A Matter of Time (Quantum Leap zine)

Zine
Title:	A Matter of Time
Publisher:	Threadneedle Press
Editor(s):	Julie Barrett and Louann Qualls (first two), then Julie Barrett alone
Date(s):	1991-1994
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Quantum Leap
Language:	English
External Links:	story summaries and review of issues #1 & 2
	Click here for related articles on Fanlore.
	Contents 1 Issue 1; 2 Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1; 3 Issue 2; 4 Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2; 5 Issue 3; 6 Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3; 7 Issue 4; 8 Issue 5; 9 References;

A Matter of Time is a gen Quantum Leap anthology that has 5 issues. They focus on character background.

It was first issued in print, then later on a CD.

Issue 1

"About the cover: The cover is the result of an accident involving a graphic artist and a PC with a mind of its own. The computer has been taken to an undisclosed location in New Mexico. Dr. Beeks reports that the artist is expected to make a full recovery."

A Matter of Time 1 was published in 1991 and is 115 pages long. It has a few illos which are not credited, as well as some black and white photos taken from a television screen.

It was a 1992 FanQ nominee - Best QL Zine.

From the editorial by Julie Barrett:

For me, this zine is sort of like coming full-circle in fandom. At least in the technology department. When I was a freshman in college - back when dinosaurs ruled the earth - I helped publish a Trek zine called VULSTAR EQUATION. It was a dinky little affair, but I suspect it had the dubious distinction of being one of the first zines ever to be produced on a computer. One of our lot had access to an IBM 1620, a hulking machine the size of several major appliances. We typed the whole thing in on punch cards. The theory was that if a typo needed to be fixed, we could just type one or two cards over rather than to do an entire page on a mimeograph stencil. By golly, it worked! The only problem was that the entire manuscript was "typeset" in dot-matrix caps. We went back to the typewriter and mimeo for the next issue.
With A MATTER OF TIME, we are producing the zine on a computer. But oh, boy, has computing changed in the past (mumbledy-mumble) years! From my cramped office, I can write, do artwork and layout using a computer slightly larger than a breadbox. All that technology, and I can STILL get crummy dot-matrix print. Yes, I certainly have come full- circle.
Actually, the layout was produced on a PC-clone and printed on a Hewlett-Packard DeskJet Plus printer. The cover was printed using a color ink jet printer. I advise you to be careful with liquids near the cover, as the ink may run, producing even more psychadelic results. Years later, I got into writing professionally. For real money, albiet in small amounts.
My very first sale concerned another Quantum Leap - the Sinclair QL microcomputer.

From the editorial by Louann Qualls:

How I got to liking [Quantum Leap] is a much simpler story. Julie and I frequent the same computer bulletin board, and she kept posting messages about this weird new fandom of hers until I watched a few episodes out of sheer curiosity. The third episode I saw was "M.I.A.," and I was instantly hooked. Julie started loaning me videotapes, I started writing fan fiction for the series, and the rest sort of followed naturally. For quite a while I resisted the idea of editing a fanzine (I did one mumble years ago too, only on an Apple IIe) but Julie finally talked me into it. No force was used, honest; just a tiny bit of blackmail. Okay, extortion.
This zine is a coming-full-circle experience for me, too. My first three published fan stories were based on another Bellasario series, Airwolf. Quantum Leap has a lot of elements in common with that series. Both shows focus on a buddy/mentor relationship between two men. A lot of the themes are the same: dealing with family tragedy, obsession, Vietnam veterans and POWs, finding love only to lose it again, saving a 'lost' older brother. Al Calavicci and Dominic Santini have more in common than age, Italian ancestry, and piloting skills. They share a certain attitude towards life and toward their best friends. Belasario also brought in his fascination with the Navy from Magnum PI (which I believe also had a few time travel episodes).
But to borrow terminology from our fellow fan editor Kitty Woldow, the real appeal of Quantum Leap is smarm. There's a lot of love between Sam and Al, and they have no problems expressing it. (Needless to say I mean love in the fraternal and paternal sense; "slash" has no place in Quantum Leap.) I don't know whether to attribute this warmth to the scriptwriters, the very talented actors in the series, or the fact that said actors genuinely like each other. Probably it's a combination of all those factors, but the result is that Sam and Al are very pleasant 'people' to spend time with. They have a partnership and a friendship that a lot of real people could learn from.
Speaking of partners, the vast majority of credit for this fanzine should go to Julie. We - she, actually - typeset this zine on her computer and printed it out on her printer.
Most of the artwork including photographs was scanned in with her scanner, Julie did the front cover and designed the entire layout of the zine. (I'd probably better shut up before someone takes away my contributor's copy.) Since she had the skills on the computer we used, she was the one who spent hours getting every page Just Right. What's more, she did all this while riding herd on a cute little toddler named Christopher (alias El Monstero). I wrote and co-wrote some stories, edited copy, found a little artwork, and said "That's a good idea, Julie" a lot. If this zine looks professional - which was our goal - it's mostly due to her efforts

