Contraband (Star Wars zine)

Zine
Title:	Contraband
Publisher:	Unknown Press
Editor(s):	Liz S., Chris Callahan, and L.C. Wells
Date(s):	1983-1984
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Star Wars
Language:	English
External Links:
	Click here for related articles on Fanlore.
	Contents 1 Regarding the Editors; 2 Issue 1; 3 Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1; 4 Issue 2; 5 Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2; 6 Issue 3; 7 Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3; 8 References;

For other uses of "Contraband," see Contraband.

cover issue #1, L.C. Wells

Contraband is a gen Star Wars zine. It ran for three issues.

It is a home for many of the Maeve Solo Universe stories that have a focus of an original character who is Han Solo's mother.

Regarding the Editors

From Contraband #1:

Now seems a good time to explain something concerning my part in the operation of The Unknown Press, Back when Letitia, several others and I organized it to pub lish (we thought!) a one-shot humorzine, THE NERFHERDER'S COMPANION, we decided one person should be mail drop and treasurer. As the member most likely to keep the same address and bank account in the foreseeable future, I was chosen. When we went into a second issue of TNC and then into CONTRABAND it was logical to continue this way. So effectively my name in ads, etc, has the same function as the treasurer named in ads for a political committee—an address and somebody to sign the checks. It does NOT mean that I have primary responsibility for contents or any other physical aspect of the zines we publish. As an editor I'm just one of however many there are on a particular issue. And as mail drop I'll pass along unopened anything sent to another editor or contributor c/o The Unknown Press at my address.

Issue 1

Contraband 1 was published in May 1983 and is 188 pages long.

It has art by Sharon Palmer, SLS, Liz S. and L.C. Wells (cover).

flyer for issue #1, printed in Crossed Sabers #3

flyer for issue #1, printed in Outlands Chronicles #1

The editorial by Callahan:

The Unknown Press gang is back, but this time (relatively) serious. With one exception the regular staffers who contributed have come out from behind the pseudonyms of THE NERFHERDER'S COMPANION to be themselves and let their characters do likewise. Management has changed also. My former co-editor, Letitia "Dyannis Carmathan" Wells opted to go for production manager and artist only, with Liz "Trav Leggett" [S] becoming co-editor. In other words, Letitia busted ass on two non-writing jobs, not three! And she did bust ass. A lot of her "Perils of Publishing" is from personal experience.
Letitia and I ("Maeve Solo") are writing in the same universe (By the way, her story here is the prequel to "Tangled Web" in PASSAGE TO ARMS). Liz writes in her own universe. The time line on p. 1 is meant as a convenience, NOT to imply the stories are all related. "Val Solo" became "Georg" to provide more fannish recipes (the "Imperial Surprise" is great!); SLS came through with a cartoon We have two guest contributors this time: veteran Pat Nussman has a poem, and Sharon "SMAP" Palmer makes her fannish debut as cartoonist. You'll be seeing more of her, I promise!
Many thanks from the senior ~~idiot masochist~~ editor to all who contributed
creatively and physically to this zine, especially to Letitia; also to Kelley Harkins for the loan of her binder; and most of all to George Lucas, without whom none of this insanity would have happened.

From the editorial by Liz S:

Hello out there... I'm told we did this all wrong. We all live in the same area. Our artists met their deadlines. Our stories were pretty much all written BEFORE we decided to go for it. We held regular business meetings, and even talked business... Oh, well. My thanks to the senior editor and the production manager, both of whom are experienced and hardworking people, for some very professional demonstrations of whip-cracking. The existence of this zine is a tribute to their absolutely relentless organizational skills... My apologies (it bothers me, too) for the change of typeface in the last two sections of my story. My typewriter... then... then... finally, out of desperation, I bought a new machine, but was unable to match the original print style... A wry grimace for the length of ~~THE MONSTER~~ story. Dialogue sure takes up a lot of space, doesn't it? Maybe next time I'll listen when somebody whispers "reduce" in my ear — but I hate anything smaller than 12 pitch
(having weak vision myself), and I honestly didn't realize how LONG it would be.

