Della Van Hise

Fan
Name:	Della Van Hise
Alias(es):	Alexis Fegan Black, James Carlson, Morgan October, Carlin Rae Thorne, Phaedra Merin Jones, Tracey Alexander, Janna Steele, Keith Donovan, Christopher Randolph, Pagan Blue, Jane Wray, Twyla J. Peacock, and many more
Type:	fanwriter, zine publisher, concom member, writer of tie-in novels and profic novels
Fandoms:	Star Trek: TOS, K/S
Communities:
Other:
URL:	at AO3
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Della Van Hise was a prolific Kirk/Spock fanwriter who later published an official (and infamous) Star Trek tie-in novel, Killing Time.

As Alexis Fegan Black (and many, many other pseuds), Della Van Hise wrote over fifteen novels, a multitude of novellas, poems, short stories, and vignettes.

Some of her fiction was posted at AO3 starting in 2014. However, as of February 2017, the stories are no longer available apparently due to TOS violations.

Fan Reaction

A fan in 1989 wrote: "Alexis Fegan Black - No other author appears as often on my mental list of "most memorable and favorite K/S stories". She combines an excellent writing talent with the loving warmth that I admire most about K/S. I do get a little tired of all the metaphysical stories at times, and that makes me all the more appreciative when she strays to the more raw, erotic stories, such as "War Games" (OFF DUTY 1), and to a very fun read such as Things That Go Bump in the Night (NAKED TIMES 21). I believe my most favorite of hers are the DREAMS OF THE SLEEPERS series, Past, Present, and Always" (NT 7), and "A Time to be Born" (K/S COLLECTED). Where would K/S be without Alexis Fegan Black?"

Some Troubles in the Early 1980s

There is a long, long letter in Datazine #29 (as well as in Universal Translator #22) in the personal statement section by Della 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."

In Datazine #32, Della had an update. She explained in detail which zines have been sent out, and which ones are still in the works. She mentioned she is having to re-do Naked Times #4/5 part two as her "born-again printer" had completely destroyed the original and the dummy copies after she had paid her bill in full. "It seems he overlooked that commandment about coveting and/or destroying his neighbor's property." She closed with a thank you to fans. "... thanks again to those who have written kind letters of support and encouragement over the last few troubled years. I look forward to being able to re-establish the trust and harmony we all shared in the past."

Many reviews of her zines in On the Double (~ 1987) go out of their way to praise how speedy the zines arrived.

About Her Pseuds

"For those who have read ALL THAT WE SEE OR SEEM (originally published in STARRY SEAS, EARTHLY PLANES), and who might think the plot of DREAMS OF THE SLEEPERS similar, the editor would like to point out that Christopher Randolph and Alexis Fegan Black are 'one' -- quite literally."

"One of the main reasons [I use several pseuds] is that I'm hopeful of publishing more professional books, and it seems that K/S is indeed frowned upon by some of the major publishing houses. Other reasons are that I enjoy reading honest letters of comment, and many letter-writers are more likely to give honest critique of a story if they don't know their letter is going straight into the hands of the editor/writer. I'd rather have honest negative criticism than insincere ego-boo so I'll occasionally toss in a story under a different pseudonym for that reason."

"Pagan Blue (yes, I have changed my fandom name one more time, and for personal reasons. Until I can think of a better one Pagan Blue is it, guys.)

Zines In Which Della/Alexis Was Involved

• Stellar Gas
• Naked Times
• A Question of Balance
• Killing Time
• MANY others

Further Reading

• Gay Romance Press, Publisher's of Exceptional Gay Erotica: The Artistry of Della Van Hise
• Your source for the hottest Star Trek fan fiction and gay romance erotica! -- A Little Bit of History...; WebCite
• bio at Goodreads; WebCite
• Once Upon a Mad, Mad Time... (about writing the professional Star Trek novel Killing Time) (2014)

• Bring Your Own Marshmallows; WebCite (some subjects: disappointing book sales, a proposal to burn her inventory in a bonfire) (October 2015)
• Indulgences, Negative Pleasantries and "Gaslighting"; WebCite (some subjects: writing, trigger warnings, Star Trek fandom, her fiction at AO3, interpersonal relationships, victimhood) (July 2015)
• Interesting Times?; WebCite (some subjects: Amazon, self-publishing, profit) (June 2015)
• Crickets and Cat Bellies; WebCite (some subjects: has reading become obsolete?, why don't people who love her fanfiction buy her other books?, disappointing sales, some discussion of writing fanfiction) (May 2015)
• Sorry I Sat On Your Rose-Colored Glasses ; WebCite (some subjects: writing, disappointment, promoting original fiction using fanfic on AO3, book piracy) (April 2015)

• Alexis Fegan Black is Dead (some subjects: AO3's terms of service regarding advertising, fiction being removed, fandom as a disappointment) (February 2017)