From the Editor (2)
From the Other Editor (3)
Genesis by Louann Qualls (4)
So Why Haven't I Leaped, poem by Julie Barrett (9)
To Thine Own Self Be True, by Sheila Paulson (10)
Biographical Data: Dr. Samuel Beckett (30)
Biographical Data: Admiral Albert Calavicci (33)
One of Those Days, by Julie Barrett (37)
QL Episode Guide (75)
Shipwrecked by Sylvia Colston and Louann Qualls (77)
Leaps We'd Like To See (92)
The Leap Forward, by Louann Qualls and Julie Barrett (94)
An Unknown Force by Louann Qualls (112)
About the Contributors (115)

from issue #1
from issue #1
from issue #1
from issue #1

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

It's all your fault, Julie Barrett. And Louann's and, to a lesser extent. Sheila's and Sylvia's. You see, three hours ago I was desperately trying to stay up until midnight having gone to bed after 3 AM the previous night. I had promised my husband I'd wake him after midnight to reset the cable and VCR between tapings. But that was it; I was going to bed right after that since two nights in a row of inadequate sleep is not conducive [...]
I've been saying since yesterday that A Matter of Time gets my vote for best cover and best design. The cover is a multicolored, abstract but perfectly recognizable computerized image of Sam in the accelerator, created by — no, that would be telling. Inside, we learn that the zine is printed on recycled paper (wish we could afford that!), and contains two editorials, bios of Sam and Al, a (very brief) episode guide, a little humor (very little, it turns out), and seven different stories, most of them by co-editors Julie Barrett and Louann Qualls. Getting back to the design for a moment, the stories are sensibly laid out in two justified columns per page, and the story titles are attractively presented. I could carp about the " quotes instead of " " ones, and' instead of ' at the beginning of a few internal quotes, or even about the (relatively few) typos. But I won't.
This is really good stuff: mostly original, all well-written and presented stories. There isn't a bad one — or even a mediocre one — in the bunch. Okay, so I don't quite buy the plot of "Genesis," and "So Why Haven't I Leaped" is a rather gratuitous kiss with history. And I can't agree with the idea of Weitzman as a Senator. So what? This is still good stuff! We get a lot of "meanwhile, back at the Project" material, looks at both Sam's past and his (fortunately averted) future, and even a chance to see Sam's reaction to a "failed leap" (at least he thinks it is).
Top it off with two great bios (which I mostly agree with), a truly interesting editorial (I won't tell you which one), an episode guide which annoys the heck out of me (North By Northwest"! No way!), and you've got a real winner of a zine. "Go get it," as Al said in "Animal Frat," and enjoy. ^[1]

Five out of five stars. A Matter of Time #1 is 115 pages with a gorgeous color cover, edited by Julie Barrett and Louann Qualls. The reason I rate this zine most highly is the stories - they go into a lot of character background.
"Genesis", by Louann, is about Sam's decision to make the initial leap.

"To Thine Own Self Be True", by Sheila Paulson (one of my favorite fan authors in a few other fandoms too), is a typical episode-like story, just happens to be an ex-college professor with 2 PhD's taking time off from teaching to write a play.

"One of Those Days", by Julie, introduces an assistant observer, Al is in DC at Congressional budget hearings again. Sam leaps several times in the course of the story, first into a PI, then into someone working on the Project. He gets to spend some time at home, even though it isn't in his own body, and deal with an attempt to sabotage the Project.

"Shipwrecked" by Sylvia Colston, deals with Sam's feelings of failure when someone he was trying to protect dies anyway, and it gives a glimpse of the project's far future.

"The Leap Forward", by Louann and Julie is the other side of "The Leap Home" that we were all so anxious to hear about - 16 year old Sam in the waiting room. There are also some very short stories and articles. All the writers have a very good handle on the characters and don't break any of the important "rules" of the show (unlike some other zines on the list). Unlike many of the other QL zines, and nearly all the QL stories in mixed zines, none of the stories in MoT is cross-universe.^[2]

Issue 2

cover of issue #2: "According to the artist's testimony, the work was created during a two-day mental blackout. Staff at Havenwell continue to conduct tests, the results of which they promise will be shocking."

A Matter of Time 2 contains 9 stories, is 120 pages long and was published in 1991. It was a 1992 Fan Q nominee for Best QL Zine.