Table of Contents (1)
Editorials by Chris Callahan and Liz S. (2)
Ghosts by Chris Callahan ("Maeve Solo's past comes back to haunt her... and nearly prevents her from having a future.") (4)
The Perils of Publishing, essay by L.C. Wells (18)
Diplomatic Exchange by Liz S. ("An atypical Corellian, an unsophisticated rebel, and an irate traveling salesman inadvertently join forces to baffle the intelligence networks of two worlds and the Empire.") (24)
Corellian Culinary Delights, recipes by Georg (126)
How to Do a Mary Sue, essay by Liz S. ("A short survey of some common varieties, (with examples), and guidelines on how to do one yourself, if you insist") (128)
Wanderer in the Ruins, poem by Pat Nussman (134)
Payment Deferred by L.C. Wells ("Dyannis Carmathan should have known better than to let a Jedi talk her into a courier run. Especially she found two stowaways -- Han and Val Solo.") (136)
Amazing Anti Video Game Starquest, maze (183)
Mary Sue Slandersong, filk to the tune of "The Moonshiner," by Liz S. (187)

from issue #1, L.C. Wells
from issue #1, L.C. Wells
from issue #1, L.C. Wells
from issue #1
from issue #1
from issue #1, L.C. Wells

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for The Perils of Publishing.

See reactions and reviews for How to Do a Mary Sue.

[zine]: This first issue of Contraband is mostly the, work, in authorship and art work as well as production, of the three members of Unknown Press: Chris Callahan, [Liz S.], and [L.C. Wells]. (Only one literary piece in the zine is by an "outsider"-a chilling prose poem about what might have been after TESB for Lando, by Pat Nussman.)
This zine does have drawbacks of other "do it yourself" zines I have read, such as some need for a more objective edit on the stories, and a sort of "ingrown" feeling resulting from a major portion of the zine's fiction being in the same fannish universe. However, the problems are fairly minimal here, since all three ladies can write well and seem to be sufficiently self-critical, the results of their efforts make entertaining reading for the SW fanzine fan.
There is not a lot of art work in this issue. The cartoons by Sharon Palmer are neither hilarious nor dull; I rather enjoyed the two sets of unicorn cartoons. Most story illos are by [L.C. Wells]. To my inexperienced eyes they were satisfactory for their purpose, though not destined to go down in the annals of great SW fan art. In some of the illos, the lines seemed a bit blurred and the shading a tad dark, giving the effect of a photograph out-of-focus. Perhaps future illos could have some sharper pen strokes. (Or maybe that's not the problem - I'm no art expert, Force knows.)
Of the three fiction offerings, two are set in Chris Callahan's "Maeve Solo" universe. "Ghosts," by Callahan, has Maeve and her first partner Nila taking temporary jobs on ships not their own to earn money for a new one. On hers, Maeve encounters an old enemy and is nearly murdered by him. Back on Corellia, she and Nila (naturally) swear revenge. I enjoyed the story until the end, which left me feeling rather unsatisfied, since the two women don't get revenge-unforeseen circumstances do it for them-when the whole plot seemed to be leading to that event. Perhaps, in "real life," chance would take over, but sometimes "real life" doesn't ring true in fiction.
The other story, "Payment Deferred" by [L.C. Wells], was interesting in many respects, but often seemed to me to ramble all around the galaxy. I don't know how much of this was due to my own basic unfamiliarity with the series and how much was because the author put so many plot twists in one story. The story's main character is Wells' Dyannis Carmathan, who knows Maeve Solo and her family, including of course young Han Solo and his twin sister Val, who manage to stowaway on Dyannis' ship when she runs some errands for the Jedi. Along the way, Dyannis runs into, another enemy of Maeve's, who mistakes Val for her mother and tries to kill her, so Dyannis leaves the twins with members of the Organa family before meeting Kenobi and Vader in the course of her mission, and helping them during an attack by the Clones during the Wars... then is given another mission, to infiltrate the Imperial military as a double agent. I did perceive that Wells had both series backgrounding and foreshadowing of events to come in this story, and a second reading would probably make it a whole lot more cohesive in my mind. I suppose my main objection to this piece is the proliferation of plot elements and something of a failure to recognize that not all readers would be able to keep track of them with ease.
I found the third and longest piece, "Diplomatic Exchange" by Liz [S.], to be my favorite of the zine. The lady smuggler/rebel sympathizer of the story, Trav Leggett, is indisputably something of a Mary Sue, but a light-hearted, engaging one. "I am not a suicidal maniac! I'm a Corellian!" She cries as she single-handedly wrecks the enforcement of a treaty between the Empire and a planetary government, incidentally turning a diplomatic reception into a shambles while she's at it. There is plenty of action in this story, in something of a Brian Daley tradition; and [Liz S.] writes vivid descriptions-I had no trouble following events, seeing them clearly in my mind. Two criticisms: while there were many times when I was genuinely amused by the story's events, as the author intended, several times the plot descended temporarily into silliness and slapstick. This could have been remedied by some judicious cutting. Also, there is a tag on the story which brings in the "canon" SW characters, after the plot is essentially resolved. While' certainly have no objection to seeing Luke, Han and Leia, and while this part did wrap up a few minor story points, I felt that it drew the story on past its natural end, and might have been better if it had been fleshed out a little to become a separate story in the series. But these are, perhaps, minor quibbles to bring up about a story as entertaining as "Diplomatic Exchange."
There are also two non-fiction pieces 'in Contraband, both on subjects already covered many times in other zines, but both well-written and with some unique viewpoints which freshen the subject matter. Wells' 'The Perils of Publishing' is a "how-to" on publishing a fanzine for the first time, full of the Fear and Trembling a new zined feels at the thoughts of criticism from the general fannish public, especially in the form of reviews. (It makes me feel a bit guilty about every less-than-complimentary word I've put into this critique!)
[Liz S.]'s "How to do a Mary Sue" has some very interesting ideas on why we women fanfic writers often start out by writing the Mary Sue stereotype. The article then goes on to a fairly detailed description of both the Mary Sue character, in her several variations, and the kinds of plots in which she usually finds herself. My enjoyment of the article was marred only by the tiny and hard to read print- the only incidence of this problem in the whole zine. I needed a ruler to read the darned article.
Conclusion: although have some reservations, Contraband is recommended especially for the two articles and "Diplomatic Exchange." Not bad at all for a first zine. ^[1]

