Galactic Discourse

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Zine
Title: Galactic Discourse
Publisher: Sleepy Sehlat Press, Satori Press
Editor(s): Laurie Huff and Daniel Barth (#1), Laurie Huff alone (the remainder)
Date(s): 1977 - 1987
Series?:
Medium: print zine
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Galactic Discourse is a gen "often quite sentimental" [1] Star Trek: TOS fanzine. As seen from the reactions and reviews below, some fans considered select material to be pre-K/S, smarmy, and even K/S.

The zine had five issues between 1977 and 1987, first under the label Sleepy Sehlat Press, then under Satori Press. The earlier issues were reprinted.

General Reactions and Reviews

GD had humble beginnings, but Laurie quickly learned a lot as an editor, as well as in layout and design, and GD is perhaps one of of the most attractive zines, containing superior fiction, poetry, and artwork.[2]

There Were Plans for a Sixth Issue

In the editorial for issue #5, Huff wrote of a sixth issue, one that never got off the ground:

We also plan to do a sixth issue of GALACTIC DISCOURSE. We already have some tentative contents: a sequel to "Strange Salvage" by Emily Devenport; a post-TSFS Uhura story by Dan; a reprint of a rare, out-of-print Trek universe story by Leslie Fish; and fiction by Ingrid Cross, Barbara Devereaux, Flora Poste, Beverly Sutherland, and Joyce Tullock. We hope to feature a variety of characters (including author-created), but our main focus will continue to be on Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. We didn't get much Kirk-Spock material for this issue, and we certainly hope this shortage is temporary. Please note: we're at least as interested in original TV Trek material as in movie-based material. Whether or not we'll accept ST:TNG material will depend on the quality of the series.

Issue 1

Galactic Discourse 1 was published in February 1977 (reprinted April 1981) and had 112 pages, offset.

It was $3 in person, $4.35 first class. The front cover: Hugh Mason; back cover: Laurie Huff. The other art is by Gordon Carleton, Gerry Downes, Amy Falkowitz, Leslie Fish, Amy Harlib, Kathi Lynn Higley, John Holliday, Laurie Huff, Suzanne Kirwan, Signe Landon, Gee Moaven, Lee Shackleford, Marty Siegrist, Charlene Terry (front cover lettering), and Joni Wagner.

From the editorial:

This has been a real experience for me. You might not believe it, but I decided to put out a zine before I had even seen one. Back then all I had were well-worn copies of MOST, WOST, and STL; my brand-new STW directory; a ticket to Chicago 75; and an abundance of enthusiasm. When I found out about fandom's existence, I was determined to try to make up for lost time! Since then, I've corresponded profusely, gained many fantastic and talented friends, emptied my bank account buying zines and clips (not to mention pubbing this), been to a few cons, and just generally had a good time. Oh, yes .... I've also undergone the 'initiation' of trying to explain my various obsessions to mundanes, with the usual lack of success .... ie: "Well .... a filksong is, uh .... sort of like a folksong only it's about SF (typical uncomprehending 'duh' stare from mundane, sometimes followed by an obligatory 'oh').

Also from the editorial:

Might as well warn you beforehand .... the contents of this issue are a bit .... well, serious. I assure you it was unplanned. Can I help it if the writers have morbid minds? (I know, I know .... look who's talking) Funny thing is, when I expressed concern to fen acquaintances about all the 'heavies', they only became more enthusiastic (get 'em, get 'em!) But don't let anybody ever tell you Trekfen are 'sickies' ( being 'one' myself, I know they're waiting for what comes after the 'hurt'). Anywho, if 'PHASE III and CONTACT II can do it, guess we can too .... I sincerely hope you enjoy this first effort. It was prepared, perhaps not with love, but at least with love. And on that note of idealism, onward to the contents ....

  • Personal Communications, editorial (2)
  • Starpeople, poem by Laurie Huff (5)
  • All in a Day's Work, story by Johanna Cantor (6) (reprinted in Archives #4 and The Best of Amanda and Sarek)
  • Status Quo, poem by Laurie A. Haldeman (12)
  • We've Got Trekfen, filk by C.L. Terry (13)
  • Night Thoughts on an Android, poem by Leslie Fish (14)
  • In Defense of Tomcat (Essay) by Connie Faddis (18)
  • Unbiased Opinion by an SF, Non-ST Fan, poem by Marian Lois Turner (21)
  • The Mind Withdrawn, story by Kathryn Drennan (22)
  • Most Illogical, logic puzzle, by Laurie Huff (58)
  • A Day in the Life of a Trekfan by Jeanne Powers (59)
  • Freedom Flight, poem by Laurie A. Haldeman (61)
  • A Final Duty, story, by Laurie Huff (62) (Kirk is hurt beyond McCoy's ability to help and is about to be removed from the Enterprise. In a meld Kirk pleads uith Spock to end his life and Spock agrees. Racked uith guilt and grief, Spock finds surprising comfort from McCoy.)
  • Writing Contest (70)
  • A Human Touch, story (reprinted in Computer Playback #5) by Nancy Kippax (72) (Kirk sits in vigil at the bedside of a seriously injured McCoy, his thoughts turn back to when he uas the patient and first met the doctor, when the doctor pulled him through a bout of polio and he pulled the doctor out of his shell.)
  • Galactic Myths and Legends by Patrice Cullen (89)
  • No Reprieve, poem by Laurie A. Haldeman (Chapel at Spock’s deathbed, passed over again for Jim.) (90)
  • My Life Closed Twice, story by April Valentine (a story that traces Spock's life many years after Kirk's death) (92)
  • Circles, poem by C.L. Terry (111)
  • Bulletin Board (ads) (112)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for In Defense of Tomcat.

See reactions and reviews for All in a Day's Work.

See reactions and reviews for The Mind Withdrawn.

See reactions and reviews for My Life Closed Twice.

[zine]: Boasts a line-up of some of the best art in fandom, attractive and interesting black and white covers, adequately bound, layout pleasing to the eye, easy to read. I felt like I got my money's worth, and will certainly but again. This is a very fine first effort. [4]

[zine]: Though not a great zine, it is a decent first try and worth getting. Laurie's editorial is fun, and shares the hassles, joys and pains of birthing a first zine. Poetry: fair to good; my favorite is 'Unbiased Observation by an SF, Non-ST Fan' by Marian Lois Turner. You'd think it would be a put-down of STfen, but it isn't. Stories: also fair to good. 'All in a Day's Work,' a nice little story by Johanna Cantor, is an interlude during the 'Journey to Babel,' interesting look at Tellerites; 'The Mind Withdrawn' by Kathryn Drennan is a an interesting get-Kirk story. (there was a lot of 'get' in this ish). The story is fairly well-written, the aliens a bit different; 'A Final Duty'... a good 'get tale, a sad one, too. Kirk is too hurt to ever heal right... Guess what the final duty is, and who does it?; One of the best stories in the zine was 'A Human Touch' by Nancy Kippax. It's a Kirk/McCoy tale about how the two first got to know each other, and the surface plot and motivations and characterizations are well-handled, giving us some nice insights into what led Kirk and McCoy to become the people we've seen on ST. There's an amusing piece about legend, Great Bird of the Galaxy by Patrice Cullen; The best story is April Valentine's 'My Life Closed Twice.' It deals with an older Spock who has never completely accepted his grief at Kirk's death years before. It is a good study of Spock, and an interesting quiet tale, with some very good dream-imagery; And then there's the writing contest, to write what you feel upon seen a Leslie Fish illo. Let me warn you, that illo is NASTY. The winners will be interesting to read in the next ish.[5]

[zine]: Even tho reduced, there's a lot of stuff in this zine. I count five stories, seven poems, one song, an editorial, and another one of those ubiquitous logic puzzles, to make over one hundred pages of mediocre to interesting stuff. 'My Life Closed Twice' is quite the best of the batch. Except for one somewhat extraneous Wizard of Oz dream scene, it is tight, coherent, well-characterized, and about an aging Spock facing life after it 'closed twice' with the deaths of Kirk and McCoy. A few steps down from this are 'The Mind Withdrawn' and 'A Human Touch.' The former is considerably longer and far more meandering, but it has a pleasant readability and gives a new look at the hive-mind concept. 'Touch' at least does something few other ST stories have managed yet -- to write two complete, separable stories, stage-setter and flashback, and still have them connect, fulfill the other. 'A Day in the Life' of a Trekfan was, ah fannish, and 'All in a Day's Work' was rather poor, as the point of view kept stumbling over itself. Post-Babel Amanda (shades of 'Total Woman') is looking for the Tellarite Ambassador's wife's crochet needle. The punchline is, she finds it. Harlib's female Tellarite makes it bearable. Faddis has an article on the sexual proclivities of Der Kapitan, and Fish has a most unusual illo for 'Galactic Discourse's' writing contest. The zine's price [$3 + .87 UPS or $1.35 first class] is quite reasonable, considering the quality of the contents.[6]

[zine]: This is one of the best first issues of any zine I've seen. The printing quality is excellent, the art and fiction very good to good. The poetry is fair. All in a Day's Work by Johanna Cantor, is a good short that occurs after "Journey to Babel". It covers a day's work for Amanda who has, taken Sarek's place in light of his illness.

The Mind Withdrawn, by Kathryn Drennan is story of the big three discovering a new race, the Elsons, and of their problems with their home world and how they draw the Enterprise into the conflict. It is well written and enjoyable. A Final Duty by Laurie Huff is another Kirk dies story, but this one has a twist that makes it much more than just another Kirk dies story. A Human Touch by Nancy Kippax is a McCoy/Kirk friendship story. It is well written and I prehaps enjoyed this story the best. My Life Closed Twice by [April Valentine], is, as my english teacher would say, "The heaviest story of the lot.". It is well written with some interesting twists. All are nicely illustrated. The are several short pieces and an article by Connie Faddis that is thought provoking and entertaining.

