L. Carter does it, but she always leaves me breathless. "Infirmity was sooo good. Not only was the technical wording so right for Vulcans, but the idea itself was so convincingly supported that I am inclined to think that it really happened—not just another 'what if story.

"Pig's Eye" could have easily been a scene in "Amok Time. Carol has a real knack for getting dialog right. "Vulcan Ears" was terrific. I laughed through the whole thing. I could almost hear the Oscar Meyer "odes" sung in a commercial. I had to sing "Gallifrey" aloud. Even with my squeaky voice it sounded good. I love the line '"less you've got a glitter gun" in "Cyberraen."

"Corellian's Song" has a great assonance ("Go Solo Go"), and, besides, I have to admit Solo is my favorite and that "Corellian's Song" suits him admirably. "Key" has really captured the emotions of "The dreamers, the fannish, and me." "For a Rainy Day" makes me wish I knew Blake's 7 better. "Fall In" is great. I love the fatalism. "Quarry" had wonderful suspense, and a neat twist at the end. I must admit that I squealed when Jenna shot Avon — squealed in shock. Okay, I don't know much about Blake's 7, but any story that can make me squeal is worth its weight in gold.

I really enjoyed "The Ventursome Time Lord" and "The 
Friend's Reply." They sound great when read out loud. Since I am always one to pick out favorite words and phrases, I found a nice assortment in "Venturesome." I especially like "We'll meet the folk of everywhen." "TARDIS Thoughts" tickled me, especially the part about defeating the Master by malfunctioning on cue. "Master's Lament" sounds just like that great villain. I like the Master. He can be so unscrupulous. Thanks for another great issue!

Issue 56

front cover of issue #56, Melody Rondeau

back cover of issue #56, Shona Jackson

The Clipper Trade Ship 56 was published in July 1987 and contains 36 pages.

The art is by Melody Rondeau, Richard Arnold, Carrie Doughterty, Tom Howard, Pegasus Hogan, Vicki Brinkmeier, Guy Brownlee, Shannon O'Connor, Jim Stetson, Gennie Summers, Shona Jackson.

From the editorial:

MediaWest — it was fun! Nearly six hundred fans-only at a convention; the hotel was nearly one huge party. All sorts of media fandoms represented. We'd love to go every year, but, alas, the cost is too much to get us there on a regular basis. If you're a 'serious' fan and have never been, you ought to go at least once. The west coast desperately needs a similar type of convention; we may get industrious someday and put one on.

• poem by Phyllis Eide
• In the Captain's Cabin (1)
• Letters of Comment (2)
• The Chance for Paradise, fiction by Shannon O'Connor (Doctor Who) (4)
• Filksongs by Susan Landerman, Lisa Scott, Mary Orwig, Su Fine, Kathy Fink, Amy L. Whiteneck (12)
• Old Friends, fiction by James T. Crawford (The Prisoner) (14)
• Verse by Sharon Tyler, Teresa Sarick, Amy L. Whiteneck (22)
• Lily of the Kaia, fiction by Linda Slusher (Star Trek: TOS, Klingon) (24)
• The Cargo Hold (37)

• 

  inside page from issue #56

• 

  inside page from issue #56

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 56

I'm always amazed at how much material you can get into 36 little 5x7 pages and how good that material generally is. You've kept a nice variety and the writing makes shows I've never seen interesting. "The Chance for Paradise" was well-written and had several
 interesting points in its favor. The female time traveller was
 an original idea, and Dr. Who was portrayed as his usual
 irascible self. The destruction of Earth's population by time/tv manipulation was interesting, especially the fact that everyone
 was being yanked forward into time once the portal was open.

I thought the 'you can't go back' bit was overdone and untrue. Dr. Who did go back. Sarah Jane went back. Why couldn't the heroine of the story go home? It was also unusual seeing the Doctor as a deliberate savior rather than someone who accidentally stumbled across a cataclysmic situation, and I'm not sure I like that. Still, good writing and an interesting companion for the Doctor. The guitar was a nice touch, too, Ms. O'Conner.

I've never seen The Prisoner but I always enjoy Mr. Crawford's stories. If the episodes are half as good as his vignettes, I'm surprised the show isn't still on the air. Talk about cramming a lot of plot into a few pages! Computer controlled citizens, psychological warfare hidden allies, and always the tenacious hero. The story was excellent. I loved the line about the Prisoner being a secret agent some time in his past (that's one show I did watch). More, more, more.

