Datazine/Issues 21-30

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Issues 01-10 · Issues 11-20 · Issues 21-30 · Issues 31-40 · Issues 41-50 · Issues 51-63

Issue 21

front cover of issue #21

Forum 21 was published in August/October 1982 and contains 44 pages.

  • it was the last issue to have simply "Forum" as the title
  • all the listings were printed on a dot matrix printer
  • Sharon Emily announces to she is too ill to continue fan activity
  • the editor of Pulsar Press writes that she has learned some fans are:
    ... selling xerox copies of various zines which are out of print or otherwise no longer available... I would like to make my position clear about the sale of these reproductions. AT NO TIME -- PAST, PRESENT OR IN THE FUTURE -- HAVE I OR WILL AUTHORIZE OR SANCTION ANY FORM OF REPRODUCTION AND SALE OF PULSAR PRESS ZINES... When others, uninvolved in the creation of those zines, pirate that zine and sell it for their on profit, they are stealing from those members of the fandom family who have spent their time and energies to produce the zines that keep fandom alive.... When zines sell out and become out of print, they also gain an intrinsic value to those who have obtained original issues. A single copy of a popular zine can sell for as much as $200 when auctioned. Would you like to be the person who has paid this incredible amount, only to find out that 'reprints' or xerox copies are being sold in quantity or $20 or so?

  • Another zine publisher warns fans against buying unauthorized copies of zines of any sort for any reason:
    [This] does not apply, of course, to anyone who is selling his/her personal collection of original zines for whatever reason. The sale of an original copy by the owner of that copy (or her authorized agent), although it may be sad, is neither illegal or unscrupulous.

  • a fan says she has put an enormous amount of time and effort into tracking down the publisher of Spock Enslaved! so she could buy a copy or to ask her permission to photocopy this zine. All her letters, sent to three addresses, were returned. She finally put in ad in Interstat asking to buy a photocopy of Spock Enslaved!, and obtained one that way. Shortly afterwards, she got letters from 58 fans who wanted a copy of her copy or who asked to "rent" hers." She asked for help in locating Diane Steiner to ask for official permission to make these copies. From Boldly Writing:
    Many fans, in the time period from 1975 to 1982, claimed they were going to find all the editors of the out-of-print fanzines mentioned in Star Trek Lives!, to get permission to reprint them and provide copies to all fans who wanted them, None, including the fan who wrote this issue of Datazine, ever succeeded.

  • the editors of two Battlestar Galactica zines write opposing "open letters" to fans: the editor of Purple and Orange? accuses the editor of Song of Caprica of stealing their style of zine, and accuses them of trying to make a profit off of fandom. The first editor (Gemini Press) wants fans to boycott Osiris Press, writing that the issue of profit threatens all of fandom. The editors of Osiris Press say they are making no profit, and that the two zines are dissimilar enough to not be considered plagiarism.
  • a review of L.A. Vespers #2, see that page
  • a review of Transition, see that page

Issue 22

cover of issue #22, Michael Goodwin

Datazine/Forum 22 was published in October/December 1982 and contains 50 pages.

  • the editors write that they went to apply for a trade name for the zine and found out "Forum" was owned by Penthouse. They were going to have a contest to name the zine, but couldn't think of a prize. They almost renamed the zine "Zinedata" but thought that sounded backwards.
  • the editors are tossing around the idea of making a separate section for "adult zines"
  • the editors write:
    Now for the unpleasantries. Yes, all is not well in the wonderful halls of Datazine. Thanks to constantly rising postal rates... we are forced to raise our subscription rates after the first of the year. If you wish to lock-in our current, painfully low rates, you may send your renewals in before then, and benefit from our folly throughout the rest of the year.

  • there is a personal statement from four fans involved with Gemini Press and previously, Purple and Orange? that explains their disassociation
  • Courts of Honor is advertised for sale
  • the last issue with a column on fanzine production and picking out a printer by Susan Crites
  • a review of Deck Five Digest #1, see that page
  • a review of Phasers and Lightsabers, see that page

Mystery Issue

cover of a mystery issue. Note the splendid placing of that piece of celery.