A very good by [sic].[7]

[zine]:
  • "All In a Day’s Work" / Post “Babel”; Amanda saves the day, and gets Kirk and Spock to rest up, by finding the lost crochet needle of the Tellarite Ambassador’s obnoxious wife - in the sensor works.
  • "In Defense of 'Tomcat'" / Editorial on interpretations of Kirk. Makes the interesting point that for most of us a few of a character’s better episodes establish that character for us. But Kirk, because of the way tv works, had to be the central character almost all the time, including for the “Broad of the Week” episodes, so that when taken as a whole the character ends up looking shallow.
  • "The Mind Withdrawn" / Rather tedious tale with Kirk being singled out because of his latent esper talent to join/rescue a “Circle” of 7 Elsons, who are merged beings, and outlawed on their own planet. Despite Spock’s encouragement to explore this side of himself, Kirk is committed to his individuality and disturbed by the Elsons. It just doesn’t all hang together very well.
  • "Most Illogical" / logic puzzle
  • "A Final Duty" / An explosion leaves Kirk in pain with the prospect of indefinite life support and no chance of recovery. Spock releases him. McCoy talks Spock out of turning himself in to the authorities. Standard get ‘em.
  • "The Human Touch" / Kirk, watching at McCoy’s bedside through the doctor’s crisis point, reminisces about his first encounter with McCoy when the doctor pulled him through a bout of polio and he pulled the doctor out of his shell.
  • "Galactic Myths and Legends: The Great Bird of the Galaxy" / Silly little tidbit about Gene Roddenberry mythology
  • "No Reprieve" (poem) / Chapel at Spock’s deathbed, passed over again for Jim.
  • "My Life Closed Twice" / In late middle age, Spock dreams of Jim and decides to come to terms with those memories. At a loss after Jim’s death, he had learned to rely on McCoy and stayed to finish his tour. The two “closings” (from the Dickinson poem) to his life were those of Jim and McCoy. Now he becomes attached to a young assistant working with him on a renewed Daystrom M-5 project. Nice little touch is a Wizard of Oz dream.[8]

Issue 2

front cover of issue #2, uncredited, "Almost every illo is top rate. The possible exception is the front cover, which can be described as blue." [9]
back cover of issue #2, Laurie Huff
You are Receiving this Zine Because
inside back cover of issue #2, Suzanne Kirwan

Galactic Discourse 2 was published in July 1978 (reprinted April 1981) and is 116 pages long.

The art - front cover: uncredited; back cover: Laurie Huff, inside back cover by Suzanne Kirwin. Interior art by Gordon Carleton, Leslie Fish, Alice Jones, Nan Lewis, Zena Plenty, Beverly Zuk, Merle Decker, Elizabeth Marshall, P.S. Nim, Gerry Downes, Gayle F, Laurie Huff, Signe Landon, and Lin Tuschong.

From the editor about the writing contest:

In the last issue, the illo [by Leslie Fish] was offered for the readers' creative inspiration in the form of a writing contest. More than 25 entries were received, covering a fascinating range of interpretations. Nearly everyone thought that the alien figure had destructive intentions. About 65% of the respondents decided to "kill off" one or more of the characters. Of the entries, I selected three which I thought were the best -- based on the idea and its execution. I also enlisted the aid of friends, so as to render the judgement more objective. It was very difficult to narrow them down to this extent and I'm sorry I couldn't print everyone's interpretation. However, I hope you'll find these particular selections as interesting/chilling/enjoyable as I did ...

illo by Leslie Fish, reprinted from issue #1, the inspiration for the writing contest -- "Story contest - illo of Kirk holding Spock protectively while McCoy huddles nearby clutching a book and a skeletal figure looks on. Grim story of beings coming to life to destroy the landing party with madness." [10]
  • Art Credits (2)
  • Acknowledgments (2)
  • Personal Communications, editorial (3)
  • * Haiku Sequence by Steve Czapla (5)
  • One Good Turn by Ginna LaCroix (also in Trek Encore #3) (6)
  • The Solution by J. Thomas Ross ("The behind the scenes discussion as McCoy, Spock and Scotty decide what to do with the tribbles.") (23)
  • From the Book of the Seven, logic puzzle by Priscilla Pollner (26)
  • Nova, poem by Laurie Huff (27)
  • The Mark of Cain, poem by Susan K. James & Jean L. Stevenson (28)
  • The Last Orders by Ellen Kobrin ("Dying Kirk’s missive to Spock, prescribing that he share with McCoy.") (29)
  • Lamentations, poem by Ellen Kobrin (30)
  • Deja Vu, poem by Jean L. Stevenson (32)
  • The Ninth Circle by Juanita Salicrup ("The sickbay scenes we did not see in Operation Annihilate: McCoy's despair and guilt over Spock's blindness. Spock's thoughts as he tries to adjust to the situation! and finally, the discovery that Spock has his sight after all.") (33)
  • The Gamble, poem by Bev Volker (44)
  • Alone, in a Fragile Shell by April Valentine ("Recovering from his exposure to Ambassador Kollos -- “Is There In Truth No Beauty”, Spock explores the meaning of separation and union, touching and untouched.") (45)
  • The Allure of Paradise, poem by Crystal Ann Taylor (50)
  • The Price of Paradise, poem by Crystal Ann Taylor (51)
  • A Temporary Colorific Effulgence by Carol Mularski ("McCoy wagers Jim that he can make Spock blush.") (52)
  • Writing Contest Winners
  • A Kirk/Spock Multi-artist Portfolio (69)
  • A Paen for Alexander, poem by Zena Plenty (77)
  • Tribute, poem by Charlie Terry (77)
  • Hephaistion's Boast, poem by Zena Plenty (78)
  • From Both Sides by Mariann Hornlein ("Kirk reacts to being spanked by Spock and to fitting in on Vulcan." (This is a sequel to The Maze by Joan Winston.) (79)
  • Christine To Spock by Zena Plenty (87)
  • Ab renuncio by Jane Aumerle (87)
  • The Other Alternative by Susan K. James (88)
  • The Healing Time by Nancy Kippax and Bev Volker ("Jim Kirk joyfully welcomes his friend Leonard McCoy as the new CMO of the Enterprise, but his satisfaction is dimmed when it becomes apparent that McCoy and Spock are not getting along. It takes a near tragedy for Spock and McCoy to learn to trust one another.") (reprinted in Computer Playback #3) (90)
  • Earthbound Memories, poem by Ingrid Cross (115)
  • Bulletin Board, ads (116)
  • Hope, Reality, and Hope, poem by Laurie Huff (119)

  • from issue #2, Merle Decker

  • from issue #2, Laurie Huff (fold out center)

  • from issue #2, Gayle F

  • from issue #2, Gerry Downes

  • from issue #2, Lin Tuschong

  • from issue #2, Alice Jones

  • from issue #2, Nan Lewis

  • from issue #2, Gordon Carleton

  • from issue #2, P.S. Nim

  • from issue #2, Beverly Zuk

  • from issue #2, Laurie Huff

  • from issue #2, Beverly Zuk

  • from issue #2, Laurie Huff

  • from issue #2, Laurie Huff

  • from issue #2, Signe Landon: "Knight to King One" -- printed in the zine in black and white

  • the original color version (NOT in the zine): "Knight to King One" was later sold at an unknown auction, the medium was pen and ink, and watercolor

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

See reactions and reviews for The Spell.

See reactions and reviews for The Edge of Nowhere.

See reactions and reviews for From Both Sides.

See reactions and reviews for The Other Alternative.

See reactions and reviews for The Healing Time.

[zine]: Graphically, this zine is very nicely put together with clear readable type and sharply defined illustrations. The artwork is generally quite good, although I must admit that the Alice Jones and P.S. Nim pieces were my favourites.... The zine includes a K/S [note: the reviewer uses "K/S" in an older fashion, one which is not defined by sexual intimacy, for more information, see K/S] art portfolio containing several interesting studies of the pair. The fiction is a mixed bag. My favourite piece is 'The Ninth Circle.' This story tells us of what happened after Kirk left McCoy and the blind Spock in Sickbay during 'Operation: Annihilate.' It is well-written and gives us a good insight into the inner turmoil suffered by both McCoy and Spock, the doctor's guilt and the Vulcan's dawning realization of the meaning of life without sight. Alice Jone's illustration is gorgeous, but it hurts me every time I look at it. All I can say about it is that Spock really IS blind. I also enjoyed 'One Good Turn,' however, I do have a few reservations about the story which affect its validity especially insofar as military procedure is concerned. For one thing, Spock's sentence is far too harsh for a charge of insubordination considering that he is a senior officer of command grade. After all, Spock was successful, and in the military, success often causes the brass to turn a blind eye to any irregularities preceding the incident... 'The Solution' is a nice, light, short piece dealing with the elimination of the tribbles from the Enterprise. However, the author apparently misses the humor in the situation in that it was Spock's idea to transport the creatures to a Klingon ship. 'Alone in a Fragile Shell' is a vignette based on 'Is There No Truth in Beauty' which takes place after Miranda Jone's cured Spock. This story ended with a typical comfort scene. However, it is interesting, and I did enjoy it. 'The Other Alternative' is a very short hint at an alternative ending for 'City on the Edge of Forever' in which Edith Keeler lives, but Kirk prevents her from beginning the Peace Movement and thus changing history. ... Perhaps I'm a little dense, but I seem to have missed the whole point of this brief vignette. How did Kirk stop her? By living with her for six years? Did he convince her the PM was wrong? How?... Ms. James would have had to include more in this story to convince me. And besides, I cannot see Kirk simply leaving Edith. 'The Healing Time' is a well-written story showing Spock from McCoy's pov as the doctor thinks back over his developing friendship with the Vulcan. The only major structural problem with this story is that it obviously all takes place in McCoy's head, and yet thoughts belonging to Kirk and Spock intrude at certain points... The poetry is competent and enjoyable... All in all, I feel that this is a good zine and well worth the price, especially if you are a K/S enthusiast.[11]

GAL-D 2 is a beautiful and lovingly produced zine, rich in graphics. Almost every illo is top rate. The possible exception is the front cover, which can be described as blue. The layout is superior and the type clear and concise as well as extremely legible. The only complaint - a personal peeve of tne reviewer - is the different sizes of type, but in no way does it detract from the overall production. Three outstanding stories are the winners of the writing contest offered in GAL-D 1, as creative interpretations of an illo by Leslie Fish. They are excellent, wtth an eerie, ethereal quality. The K/S multi-artist portfolio is enjoyable in itself, but as the editor states, if any of the illos turn your own flights of fancy into a short story or poem, all the better. It's also a sneaky method of getting material for GAL-D 3. There are two stories of major length, one of which is "The Healing Time" by Beverly Volker and Nancy Kippax. It looks back to the departure of Boyce as Chief Medical Officer aboard the Enterprise and McCoy's arrival upon the scene. The good doctor and Spock are at odds with one another over the fact they must share Kirk's friendship. At least that is the case until the shuttlecraft carrying the three men on a routine mission crashes. Kirk has 36-48 hours to live as a result of propalene nitrate poisoning and the prospect of their being rescued is slim, indeed. The other story is "One Good Turn" by Ginna Lacroix. Spock is sentenced to three years on a penal colony for placing Kirk's safety and well-being before obedience to Star Fleet's orders, again, yet, and still. GAL-D 2 is a wise buy from the standpoint of graphics and the writing contest interpretations alone. RATING 9 out of 10 [12]

