A Close Circle of Friends
You may be looking for the multimedia zine, A Small Circle of Friends.
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | A Close Circle of Friends |
| Publisher: | Sandi Jones |
| Editor(s): | |
| Date(s): | 1986 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
A Close Circle of Friends is a Star Wars quarterly mini-zine published by Sandi Jones.
Issue 1
A Close Circle of Friends 1 was published in March 1986 and contains 23 pages. The front cover is by Sandi Jones, and the back cover is by Ronda Henderson. Jones and Henderson also created the interior illos.
The zine's dedication: "To George, for giving me a galaxy in which to make my dreams come true. To my friends, For your support and friendships. I cherish you all."
From the editorial in issue #1:
I want to thank those who contributed to this issue. As the title of this zine indicates, we are a close circle of friends and I feel confident that our number will grow with future issues.
Now to tell you a little about what is included in this issue. First is a poem by Ronda Henderson entitled SAND. In it Vader learns that no matter how hard he might try, his past cannot be shaken off. I'm sure you'll enjoy Lynda Vandiver's Word Search Puzzles. Then there's an interesting interviewwith Higgith, who had been Vader's personal valet. Liz S.'s poem THRENODY is a haunting view of Leia. From Matthew Whitney there is a vignette, "I'm Sorry" which deals with the thought processes of Han and Leia on the Endor walkway. For a little bit of comic relief there's Matthew's filk "Fanzine Writer," a page of kid's stuff (SW is not the only place that nepotism rears it's ugly head), and a page of Ronda's cartoons. Lastly is my own story, "Prophecy of the Lightbringer" which deals with my own idea of why Luke was able to express familiarity with Dagobah.
Perhaps I should also explain why I have chosen to plunge into the nebulous world of fanzine publications. The inspiration [to create a fanzine] came primarily from the Saga, but it was while reading Circle of Light #1 that I was moved by the portrayal of the friendship between Luke and Han. There was also a story in that issue entitled, ' A Small Circle of Friends' by Christine Jeffords and at the end of the zine one of the listed reasons for receiving the zine was because I was 'a member of a small circle of friends.' These things all got my creative urges stirred up and I decided to give zine publication a try. I was not prepared to tackle a full size zine, so I thought that perhaps there was a need for a small quarterly zine that would serve to appease your appetite between the main course of zines served up at Media West*Con and now ConZINEience.
[Fanzine Story Writer, a filk by Matthew Whitney]:
- Fanzine story writer.
- Dear fanzine ed could you read my book?
- It took me weeks to write will you take a look?
- Based on some movies by a man named Lucas
- And though it hurts my job I want to be a fanzine story writer,
- Fanzine story writer.
- It's a STAR WARS story 'bout an evil man.
- And those freedom fighters he doesn't understand.
- His son is working on the Jedi ways
- It's a steady job, but he wants to be a fanzine story writer.
- Fanzine story writer.
- I've got some illos that it could really use
- Like one of Artoo-Detooo when he's in the ooze.
- There's one of Leia in her slave girl garb
- And even though it's "R" I want to be a fanzine story writer.
- Fanzine story writer.
-- Sung to: "Paperback Writer" (with apologies to John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
- If you really like it you can have the rights.
- But if Lucas sues, better get outa sight.
- If you must return it. May the Force be with you
- 'Cause I love the Saga and I want to be a fanzine story writer.
- Fanzine story writer.
- Fanzine story writer.
- editorial (1)
- Sand by Ronda Henderson (3)
- Puzzle Page Word Searches by Lynda Vandriver (4)
- Up Close and Personal by Illinois Jones (5)
- Threnody by Liz S. (7)
- I'm Sorry by Matthew Whitney (8)
- Fanzine Story Writer by Matthew Whitney (11)
- Kid's Korner, art by children (Davie Jones and Michael Ford) (12)
- Cartoons by Ronda Henderson (14)
- Prophecy of the Lightbringer by Sandi Jones (17)
- zine corner (21)
- The Last Word (23)
inside page from issue #1, Ronda Henderson
inside page from issue #1, Ronda Henderson
inside page from issue #1, sample poem
inside page from issue #1, Sandi Jones
inside page from issue #1, sample text
inside page from issue #1, Ronda Henderson
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
[from one of the major tribbers, Ronda]:First I liked the front cover you did very much. Especially their hair, you do hair very nice! I thought the whole zine looked very professional on the layout and graphics, and I'm not just saying that, I mean it. So many first zines are sloppy on graphics, or don't even have any to speak of. I loved the way you laid out my poem and illo and to be first, and then last with the backcover was quite a compliment.