This is the cover of a mystery issue. The format of the title on the cover would seemingly place it around issue #22, but there is no gap in the covers in this run. One cover, issue #53, is unaccounted for here on Fanlore, but the old title, "Forum," had long been abandoned by then.

Issue 23

cover of issue #23

Datazine 23 was published in December 1982/January 1983 and contains about 50 pages.

  • the producers of Media*West have lengthy, one-page description of the con, explaining what it is to folks who haven't been there
  • there are, as usual, many, many ads from fans asking to buy zines and fannish material, selling zines and fannish material—includes this one: "HELP!!! Needed desperately: the set of vampire teeth from the Dark Shadows board game. Will buy entire game if necessary!"
  • there are, as usual, numerous letters in the personal statements section from fans asking where their zines are. Many fans report waiting months, if not well over a year, for their ordered goods to arrive, or at the very least, a response explaining why their zines were late. One fan writes:
    While we're on the subject of non-performance... I've been actively involved in Trek fandom for almost four years, and it seems that I've had more trouble with non-response to submissions, queries, zine orders in the last eight months than in the entire previous time. For a person who's wavering on the thin edge of gafiating anyway, this kind of thoughtlessness and blatant rip-off are extremely discouraging.

  • the editor of Osiris Press writes another letter complaining about Genesis Press and the feud they have going on
  • there are no zine reviews

Issue 24

cover of issue #24, Michael Goodwin

Datazine 24 was published in February/March 1983 and contains 30 pages. It is an all review issue.

  • contains an essay by Joyce E. Thomposon called "The Makings of a Review"
  • fan offers her services:
    Attention Zine Editors: Does the thought of sitting down to a long evening with the old Format and Lettraset sheets make you want to stomp a tribble?... Do you have a zine that's been ALMOST ready to print since 1981, except for those pesky titles? Does the idea of cutting out all those TINY letters and then getting them all neatly lined up cause severe pain in your occipital regions? I can help! You buy, pay for, or send the lettering sheets, and I will do the labor in return for a free contributor's copy. I work fast and neat, and due to extreme myopia, rarely make mistakes that can be seen without a magnifying glass. Special favorites include adult Trek and Dr. Who, but will happily help out anyone on anything. How do YOU spell relief?

  • a fan writes that The Fanzine Collection once housed in the Paterson Public Library (NJ) is now at the Ridgefield Public Library (NJ)
  • there are 14 con announcements
  • review of BeNiF, see that page
  • a review of the pro book, "Black Fire"
  • a review of Cheap Thrills #4, see that page
  • a review of Contact #8, see that page
  • a review of Force and Counterforce, see that page
  • a review of Mark Collected, see that page
  • a review of Masiform D #12, see that page
  • a review of Mixed Metaphors, see that page
  • a review of The Night of the Crystal Doorways, see that page
  • a review of Of Dreams and Schemes #2, see that page
  • a review of Original Replicant, see that page
  • a review of the fantasy semi-prozine Owlflight #3
  • a review of R & R #17, see that page
  • a review of Song of Caprica #3, see that page
  • a review of Spock's Childhood #2, see that page
  • a review of Stardate #14, #16, and #17, see that page
  • a review of STMA (Star Trek Mail Association) #30/31, see that page
  • a review of Still Out of Bounds, Old Friend, see that page
  • a review of The Third Verdict, see that page
  • a review of T'hy'la #1, see that page
  • a review of Total Entropy, see that page
  • a review of "Trinary," a SF and Fantasy non-media zine,#1 and #2
  • two reviews of Vault of Tomorrow #3, see that page
  • a review of Wide Open Spaces #7, see that page

Issue 25

cover of issue #25, Leah Rosentahl
"Delayed Zine Form" parody by Elaine Batterby, click to read

Datazine 25 was published in April/May 1983 and contains 45 pages.