[zine]:
  • "One Good Turn" / Spock has disobeyed Kirk’s direct order to save him; with Kirk unconscious in Sickbay, a court sentences Spock to “maximum sentence” at the Carbel penal colony. Spock redeems himself by heroism when the Klingons attack the colony to free their operatives. Standard fare. The sentence seemed extreme for the crime.
  • "The Solution" / Scott, Spock and McCoy determine their course of action having been ordered to get rid of the tribbles.
  • "The Last Orders" / Dying Kirk’s missive to Spock, prescribing that he share with McCoy.
  • "The Ninth Circle" / Rather nice behind-the-scenes from Operation: Annihilate as Spock and McCoy come to terms with Spock’s blindness.
  • "Alone in a Fragile Shell" / Recovering from his exposure to Ambassador Kollos (“Is There In Truth No Beauty”), Spock explores the meaning of separation and union, touching and untouched. Interesting.
  • "A Temporary Calorific Effulgence" / McCoy wagers Jim that he can make Spock blush. Entertaining little farce.
  • "Run With the Dead" / Story contest - illo of Kirk holding Spock protectively while McCoy huddles nearby clutching a book and a skeletal figure looks on. Grim story of beings coming to life to destroy the landing party with madness.
  • "The Spell" / Story contest - illo of Kirk holding Spock protectively while McCoy huddles nearby clutching a book and a skeletal figure looks on. This was fun. McCoy becomes a wizard’s apprentice and has to hold evil spells at bay from his friends.
  • "The Edge of Nowhere" / Story contest - illo of Kirk holding Spock protectively while McCoy huddles nearby clutching a book and a skeletal figure looks on. Chilling alternate ending to “City on the Edge of Forever.” The crew left behind go through the Guardian and change something; when Kirk, Spock and McCoy return to the future after sacrificing Edith, there is no Starfleet, no rescue, and they are marooned to die on a barren planet. Told from Kirk’s rather delirious pov. Kinda overdramatic, but points for the idea.
  • "Kirk / Spock Art Portfolio
  • "From Both Sides" / Rather alarming little story, a sequel to “The Maze” (Joan Winston, Metamorphosis 2) in which Kirk has received a spanking (good grief!) from his liege lord Spock for disobeying an order. He then behaves in a super-Vulcan fashion to show his brother Spock and father Sarek their error in trying to make him so. Ick.
  • "The Other Alternative" / A happy-ending alternative to “City on the Edge of Forever.” Kirk stays, marries Edith, and prevents her from meeting Roosevelt and holding back the war. Points for the idea.
  • "The Healing Time" / At a medal ceremony for Spock on Vulcan, McCoy reminisces about their early days together, vying with one another for Kirk’s attention. The feud is resolved after a shuttle crash in which Kirk is poisoned and they learn to cooperate and trust to save him. Kind of a well-used situation, but nicely written.[13]

Issue 3

front cover of issue #3, Signe Landon. It was nominated for a Fan Q. According to A 2007 Interview with Georgia Barnes, this cover inspired her story Myrddin. One art commentator noted this about the cover: "This is wonderful! I love the use of the Command Gold & Science Division Blue incorporated into the illo. Symbolic, too, with the rising Sun.... and they are knights... [Signe is a] very talented artist."[14]
back cover of issue #3, Laurie Huff
a flyer for issue #3, printed in Antithesis #15 (1981)

Galactic Discourse 3 was published in July 1980 and contains 244 pages, off-set, perfect-bound, and a lot of artwork.

Front cover: Signe Landon; back cover: Laurie Huff. Art & illustrations: Clare Bell, Merle Decker, Hans Dietrich, Linda White, Connie Faddis, Gayle F, Leslie Fish, Stefanie Hawks, Laurie Huff, Signe Landon, Nan Lewis, Mary Stacy-MacDonald, Zena Plenty, Evallou Richardson, Gloria-Ann R., Carrie Rowles, Pat Stall, Harriet Stallings, Bev Zuk

This issue contains a full-page art piece by Leslie Fish that fans were encouraged to write about for the next issue. See art in issue #4.

"As many non-sexual K&S fanzines did at the time, this issue featured highly sentimentalized stories about Kirk and Spock." [15]

A flyer for this issue stated:

Galactic Discourse is a genzine -- it does not contain sexually explicit material, and its purchase does not require an age statement. However, please note: the zine does feature a variety of material, some dealing with controversial topics and adult themes and language.

  • Art Credits and Acknowledgments (2)
  • Personal Communications (editorial) (3)
  • The Last Voyage by Judith M. Evans (5)
  • Amanda's Song, filk by Jane Freitag (8)
  • The Team, poem by Marguerite Krause (9)
  • A World of Two, poem by Crystal Ann taylor (10)
  • Reckoning by Ginna LaCroix ("The first part of the story takes place between the scenes of the episode "Journey to Babel." In it, Spock refuses to leave his post to save his own father, rushes off the bridge to take Kirk in his arms after Kirk is wounded. "The crew of the Enterprise thought they'd seen the last of the Orionss; now these same enemies stalk James Kirk, seeking information that will help them revenge their failure to disrupt the Corridon Conference.") (also in Trek Encore #1) (12)
  • Vulcan Novice, poem by Barbara L. Storey (41)
  • Hazel Magic, filk by Linda White (42)
  • A Hero's Return by Joyce Tullock ("A McCoy story. (McCoy is returning to the Enterprise after helping to fight a plague. This story tells of the feelings of his friends, especially Jim Kirk, as they welcome him home.") (44)
  • Reader Interpretations
    • Quiet Times, poem by Gene S. Delapenia (50)
    • Ride With Me poem by Gene S. Delapenia (50)
    • As Goes Your King by Diana Rusnak ("The lives of Spock and Kirk and the fate of the Enterprise depend an the outcome of a game of chess betueen McCoy and the evil Ryjamyr.") (51)
  • Writing Contest ("The illustration on the opposite page was provided by the "fiendish" imagination and nimble fingers of Leslie Fish, in the tradition of GALACTIC DISCOURSE 1. You are invited to test your interpretive talents by responding to the presented artistic scenario (or a part thereof) in the form of a vignette, short, or poem. All entries should be typed (double-space) if possible. and should include an appropriately-sized SASE if a return is desired. The deadline is July 1981. Winners will receive a free copy of the next issue (the one their work will be printed in). Good luck ... !") (54)
  • A Touch of Light by Linda White ("The Enterprise is assigned to investigate the disappearance of ships from a supposedly unpopulated area of space. but it turns out to be occupied: by Romulans and their hostage -- a missing scientist with a terrifying device.") (56)
  • From the Other Side/Shadows, poem by Jeanne Cloud (87)
  • Trek Humor Portfolio (88)
  • Quiddity: Elusive, poem by Maggie S. Hart (89)
  • Amok Time Revisited by Mary A. Smith (92)
  • Alexander/Hephaistion: Two Poems by Gerry Downes (98)
  • The Edge of Reality, poem by Crystal Ann Taylor (100)
  • Beginnings: In Retrospect by Jennifer Ferris & Harriet Stallings ("Alone on a Canadian shore leave, Kirk and Spock make discoveries about themselves and each other. A different sort of K/S story, dealing with the psychological/practical aspects of the relationship.") (102)
  • The Reason, poem by Della Van Hise (120)
  • The Stowaway, poem by Clare Bell [reprint of “Reverie” from Warped Space #42] ("Spock finds a Terran butterfly on the wall.") (123)
  • The Saints and Poets, Maybe by April Valentine (124)
  • The Missing Nativity Figure, poem by Clare Bell (132)
  • Vulcan Genesis, poem by Jimmye Galli (135)
  • Raison d'Etre by Sharon Decker ("Returned to his own universe and the I.S.S. Enterprise, Captain Kirk finds reason to reevaluate his goals and ideas... and his relationship with his Vulcan First Officer.") (later published as a part of Revolution) (136)
  • Through the Looking Glass, poem by Frankie Jemison (151)
  • untitled poem by Harriet Stallings (153)
  • Sorcerer by Gayle F—An A/U in which Spock raises Kirk from the dead.) (reprinted in Impact) (154)
  • Amor fati, poem by Frankie Jemison (156)
  • The New Beginning by Zena Plenty (157)
  • Parallel Universe in Ni Var, poem by Clare Bell (160
  • Logical Concerns by Linda White, illo by Pat Stall (163)
  • No Way Out, poem by Linda White (163)
  • Example, poem by Diana Rusnak (170)
  • The Hidden Truth by Beverly Volker & Nancy Kippax ("Spock's attempt to conceal a physical condition and a tragedy in the life of McCoy combine to tear apart the friendship of Kirk, Spock and McCoy. An unsentimental story, McCoy learns that his ex-wife is dead. "Because of his reticence to discuss the Vulcan metabolic change he is undergoing, Spock endangers his life and unwittingly brings conflict into the relationship between himself, Jim Kirk, and Dr. McCoy. Third in the series of stories about the growth of the 'Triad,' this story also stands alone.") (172)
  • Walking Bear Speaks, poem by Frankie Jemison (232)
  • To an Image in the Mirror, poem by Daniel E. Barth (224)
  • The Moment,poem by Laurie Huff (224)
  • Bulletin Board (ads) (separate insert)

  • from issue #3, Merle Decker, a fold-out

  • from issue #3, Gayle F

  • from issue #3, Laurie Huff

  • from issue #3, Linda White, an early bit of mpreg (perhaps the first?) and a riff on the story Beyond Setarcos. "Bones, would you come to my cabin please? I think it's time you learned the truth about Setarcos."