Issue 2

front cover of issue #2, L.C. Wells

back cover of issue #2, L.C. Wells

flyer for issue #2, with a projected publication date of December 1983

Contraband 2 was published in March 1984 and is 148 pages long.

The art is by L.C. Wells (front and back cover, also inside), Lin Stack (inside front cover, also inside), Kurt Griffin (inside back over), Sharon M. Palmer, and Tian.

From the editorial by Callahan:

Welcome to CONTRABAND 2, the zine we never expected to do.
In the Unknown Press tradition of doing something different each time we publish, 02 has THREE designated editors; chiefly columns rather than straight-across printing; a (gasp!) non-STAR WARS story; some well-known names among the contributors (no, JoAnn Callahan arid I are NOT related, luckily for her!). True to the name of the press we also have contributors not previously known in fanzines, and our recipe writer maintains her pseudonymity.
[snipped]
As in no, 1, Letitia and I have stories in basically the same universe while everyone else is off doing their own thing. However, she's staying in the early period while mine is set shortly after TESB (in the chronology of my own published stories, between "Return" in SKYWALKER 6 and "Act III, Scene 1" in KESSEL RUN 3; in fact it's partly based on a line in the latter, though I have notes from well before "Act III" was even thought of). It's interesting to look over the fiction and poetry here and see the predominance of personal universes/characters as opposed to the Lucas originals. Another UP tradition, really, though it wasn't planned that way. So far we've had very little feedback on that aspect of our publications. How do you readers feel about it?

From the editorial by Liz S.:

My humblest contrition is duly tendered respect to our busted deadline, both to our aforementioned loyal contributors (who'd like to see their work in print), and to our readers (who'd like likewise). This tardiness is my responsibility, though I can and will plead mundane causes. To be sure, I vastly underestimated how much time it would take me to crank out "Bonds of Affection"; I hadn't fully appreciated the labor involved in assembling a serious story (I find that humor goes much faster). But I might have finished it in time nevertheless, if it hadn't been for the fact that [personal info redacted].
Ergo, several important decisions. One: my story, "Bonds of Affection," will be a cliff-hanger. Personally, I loathe and detest cliff-hangers, particularly in zines, where the next installment can seldom be relied upon to arrive with punctuality, IF it arrives at all. However, I campaigned hard for this compromise this time around, rather than letting the zine get any further behind schedule. Please consider this a graceful bow in the direction of necessity. At least this way, we'll only be bringing you your zine a little bit late. The next issue will contain all of the rest of my story: it won't drag on and on and on... Be of good cheer: Chris and Letitia are a very efficient team. I'm sure CONTRABAND 3 will come out right on schedule!
Two, arising naturally from one: yea, there will be at least one more issue of CONTRABAND. So if you'd like to contribute, but haven't before because ^2 was the "last" issue, take heart. And please, please, send in your work...
Three, with respect to time shortages and CONTRABAND 3: after this issue, I will be stepping down from the editorial pedestal. I will certainly contribute to the next ish (if I want to stay alive, that is), but apart from offering ray opinions freely as usual, I won't be part of the decision-making process. I'd like to emphasize that I'm getting out of the editorial fracas GRATEFULLY, WILLINGLY (in fact, EAGERLY), and with ABSOLUTELY NO PREJUDICE TOWARDS MY CO-EDITORS.
Letitia and Chris have been and are good friends, and I hope and expect we'll remain thus. But it's time I admitted that I've been a little too ambitious in what I've tried to take on in terms of projects outside my job. Chris and Letitia have worked on zines before with great results, and I wish them continued success and mental stability...