The editors were Louann Qualls and Julie Barrett. There are several small illos by Sheila Paulson, Jeannie Graham, and Joy Riddle.

From the editorial by Julie:

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who sent kind letters about issue #1. The response was overwhelming, which is why I'm not printing any letters of comment. Frankly, I was afraid of leaving out someone's letter, and I didn't want to hurt anyone by an unintentional exclusion. Believe me, your letters have meant a lot to me.
I'd also like to thank the authors who have flattered AMOT with good reviews. If the zine has received a bad review, I haven't seen it
Finally, I'd like to thank the contributors who made this issue possible. Without these folks, there wouldn't be anything fit to print. A tip o' the editorial Homburg to you, and thanks for putting up with me.
[snipped]
I promised myself I'd write a little bit about why I like QL this time, but I do want to answer a most-asked question. A number of readers didn't get the story entitled "So Why Haven't I Leaped?" That kiss with history was based on a Paul Simon song entitled You Can Call Me Al." It's on his Graceland album.
I guess I got hooked on QL partly due to the time travel aspert, but it was mainly the story lines that got to me. And of course, the acting. What's one without the other? I like the idea of having a white male experience how others without his natural advauitages have to get along in this world. In other words, I think the program is doing a lot to break down barriers without getting overly preachy. To tp it off, it's a very entertaining show, and the interplay between the two lead characters is fantastic. It's no wonder Viewers for Quality Television has put it on it's list of best programs.

From the editorial by Louann:

Life as a "Quantum Leap" fan has been pretty eventful since the first issue of this zine was published. At the time we put out "A Matter of Time #1," the last new episode shown was "Runaway" and some fans doubted if the show would last to the end of its third season. Since then, of course, we've not only been given a fourth season but have seen "Quantum Leap" expand its range. We've seen Scott Bakula sing, dance, write music, and even direct an excellent episode. We've seen inside the Imaging Chamber and seen Al do the leaping for a while.
Watching this show thrive and grow has been a great experience for us as fans ~ even if it makes life a little difficult for us as fan writers, trying to find ideas that haven't already been used.
I once read a biography of an internationally famous actor and found that he started life as a fan. He wrote fan letters to his favorite stars in his teens, continued to write to them (often asking for career advice) in acting school, and as a major star is now working for and with the people he once idolized. To an extent, fan writing can have a similar educational function. This medium gives a novice writer a chance to write about something he or she is already enthusiastic about, and a chance to get readers and feedback while developing writing skills. Many professional (i.e. PAID) writers today began their writing careers with fan stories. Other fans, as they develop their skills, decide to remain within the fanzine field; I have certainly seen in submissions that showed as much effort and 'professionalism as something aimed at a paying market.
Fanzines give the fans of a movie or television series a chance to get involved in the creative process and give other fans a look at what they feel their favorite characters should or might do. Fanzines provide a social network allowing people across the country to communicate with each other in person, by mail, and on computer networks. I've made a lot of good friends through my involvement in fan writing, and "Quantum Leap" fans are among the friendliest and most creative. This issue features the return of most of our previous writers, such as Sheila Paulson and the editors, and introduces several new ones.
"Baby, Oh Baby" by Julie Barrett was originally written in script format. My story "Flash Forward" was written early during the third season; while the fourth season opener made this look at the Project at best an alternate universe story, we felt it was still worth looking at. The story "Warming the Core" was also written several months ago — it was originally intended for the first issue, in fact ~ but still fits into the context of the series. Julie and I deeply appreciate the good response our first issue received, both in letters and in copies purchased, and we hope you like this issue as well.

From Jute (2)
From Louann (3)
Where Unicorns Come to Die by Mary Robertson. 1992 FanQ nominee - Best QL story (4)
Borrowed Time by Julie Barrett (16)
Flash Forward by Louann Qualls (37)
The Story So Far, Episode Guide (41)
Pod People by Sheila Paulson (45)
Waiting for Gooshie (66)
Amazon Fever by Patricia Dunn and Diana Smith (67)
Warming the Core by Louann Qualls (91)
Pillow Talk by Phyllis Arrondeiger (99)
Baby, Oh, Baby by Julie Barrett (101)
About the Contributors (118)

from issue #2, Joy Riddle
from issue #2, Sheila Paulson
from issue #2, Sheila Paulson