  • from issue #3, Stefanie Hawks

  • from issue #3, Merle Decker

  • art from issue #3, Connie Faddis

  • from issue #3, Nan Lewis

  • from issue #3, Mary Stacy-MacDonald

  • from issue #3, Claire Bell

  • from issue #3, Bev Zuk, Mirror Kirk and Marlena Moreau, from "Raison d'Etre," a story that is also a chapter in Revolution

  • from issue #3, Bev Zuk,

  • from issue #3, Pat Stall

  • from issue #3, Mary Stacy-MacDonald

  • from issue #3, Laurie Huff

  • from issue #3, Merle Decker

  • from issue #3, Jane Freitag

  • from issue #3, Merle Decker

  • from issue #3, Stefanie Hawks

  • from issue #3, Carrie Rowles

  • from issue #3, inside back cover, Hans Dietrich

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

See reactions and reviews for Sorcerer.

See reactions and reviews for Reckoning.

See reactions and reviews for Beginnings in Retrospect.

See reactions and reviews for The Last Voyage.

See reactions and reviews for A Hero's Return.

See reactions and reviews for A Touch of Light.

See reactions and reviews for Amok Time Revisited.

See reactions and reviews for The Saints and Poets, Maybe.

See reactions and reviews for Raison d'Etre.

See reactions and reviews for The New Beginning.

See reactions and reviews for Logical Concerns.

See reactions and reviews for The Hidden Truth.

[zine]: This zine is impressive even upon preliminary inspection - it is a whopping 200 plus pages with a front cover by Signe Landon, and many ages of artwork, poems, and stories ... there are also actual photographic reproductions of star in the heavens and constellations, one of these in color, another in black and white by Laurie Huff has a Spock theme drawn cleverly into the foreground with the space and stars behind. The artwork in this zine ranges from the truly exquisite, like Gayle F's 'Sorcerer' drawing, to the less than mediocre. There are five moderately long stories, the first of which is 'Reckoning.' It opens into a scene where Kirk has been stabbed in the back by Thelev in 'Journey to Babel.' The story goes on past the end of the episode to relate the incidents of the Orions' further attempts to get Kirk. 'A Touch of Light': Kirk and Spock come up against the Romulans on again in an effort to intercept a defecting Rigelllian scientist and discover the nature of his new secret weapon. 'Beginners' is a character study of the relationship between Kirk and Spock, and of the new aspects of that relationship which develops when Spock confesses his true feelings for Kirk. 'Raison d'etre' is set in the Mirror universe and follows the captain of the I.S.S. Enterprise through the aftereffect of the Mirror, Mirror incident where he is forced to revaluate his own life, and the lives of those around him. 'The Hidden Truth,' is in my opinion, the best story of this zine. The in-depth McCoy personality was the highlight of this story, McCoy being spotlighted when he comes into conflict with Kirk and Spock. Spock was typical Spock in this story, but the characterization of Kirk was not quite kosher; the sensitive handling of McCoy, however, overshadowed all else, and the parts came together to create one very lovely story. The are also several lessor, shorter stories contained in in this zine, a few short shorts, and many poems of a quality which was light-years ahead of the poetry I've waded through in other zines. The sensitivity and insight with which these authors handled their material truly overwhelmed me. Furthermore, I found this zine to be excellent in nearly all aspects -- content, quality of writing, reproduction, layout. I highly recommend it.[16]

[zine]: I've bought a lot of zines and its always difficult to decide whether or not to buy a zine that costs more than $10. GALACTIC DISCOURSE is absolutely fabulous, starting with the striking cover by Signe Landon, which is printed in three colors. The rest of the art is equal to the cover. There are also several photographs of space, including a color one of the Eagle Nebula. The layout has a professional look with borders around much of the text. There is even the music for a song printed in this zine. Of course, a zine cannot stand on art alone. The stories are the most important part. And, you will not be disappointed in the selection. There are thirteen stories, including three novel-length ones. The novels are extremely well done. "The Hidden Truth" by Volker and Kippax is an intriguing character study of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. There are several different crises which bring these men closer to an understanding of each other. "A Touch of Light" by Linda White is a Star Trek novel involving Rigellians, Romulans, cowardly humans and all the characters from the Enterprise. It was very interesting to see all these different characters developed. Each group was different from the others and the twists and turns in the plot are quite exciting. "Reckoning," by Ginna LaCroix, was the most interesting of the three novels. It starts with Captain Kirk being knifed by the fake Andorian in "Journey to Babel" and explores the aftermath of the conference. Ginna LaCroix has chosen to de-velope the Orions, a group of aliens that have rarely been written about. Their social and political structure is seen against the background of their attempts to disrupt the Babel Conference. Kirk and Spock fight a battle to protect themselves and the Enterprise. The other stories are really well done and interesting. I liked two in particular. "Amok Time Revisited," by Mary Smith, is a look at Spock's Pon Farr as it might have happened if T'Pring had not called for the challenge. I loved it! "Raison d'etre," by Sharon Decker, is a story based on the events after Kirk and the others returned to the mirror universe. Here is a realistic look at the Kirk and Spock of the Imperial Star Fleet. The characterizations are believable, the ending, ingenious. There isn't enough room to truly do justice to this fine zine. You won't be disappointed if you buy it.[17]

[zine]: I like Galactic Discourse for much the same reasons I liked Sasheer. The big difference is that there's twice as much of it. Whereas Sasheer is as exquisitely spare as a Japanese garden, GD has the charming clutter of a Victorian living room. Every nook and cranny is decorated in some way. Although the quality of the artwork and writing varies, it's a lively mix. I picked this zine because I find it invigorating. Whenever I lose my sense of inspiration for fannish work, I take this volume off me shelf and thumb through it. The bold intermix of styles and approaches always revitalizes me.[18]

[zine, with an emphasis on "The Hidden Truth"]: I am delighted that GALACTIC DISCOURSE 3 is back in print for the pleasure of recommending "The Hidden Truth" by Bev Volker and Nancy Kippax. Allow me to preface my remarks by saying that I did not enjoy the early stories by these two (in the mid-1970's). I thought they were poorly characterized and bland. (They felt the same way about my writing.) This is the first story of theirs (printed 1980) that I have enjoyed, and I have run across some competent

stories from them since then, too. 'The Hidden Truth,' however, was special. I would have nominated it for a Fan Q if I hadn't read it a year late. The basic conflicts are McCoy's mixed feelings upon learning of his ex-wife's death, and Spock's medical crisis. (I'm a sucker for "medical distress" stories.) Kirk is involved by trying to sort these things out. There are misunderstandings (I don't usually like stories based on misunderstandings and their results) and hurt feelings, and efforts to straighten everything out. One of the great strengths of this story is the characterization of McCoy (yes, I know the two authors specialize in Kirk and Spock stories). He acts very much like a research-oriented medical doctor who cares about his patients.

I cannot recommend this story too highly. Unfortunately, the other stories in GALACTIC DISCOURSE 3 did not impress me. (One in particular, "Reckoning," was a re-telling of "Journey to Babel." When Kirk gets injured, Spock leaves his post immediately at a critical time in order to go and hold Kirk in his arms. (Sorry, this I cannot swallow.) But I do think "The Hidden Truth" is worth the price of the fanzine, (it is about 50 pages long.) [19]