I've recently gotten to know Linda Slusher personally and I tried real hard not to like "Lily of the Kaia" to keep from appearing "biased, but it's so good that if I didn't know the author already, I'd want to. At first I thought it was an alternate universe story; what if the Klingons had met the space hippies bound for "Eden" instead of the Enterprise. I quickly realised this was another, more interesting group of non-conformists. The Klingons were sympathetic in some ways arid completely alien in others. The "basic conflict of the Klingon commander discovering his son amongst the flower children gave us, the readers, the opportunity to see a new, complex side of the Klingons. We don't have to like them, but we can understand them a little better. I thought the sex situations were handled very well although I am sorry to see that birth control is still the woman's responsibility in the 23rd century. Melody's art added a great deal to the story and was some of the most detailed I've seen her do. Okay, Linda, let's see you top this! (Nice job.) Thanks again and keep up the good work.

...I just got TCTS #56, and after reading "Lily of the Kaia". I think it would "be a great "boon to humanity if someone kidnapped Linda Slusher and chained her to a typewriter for the next five years somewhere (i volunteer my basement). Most humorous stories are parodies, and that form palls quickly, no matter how well done, which most aren't. But this story was on of the best funny ones I've ever read, managing to work in not only humor, but also characters and a plot that make sense. Some of the characterizations are priceless Klingons knitting, planning gardens, having family arguments. It's a tribute to the writer that I can still believe they are Klingons. Please, please, please convince her to write some more!!! I liked the rest, of the zine too, especially the cover, but this story was excellent among your usual good-to-very-good.

Issue 57

The Clipper Trade Ship 57 was published in October 1987 and contains 36 pages.

front cover of issue #57, Shona Jackson

back cover of issue #57, Julie Cesari

The art is by Shona Jackson, Julie Cesari, Pegasus Hogan, G. Hof, Vicki Brinkmeier, Melody Rondeau, Susan Landerman, Richard Arnold, Gennie Summers, Lyne Kohlhoff, Jerry Collins, Tom Howard.

From the editorial, which was mostly about fiction and art submissions:

Artwork: most of what we use are filler pieces. We like to keep a large variety of subject matter and sizes on hand to be able to finish off pages, decorate the letters pages, fanzine reviews, poetry, filksongs, and so forth. We'd like to have more stories illustrated, but we're afraid to ask most artists to do some work on very short notice. The front and back covers need artwork that is top notch, eye-grabbing; after all, they have to sell the issue at conventions. The front cover we prefer to have something Star Trek, Dr. Who, or Star Wars-related, to let the reader know what kind of sine this is — something 8 inches wide by 11 inches tall. The back cover can be anything — Star Trek, Dr. Who, any media sf/fantasy series, and science fiction or fantasy....

The front cover we've tried to tie in with one of the interior stories, but that doesn't always work. You may have noticed that Melody has done a large number of recent covers. That's not because we think she's so great and nobody else should have a chance; it's because there's been nothing else on hand come the deadline, and she's had to whip something up in a big hurry. We don't know that many artists we can ask to do covers or illustrations. We're afraid to bother Gennie Summers, Tom Howard, Susan Landerman, and some of oar other regulars, because their talents are so sought after and their time is limited. Others we simply haven't gotten around to asking—our own fault; that, and the continually backed up mail. Melody, on the other hand, has no place to run and hide. We have some interesting panic sessions, trying to come up with an idea for the cover) some real hilarious ideas have been discussed and discarded. (Even as we type this, nothing has been decided on for the front cover; we'll be panicking real soon.)

• In the Captain's cabin (1)
• Letters of Comment (2)
• Wish Fulfillment by Teresa Sarick (Doctor Who) (5)
• Verse by CarolMel Ambassador, Dwight E. Humphries, Trina Jackson, Amy L. Whiteneck, Anne Collins Smith, Wendy De. Atkinson (8)
• The City, the Hippie, and Oz, fction by James T. Crawford (Wizard of Oz) (10)
• Other Zines, Other Views (13)
  • a review of Rassilon's Star #3, see that page
  • a review of Katra #5, see that page
• The Planet Killer, fiction by James T. Crawford (Doctor Who) (16)
• Paradise Revisited, fiction by Karen Emerson (Star Trek: TOS) (21)
• Shadows of the Mind, fiction by James T. Crawford (The Prisoner) (31)
• Filksongs by Wendy D. Atkinson, teresa Sarick, and Susan Landerman (34)
• The Cargo Hold (35)

• 

  inside page from issue #57

• 

  inside page from issue #57

• 

  inside page from issue #57, by Gennie Summers. A fan in 2016 said: "I could not find a reason for this image. It was on the poetry page, and I didn’t see a poem about Kirk being a lizard. But if Time Lord dragons are an (awesome!) thing, we can have Star Trek dragons."

