Dear Blake's 7 Fan
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| Title: | Dear Blake's 7 Fan |
| Creator: | Laurie Cohen |
| Date(s): | January 3, 1989 (note: Cohen mistyped the date on her letter) |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Blake's 7 |
| Topic: | |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Dear Blake's 7 Fan was an open letter by Laurie Cohen.
It was part of the Jan 2, 1989 Press Release packet.
It was written in response to the debate about The Blake's 7 Wars.
Some Topics Discussed
- The Blake's 7 Wars
- fandom and profit
- the future of fan-run conventions
Excerpts
THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PROSPECTIVE TOUR CONVENTIONS AND THE MORE TRADITIONAL "NOT FOR PROFIT" FANNISH CONVENTIONS IS THAT SINCE THE TOUR WILL BE ORGANIZED FOR PROFIT, WE CAN GUARANTEE THE APPEARANCE OF ADVERTISED GUESTS.
The truth is, the tour, if it happens, will be a wonderful thing for Blake's 7 fandom and everybody in it: providing fans with terrific conventions with guaranteed guests and unique programming: providing (fan) artists, zine publishers, (fan) dealers, etc, the opportunity to make money using their talents...
The idea of a tour was broached to me by Paul and Terry during Thanksgiving weekend. The three of us are friends, going back more than five years now. They are both well aware that I have been on the Con Committee of several Scorpios; that I had stepped in on zero notice and "picked up the pieces" so to speak in reorganizing the abortive Doctor Who tour that was ultimatedly transformed into "The Paul and Mike Show" or "Tour of Duty"; that I had been the driving force behind and principal organizer of DSV One. In short, my background was in well-organized, well-run fannish conventions...
I know of several "fan" dealers who made several thousand dollars at DSV One selling zines and merchandise. I know of several artists who received similar sums there, partly because for SIX HOURS (until three in the morning) those same "uncaring," "contemptuous,"
"money-grubbing" gentlemen Paul (despite severe back trouble) and Terry, together with our other guests, insisted on auctioning every single piece of artwork in the auction, knowing that the artists would get better prices for their work if they did so. While these dealers and artists were collecting small fortunes, the guests who made it all possible were being paid the paltry sum of $500.... Let me first say that this is not intended as an attack on those dealers and artists; on the contrary, I applaud their creativity and am happy for their success. But what kind of double standard says that it is all right for fans to make money at conventions, but that the guests should not?!
The artists in particular should welcome this tour: past experience shows that art pieces always sell for higher prices when they are auctioned by the guests...
There is one limited proviso I will make: there will be restrictions on the public sale and exhibition of sexually explicit artwork and zines at the tour conventions. What people sell or show their friends in the privacy of their own rooms is entirely their own business. But in deference to the sensibilities of our guests - who object, quite reasonably, I think, to being confronted with lurid stories and pictures of how they get it on with each other in the most graphic detail - the open display and distribution of sexually explicit materials must be restricted, as indeed, it is at Scorpio and was at DSV One. If it weren't for the insensitivity (not to say thoughtlessness) of certain unknown (to me) fans who apparently felt compelled to show Paul and Michael some of the more colorful stories that were being written about them, this wouldn't be such a problem. But unfortunately, the problem does now exist.
The situation is quite different from the ordinary "for profit" situation, where the guests get paid simply for appearing. Here, Paul and Terry are the organizers - they pay for their own expenses; they make money only if the tour is a success. In consequence, they will do anything possible to make 6ach of these conventions successful, and that includes organizing some pretty unique programming.
I have tremendous personal regard and affection for traditional fannish cons, and the last thing I would like to see is for them to be hurt by the tour. But I see no reason why both cannot coexist quite harmoniously. On the contrary, I believe the tour could prove a shot in the arm for Blakes 7 fandom!
Personally, as a fan, I'd hate to see the tour fail because of the understandable but totally misplaced fears of a concerned few. I want to see Paul and Michael reprise their roles on stage during the tour. I want to see Paul play Vila and Michael play Avon. I'd like to see the Blakes 7 cast perform, possibly with fannish assistance, scenes from some of my favorite Blakes 7 fan stories. I even cherish that ancient pipe dream of bringing Paul, Michael and Gareth together at one American convention. (Just think of the possibilities - we could beg, plead, (blackmail?) them into reprising the end of Blake - but doing it "properly" this time!)
I would like to believe that the misgivings expressed over the prospective tour have been generated by ignorance of the true facts and a genuine concern derived from the spector of too many "for profit" debacles like Spirit of Light. However, I am certainly not unaware that there has been a regrettable factionalization of Blakes 7 fandom in the last year, and that certain people, apparently including some or all of the organizers of these attacks, may feel themselves to be on the "outs" where this tour is concerned. Let me reassure you, and them, that such is not the case. I know I speak for all concerned with this venture when I say that we would be more than happy to have anyone involved with the tour who wishes to be. There is far too much divisiveness in this fandom already without adding to it. Rather, we should try to put an end to it and focus instead on the fun, the joys and the accomplishments each of us has derived through our involvement with Blakes 7 fandom. Finally, I would say to those who have expressed concerns over whether the convention will be good for the fans and the fandom that they, more than anyone else, should volunteer to work in its organization; their involvement is the surest guarantee that the things they fear will not be permitted to happen.
The Letter
Note that the 1988 date on the letter is incorrect. Click to see larger versions.
Page 1 of Laurie C.'s Jan 1989 Open Letter to Blake's 7 fandom. This letter was part of the Darrow/Nation Press Release Packet. Click to read.
Page 2 of Laurie C.'s Jan 1989 Open Letter
Page 3 of Laurie C.'s Jan 1989 Open Letter
Page 4 of Laurie C.'s Jan 1989 Open Letter
Page 5 of Laurie C.'s Jan 1989 Open Letter