  • there are numerous letters in the Personal Statements from fans complaining about zines they've paid for but have never received, as well as some letters from editors (not the same ones fans are complaining about) explaining why zines are late (medical bills, car repair, illness, busy in college). One editor writes: "I don't like having the responsibility of having other people's money, With all the delays and problems, I have enough guilt feelings..."
  • Elaine Batterby includes a parody of a Datazine form, called "In the Planning Stages: Official Delayed Zine Excuse Form"
  • in it is an annoucement that the zine Who You Know, What You Know and How You Know It, a (Starsky/Hutch) is in the planning stages. The ad notes that "This is a Starsky and Hutch relationship zine. Some of the stories contain explicit sexual situations, and some don't, but buyers should be aware that the "/" relationship is present." This is first use of stand-alone virgule used for S/H outside of Starsky & Hutch fandom.
  • there are no zine reviews

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 25

A bi-monthly information magazine giving details of zines as well as Trek are given. The cover by Rosnethal is very original. I didn't realise Elliott was old enough for Masiform D. Well worth your subscription.[1]

Issue 26

cover of issue #26, Laura Virgil

Datazine 26 was published in June/July 1983 and contains about 40 pages. This is the first issue to be published in the new format, a bigger size.

  • a fan, [P T], is collecting out-of-print "classic Trek zines, both PG and Adult, for a non-profit lending library. Condition is unimportant so long as the zine is legible; unbound copies are fine. Anyone willing to part with a copy or an authorized xerox of an O.O.P. zine, kindly contact me."
  • a fan is looking for LP albums or cassette tapes of Leonard Nimoy reading poetry
  • Diane Marchant has an ad for "U.S. entries in my Spock-Christine story contest"
  • a fan is looking for the Canadian version of Catlow which "shows more scenes," referring to the shot of naked Nimoy in the bathtub
  • a fan wants to buy Doctor Who episodes on cassette tapes
  • it contains no zine reviews

Issue 27

cover of issue #27, Debi Barbich. "Debi initially delivered the cover in our old format. Gratiously she redrew the piece so that it could be used for this issue."

Datazine 27 was published in August/September 1983 and contains about 40 pages.

  • it is "all-review" issue, the editor says it is the second one
  • this issue also starts a story called "Marisoo Tudewesque" (Mary Sue to the rescue) by Sharon Macy
  • from Boldly Writing: "This issue also contained two comments about fanzines. The editors noted that some fanzine publishers took a year or more to fill orders, and encouraged them to send out fanzines promptly. Martha Crawford listed several errors she found in recent fanzines, and gave this recommendation to editors: 'You really shouldn't publish a story without checking for consistency and verifying details'." She cites authors referring to officers on the Enterprise by out-dated titles (post-movie), referring to Spock's eyes (after drinking or crying or when he's tired) as be "red and puffy" instead of "green and puffy," and that spelling character's names wrong is careless. "In a recent story I read, 'Henoch' was spelled 'Hanock."
  • a review of Antithesis #22, see that page
  • a review of Atypical, see that page
  • a review of Baselines #3, see that page
  • a review of The Bloodstone, see that page
  • a review of Continuum, see that page
  • a review of Echoes of the Empire #6, see that page
  • a review of The Federation Enquirer, see that page
  • three reviews of Galactic Discourse #4, see that page
  • a review of Genesis, a filk tape, see that page
  • a review of More Tales of Feldman, see that page
  • a review of My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys, see that page
  • a review of Nuages #1, see that page
  • a review of Only Trek, see that page
  • a review of Out of Bounds, Again, see that page
  • a review of Purple and Orange?#15, see that page
  • a review of Quastar #3, see that page
  • two reviews of R & R, #18, see that page
  • a review of Sourdani Journal, see that page

Issue 28

cover of issue #28, Dorothy Dillon

Datazine 28 was published in October/November 1983 and contains about 40 pages.

  • an announcement that KathE and Stephen (two of the editors) were soon to be married:
    I am happy to announce that KathE Donnelly will soon be KathE Walker. Now that both of our computers are housed together, it will no longer by necessary for me to steal KathE's disc drive to sort of the mailing list. Of course, there are other benefits, but they are none of your business.