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

Five out of five issues. Another beautiful issue. Unique touch - recycling tips scattered throughout the zine.
"Where Unicorns Come to Die" - Mary Robertson (1992 Fan Q nominee - Best QL story) This one is a heart-wrencher. Sam leaps into an elderly janitor in an asylum in 1953 New York. In his spare time he tells the children stories. He meets a sick teenage girl who can see him as himself. Her favorite possession is a white plastic horse. Her brother had told her it was a magical unicorn with an invisible horn.
"Borrowed Time" - Julie Barrett. Sam leaps into a CIA agent in 1973. The leapee is undergoing chemotherapy. Sam tries to help his step-son, whose real father also died of cancer, deal with the situation. The big problems are back at the project. Jim Stevens assumes he's been kidnapped by the other side. He doesn't believe Al's explanations and he doesn't want to give this healthy body back. Mainly an adventure story.
"Flash Forward" - Louann Qualls. Al steps out of the imaging chamber to meet a "contingent time line". Great practical joke at the end.
"Pod People" - Sheila Paulson. A leap seen mostly from the leapee's point of view. Are you insane when you can't recognize yourself or remember many details? Melanie kept a journal at home, so she tries to remember what's happening as journal entries. Her fears bring up bad memories for Al and her actions cause some new ones. Lots of hurt/comfort. "Amazon Fever" - Patricia Dunn and Diana Smith. Sam is trapped in the Amazon, leaping in after a plane crash. He is a journalist on assignment for National Geographic. Basic adventure story.
"Warming the Core" - Louann Qualls. Set before the initial leap, Sam learns some of Al's past and trys to help him stop drinking.
"Pillow Talk" - Phyllis Arrondeiger. Any synopsis would spoil the joke :-)
"Baby, Oh, Baby" - Julie Barrett. Sam as a toddler. His mom takes him and his little cousin to the park so dad, an MIT student, can study physics with his tutor, a doctoral student - the "classic picture of the 1970's nerd." Guess who! A time paradox here.^[3]

If you don't like Quantum Leap, you'll want to skip this review. Otherwise, settle in, because I've got a lot to say. I'm not an easy person to please, especially in the case of fan fiction, but I really like this zine. The cover is the first and most "shocking" thing you'll discover. A blurb inside with reference to its origins will give fans a chuckle. Interior artwork is at a minimum, but what is there isn't distracting and mostly complements the work.
"Where Unicorns Come to Die" starts the zine out with a bang, and is arguably the best story in it. I certainly found it to be the most emotional. Sam once again finds himself in an institution, although as a janitor this time rather than a patient. I admit it took me a while to realize who Sam's new friend was, and why the leap was so important to AI. Once I did, it made for a powerful story, beautifully executed.
"Borrowed Time" left me a little cold. It's not that the writer doesn't have skill-she does-it's just that I couldn't get into the subject matter. International intrigue and QL don't really mix in my book, so the story didn't work for me, but others may enjoy it.
"Flash Forward" takes place directly after the Vietnam episode, and contains an intriguing look at what might have happened to Sam's brother Tom after returning to the states. Events in the series have made this an alternate universe story, but the author handles it well enough that I wish they'd been able to use it.
"Pod People" poses an interesting question: What if one of the occupants of the Waiting Room believed she really was being held by aliens, and decided to do something about it? A lot here hinges on the "soul leaping" theory, but if you either believe in it or can suspend your disbelief, you'll find a good story. The characters are especially well-drawn, including the original ones. The author has also invented a medical doctor for the Project whom I like very much.
"Waiting For Gooshie" is a clever one-page scene from a supposedly "lost play" of Sam's. Check the works of playwright Samuel Beckett if you don't get it.
"Amazon Fever" gives us the familiar situation of two people alone trying to survive a hostile environment, but the authors make the journey worthwhile. The character of Alexandra is pretty standard-she doesn't like men much, and Sam has the unenviable task of trying to romance her- but she does have several nice scenes, including one where she sees the real Sam while ill.
"Warming the Core" takes place before Sam leaped, and gives us some insight into why Sam and Al are so close. It's tightly written, the characters are right on target - in fact, it's my second favorite in the zine. The title has two meanings, one of which refers to getting Al through a case of hypothermia, the other becoming apparent later in the story.
"Pillow Talk" is nominally slash, but contains no graphic scenes. Instead, it's a funny little piece about what might happen if Sam and Al shared a bed and actually wanted to go to sleep. You can probably guess who gets the blankets.
"Baby, Oh, Baby" was originally a script, but translates well into narrative. I have problems seeing Sam as a baby, though the author handles it well, claiming he actually leaps into the child's body. Sam notices the difference in perspective now that he's so small, which is a nice bit of consistency. Apart from the life he's there to save, there's also a secondary task involving his young adult self. I won't tell you what it is, but suffice to say Sam once again has the chance to change his own timeline for the better.
I heartily recommend it!^[4]