I'm rotten on quizzes, but the trivia one was fun, as I'm good on trivia. UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL was cute, you have a great imagination. THRENODY was interesting as not only could it be for Leia, but Lady Organa as Leia's mother on her feelings for Anakin. I loved the way you used the simple Leia of mine and with the borders made it look fancy. Matt's story "I'm Sorry" was well done for a newcomer, and I thought it sounded just like Leia and Han, and that's an achievement. FANZINE STORY WRITER was funny. It's neat when you find a fen whose humor fits yours, isn't it? I thought the kid's page was great. We forget the kids a lot, they like to feel good about their efforts too, and these were nice.
"Prophecy of the Lightbringer was very interesting! I thought the way you made Yoda's vision sound like the way visions and prophecies are written in the Bible was neat. You could swear that came out of Revelations. And I've thought the twin suns of Tatoolne as symbols of Luke and Leia after seeing ROTJ, too. Your illo was great, you remind me of Judith Lowe's work In KESSEL RUN 3 and 4.
I'm glad you have zine ads and a page that tells what you'd like to see in the zine, a lot of Eds leave these out along with LoC's and I feel they're important communications between fen. I think ACCOF will catch on fast. It is nice to see your stuff in print, without waiting for 1 to 2 years.[1]
Yes, there is a need for a small quarterly zine to appease our zine hunger between big monster publications and ACCOF really hit the spot. So, I'll get right down to the business of responding to the material in issue #1.
Ronda Henderson's poem, SAND was full of dramatic images (Vader's dream!) and lines worth remembering, but the prize line came through the Emperor's mouth: "Anakin's sand still clings to you!" That was a clever way to describe Vader's emotional conflict. Much enjoyed Illinois Jones's (any relation to Indy?) ((Editor: Yes, kissing cousins)) interview with Vader's valet, Higgith, and it's nice to know that Higgith's found a place in the new order. I hope there'll be more interviews with folks who can tell us the inside dirt on BNC (Big Name Characters.)
THRENODY - I found myself interpreting Liz S.'s lovely poem In several ways: 1) Leia is speaking to an absent Han who's been put in carbon freeze, 2) Leia, in some far future, after ROTJ, is speaking to a Han Solo who didn't stay forever. 3) A very young Leia is speaking to someone she knew long befoe ANH. I'd rather not know which interpretation is "correct." I prefer to enjoy all three.
I'M SORRY by Matthew Whitney answered a question that's always bothered me. I'd wondered why Leia hadn't told Han that Luke was her twin and that Luke was going to face Vader. Matthew's story gives a believable explanation; I agree. Han would've followed Luke to the Death Star if he'd known the truth.
FORCEFLYS - I'm torn between "ha!ha!ha!" "yuck!"
FANZINE STORY WRITER - Loved the line, "though it hurts my job...." I assume the author has done his share of yawning on the job after a 2 A.M. inspiration robbed him of a night's sleep.
THE PROPHECY OF THE LIGHTBRINGER - by Sandi Jones began with the sort of writing I've always enjoyed, Jedi prophecy with a Biblical beat. This prophecy is reminiscent of certain passages In the Book of Revelation (New Testament) and it's just the sort of style I'd imagine Jedi prophets using, back when their order was young. As for the story itself, Sandi touched on something that I believe will turn up on screen if GL ever makes a First Trilogy film: I've always had the gut-feeling that Kenobi was on the losing corner of a First Trilogy triangle. To my knowledge, Sandi and one writing team (Laymon and Goldstein) are the only fan writers who've suggested this possibility in their stories, and no one's ever explored the idea beyond a line or two. C'mon Sandi! Tell us the whole tragic tale! I'd love to see a long, tearjerker story based on this! ((Editor: I am working on an outline for a major work on the fall of the old republic which will deal with the triangle of the first trilogy.))