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 57

It was, as usual, good. All of the stories were pleasant, although I didn't feel that any were outstanding. However, I won't criticize, since I don't write. I like "Wish Fulfillment" the best.

The TCTS #57 was extra great! All the stories were fun, but "Paradise Revisited" by Karen Emerson and "Shadows of the Mind" by James Crawford, were real standouts. Tell Melody that her Who-cats illo made me roar with unrestrained laughter. Very funny!

I don't usually gush, but #57 was simply cosmically su-u-uperb!!

First, my foremost favorite: "The City, the Hippie, and Oz" was a treasure".! Congratulations to Mr. Crawford for writing such a smile creating story. I grew up on the Oz books, but in the last number of years I was beginning to wonder if anyone else near my peer group (mid-20' s) had ever heard of Oama, the Hungry Tiger, or, of course, T. E. Wogglebug. Brought back wonderful memories — THANKS, James! My mom thanks you too. I sent her a copy of your story and she got such a kick out of it, 'cause you got her on TWO points: Oz, like me, and the hippie, because she calls herself an "aging hippie"!

"Wish Fulfillment" was neat. I always knew the TARDIS was an entity lather than a mere time-space machine. Glad to see someone else thinks so too.

Of the verse: "Soliloquy of Six," and "Scandal on Gallifrey" were my personal favorites. I love the line "And spread my star-stuff" from "Kenobi's Triumph." Beautiful imagery, that. As to the untitled poem, my main comment to the writer is, "No, it wouldn't be 'disapointing,' it would be down right scary!" (For those unfortunate enough not to have read the small verse, I am referring to the writer's sentiment that it would be disappointing if Humans finally reached the stars, only to find it was a movie. Remember all those invasion movies? I.e., "War of the Worlds," "Dalek Invasion 2190 A.D.?")

Of the art, the unicorn on page 14 and the huntress on page 37 are gorgeous Well done, artists! Please show more work from both people!

"The Planet Killer" was enjoyable with the characterizations well done, but Leela was simply not given 
enough to do. K-9 got more to do than she!

"Paradise Revisited" was a simply wonderful what-if story. I can really believe the characters doing and saying those things. Another nice job!

"Shadows of the Mind" was still another thought-provoking "Prisoner" story by the multi-talented J. Crawford (he wrote the Oz story, remember?).

Filksongs: "The Chaotic, Senseless Kirk Song" was priceless! And "Can't Take My Eyes Off of Who" is different (but in a good way — I promise!).

Have been rereading all my old TCTS's. a fun weekend it's been!! For those of you who have never tried it; it's highly recommended. What fond memories all those pictures, stories, poems, and filks bring to mind...

Issue 58

The Clipper Trade Ship 58 was published in January 1988 and contains 60 pages.

300 copies were printed.

front cover of issue #58, Tom Howard

back cover of issue #58, Pegasus Hogan

The art is by Tom Howard, Shona Jackson, Richard W. Arnold, Susan Landerman, Richard G. Pollet, Amy Whiteneck, Jerry Collins, Clayton George, Carrie Dougherty, Gennie Summers, Pegasus Hogan, Su M. Fine, Cynthia Case, John P. Alexander, Lyne Kohlhoff, Melody Rondeau.

• In the Captain's Cabin - editorial (1)
• Letters of Comment (3)
• The "Why Me" Syndrome by Karen Emerson (Star Trek: TOS) (8)
• To My Dad, poem by Jill Simmons Wells (Starman) (11)
• Miserable Metallic Mutt, poem by Amy Whiteneck (Doctor Who) (11)
• Filksongs by Wendy D. Atkinson, Teresa Sarick, Anne Collins Smith (12)
• Other Zines, Other Views - fanzine reviews by Linda Slusher (13)
  • a review for Galactic Discourse #5, see that page
• And I Shall Cry No Tears by James T. Crawford (The Prisoner) (14)
• Take Two Aspirin... by Sharon Hyler (Star Trek: TOS) (18)
• Backfire by April Schowyrs (Buck Rogers) (19)
• The Gift by Terrence Oswald Knova (Star Trek: TNG) (21)
• In Strange Ways by Richard G. Pollet (25)
• Illogical, poem by Dwight E. Humphries (Star Trek: TOS) (28)
• A Twilight Trip to the Federation Zone by Edna Cline (Star Trek: TOS) (29)
• Vamping in Boston by Teresa Sarick (Doctor Who/St. Elsewhere) (31)
• Depends on How You Look At It, poem by Richard G. Pollet (Star Wars) (51)
• The 9th Elfl Tale by Melody and Jim Rondeau (52)
• Stealer of Hearts, poem by April Schowyrs (Star Trek: TOS) (58)
• The Cargo Hold - ads (59)

• 

  inside page from issue #58

• 

  inside page from issue #58

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 58

Once again, nice zine. My opinions range from extreme enjoyment on half the stuff to an "eh" reaction to the other half, though...