One of the nice things about A Matter of Time is that it is one of the most affordable Quantum Leap fanzines available, a great place to start for people just discovering zines. It's more economical than most because it's shorter, but as Spencer Tracy would say, "What's there is choice!" Every story is good. Not a lot of artwork; no poetry. Very readable layout. I like a plastic cover (anyone with kids or pets would understand) and the editorials up front and contributor guide in the back. There's a short but unique episode guide, a one-page scripted dialogue called "Waiting for Gooshie," and the following stories:
"Where Unicorns Come to Die" by Mary Robertson: This is the most poetically written story in the issue; colors and smells are painted in vivid strokes. Sam leaps into a 77-year-old janitor in an institution in 1953. To go into more detail might give away too much. It's a powerful story; the editors chose well in deciding to open their zine with this one.
"Borrowed Time" by Julie Barrett: From the first, Julie grabs your heart with this story that finds Sam leaping into Jim Stevens, a 38-year-old husband and father who has inoperable cancer, in 1973. Sam must help the family to learn to accept his fate, and to cherish their time together. But it's not that simple. Jim Stevens was a CIA agent; one whom Al had met while they were in Vietnam. One wily enough to escape from the Waiting Room. And while Al is frantically hunting him down, Sam discovers that Jim hadn't completely abandoned the espionage business, when he is captured and interrogated.... Compassion, suspense, physical danger, nuzzling, personal history coming into play, scenes back (forward?) in 1997—this story has it all.
"Flash Forward" by Louann Qualls: What happened to Tom Beckett and his squad after the second time April 8th, 1970 rolled around? Louann has a valid idea, that she shares in a four page vignette. Time loops, alternate time lines, all our favorite time travel paradoxes get explored as we are given the opportunity to listen in, when A1 emerges shakily from the Imaging Chamber immediately after the "Vietnam" episode, and suddenly meets Sam's brother face to face. Does Al remember one time line or two? And if one, which one? Tune in.
'Tod People" by Sheila Paulson: Everyone has his or her own theories about what goes on in the waiting room. Maybe it's different for every leap. Prolific Sheila Paulson creates an imaginative young girl named Melanie Winger, and shows us the waiting room from her confused and terrified perspective. Melanie sneaks one look in a mirror, and is convinced she's in the midst of The Invasion of the Bodysnatchers. But that's not as funny as it sounds. She's determined to resist her captors to save the Earth, even if it means killing herself — and therefore Sam as well. (Well, the body issue causes a slight problem here, but it doesn't detract from our enjoyment of the story. I haven't read yet the definitive story on what would happen to Sam and the project if the host died in the waiting room....)
In this story we also see the point of view of Dr. Danny Wade, Chief Medical Officer at Project Quantum Leap. From his notes, we get to observe Melanie's struggle to hold on to her sanity, and Al's fight for her trust and Sam's life.
Meanwhile, Sam as Melanie is trying to convince her older brother not to give up his career as a social worker in 1964, despite the frustrations. But the strength of this story, as usual from Sheila, is really Al. As a reader, I find I like seeing someone's emotional state explored, not through introspection or bald narration, but through the observation and analysis of a third party. Sheila does this very well with her use of Dr. Wade. I fall a little more in love with Al every time I read one of her stories.
"Amazon Fever" by Patricia Dunn and Diana Smith: This is fan fiction in the tradition of "A Hunting We Will Go." (And the authors know it: they allude to it on the first page.) The macho chauvinistic hero has alienated the spunky but defensive heroine before Sam arrived. In this case, we expect Sam's charms to gradually break down the walls that have been erected between them. Very much a "romance" formula, this will appeal to lots of readers. And hey, it starts out with Sam leaping in as their plane crashes in the Amazon jungle in 1972. You've got ecology and environmental awareness woven in with the perils of survival in the tropical rainforest; Sam gets to use his medical training, there's plenty to attract anyone. I had just one very minor problem with the story. While any doctor may reverse his diagnosis as more evidence presents itself, I wasn't happy with Sam having a broken arm in the beginning (which moved the plot along directions that were good, with Sam dependent on Alexandra) and the conveniently deciding it wasn't broken after all, so that the plot could change directions and Alexandra could be dependent on Sam. I suppose it's necessary so that Donovan Reilly could return from the Waiting Room and not have a broken arm (this is always a problem for writers), but maybe a dislocation that had been successfully reduced would have accomplished the same thing more credibly.
"Warming the Core" by Louann Qualls: Another peek back at the Project (actually Sam's apartment) from Louann, this one taking place before Sam's first leap and before Al took up with Tina. Those of us lucky enough to have seen the debut episodes know that Al may have had a drinking problem in the early days of the Project, although the televised episodes pretty much leave the why up to our imaginations. ("Play Ball" brought up Sam and Al's working past just enough to tantalize us.) Although they were somewhat distant in those early episodes, it was because Sam's Swiss-cheesed brain had completely forgotten Al and he had to gradually rediscover what qualities had made Al his best friend. Louann's story gives us a glimpse at the days when Sam and A1 were working together, arguing and supporting and looking out for each other. And wondering if Al's problems should disqualify him from his role as Project Observer.... If I understand the word "smarm" correctly, this story is a classic demonstration!
"Pillow Talk" by Phyllis Arrondeiger: Here's another word specific to fan fiction — "Slash.' Let me quote the Editor's Note: "While 'A Matter of Time' has a stated policy against slash material, the editors have decided it would be unfair not to allow all aspects of fandom a place in the zine. Therefore in accordance with the ATG (Any Two Guys) rule of slash writing, the following story throws Sam and Al in bed together and tries to predict what would happen based on the knowledge of their personalities." This is a little story, less than two pages and funny: nothing offensive!
"Baby, Oh , Baby" by Julie Barrett: I don't know if they'll ever resolve the logistics of leaping Sam into a baby on television. Meanwhile, we have Julie's story to tide us over. I was pleasantly surprised with this. There are diapers, but they aren't over done. Yes, there's a mission that a baby could realistically accomplish. And it's 1973 at M.I.T.— who knows whose paths we might cross?
Not just a good zine for newcomers to fan fiction, or folks on a tight budget, A Matter of Time #2 is one of the best collections of Quantum Leap fiction to come out in a while! And more good news — issue #3 is due out this September!^[5]