[zine]:
  • "The Last Voyage" / Crew dismantling the old Enterprise is shocked to see her re-form, brighten up, and streak off to new adventures, with a full complement of the original bridge crew. Okay, it’s trite, but kinda sweet.
  • "Reckoning" / Post-Babel, Spock is furious with McCoy for not taking proper care of Kirk. McCoy sends them down for recuperation during the conference, and the Orion blood-mate of the spy who committed suicide goes after Kirk. Spock sets himself up as bait instead as they try to uncover the full Orion plot. Spock is held hostage, Kirk trades places, Spock overpowers his guards to escape and reveal the plot while the Orion tortures Kirk, and McCoy arrives with the cavalry to tend Kirk. Corridan is admitted, and Sarek asks Kirk to help him get to know his son on the return journey. Has some good points, including McCoy trying to fight his own jealousy of the friendship between Kirk and Spock, but flawed by a decidedly overprotective and overemotional Spock.
  • "A Hero’s Return" / McCoy has worked himself into exhaustion on a plague assignment and is blaming himself for sitting communing with the computers while other medical personnel were out assisting patients and dying with honor - though he was forcibly kept in safety and reduced the projected plague deaths by three-quarters. Kirk gets him out of the funk by telling him (falsely) that Spock had said the computer could have done it without him; the argument against Spock shows him that he really did make a difference. Nice touch with McCoy’s mercurial personality here - he really is rather irrational, but keeps all his good martyr points.
  • "As Goes Your King" / Macabre and very compelling tale of McCoy being forced to play chess with real people, and almost managing to save Kirk and Spock. Almost. (Interp story from previous issue's art work.)
  • "A Touch of Light" / Kirk is growing weary of Starfleet and thinking of a new life for himself and Spock. Enterprise is sent to investigate the disappearance of a Terran scientist and suspicions of a new Romulan base. Sure enough, the Romulans do have a base, and fortuitously capture the scientist and force him to rework his invention - a dimensional door - into a field that can operate as a weapon. They also capture Kirk and Spock who came down in a life shuttle to do a little poking around, but Kirk manages to get away by taking the Romulan commander’s lover hostage. Kirk gets Spock back by setting the field in motion and stunning everyone who could turn it off. However, he is almost caught in his own trap when the Romulan technician is revived but still can’t turn the thing off. The Romulan couple as well as their ship are doomed in the field; Kirk and Spock race against the field, have a tender pre-death moment together, and are rescued early by Scott, who noticed something wrong with space. Kirk decides to give the ‘Fleet another 6 months.
  • "Trek Humor Portfolio" / A nice collection of cartoons - my favorites are “Beads and Rattles” (McCoy taunting Spock, who is holding an Andorian infant with pointed ears) and “How You Play the Game” (triumphant Kirk and annoyed Spock playing Planetary Monopoly)
  • "Amok Time Revisited" / Spock’s marriage to T’Pring - with everything going along in mind-numbingly logical fashion, until Spock (with much relief) is slapped into reality by McCoy – who had to treat Spock with a hallucinogen. Reasonable speculation of what that life might really be like, and nice awakening of Spock’s pride in his human bits.
  • "Beginnings in Retrospect" / Kirk and Spock spend a shore leave in a cabin in the Canadian winter, agonizing over their declaration of mutual love and what that means to each. They don’t actually seem to resolve anything, and despite a few pleasant scenes, the story gets tedious as Spock worries about his own protectiveness of Kirk and Kirk keeps wondering if Spock means sex when he says love. Ends with them on the new ship after V’ger, each still wondering what they are to each other.
  • "The Saints and Poets, Maybe" / Kirk, Spock and McCoy are all in good moods as they wrap up a mellow shore leave when Kirk investigates a local porcupine-like critter, gets nailed with poison spines, and witnesses his death. Afterwards, McCoy is plagued by the fact that he gave up on Kirk and it was Spock who insisted they keep trying to resuscitate – successfully. An old premise, but well handled. Title from “Our Town” quote.
  • "Raison d’Etre" / A redemption story of Mirror Kirk. Returning from his hour aboard “our” Enterprise, Kirk must sort out what really happened in his absence, determine his real relationships with Spock and Marlena, and figure out what to do about the Halkans - he doesn’t want to destroy the planet, but knows that Spock has orders to kill him if he doesn’t. This is a nice ISS Enterprise story, with a Kirk who is ambitious but bothered by the actions he has taken to gain his position, and by the picture the facts of his record will present to the “other” Kirk. For example, he killed Pike out of mercy, not ambition. Problems abound - Marlena frees Sulu and Chekov to kill him - but he and Spock dance around each other until they determine that they are both interested in taking up the revolutionary life.
  • "Sorcerer" / Magic stuff - Magician Spock using his one-time powers to call his Kirk back to life. Not to my taste.
  • "The New Beginning" / Some alternate universe thing with Spock leaving Vulcan after losing a music competition to Sarek. Not to my taste.
  • "Logical Concerns" / Once again, Kirk’s near-fatal injuries inspire Spock to declare his love. Not to my taste. Cool illo by Pat Stall, though.
  • "The Hidden Truth" / McCoy’s mixed feelings on hearing of the birth of his first grandchild sparks reminiscence of an early falling-out between him him and Kirk and Spock. McCoy had just heard that his ex, Ariane, had died suddenly, and was dealing with conflicting emotions around that and the consequences of caring, when Kirk and Spock went off on a planetary mission together leaving him feeling excluded. Spock was in fact suffering a Vulcan endocrine transformation called Tyanar which is painful and causes loss of all pain control, though should be controllable with rensolin. Not wanting anyone to see him in that condition, he only reluctantly agreed to accept Kirk’s company, with the clear understanding that any revelation to others (including McCoy) would be a violation of trust. However, Spock underestimated the danger and Kirk eventually called in McCoy, demanding that he treat him on the spot to protect his pride. McCoy adamantly refused and took him to Sickbay, with all the privacy-securing provisions he could manage. Throughout the long treatment, Kirk remains furious with McCoy and McCoy withdraws into a shell, performing his function as doctor but without his usual fussing, compassionate bedside manner. Afterwards, McCoy feels unloved, that no one needs Leonard McCoy, just the skilled Doctor. Kirk begins to catch on that something else must be afoot, and attempts to reconcile, but McCoy rebuffs him, stating that it isn’t something he wishes to discuss with him. When McCoy attempts a reconciliation himself, he is dangerously injured in a turbolift crash. While his future hangs in limbo, Kirk and Spock rally to him. They also discover the tape from Joanna, and all are reconciled looking at events from one another’s perspective. Back in the “present” McCoy calls the others to a toast for his new grandchild, but has decided not to go visit, deliberately setting his family on the shelf again, and Kirk accepts his decision. (Though this seems a tad out of character, I like it - the guy really is running away, and he’s going to keep running.) A few unfortunate uses of “special” and all forms of the word “care” get overworked. Also, it is tiresome to always have to have someone at death’s door to effect a reconciliation. Otherwise, well written and a compelling exploration of the fragility of friendship within a plot that keeps the story going.
  • Poetry:
    • "The Team" / Each of the trio wistfully musing on what a great pair the others are.
    • "The Stowaway" / (reprint of “Reverie” from Warped Space #42) Spock finds a Terran butterfly on the wall.[20]

[zine]: Great mixture from the poetry to short stories. The first one, "The Last Voyages" is as it should be: breaking free from the chains of the fourth horseman. I found 'The Hidden Truth1 the befit story here for it explores McCoy's reactions to two milestones: Joanna's daughters birth and the death of his wife. To each he produces positive and negative reactions, with the negative winning for now. 'Raison d'etre' features the mirror universe where Kirk and Spock consolidating their alliance to defeat the Empire and 'Beginnings in Retrospect' - a holiday/shore leave in the wilds of Canada during the winter. And I could go on and on, etc. You will just have to read this issue for yourself.[21]

[zine]: Galactic Discourse 3, cover shows Spock and Kirk as sorcerer and knight, lovely use of gold for command and blue for science. The art is very nice in this fanzine, and it includes a special pull out page with Kirk and Spock playing "Planetary Monopoly", as well as a color illustration of the Eagle Nebula, a fabulous "Peter Max-ish" stylized illustration of Spock and Kirk, nearly nude pics, and some light humor. Includes filk music, poems, a Trek Humor Portfolio and of course stories. I read a few passages, there is definitely a K/S feeling to at least some of the stories. there is even an M/Preg cartoon of Kirk. Something for everyone I guess! [22]

Issue 4

back cover of issue #4, Laurie Huff
front cover of issue #4, Signe Landon

Galactic Discourse 4 was published in April 1983. It contains 288 pages and a lot of artwork.

Front cover: Signe Landon; back cover: Laurie Huff. Other art by Merle Decker, Gayle F, Leslie Fish, Suzanne Garden, Toni Hardeman, Stephanie Hawks, Hindeman, Laurie Huff, Jude M. Jackson, Vel Jaeger, Signe Landon, Nan Lewis, Suzan Lovett, Mary Stacy-MacDonald, Kate Maynard, Helena Ming, Lydia Moon, Evallou Richardson/ERIC, Gloria-Ann Richardson, Carrie Rowles, Harriett Stallings, Laura Virgil, Linda White, Mel White and Beverly Zuk.

  • poem by Georgia Barnes (5)
  • Paladin, poem by Dayle S. Barker (7)
  • Caverns by Libby Jones. (Kirk once again confronts the dilemma of duty or friendship as he searches for Spock lost on an ice-age planet during an important mission. Spock goes missing on a classified mission to an icy planet in search of a rare mineral hoard. Kirk follows, nurses the wounded Spock (by mind touch) until Enterprise returns, and deals with the Vulcan's sense of failure.) (8)
  • Another Day in the Life of a Trekfan by Suzan Lovett (20)
  • When Captain Kirk Speaks... by Harriet Stallings. (When the name of the famed Captain of the Enterprise is accidentally inscribed on the investment brochure of a company dealing in pornography, the ship 'listens' - with humorous results.) (21)
  • Only Myself to Rely On by Crystal Ann Taylor. Interpretation. (26)
  • Hawklord by Eileen Roy. Interpretation. (28)
  • Contest Results (Leslie Fish illo) (31)
  • Fait Accompli by Sharon Decker. Continuation of "Raison d'Etre" from Galactic Discourse #3. (later published as a part of Revolution) (36)
  • The Love I Once Knew, poem by Crystal Ann Taylor (57)
  • Freeze Frame by April Valentine (58)
  • The Death's Head Nebula by Daniel E. Barth (62)
  • Fan-tasia, art portfolio (77)
  • "He Claims You Are the Last What?" and "I Fail to See the Resemblance" by Suzan Lovett (art)
  • I'm a Vulcan, filk by Jennifer Weston (91)
  • The Call of Home, poem by Judy Darnell (93)
  • Interlude, poem by Monica Chynn (94)
  • Conundrum by Ginna LaCroix (also in Trek Encore #2) (95)
  • Musings on Love, poem by Georgia Barnes (129)
  • The Bay Cafe, humor by Helena Mong (130)
  • The Fan Editor's Guide to Fanzine Publishing, cartoons by Mel White and Laurie Huff (131)
  • In Sickbay, poem by Judy Darnell (137)
  • Crossing Visions by Joyce Tullock (After V'Ger, Spock and McCoy try to re-establish their friendship.) (138)
  • Theragen Again by Bobbie Hawkins (McCoy confesses to Kirk what transpired while Kirk was trapped in the Tholian Web and then faced a very Vulcan Spock with his apology.) (146)
  • A Time To Care by Ginna LaCroix ) (also in Trek Encore #3) (McCoy and Kirk in engineering immediately following Spock's death.) (151)
  • Remember, poem by Ginna LaCroix (151) (also in Trek Encore #3)
  • Between the Darkness and the Dawn, interp by Jean Chabot (156)
  • The Ending of Dreams, poem by Denise Habel (159)
  • Portal by Becky Bockoven (AU - Arthurian) (161)
  • Understand, poem by Suzan Lovett (170)
  • Wordless Memories by Patricia Frazer Lamb (172)
  • Stars in His Eyes, poem by Crystal Ann Taylor (175)
  • Silent Voices, poem by Billie Phillips (176)
  • Field of Honor by Harriet Stallings & Jennifer Ferris (Post-TMP) (178)
  • Alone/Come to Me, poem by Hindman (184)
  • Observations, poem by Judy Darnell (187)
  • Schovil by Joyce Tullock & Ingrid Cross. Post-TMP. McCoy H/C. (McCoy's efforts to investigate mistreatment of inmates in a prison camp lead to his secret imprisonment on a planet where the climate is often fatal to humans. The doctor is befriended by a fellow prisoner while Kirk and Spock search for him.) (224)
  • Discourse with Self-Divided, poem by Georgia Barnes (225)
  • Forget, poem by Zena Plenty (225)
  • Worlds Without End, poem by Carol Hansen (226)
  • Evolution, poem by Laurie Huff (228)

  • from issue #4, Suzan Lovett

  • from issue #4, ERIC

  • from issue #4, Merle Decker

  • from issue #4, Toni Hardeman

  • from issue #4, Suzann Garden

  • from issue #4, Nan Lewis

  • from issue #4, Vel Jaeger

  • from issue #4, Signe Landon

  • from issue #4, Stefanie Hawks

  • from issue #4, Laura Virgil

  • "He Claims You Are the Last What?" by Suzan Lovett, from issue #4. One of Suzan's few more stylistically simple line drawings, unlike her later, more lush and elaborate color art.