"Vamping in Boston" -was fun, but too long. It felt a bit strange to see the Doctor & Company pop up not in the current St. Elsewhere universe but the one shown years and years ago in the second season. Makes me wonder if that was the way the author chose to do it, or this story had been languishing on a back burner for that long? Data's first line about death and the captain's birthday was a classic in the short, "The Gift." However this piece needed work. For starters, the title has been done to death. Would've been nice if a clue that "this was gonna be a STng story had been worked into the title. The entire first page should have been cut, except for Riker's and Data's lines, so we could immediately move to the interesting part—what kinda presents would the officers and crew give Picard. Lastly, the story would have worked better as a parody. As a straight story it was hard, to put it mildly, to stomach. Worf and N'Gh'ttp portrayed as mindless aliens whose sole purpose in the plot is to panic, run around, and get in the way. Not only does this "humor" succeed as a slap against the emotionally/mentally disabled, but it smacked of xenophobia on the part of the author as well. Why was "The 'Why Me' Syndrome" written? Perhaps this piece was meant
as an object lesson to explain why medical physicals are mandatory when a new
person joins the ship. So why wasn't Tyler Wood's chicken pox spotted then?
 And, if she wasn't given a physical then, why wasn't the disease caught when she (or is it a he?) asked for a headache pill? How long does it take to jump off on an examination scanner? Indeed, Medical would be more likely to check over Tyler because he/she's new. Not everyone can be like the captain and tell McCoy to ease off and wait until later. Grumble. I'm biased. I got mad at seeing Chekov crack up every time he got to look at our new ensign, though

I will concede that the young Russian makes more sense if Tyler is male. LOVED the cartoons, especially the one of Astroboy. You're wicked! And also the filks! Have you heard that the filkers already have a new version, STng, of "Banned From Argo"? And, as always, your letter column is superior. All in all, I enjoyed your zine, as usual. Keep up the good work.

Both pictures on page six are simply wonderful. Thank you, Jim, for inspiring Gennie into drawing such a chuckle-producing cartoon! And yet another beautiful illustration by Pegasus, more, more! Melody's illos were up to her usual excellent standards, with her cartoonish Doctor and a simply adorable pega-kitten on the inside back cover.

"The Why Me Syndrome" by K. Emerson is a story I can definitely empathize with. I've had WEEKS like that! Nice job! I realize "Miserable Mechanical Mutt" is supposed to be funny but I thought it rather fell flat. I KNOW Amy Whiteneck can do better! I don't know, the idea of K-9 wanting to bark just doesn't appeal to me.

"And I Shall Cry No Tears" is the best "Prisoner" story J. Crawford has yet to come out with, and that's going some! A very moving piece. My heart actually wrenched for the first time for Number Six! Thanks, James! By the way, ever consider doing a crossover story between the Prisoner and some other series such as "Doctor Who"? Maybe the Master as Number Two... Oh, well, just a thought...

Onto the other stories: "Take Two Aspirin" is a fun piece; sound like the "real McCoy." "Backfire," at last, a "Buck Rogers" story with believable lines for who the characters are. (I would have been curious, though, to see the aphrodisiac's effects on Buck...) "The Gift," however, somehow doesn't quite make it. While most of the characterizations are right, there's no real explanation as to WHY Tasha Yar would give the captain a toupee. (ed: She offered to REPLACE it.) And the bit about "Christmas Data" was funny, but wouldn't an android who'd been implanted with the knowledge of a hundred Human colonists and who has been through the Academy know the origin of Christmas, for Christ's sake? (Pun intended.) I just could not get into "In Strange Ways" for some reason. Kind of slow, I thought. I can't seem to make up my mind on "A Twilight Trip into the Federation Zone." One moment I'm deliciously chilled and the next I think "ech." Confusing, eh? "Vamping in Boston" is by far the best story in the issue. With lovely drawn out characters and an interesting plot, Teresa Sarick has written a story that is fun to read. And finally, a Leela who is BELIEVABLE! So many Doctor/Leela stories I've read have the Sevateem warrior about as savage as a Valley Girl! The scene between the Doctor and the pathologist is simply priceless! (I always did wonder how the Doctor would react if someone made a pass at him.)

