For General Distribution From Linda Terrell
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|---|---|
| Title: | For General Distribution From Linda Terrell |
| Creator: | Linda Terrell |
| Date(s): | February 1989 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Blake's 7 |
| Topic: | |
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For General Distribution From Linda Terrell was a by Linda Terrell that was written early in The Blake's 7 Wars, specifically Kathy Hanson's comments in Now Paul and Janet Darrow are on the offensive about it.
Some Topics Discussed
- The Blake's 7 Wars
- powerplays and threats
- celebrities and fans behaving badly
From the Letter
I never said nor wrote I was going "to get" Kathy Hansen. Fans like Hansen eventually "get" themselves by protesting too much. The "name calling" letter I wrote to her last Dec was a rough draft of my "snitches" editorial which appeared in the ADDENDUM put out just before GAMBIT.
I never used the words "sycophantic fink". [L S's] letter in PRESSURE POINT mentioned only "someone" or "somebodies". NO NAMES WERE EVER GIVEN!
[L S's] letter was written without my knowledge or input. But I suspect some will not believe that. I did end my initial note to Kathy with a line that I hoped that it didn't apply to her because I had trusted her.
I did not send the "editorial" nor the "name calling" letter to the Darrows. However, I have no doubt that all my "crimes" are funnelled on to the Darrows.
My editorial did not mention Ms. Hansen, nor was it aimed specifically at her. I have long been outraged by Fan Snitches in this fandom and DW fandom - some 7 years now. Ms. Hansen was simply the last straw. Much of what is in that "snitches" editorial is in response to the Darrow’s own letters telling me that they’d "gotten reports" from fans of my "attacks" on Paul and my "verbal incitements" against Paul. The whole tone of this conjured pictures of Erich Von Stroheim snapping his riding crop with a terse "Und chur paperz are notz in order!"
My opinions are IN PRINT in the FA for all to read.
However, to be fair, it would appear - from a letter I have from an Australian reader - that Cathy Kerrigan held a "B Fanzine Workshop" at ZENCON and our names and pseuds were openly bandied about. Kathy wrote me that when the Darrows questioned her re Annie and Leah, she confirmed it then offered my name and pseud.
I have no idea of what Annie or Leah wrote to Kathy since I have not been privvy to their letters.
The alleged "porno" story of explicit sex between "Paul and Janet" rather than "Avon and ..." was discussed with a group of us on the pooldeck of OMNICON - OVER A YEAR AGO. Janet herself told us of this very "rude" story that had been sent them anonymously. She and several of us then got into a FACE TO FACE discussion of "slash", what the word meant, where it came from, why it was written and why pseuds were used. OVER A YEAR AGO!
They didn't just receive it and become "upset" last October!
But now they know that their American Fan "chums" write it. People they've rubbed elbows with and broken bread with, as it were. In case you haven't been paying attention, I've never numbered myself among the Darrow's "friends" or "chums". I've been an "acquaintance". Period.
Paul wrote me that I have "every right to write and say" what I wish but then goes on to say how could I write slash when I know he disapproves?
What is wrong with that scenario?
Paul has been sending out pseudo-legal "notices" that virtually BLACKLIST my photos, Leah's artwork, and Annie's zines from Cons and Clubs. But we are "free" to write and say whatever we wish. What is wrong with that scenario?
Toe the Party Line or be driven out?
Seems not all the "Ayatollahs" are in Iran!
I write slash because I want to. I have never seen the names Gareth, Paul, Michael, et al, in my stories or any others. I write about fictional characters because I want to. And I will continue to write slash because I want to.
And the "Ayatollahs" will continue to turn me in because they want to.
I am further informed that Nikki White has taken an anti-slash stance in her APA letterzine CENTERO. She outlined the slash situation and concludes that all slash is pestilence fit only for "private circulation between consenting adults”. She also includes, I'm told, an analysis of the psychology of slash writers. (And I'm sure she took into consideration that many slash writers are gay). Nikki says further in her article, I'm informed, that the FA is "scapegoating the Australian and N.Z. fans" for revealing writers' names.
If repeating what those fans have virtually ADVERTISED, is scapegoating, then I am guilty.
Nikki argues that we ought to give it (slash writing] up out of courtesy to the actors. She says fans who so far have tolerated slash ought now to indicate that it is no longer "socially acceptable". By whose standards? By whose LAW?
Toe the Party Line or be turned in, is that it? Blacklisted? Blackmailed? Threatened? I do not betray confidences. Nor do I bow to BLACKMAIL. Just which pot is calling which kettle black here?
Adult/slash fiction IS passed only among "consenting adults". Age statements are asked for. Shall publishers next run SS#'s through the FBI? Or shall we have Committees to "approve" all fan fiction to be sure it's "safe"? That sucks canal water.
I do not ever threaten to "take care" of anybody. Kathy has virtually advertised what she did and why. I have merely repeated it. But we're picking on her. What tremendous ego to assume my editorial was aimed at her exclusively!
The only time I used the word "get" was in a letter to Paul himself wherein I outlined the slash statistics: 3/4 of the regular zine readers buy slash zines; 90% of the straight writers write slash; 99% of the zine publishers publish slash. I ended with this challenge: COME AND GET US, DAMMIT! THEN YOU'LL SEE A REAL FIGHT!
When I read between the lines of Janet's letters, I realized that she wanted confessions and names. It was plain that although I had attempted to answer her questions TWICE, that wasn't enough. She has been writing to other fans yet asking "why?" I don't rat on fellow writers.
I find it curious that only the WRITERS seem to be the perceived "sinners". Yet slash can't be read if it isn't PUBLISHED. Of course, threatening the writers is "safer". Because if the publishers ever released their lists of just who does buy their slash zines, a lot of fan "Ayatollahs" will be caught out!
Some of the same people slapping my wrist for writing slash, buy every adult B7 zine Annie sells. And, in order for Kathy to have figured out my pseud by writing style grammar and style, she had to have READ - gasp! - slash! She says she doesn't read it.
By the way - and I've told Kathy precisely this in a letter - I carefully chose the words in my "snitches" editorial to sting precisely those at whom it is aimed. If the "sting" fits, wear it.
Slash is an Adult game. If you can't take the heat, go back to your playpens.