From the editorial by Wells:

Greetings! I am an editor and the production manager. What is a "Production Manager"? I'm responsible for most of the zine's layout, lettering, the soliciting of art, and generally, making sure that the zine "looks" as good as it can. This also includes negotiating with printers, and trying to find one with reasonable prices as well as an excellent product. And strangely enough, 1 enjoy doing this which is why I volunteered!
Since, on CONTRABAND, all editors are created equal and endowed by institutes of higher learning with the ability to type, we all get equal space to display such talent in our editorials. (The big problem with editorials is that they are often written last, just when the exhaustion of production is at its highest. You don't feel terribly creative at that moment; more like barely human!) I hope you enjoy this issue.
It was more difficult to publish than #1 and I learned a lot during the process of doing it. (Oh, the glories and speed (?) of the Postal Service!) Due to the unfailing efforts of my co-editors, we have more of an assortment of new (to CONTRABAND) authors as well as new artists, I'm proud that Sharon Palmer's more serious work is appearing this issue as well as her fantastic cartoons.

Old Tresaures, Niew Finds by Candy Streuli, art by Sharon Palmer (Indiana Jones) (6)
Logic Strikes Back by Susanna Betzl, art by Lin Stack (11)
Shore Leave by Carol Mularski, art by L.C. Wells (in the Desert Seed Series) (12)
In Retrospect, poem by Susan Voll, art by Voll (22)
Net Worth by L.C. Wells, art by Wells (a Maeve Solo story) (26)
Recipes by Georg, art by Sharon M. Palmer (42)
Star Wars Word Search by JoAnn Callahan (47)
Not a Kid Anymore, poem by Rebecca Walker (48)
At the Emerald Phoenix, poem by Pat Nussman ("AUTHOR'S NOTE: Now read carefully, because this could be confusing. The narrator of this poem, Xylona Astari, her bar. The Emerald Phoenix, and her Wookiee friend, Cherri, are all the property and brain-children of Sharon Palmer. Trav Leggett is the property of [Liz S.]. The general background, including Roberryl (otherwise known as General Rieekan), Malebolge, Han's background, et. al. is from my "Lady of the Rebellion" series. Confused? Good. That's the intent!") (50)
Forged from the Flame by Ann Wortham, art by Lin Stack (52)
Burned Out, filk to the tune of "Memories," from the musical "Cats," by Sharon Palmer (57)
Alliances by Chris Callahan, art by L.C. Wells (75)
The Perils of Publishing, part two by L.C. Wells (75)
Bonds of Affection, to be continued in the next issue, by Liz S., art by Liz S. (It is a "Stars and Bars universe story" and stars the author's original character, Trav Leggett.) (82)
Answers to Word Search (145)

from issue #2, Lin Stack
from issue #2, Sharon Palmer
from issue #2, Lin Stack
from issue #2, L.C. Wells
from issue #2, L.C. Wells
from issue #2, L.C. Wells
from issue #2, L.C. Wells
from issue #2, L.C. Wells
from issue #2, Sharon Palmer
from issue #2, Lin Stack
from issue #2, L.C. Wells
from issue #2, L.C. Wells
from issue #2, Liz S.
from issue #2, Liz S.
from issue #2, Kurt Griffin

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

See reactions and reviews for Bonds of Affection.

Issue 3

front cover of issue #3, L.C. Wells

back cover of issue #3, Wanda Lybarger

Contraband 3 was published in 1984 and contains 144 pages.

The art is by Wanda Lybarger, Sharon Palmer, Letitia Wells, Teanna Byerts, Kurt Griffith, and Liz S.