Liked Ronda's Vader 'toons and hey! those drawings by Michael Ford and Davie Jones were mighty good. How about printing the ages who contribute to ACCOF. I have begun to do issue. By the way, Davie and Michael are both 11 and Michael is my nephew.)) Thanks to Sandi and Ronda for putting their artistic talents as well as writing talents into this zine, and thanks to Lynda Vandive for providing a puzzle page. An SW zine wouldn't seem complete without one of Linda's cleverly made puzzles.
*Sigh.* I know ACCOF is a mini-zlne, but I want more! My appetite for SW material is huge.[2]
Issue 2
A Close Circle of Friends 2 was published in July 1986 and contains 24 pages. The front cover is by Ronda Henderson. The interior illos are by Henderson and Sandi Jones, with a few drawings by children.
[the editorial]: I can't believe it. I actually am writingan editorial for the second issue of ACCOF. I am doing this as I try to get everything ready for my first visit to MediaWest*Con. I will make a full report to you in the next issue of what I think of the Con.
In this issue there is quite a variety of contributions. There are of course Wordsearch Puzzles by Linda Vandiver. Carolyn Golledge has written a wonderful vignette that takes place after the destruction of the Death Star. As always she sees very clearly the relationship between Han, Leia, and Luke. Matthew Whitney is back this issue with a haunting vignette about Luke's emotions as he confronts the horror's of the loss of Owen and Beru. A new feature is our Obi-Wan Memorial Songbook and Matt and Carole Regine are the contributors for this issue. For poetry there is a piece from Ronda Henderson, that though it is not specificaly about SW I think that it expresses how some- of us might feel about our own fantasy world. I hope that all of you enjoy the cover, cartoons and other illos that Ronda has contributed to this issue. I think that the cover is absolutely wonderful and shows the lighter side of our heroes. I have included a short piece that I wrote describing what I think Luke's thoughts might be on his return to Tatooine. And last but not least, I have some LoC's. (send them in, please.)
I also am going to take this opportunity to talk about one of the most important things that I have gotten out of SW fandom, and that is friendship. There are such a wide variety of people involved in fandom and I am happy to call many of these people friends. Having such a wide range of people that I have met during this last year or so in fandom has brought me so much and truly enriched my life. One of the main things that drew me so much to the trilogy is the friendships between Han, Luke, and Leia. Now to have found that there are others out there who are drawn to the saga for that same reason and appreciate the specialty of friendship just enhances my enjoyment of the saga.
Once again I would like to put out a request for submissions. I need them if I am to put out this zine on a regular basis. You don't have to be a novelist to submit something to this zine. It is a place for short pieces so that it doesn't take months to write a piece for submission. We all have thoughts and ideas for what might have happened or what someone thought about something. I know that a lot of you have ideas that you would like to express. That's it for now. I hope to hear from you with comments or contributions. A zine can't be a zine without contributions. Until next time....
....Go with the Force.
- editorial (1)
- LOCS (2)
- Unicorn Within My Mind by Ronda Henderson (4)
- Puzzle Page by Linda Vandriver (5)
- Alone in the Desert by Matthew Whitney (6)
- Cartoons by Ronda Henderson (9)
- Kid's Korner (10)
- As Gentle as Silence by Carolyn Golledge (12)
- A Tour of Tatawing, art by Davie Jones (15)
- A Moment in Time by Sandi Jones (16)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi Memorial Songbook, filks by Carole Regine and Matthew Whitney (18)
- Luke's Magic Pictures, an eye trick puzzle copied from somewhere else (not credited) (21)
- zine corner (22)
- The Last Word (24)
from issue #2, Ronda Henderson
from issue #2, Ronda Henderson
from issue #2, Sandi Jones
from issue #2, Sandi Jones
from issue #2, Sandi Jones
from issue #2, sample text