  • from issue #4, Kate Maynard

  • from issue #4, Kate Maynard

  • from issue #4, Kate Maynard

  • from issue #4, Lydia Moon

  • from issue #4, Gayle F, see original color version here

  • from issue #4, Leslie Fish, the art piece that was to challenge fiction, first printed in issue #3

  • from issue #4, Kate Maynard

  • from issue #4, Kate Maynard

  • from issue #4, Suzan Lovett

  • from issue #4, Laura Virgil

  • from issue #4, Suzan Lovett

  • from issue #4, Bev Zuk, re-imagining The Three Musketeers

  • from issue #4, Stefanie Hawks

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

See reactions and reviews for Theragen Again.

See reactions and reviews for Field of Honor.

See reactions and reviews for Fait Accompli.

See reactions and reviews for Schovil.

See reactions and reviews for Portal.

See reactions and reviews for The Death's Head Nebula.

See reactions and reviews for Freeze Frame.

See reactions and reviews for Crossing Visions.

See reactions and reviews for When Captain Kirk Speaks.

See reactions and reviews for Caverns.

See reactions and reviews for Conundrum.

[zine]: This is the best GD yet, and that's saying something. The artwork is exceptional throughout and so is the writing... 'Schovil' is one of the best McCoy stories I have ever read, and one of the best ST stories period. The good Doctor mysteriously disappears while assigned to do some teaching on the planet Zan, leaving his friends on the Enterprise to search for him. What raises this from a run-of-the-mill 'Missing Persons' story is the fine writing and extra fine characterizations. 'Schovil' is a Zan, by the way, and once you read the story, you'll never forget him. The authors' attention to detail here (even down to an idiomatic speech pattern for Schovil) really pays off. Two poems: 'Hawklord' and 'Paladin' are well worth a look and some thought. The artwork is excellent; there are no bad pieces to be found. The cover is four-color, executed by Landon; unfortunately the colors tend to overshadow the work itself. Oddly enough, my favorite piece is one that tends to be overlooked unless pointed out: an incredible soft pencil portrait of Admiral Kirk by Stephanie Hawks. It appears to be just a few moments after Spock's death and you can see the tears shine in his eyes; not any more, no conspicuous tears dripping down cheeks, just the suggestion created by eyes with too much shine and the set of the lips. Beautifully subtle. I'd trade away my last pound of strawberry fudge for the original and throw in a picture of Remington Steele for good measure. Exquisite.[23]

[zine]: It's always a pleasure to find a zine that is chock full of good stories, good art, and good poetry. GD is such a zine. It has a number of long stories (one of my complaints in zine-dom is the plethora of short stories, you know, two-pagers) including 'Schovil' and 'Conundrum (a hurt/comfort story as only Ginna can write; 'Death's Head Nebula' and 'Fait Accompli' (a mirror-mirror story with excellent development of our favorite counterparts.... Then there's the artwork. Some is excellent, some is good, and some is, of course, merely adequate. There is one illo that stands out... and that is Signe Landon's 'Hawklord' illo of Spock. Beautiful!... On the technical side, this is one of the better zines. Typos are rare, layout is good, and the reproduction fine. The four-color cover is striking and the book-binding is an nice extra. It was a pleasure not to find penned in words, corrections in different type, and several different types used in the zine. The care taken in the production of this zine shows that the editor really cares! This zine has my unqualified recommendation. Try it -- I'm sure you'll like it.[24]

[zine]: The latest from Satori Press is another example of skilled editing by publisher Laurie Huff. At a fat 228 pages, GD4 is a polished product, pleasing to the eye and good reading from end to end. 'Best of Zine' is a toss-up between 'Schovil' and 'Conundrum.' The former finds McCoy the victim of a vengeful colleague and a prison planet whose bureaucracy and environment are equally unhealthy. Help comes from an unexpected quarter, via a lively alien created with care. The story is written with vigor, blending fast action and solid characterizations. 'Conundrum' is just that, Kirk is having strange bouts of illness, and at the most inconvenient times; even Klingons are mystified by their prisoner's illness. The answer is a surprise to characters and readers alike, with plenty of drama along the way. Other good stories include 'When Captain Kirk Speaks,' a delightful comic twist on E.F. Hutton and the 23rd century stock market; 'The Death's Head Nebula,' in which the Enterprise is threatened externally by corrosive bacteria and internally by one officer's incompetence, and 'Crossing Visions.' The poetry in GD4 is solid and well-written; the art is top quality; the whole is neatly typed, bordered, and bound. Overall, this zines reaffirms the potential for good fan art and fiction and is a tribute to Huff's writing skills.[25]

[zine]:
  • "Caverns" / Spock goes missing on a classified mission to an icy planet in search of a rare mineral hoard. Kirk follows, nurses the wounded Spock (by mind touch) until Enterprise returns, and deals with the Vulcan's sense of failure.
  • "When Captain Kirk Speaks..." / Romp. Kirk's accidental signature attached to a porn-company brochure causes the entire crew to investigate.
  • Contest Results / Leslie Fish illo depicting Uhura with the con, Kirk in the embrace of a multi-tentacled, horse-faced critter, and McCoy clasping Spock in a corridor. Interps include: Spock having set Kirk up with an incomplete description of the ambassador ([Hindman], "Touche"); and Uhura having achieved command by murdering Kirk - and wondering if it was worth the loss of a good lover (Dayle Barker, poem: "Coup d'Etat"); and "Fait Accompli" / Sharon Decker [Continuation of "Raison d'Etre" from Galactic Discourse #3], Mirror Kirk has sorted out the crewmembers who will join him in the revolution. Delivering Sulu and Chekov to a prison for execution, he decides to act on an opportunity to rescue members of the Resistance, and the revolution is underway sooner than he expected. Interesting aliens who can merge their bodies into one, and a fine tension between Kirk and Spock, unsure of one another and their trust put to the test as the mission goes awry.
  • "Freeze Frame" / The touch between Kirk and Spock after Spock's contact with V'ger, from Kirk's pov, with flashback to the night three years before, when McCoy reported Spock's emotional breakdown and plans to leave, and prevented Kirk from seeing him. Good exploration of the anger between Kirk and McCoy there.
  • "The Death's Head Nebula" / A probe returning from a nebula infects Enterprise with a living corrosive agent. But the story really revolves around the conflict between Ensign Pickering and her pompous supervisor, Lt. Masters; she saves the day by disabling him in an emergency. Nicely written.
  • Fan-tasia / Includes a transporter malfunction that results in "Baby Kirk" (Suzanne Garden), a pointilist portrait of the hairy Scott and McCoy (Nan Lewis), and two nice ST X SW cartoons with Yoda - "He Claims You Are the Last What?" and "I Fail to See the Resemblance" by Suzan Lovett.
  • "Conundrum" / On a landing party, Kirk is captured by the locals, who proclaim him a bringer of death, beat him and stake him out to be stung by a swarm of insects. On rescue, he recovers, but suffers mysterious debilitating bouts of illness. Meanwhile, they rescue a cargo ship from Klingon attack but Kirk has to stay aboard to whip the mutinous crew into shape - until they conspire to hand him over to the Klingons. Their doctor, fortunately, plays with him a while before resorting to the mind-sifter. This allows rescue, and the eventual discovery that he is suffering from malaria - which had been imported to the unfriendly planet by someone before the Prime Directive came into play, accounting for the hostile reaction.
  • "The Fan Editor's Guide to Fanzine Publishing" / Cartoons on the trials of zine publishing.
  • "Crossing Visions" / Post-V'ger. Exploration of the estrangement of Spock and McCoy, from Spock's pov while trying to meditate. Spock seeks to "turn away" from the human contamination - nice emphasis on the smells, here - and recover the clean, dry logic of his recent time on Vulcan. But he is haunted by phrases from McCoy... "Capture God?" Visions of the encounter with V'ger blend with that of McCoy's battering at the hands of the Vians, and Spock experiences the chaos of McCoy's passionate loneliness, contrasting with the clean, sterile loneliness of V'ger. Much of this was unclear to me, but I liked it anyway - very evocative. Reconciliation occurs when McCoy tentatively approaches, and Spock requests to see the tapes of his new grandchild.
  • "Theragen Again" / Post-"Tholian Web". The crew has become so fond of Theragen as a cocktail mixer that most of them are drunk. This leads to a mild confrontation between Kirk and McCoy, and a Spock/McCoy reconciliation over Theragen and brandy which leaves Spock so drunk that he does not even object to McCoy "tucking him in". Nice scene.
  • "A Time To Care" / Post-"Khan" vignette. Kirk/McCoy scene outside the radiation chamber. Kirk is shocked, grieving and blaming himself, while McCoy tries to protect the admiral's dignity and points out that Kirk's presence at the end was crucial to Spock.
  • "Portal" / AU - Arthurian. Lord Kirk's beloved advisor Len has vanished into a mysterious portal through which strange creatures have appeared. Kirk captures the sorcerer Spock in order to force him to close the portal. By mind-meld, Spock shows Kirk that he has no control over the portal, which draws misplaced individuals throughout the universe, in order to restore them to their proper spheres.
  • "Field of Honor" / Post-TMP. Kirk and Spock confront the problems their friendship poses for their work, as Spock ponders whether to resume his Enterprise post. Kirk believes that Spock retrieved him from a mission on Andulsia out of concern for his welfare, and that if he'd had a few more minutes, he could have prevented the civil war that annihilated the planet. Spock insists he made a proper command decision.
  • "Schovil" /Post-TMP. McCoy H/C. On assignment to train Zanatan surgeons, McCoy gets nosy about conditions in the "corrections" work camps that underpin the planet's society (which is divided into diminutive, deft Zans with eyes adjustable to microscopic focus and the more humanoid Outminders). A former colleague with an axe to grind and a bribery scandal to avoid has McCoy sentenced to the camps, where he contracts a nasty parasitic infection and is looked after by the Zan convict Schovil. Kirk and Spock effect a rescue just in time. Good relationship scenes, but the comfort here is mostly provided by Schovil. Cross & Tullock's usual good writing and characterization of the Big Three relationships. Points for nicely alien aliens - loved the eyes - and a really icky new disease, a gelatinous mass that must be physically removed as it crawls up the throat.[26]

[zine]: Galactic Discourse 4, cover shows Spock, Kirk and McCoy as eastern warriors, nobles. The art is nice in this fanzine, and it includes two special pull out pages with the "big 3" plus Scotty as the Musketeers, and one with Galactic Discourse #3's cover in black and white, and several poems written by fans who appreciated the cover. (see my photos). Also there is another great "Peter Max-ish" drawing and a section entitled "Scenes we'd like to see: A "Fan"-tasia, one of which shows Kirk with Star Wars' Yoda on his shoulder.[27]

[zine]: As usual, GALACTIC DISCOURSE is a gorgeous-looking zine. From the color Shogun-esque cover by Signe Landon, through the varied border tapes keyed to each story, to the perfect binding, this is the standard--nay, apex--the fan editor properly shoots for. Applause, applause. Look at Kate Maynard's scratchboard illos in particular for an example of good technique augmenting expression.