"The 9th Elfl Tale" was, like its predecessors, pure unadulterated fun! and very punny, too! Chuckle, chuckle. "Stealer of Hearts" is a treasure. I had the greatest fun giving a dramatic reading of it to a "Spockie" friend of mine!

Per usual, the back cover is the best illustration in the issue.

This has a great comedy about Captain Picard getting a toupee for this birthday. It's a shame this story wasn't filmed. It's that funny.

Issue 59

The Clipper Trade Ship 59 was published in April 1988 and contains 36 pages.

front cover of issue #59, Gennie Summers

back cover of issue #59, Susan Landerman

The art is by Gennie Summers, Melody Rodeau, Richard Parks, Clayton George, Cynthia Case, Jim Stetson, Jerry Collins, Lyne Masamitsu, Vicki Brinkmeier, Julie Cesari, Nola Frame, William Albert, Lynne Alisse Witten, Susan Landerman, Richard Arnold, Shona Jackson, Pegasus Hogan, Tom Howard, and John P. Alexander.

About half of this issue is letters of comment.

From the editorial:

We're happy to see the big effect Star Trek: The Next Generation has had on fandom: people are getting excited, taking pen in hand to write stories and letters, and are apparently having fun on a greater scale than the ST movies inspired. The ripples spreading throughout fandom have touched the backwaters of TCTS, and not only are you folks sending stories, but letters as well—never before have we had such a large letter column! If this keeps up, we may have to change format and simply increase the number of pages —which means we'd need more stories and art, and we'd have to spend more days putting an issue together and so on! Well...we can always hope...

• In the Captain's Cabin, editorial (1)
• Letters of Comment (2)
• The Interlude, fiction by Patricia Davis (Star Trek: TNG) (14)
• Time to Move On?, fiction by David Marks (Star Trek: TOS) (19)
• Never Trust a Lonely Ghost, fiction by James T. Crawford (The Prisoner) (21)
• The Trial, fiction by James T. Crawford (Doctor Who) (29)
• Uhura and the Dreamcat, fiction by Tom Howard (Star Trek: TOS) (31)
• Adala Rolls Her Dice, poem by April Schowyrs (Buck Rogers) (34)
• The Cargo Hold, ads (35)

• 

  inside page from issue #59

• 

  inside page from issue #59

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 59

"The Interlude." Nice story. Emily Byrnre would make a good continuing character. She could be very useful in giving details about history, and other stories could be written to make use of her knowledge. I hope Patricia plans to do a series with her. I liked the use she made of Picard's French background and interests. The characterizations seemed on the mark to me.

"Time to Move On": good little vignette of Sulu and Uhura, and fills a blank. They do go good together, don't they? "Never Trust a lonely Ghost": this was really intriguing and exciting. It was a good ploy to lead us on to believe that Number Two was playing the usual tricks on the Prisoner, and then to find out that Morgan LeFey, no less, was behind it all. "Trust me" indeed! "The Trial": Crawford does it again. Another surprise ending! I love things like this! A good background story for the Master and the Doctor. "Uhura and the Dreamcat": this is a really pleasant interlude story, too. The dreamcat is a most likeable little alien creature, and I like stories that make use of Uhura's singing. "Ardalla Rolls the Dice": doesn't she, though? I'm fond of evil female witchy-types, and her passion for Buck and machinations always amused me.

Well, whattya know, the end, I like stories of this length better than one or two very long ones.

Melody's funny little lizard Doctor is adorable. Her theme of characters as critters is producing some really funny scenes, and her art is looking more professional all the time. Nice portrait of the X-Men, and the mouse on kitty-back is cute and well done. The Chekov face is recognizable; he's hard to get a good likeness of. Oh, what cute little hatching dragons! They're really adorable! Oh, I used that word already? Then delightful. They're both. Funny insectoid robot by Parks, and beautifully drawn, as usual. Very nice Enterprise breaking up. Pegasus' mermaid is nice, and I really liked the stylized design around it. Wonderful cartoon by Melody on the two Number Two's! Tom's Dreamcat profile is very realistically done. Back cover: the Doctor has some interesting friends. I especially liked the fire lizard or small dragon. A nice idea.