Issue 3

cover of issue #3: "Now you know what happens when a parallel hybrid computer gets bored."

a flyer for issue #3

A Matter of Time 3 was published in 1992 and contains 130 pages.

This issue has only one editor, Julie Barrett. There is no mention of the other one.

"This zine was produced on a PC clone using Microsoft Word for Windows, Halo Imager, CorelDraw! and FotoTouch software. The final output was on an HP DeskJet 500C."

From the editor:

Welcome to the third issue of A Matter of Time.
This past year has been an exciting one for Quantum Leap fans, particularly Leap Weekend. I was thrilled to meet so many other fans and to share in their warmth. Without a doubt QL fandom contains some of the most generous, giving people I have known.
Doubtless you've read most of the published reports about Leap Weekend [snipped] I am proud to be part of fandom that is really more like a family than a group of relative strangers.
A few changes have been made to the format for this issue. I hope this results in a more readable product. The typography has been modified and the title pages have been reworked. Most of the writers for this issue are new to these pages, though you doubtless have seen their work in other zines and pro markets.
Starting off this issue is Roxanne Longstreet's Nobody Gets Out of Here Alive. Sam finds himself held as a P.O.W. in a cage in the Highlands, and ... well, that would be telling. This story was first submitted after the deadline for #2, and I just couldn't fit it in. 1 think you'll find it worth the wait, however. In the meantime, Roxanne has started a very promising pro career.
Brooklyn Roads is Mindy Peterman's first published story. Sam finds himself driving a cab during the New York garbage strike. Add a cloying Jewish mother and a sexy girlfriend to the equation, poor Sam has almost more than he can handle. If this first story is any indication, you'll be seeing Mindy's byline elsewhere soon.
The seed for Inquiring Time Travelers Want to Know was sown in January during a trip to New York City. I was reading the Post on a subway and wondered how Sam would fare in this business. As a tabloid reporter in Miami, he's faced with a man claiming to be a time traveler.
Sheila Paulson returns to the zine with a story set during Sam's first year of Leaping. If Only In My Dreams finds Sam working on a farm. He'd be comfortable enough in this Leap if it weren't for a very depressed Observer.
As Quantum Daddy, Sam finds himself as an unemployed construction worker who is left to tend for the kids while his wife tries a career on the stage. Elaine and Anne Batterby of Elan Press wrote this, their second non-crossover QL story.
What would happen if a certain egotistical parallel hybrid computer we all know and love should become infected with a virus? Ann Raymont explores that possibility in Virus, which is told as a series of excerpts from Al's Project Log. Ann is a programmer, and has used her expertise to craft an intriguing story.
Heidi Sanchez has contributed a crossword puzzle for the pages. Those of you who are Prodigy Leapers probably know Heidi well.
For this issue I have updated the bios of Sam and Al. They're not 100 percent complete, as it came down to a choice of putting off the zine for a month or having every teensy detail included. I chose to stick with the deadline. The episode guide has also been updated to include the
episodes aired by press time. There is also a new tongue-in-cheek feature called T/ow to Tell if it's Sam Beckett.