The stories vary greatly in quality, though. Three are excellent, and happily these are among the longer pieces. Sharon Decker's "Fait Accompli" has only one fault that I can see, which is, damn! I wish there had been more of it. "Mirror, Mirror" Kirk and Spock join to overthrow the evil Empire, and their first step is to rescue a pair of condemned prisoners (but it's a bit of a shock when one of the pair suddenly becomes, thinly disguised, Starsky and Hutch). In this universe, McCoy is a junkie and Uhura a freelance spy, while Kirk hesitates before trashing the Imperium because he hasn't managed to sell all his stocks and bonds yet --not nice folks, f'sure, but still believable and still with a peculiar sort of honor. They certainly are pleasanter than the rest of that universe. The plot, too, is exciting, with plenty of close calls and clever switches. Becky Bockoven's "Portal," another alternate universe piece, hasn't as fast-paced a plot, but does feature a Kirk and Spock we can believe in. A Portal, whose task is to draw together people of interlinked destinies, has brought the proto-Spock to the ur-Kirk in a medieval setting. "Schovil," by Joyce Tullock and Ingrid Cross, loses McCoy in a concentration camp, where he is befriended by a Zan named Schovil. The small humanoid keeps the doctor alive through some rather graphic sickroom scenes till the Enterprise can retrieve him. Tullock and Cross delineate the personalities of Schovil, the camp warders, an old enemy of McCoy, and the Big E regulars with precision, economy, clarity, and finesse; each character's speech and behavior typify him throughout the story. Well done. Less inspired but still good are two post-V'ger and one penultimate Wrath of Khan vignettes. "Field of Honor" by Harriett Stallings and Jennifer Ferris is a pleasant shorty about Kirk conning Spock into reenlisting -- pleasant for the well-drawn dance of familiar characters refamiliarizing themselves with each other. In "Crossing Visions" by Joyce Tullock, Spock contemplates his relations with McCoy, providing clicks of insight into both characters and into the Canon for the reader. Ginna LaCroix's "A Time to Care" offers a different view on Spock's death in WoK, as the ultimate in solitude, and for counterpoint shows how Kirk was the only one who could possibly have reestablished the Vulcan's link with life.

Descending to mediocrity, we run into a couple of super-twangulated hurt stories. In "Conundrum" by Ginna LaCroix, Kirk gets chomped by half a zillion insects on some planet, then staggers around for the rest of the piece wondering why he feels so lousy. He pulls a Cap'n Bligh on a free-merchant ship, gets captured and kicked around by Klingons, and winds up in sickbay near death, as usual, till McCoy deduces he has malaria, which the astute reader had figured out 30 pages previously. Why, the astute reader wonders further, if malaria had vanished from Earth long ago but only acquired immunity saves the planet natives from certain death, didn't the disease croak Kirk off first thing? The other h/c piece is "Caverns" by Libby Jones. Though clear in style and faultless in theme--a friend is more precious than rubies, or in this case, Gethindan jewels--the plot is fairly dumb. Spock is sent to an ice planet alone, three days later Kirk goes after him alone but laden with premonitions, and finds Spock injured (naturally). Kirk does not immediately send the dying man up to the orbiting Enterprise although there is no stated reason not to. Instead, they hang around for five days in the freezing cold, until Kirk finally drags Spock forty miles back through snow and ice to the beam-down point. He has a communicator; he just doesn't bother to use it. What good there may be in a story gets overlooked when the events in it, and by implication the people in it, are so plainly stupid. "When Captain Kirk Speaks" by Harriett Stallings is another headscratcher. For some reason Kirk is upset because his crew are investing in a company he believes publishes soft porn. After five months of lost sleep over this point, he finds out 'tain't so. "The Death's Head Nebula" by Daniel Barth is not too bad, except for its spliced-gene plot line. At first, some organic crystals are eating through the ship's bulkheads till Spock figures how to stop them, then abruptly the focus switches to an ensign's difficulties with her hard-assed superior. The first part is great--crisp, concise style, wonderful horror, sharp characterization. But the latter plotline does not work; Ensign Pickering disobeys, orders, disregards standard procedure, slugs a superior officer, and only by dumb luck helps save the day, therefore she gets promoted. "'Impetuous behavior is not to be encouraged,'" says Spock in this very piece. Not in deep space, anyway.

[rated on a scale of 1-5]: Content -- 4, Graphics -- 5 $'s Worth -- 4 [28]

Issue 5

back cover of issue #5, Laurie Huff
inside back cover, Vel Jaeger
front cover of issue #5, Signe Landon

Galactic Discourse 5 was published in April 1987 and contains 256 pages, including a vast amount of art.

Front cover: Signe Landon; back cover: Laurie Huff. Other art by Phyliss Amason, Anne Batterby, Merle Decker, ERIC, Connie Faddis, Gayle F, Leslie Fish, Cami Forsell, Toni Hardeman, Stephanie Hawks, Caro Hedge, Hindman, Laurie Huff, Jude Jackson, Vel Jaeger, Jean Kluge, Andrea Kunz, Signe Landon, Dorothy Laoang, Suzan Lovett (including a two-page fold-out), Mary Stacy-MacDonald, Maggie Manlove, Kate Maynard, Christine Myers, Caren Parnes, Bonnie Reitz, Melody Rondeau, C. Sibbett, TACS, Mel White, and Beverly Zuk.

an April 1986 flyer addressing the January 1986 Challenger shuttle disaster, this sample was printed in K/S & K.S. (Kindred Spirits) #19

In April 1986, a flyer was distributed to many fans. It addressed the January 1986 Challenger shuttle disaster, and asked for fan reactions which would be printed in this issue. An excerpt:

To go on, we must make sense of the nonsensical. If you are like us and others we have talked to, you may be working (have worked) to understand the terrible thing that happened by trying to express your feelings artistically. For the sake of mutual support, and as a memorial to Challenger and her crew, we intend to set aside a section of GALACTIC DISCOURSE as a medium for conveying your reactions to the shuttle disaster. In whatever form your feelings be expressed -- as poetry, prose, or artwork -- you are invited to share them with others.

This is a serious project, and will be treated accordingly. We cannot, of course, guarantee to publish every response we receive, but we will do our best to offer a representative selection (normal contributors' policies will apply). Beyond these stipulations, however, suggestions/comments/ questions are warmly welcomed.

  • Riders on the Wind, poem by Meg Fine (IFC)
  • Personal Communication, editorial (3)
  • Could There Be a World Out There?, poem by Joan Sherer (6)
  • The Only Choice by Cinde Deren & Diane Miskiewicz (7) ("McCoy, Spock and Kirk await the return of the Enterprise on Minara immediately following the exit of the Vians. McCoy is still seriously injured despite the Vians repair efforts and as Spock cares for the doctor, he is unable to hide his anger at the Vians and his even greater anger at McCoy.")
  • Tarot, poem by L. Jeanne Powers (14)
  • Wake, poem by Emily Ross (17)
  • Perchance to Dream, poem by Flora Poste (18)
  • Rumor Has It by Anna Walker ("STIII Vignette. Janice Rand watches Enterprise escape from Spacedock.") (19)
  • I Know You, poem by B.L. Barr (20)
  • Later, My Friend, poem by Debbie Gilbert (23)
  • The Cost, poem by Ginna LaCroix (24)
  • Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night by Lynn Syck & Laurel Ridener ("Post-STIII. To prevent court-martials for his crew, Kirk is blackmailed into accepting a counterspy mission designed to get him killed. The crew, along with Sarek, uncover the plot and elude Starfleet to rally 'round again.") (25)
  • Camelot Redux, poem by Ellen Kobin (37)
  • A Vulcan Lament, poem by Ginna LaCroix (38)
  • Inquiry Within, poem by Harriet Stallings ("Distracted by meditation on his son's estrangement, Sarek has a run-in with stalking critters in the desert.") (40)
  • Acceptance by Ginna LaCroix (46)
  • Two Minds Touching, poem by Ciane McAuliffe (79)
  • The Universal Insanity Bomb by Rayelle Roe (80)
  • I Might by Paula Smith (Mad Magazine primer-style recounting of "I, Mudd.") (88)
  • Lament, humor by Jennifer Weston (90)
  • Shore Leave Art Portfolio (91)
  • Reflections on the Snow, interpretation by Maggie Manlove (109)
  • World's Shortest Mary Sue Story by Kate MacCullugh ("A fan with a thing for Klingons should have been careful what she wished for.") (110)
  • After Psi, poem by Flora Poste (112)
  • Denial, poem by Flora Poste (114)
  • Old Wounds by Betsy L. Barr (116)
  • Paradise Found, poem by Robin Hood (121)
  • To Go On Hurting You, poem by Ciane McAuliffe (123)
  • Chances are All Gone, poem by Toni Cardinal-Price (124)
  • untitled poem by Barbara L.B. Storey (126)
  • Soliloquy, poem by Judy Darnell (128)
  • To Begin Once More by Anna Walker ("Post-STIII. Kirk & Co. negotiate with Starfleet for their futures, with a little help from Saavik, Sarek, and Areel Shaw.") (129)
  • Secret Garden, poem by Judy Darnell (144)
  • The Shores of Aulis by Lee Heller (145)
  • The Same Old Story, poem by Glroia G. Oberste (153)
  • Filk: Lookin' for the Challenger by Daniel E. Barth (153)
  • The Days Worth Living For by Mary M. Schmidt ("When Amanda's young Vulcan students all feel the death of the Intrepid, she switches the lesson to the historic Challenger disaster.") (154)
  • Always Possibilities, poem by Toni Cardinal-Price (157)
  • Poem: Daymare by Vel Jaeger (158)
  • The Needs of the Two by Carolyn G. Lynn ("McCoy is troubled by his feelings of loss and uncertainty fallowing the FaI Tor Pan. He becomes more apprehensive when Spock seeks him out. Spock has no depth to his memories of the doctor and he believes those memories are still contained in McCoy's mind. Spock wants to know this man who held his Katra and that means another mind meld.") (159)
  • T'Lar: A Reflection, poem by Judy Darnell (165)
  • The Question by Maggie Manlove ("Kirk and McCoy wager over whether Spock is or is not ticklish, with inconclusive and Doctor-aggravating results.") (166)
  • The Search for Spock, poetry, portfolio by Ellen Kobrin (170)
  • Death of a Cavalier by Leslie Fish (179)
  • If Only, poem by Joan Sherer (183)
  • Poem: Were You There? by Patricia Frazer Lamb (184)
  • Mother's Milk, interpretation by Mary Ann Drach (186)
  • Strange Salvage by Emily Devenport (189)
  • Sleeping Princess, poem by Linda Slusher (205)
  • Success, My Lord, interpretation by Daniel E. Barth (206)
  • The Farewell, poem by Roxanne S. Koogler (209)
  • The Empty Chair, poem by Ginna LaCroix (211)
  • Sulu: Remembrance, poem by Judy Darnell (212)
  • What is Left, fiction by Ginna LaCroix (213)
  • Resurrection, poem by Kathy Resch (216)
  • Eye of the Storm, fiction by Merle Decker (218)
  • Requiem for Death, interpretation by Laurie J. Huff (221)
  • Child of My Heart, poem by Lynette Knox (222)
  • Healing Time, poem by Judy Darnell (224)
  • Pegasus and the Starman by Joyce Tullock ("It happens to many spacemen. They lose something and became afraid. Kirk believes that it is happening to McCoy and to help him overcame his fear, he orders the doctor to participate in a landing party assignment with Uhura and Scotty. This routine assignment becomes perilous when they are stranded on a research outpost being torn apart by savage winds and influenced by a strange alien.") (225)
  • To Be a Skeptic... , poem by Flora Poste (256)