  • Sixty-three all-Star Trek zines were offered for sale, 11 of them were K/S
  • there are many personal statements from fans writing of zines that haven't arrived, and naming zine editors who they feel have ripped them off. One fan has had pretty good luck but this: "Altogether they two well-known BNF names redacted have about $100 of my money... Fandom operated on trust, and after one year in which I have sent hundreds of dollars to strangers, this is the only case in which my trust appears to have been misplaced."
  • a fan writes that a shorter version of a story of hers will appear without permission in another zine. She had not heard anything from the zine ed for a year, didn't see the zine mentioned in Datazine as having been in the planning stages, and assumed it wasn't going to be used. After the zine ed said that yes, she was going to use the story, the original writer decided to publish it in a zine of her own. "No doubt, her publication will hurt the sale of my zine, but my only hope is that those who purchased my two previous zines will be interested in reading the full and complete story." This zine is The True Accord of Well-Tuned Sounds.
  • a fan complains that the STMA appears to be defunct, but she can't get her money back
  • a fan wants help in building a science fiction fanzine library at Texas A&M University
  • two fans/zine eds have had a falling out and have split their fannsh works: Sarpeidon Publications is now separate from Phoenix Press. Miscommunication/possible hijinks involving money and SASEs are occuring; these things are being sent to the wrong publisher and have not been returned or forwarded
  • there is an installment of "Marisoo Tudewesque" (Mary Sue to the rescue) by Sharon Macy
  • there are no zine reviews

Issue 29

cover of issue #29, uncredited

Datazine 29 was published in January/February 1984 and contains about 40 pages.

  • there is an article by by Joyce E. Thompson about travel tips, how to make airplane reservations, what to expect when flying, and tips about driving to cons and sharing gas
  • the editor writes:
    This issue contains 'Beta Five Snobbery.' Don Harden has graciously agreed to continue the tradition he started in APOTA. KathE and I are now on CompServe [address redacted] so those of you with computers can now leave us messages through E-Mail. Parts of 'Datazine' #29 are now on a Denver computer bulletin board [address redacted]. If successful, we hope to expand to national service. That means of course, that you can read 'Datazine' as we are working on it, before it goes to press. I've been working with computers for years, but this even blows me away!

  • there is an installment of "Marisoo Tudewesque" (Mary Sue to the rescue) by Sharon Macy
  • a fan responds to a personal statement in an earlier issue that suggested she was remiss in her duties. She says, that yes she has been, but explained why in her club's last newsletter. She has passed on her job to someone else as she is now going to be attending college and has no time. She apologizes and promises that every one will get their money back.
  • a fan sticks up for another fan regarding a personal statement in the previous issue, saying this fan is a good person, writing that "[name redacted] and Sarpeidon Publications to be totally reliable and trustworthy"' at least in her own personal dealings.
  • there are the usual letters in personal statements from fans crabbing about zines ordered but not received, from zine eds apologizing for delays and support, and in this issue, from a fan who has married and described a bit from the wedding ceremony
  • includes the column "Beta Five Snobbery" by Don Harden
  • There is a long, long letter from Della Van Hise in which she responds to multiple complaints in "Datazine" and numerous letterzines regarding to zines fans have paid for but have not received. She cites poor health, problems with the originals for at least one zine (Naked Times #4/5) being lost at the printer, and says she just plain:
    F----- Up. I can't make it any clearer than that... I hope this can be resolved as quickly and painlessly as possible for all involved. As I stated before, I DO intend to fulfill all commitments for back orders and current orders. We all make mistakes; unfortunately, mine have been more apparent than many... There really isn't much I can do other than apologize and reassure you that 'time will tell.' At this point, threatening letters aren't doing any of us any good. I honestly couldn't do anything more right now if I was under full-scale attack by Klingons, Romulans, Gorns, and Tholians. But as soon as the attack is over, I hope to prove to you that I'm not some dishonest evil alien.

  • there are no zine reviews

Issue 30

cover of issue #30, Leah Rosenthal

Datazine 30 was published in March/April 1984 and contains about 40 pages.

References

  1. ^ from Beyond Antares #28
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