From the Editor (2)
Nobody Gets Out Of Here Alive by Roxanne Longstreet ("When Sam finds himself held as a P.O.W. in a cage in the Highlands, he thinks he's there to give Al a second shot at freedom. Instead he finds he must stop an escape attempt by another prisoner, and keep Al from looking like a collaborator in the process.") (4)
Quantum Puzzler by Heidi Sanchez (16)
Brooklyn Roads by Mindy Peterman ("Anna Moscovitz is not about to let go of her dear son Stanley now that he's moved back home — especially to run of with that shiksa Maxie Maganno. What Anna doesn't know is that dear Stanley is now Sam Becket, and it's his mission to patch things up between mother and her bubleh. Oy, veh!") (18)
Biographical Data: Dr. Samuel Beckett (58)
Biographical Data: Admiral Albert Calavicci (61)
Inquiring Time Travelers Want To Know by Julie Barrett ("Sam hates the word "disappear." But that's just what is going to happen, when, as a tabloid reporter, he goes to investigate a UFO landing. His escort is an odd little man claiming to be a time traveler. Will he end up as the ultimate headline in his own paper?") (64)
If Only In My Dreams by Sheila Paulson ("Sam's back on the farm as a worker who had originally neglected his duties. Plus he has a rather depressed observer on his hands.") (91)
The Story So Far, A QL Episode Guide (98)
Quantum Daddy by Anne and Elaine Batterby ("Poopy diapers are only the beginning when Sam finds he has several major repair jobs ahead of him, including a marriage on the rocks.") (103)
Virus by Ann Raymont ("Somehow, despite all their precautions, the unthinkable has happened: Ziggy has been infected. One by one, all systems fail until one last visit to the Imaging Chamber is possible before a total shutdown. Intriguing excerpts from Al's Project Log."(114)
About the Contributors (129)

from issue #3, illo by "Cat"
from issue #3, a George Bush the First ping
from issue #3, a Dan Quayle ping

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

Four out of five stars. Includes a nice Al cover, a QL crossword puzzle, the regular character bio updates, some poetry and a nice selection of stories.
"Nobody Gets Out of Here Alive" - Roxanne Longstreet. Al must face painful memories when Sam once again leaps into his past in Vietnam.

"Brooklyn Roads" - Mindy Peterman. Family life in NYC, with Sam caught in the middle, more romance for Sam.

"Inquiring Time Travelers Want to Know" - Julie Barrett. Sam's a tabloid reporter, interviewing a "time traveller" planning to meet a UFO.

"If Only in My Dreams" - Sheila Paulson. Another Christmas leap

"Quantum Daddy" - Anne and Elaine Batterby. Sam is a husband left with two kids when their mother leaves to be an actress, can he reunite them?

"Virus" - Ann Raymont. Al's journal entries, as they fight a virus in Ziggy that is keeping them from Sam. Some good suspense here.^[6]

Issue 4

cover of issue #4, with clear plastic overlay and zine title

cover of issue #4, without clear plastic overlay: includes the title: "Amazing Science, August 1927, 15 cents"

A Matter of Time 4 was published in May 1993 and is 119 pages long. Its subtitle is, "'How Radio Waves Will Send Us Through Time' by Thomas Covington Beckett."

It has a few illos by Joy Riddle, Terri Librande, and TACS. The editor is Julie Barrett.

flyer for issue #4

From the editorial:

As you can imagine [previously described], everything that went on in my life made the cancellation of QL seem comparatively insignificant. I only say comparatively, as after all it was a major event. Many of us worked hard to keep the series on the air, but apparently it was just not the plan of God or Time or Whoever. But don't despair, as there are plans for a movie. We are also looking at another QL convention in February of 1993. A flyer is enclosed for those of you who purchase this zine before that date. I am looking forward to meeting many of you there.
And now a few words about this issue. The cover this time around is decidedly different. I got the idea after looking through some old radio magazines of the 1920's. During that decade commercial radio was in its infancy, and many people were experimenting with broadcasting and building receiving sets. A direct parallel can be drawn between the radio magazines of that era and the computer magazines of today. It was a new world ready to conquer. And conquer it we did. Besides, I always figured Sam wasn't the only Beckett with an interest in time travel.
The stories this time around vary quite a bit. First is The Road to the Blue Moon, by Mindy Peterman. Mindy's style has grown nicely since she wrote Brooklyn Roads for AMOT #3. She's placed Sam in the position of being a teenage kidnap victim. I'm not going to give any more away, except to say watch out for the nurse...
Elaine and Anne Batterby have returned also with Rookie. In this story, Sam finds himself as a cop experiencing his first day on the job. Can he stop a costly rookie mistake?
I started Murder One on the flight out to the 1993 QL convention. It's a sort of a nod to the classic film D.O.A.
Jason Dzembo makes his first appearance in these pages with Irondequoit. Sam once again finds himself as a teenager, but this time he has to stop a shady broker from getting his hands on some prime property. And did you ever wonder about these kisses with history? Lorraine Anderson has contributed Twist of Fate. Sam fmds himself as a college co-ed with a mystery to unravel. And he gets some help from unexpected places.
Last issue we had a crossword puzzle. This time we have a needlepoint pattern from Debbie Jacobs, an expert in that craft. And we have a wonderful little ending vignette from Shari Ramseur. If I tell you anything about it, I would give it away. Get ready to laugh.
The episode guide has also been updated, bringing us up to "Mirror Image." Hopefully 1 got some of the errors corrected this time around. Also updated are the biographies of Sam and Al. I have pages and pages of material, and it will eventually get published, either in the next AMOT or in some other form. It was a case of having to draw the line so I could go to press. Otherwise, this would have dragged on forever. Still, the basics are there, and their lives are updated to "Mirror Image."
And yes, there is a fifth issue in the planning. I already have several submissions, and will be accepting more starting in March of 1994. For those of you who have sent something in, please be patient. I am working on the QL convention, will have the proper time to devote to submissions afterward. I am not going to cease publication unless interest wanes to the point that I lose too much money on the project.
And now for you technophobes, a word on how this issue was put together. Actually, it's pretty much the same as last time, using a 386 PC, CorelDRAW! 4.0 and Word for Windows. Output was to an HP DeskJet 500C. Most images were processed using a Logitech ScanMan 256, FotoTouch and CorelPHOTO-PAINT! for Windows.
Each cover of AMOT zines are now printed individually and hand signed. After a brief fling with color copying with #2 (those of you who got it know what I'm talking about!) I decided to go back to this process. While it's time consuming, I think it's worth it.
Another reason I do this is to assure you that you have purchased an authorized copy of the zine. Some of you may have heard about the zine piracy flap in Houston, Texas last March. Without going into the whole story, it was based on some very inaccurate information, and there have been no verifiable reports of zine piracy. Still, I subscribe to the notion that if anything I printed, it can be copied. Zine piracy hurts us all. If you suspect a zine is being pirated, please contact the editor.
Before I close, I'd like to offer my thanks to a few people. First and foremost are my husband Paul and son Christopher. Paul has been wonderful, as usual. Of course, I want to thank the writers and illustrators, and the gang on Prodigy. Harriet Margulies, late of the QL office, has been wonderful. And thanks to all of you, especially, for keeping AMOT going for four issues.

From the Editor (4)
The Road to the Blue Moon, by Mindy Peterman - The teenage heir to a pharmaceutical empire has been kidnapped, and Sam has leaped into the boy. Bound and drugged, he has to free himself before the kidnappers turn murderous. (4)
Rookie, by Elaine M. and Anne E. Batterby - It's the first day on the job for a cop, and Sam finds himself walking the beat. Can he keep from making a rookie mistake that costs the officer his career, and possibly his life? (41)
Quantum Leap Cross Stitch Pattern by Debbie Jacobs (52)
Murder One, by Julie Barrett - A lot of people have a reason to hate Kate Dalhart. After all, she's a witch with a capital "B." But is that a reason for murder? As doctors at the Project work to keep her alive, Sam fills her high-heeled pumps in a race against time to find the killer. (54)
Biographical Profile: Dr. Samuel Beckett (73)
Biographical Profile: Admiral Albert Calavicci (76)
Irondequoit, by Jason E. Dzembo—Sam finds himself as a 16-year-old on summer vacation at the family-owned camp. It's no picnic, however, when he finds out he has to stop a shady real estate dealer who wants to get his hands on the property - no matter what the cost. (80)
Twist Of Fate by Lorraine Anderson—Leaping into a college co-ed, Sam must worry about classes, life in the dorm, and a smelly O&O freak who just won't stop hanging around. To top it off, his roommate is receiving poison pen letters from a writer bent on murder. Can Sam manage to survive dorm life and help his roommate do the same? (18 pages)
A Twist of Fate by Lorraine Anderson (99)
The Story So Far (A QL Episode Guide) (93)
A Late Summer Night’s Dream by Shari Ramseur (117)
About the Contributors (118)

from issue #4, illo by Terri Librande
from issue #4, sample text
from issue #4, illo by Joy Riddle
from issue #4, illo by TACS
from issue #4, cross-stitch pattern
from issue #4, illo by Joy Riddle

Issue 5

A Matter of Time 5 was published in December 1994 and contains 104 pages.

front cover of issue #5

It has a 3-D trick cover.

It contains several small illustrations by Douglas Vandiver.