Issue 60

The Clipper Trade Ship 60 was published in July 1988 and contains 36 pages. 300 copies were printed.

front cover of issue #60, Julie Cesari

back cover of issue #60, Melody Rondeau

Art by Julie Cesari, Su M. Fine, Jerry Collins, Carrie Daugherty, Nola Frame-Grey, Vicki Brinkmeier, C.J. Hansen, John P. Alexander, Clayton George, Richard Parks, Shona Jackson, Susan Landerman, Lyne Masamitsu, Gennie Summers, Jim Stetson, Melody Rondeau.

The editorial is mostly complaints about awards:

The awards ceremonies are over for the year, and neither TCTS nor any of its contributors won any awards. That's not surprising (and that's not because of the calibre of the work herein!). How many of you voted in the Fan-Q and/or Surak Awards? How many of you have even heard of either group of awards? ...You four may put your hands down now. Aye, there's the rub. For all the hoopla around these 'prestigious' awards, they don't really mean much. Too few fans are involved, too many zines go unread by those involved, and what few zines, writers, and artists are nominated, those who pay to do the actual voting haven't read or seen the work of all of the nominees.

Yes, that's right — you pay to vote. A dollar a vote. Think we should buy some votes? Pssst — here's a buck, Vote for Teresa Sarick as best author; Gennie Summers as best artist; TCTS as the best fanzine in the world. C'mon, there's nothing illegal about it...

We've got nothing against the idea of fanzine awards, it's just the way the two awards [sic] groups handle things. The Motion Picture Academy of the Arts, at least, requires its members to have viewed all the nominations for the categories they vote on in the Academy Awards. For fanzine awards it doesn't matter; you can vote sight unseen.

The Fan-Q awards as a total of twelve categories, consisting of Best Zine, Best Writer, Artist, and "Poet/Filker" for Star Trek, Star Wars, and "General." Short and sweet, but lumps too much in the "General" category. TCTS would have to compete in there with diverse things like GHOST RIDERS (westerns), SONIC SCREWDRIVER (Doctor Who), LEEPIN' JEEPS (Rat Patrol) , and so on. Too wide a field, but what else can they do to keep it succinct? And is there that many Star Wars zines being published than Doctor Who or Blake's Seven to deserve a separate category?

The Surak awards dispenses completely with the 'riff-raff of "General" and Star Wars awards, and limits itself solely to Star Trek. There are more categories — different kinds of artists (portrait, action), stories (long, short), graphics, foreign zines, and so on. But then double every category for a separate set of awards for "Age Statement Required" zines. Thus you have categories like "Best Writer Short Story -- General" and "Best Writer Short Story — Age Statement Required. Fine, but 99% of "Age Statement Required" zines are K/S zines, and K/S fandom is a whole subgenre of Star Trek fandom that should have its own awards. (Why not have an Academy Award for best X-rated picture?) Why segregate "Age Statement Required" material in the first place? This implies it can't compete on its own two legs with general Trek work. Curiously, some of the Surak Award categories this year only got one nomination (an indication on how poorly distributed the nominations were?). The Powers That Be decided not to give an award in some categories, and to give it in others to nominees "who surpassed the criteria necessary to be included on the ballot." What criteria? No actual voting was needed; they were automatically given the award. There was no 'no award' choices on the ballot, something needed as a failsafe measure to the voting.

Flawed. Sadly flawed. But it's all fandom's got.

So save your dollars, forget your votes. Go but [sic] a zine instead.

• In the Captain's Cabin - editorial (1)
• Letters 2
• The Severing by CarolMel Ambassador (Wizards & Warriors) (11)
• The Interlude II by Patricia Davis (Star Trek: TNG) (12)
• Fortune's Favors by Wendy D. Atkinson (Battlestar Galactica) (17)
• Escape by Ron Murillo (V) 18)
• A Question of Meaning by Anne Collins Smith (The Prisoner) (22)
• Verse by Dwight E. Humphries, Amy L. Whiteneck, Alyns Lawchilde, CarolMel Ambassador, Dian L. Hardison, Teresa Sarick, Rachel Kadushin (23)
• Mr. Spock Discovers Mr. God's Plan by Dana A. Snow (Star Trek) (27)
• The Curse by Ron Murillo (Doctor Who) (28)
• Knight Life by Teresa Sarick (Wizards & Warriors) (contest!) (31)
• Filksongs by Wendy D. Atkinson, D.W. Chong, Susan Landerman (33)
• The Cargo Hold - ads (35)

• 

  inside issue #60

• 

  inside issue #60