  • from issue #5, Suzan Lovett

  • from issue #5, Mary Stacy-MacDonald

  • from issue #5, Andrea Kunz

  • from issue #5, Jean Kluge

  • from issue #5, Jean Kluge

  • from issue #5, Stephanie Hawks

  • from issue #5, TACS

  • from issue #5, Merle Decker

  • from issue #5, Christine Myers

  • from issue #5, Melody Rondeau

  • from issue #5, Maggie Manlove

  • from issue #5, Mel White

  • from issue #5, ERIC

  • from issue #5, Toni Hardeman

  • from issue #5, Cami Forsell

  • from issue #5, Caren Parnes

  • from issue #5, Phyliss Amason

  • from issue #5, Dorothy Laoang

  • from issue #5, Connie Faddis

  • from issue #5, Signe Landon, Judy Darnell

  • from issue #5, Beverly Zuk

  • from issue #5, Leslie Fish

  • from issue #5, Bonnie Reitz

  • from issue #5, Gayle F

  • from issue #5, C. Sibbett

  • from issue #5, Kate Maynard

  • from issue #5, Hindman and Joan Sherer

  • from issue #5, Linda Slusher, Anne Batterby

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

See reactions and reviews for The Shores of Aulis.

See reactions and reviews for Death of a Cavalier.

See reactions and reviews for Old Wounds.

See reactions and reviews for The Only Choice.

See reactions and reviews for Strange Salvage.

See reactions and reviews for Mother's Milk.

See reactions and reviews for Pegasus and the Starman.

See reactions and reviews for The Universal Insanity Bomb.

[zine]: GALACTIC DISCOURSE #5 was like the little girl with the little curl. When it's good, it's very, very good; when it's bad, it's horrid. In the former category we have "The Universal Insanity Bomb," a chuckle-producer by Rayelle Roe; "Acceptance" by Ginna LaCroix (and I don't even like hurt/comfort!); and "Pegasus and the Starman" by Joyce Tullock, a long fascinating tale of McCoy's encounter with a unique alien. Joyce handles the impossible task of writing believable non-humanoid aliens so well that I think she should go pro. In the latter category, we have a lot of forgettable, maudlin gushing about the Famous Friendship (after 20 years, can't we just take it as a given that the gentlemen are fond of each other, and stop the endless rehashing of this obvious fact?) and some embarrassingly sophomoric K/S. ("Would I drive you indoors again.../If I told you how incredibly cute you look/All bundled up in borrowed sweaters/Like a cuddly Christmas elf?" Give me a break!) I am not sure what the K/S was doing in there in the first place since this is advertised as a "genzine." I thought "genzine" meant "no 'slash' material," but then again I don't speak "fanglish" very well. Anyway, overall, GALACTIC DISCOURSE wasn't all that bad; I liked it well enough that I plan to submit again. My special favorite item in the zine is Jennifer Weston's "Lament of a Would-Be Fanzine Artist." That's me all over! (Hang in there, Jennifer!) And despite my quibbles about the Mary Sue concept, I couldn't help but laugh at Kate McCullugh's "the World's Shortest Mary Sue Story," featuring the title character and Kruge. It even inspired me to write my own version. I am not sure how much GALACTIC DISCOURSE costs, but if it isn't ridiculously expensive, it would be worth getting for the art alone. In particular the zine has been blessed with a lot of excellent Shatner drawings. I have heard that many artists have trouble drawing William Shatner; such artists might find GALACTIC DISCOURSE helpful as well as attractive. As much as I appreciate the talents of such artists as Caren Parnes (page 22), TACS (page 44), and Christine Myers (page 78), among many others, I confess that my heart belongs to C. Sibbett's lovely portrait of the "First Couple" of ST III on page 207. (The accompanying poem is, well, different.) GALACTIC DISCOURSE has good humorous art, too. The zine contains an art portfolio on the topic "What do the ENTERPRISERS do in their spare time?" Well, according to TACS, they have pillow fights!—An answer that made me laugh. Mel White's cartoons to Paula Smith's "I Might" were up to Mel's usual excellent standard. The Melody Rondeau cartoon accompanying the MacCullugh piece was delightful: Kruge looks comically astonished (perhaps because he's sporting two inexplicable shiners) and Mary Sue looks properly dippy. Overall, I think all GALACTIC DISCOURSE really needs is to encourage writers to tone down the gushing about the Famous Friendship. The pieces where the F. F. is a realistic undertone, instead of an awesome obsession, worked quite well.[29]

[zine]:
  • "The Only Choice" / Post-"Empath." Spock tends McCoy in recovery; Spock and Kirk each offer tokens of appreciation. McCoy makes the interesting point here that he was the only logical choice -- the Vians would have eventually taken him whether or not they first destroyed Spock, because they required an emotional connection to Gem.
  • "Rumor Has It" / STIII Vignette. Janice Rand watches Enterprise escape from Spacedock.
  • "Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night" / Post-STIII. To prevent court-martials for his crew, Kirk is blackmailed into accepting a counterspy mission designed to get him killed. The crew, along with Sarek, uncover the plot and elude Starfleet to rally 'round again.
  • "Inquiry Within" / Distracted by meditation on his son's estrangement, Sarek has a run-in with stalking critters in the desert.
  • "Acceptance" / Post-"Enemy Within." Fresh from having to absorb his own dark side, Kirk encounters good and evil twins vying for planetary rule. He is tortured and dropped into a lake, from which he is rescued by Spock and McCoy, after which he manages to bring the sides to negotiation.
  • "The Universal Insanity Bomb" / Farce. Spock, under the influence of a new weapon, begins wearing little alligator emblems on his uniform, saying things like, "...it took 7.54 minutes to whack the little sucker in there," and romancing Nurse Chapel. Lots of fun and great dialogue before things are corrected.
  • "I Might" / Mad Magazine primer-style recounting of "I, Mudd."
  • "Shore Leave Art Portfolio" / Sundry interps of what the crew get up to on leave.
  • "World's Shortest Mary Sue Story" / A fan with a thing for Klingons should have been careful what she wished for.
  • "Old Wounds" / Flashbacks of the relationships between Kirk and Carol Marcus, and Kirk and Spock. When Spock leaves for Kohlinar, Carol inadvertently blurts out the general rumor that the men are lovers, much to Kirk's surprise.
  • "To Begin Once More" / Post-STIII. Kirk & Co. negotiate with Starfleet for their futures, with a little help from Saavik, Sarek, and Areel Shaw. Realistic and nicely handled.
  • "The Shores of Aulis" / Post-STIII. Flashbacks of Kirk's intermittent encounters with his son, as Kirk prepares to tell Carol of David's death. Kirk first learned of David when the boy was five; Carol keeps putting off telling the boy of his father; as a teenager, David is drawn to the New Humans, and an angry final confrontation with "Uncle Jim." Very much in character, believable and well-written.
  • "The Days Worth Living For" / When Amanda's young Vulcan students all feel the death of the Intrepid, she switches the lesson to the historic Challenger disaster.
  • "The Needs of the Two" / Post-STIII. After the fal-tor-pan, a disturbed Spock comes to McCoy feeling that he has "misplaced" the doctor - he has no memories of him at all, nor why he chose him as Keeper - and requests a mind-meld.
  • "The Question" / Kirk and McCoy wager over whether Spock is or is not ticklish, with inconclusive and Doctor-aggravating results.
  • "The Death of a Cavalier" / Spock, a lieutenant on the Cavalier, confronts the Toyers, energy critters greedily feeding on the crew's emotions by creating horrific hallucinations and heedless of the catastrophic results. Spock has escaped his rigid Vulcan upbringing and allowed himself more emotion in his new life in Starfleet, only to find now that he must fall back on his logic not only to survive the attack but to wall off the emotional aftermath of his captain's death. Leslie's usual powerful writing.
  • "Mother's Milk" / Illo interp. Kirk is trapped on a planet where the women keep the men in a state of idiocy through an addictive substance in their milk.
  • "Strange Salvage" / ST universe, but no familiar characters. The mixed-species crew of the salvage vessel Rescuer save the dying Klingon Torrin from the wreckage of his ship. Torrin remains suspicious and not particularly grateful, as he recovers and begins to participate in the work.
  • "What Is Left?" / Vignette; Kirk pondering what there is of Spock in Spock after the fal-tor-pan
  • "Pegasus and the Starman" / McCoy has become fearful, and Kirk assigns him to a rescue mission (with Scott and Uhura) to snap him out of it. They find the missing young scientist, but lose their shuttle and are themselves stranded on the icy and quake-ridden planet. McCoy must lead them in powering and piloting a living spaceship - which drains them all dangerously - in order to return to Enterprise. Rather mystical, with lots of good angst.
  • Poem: "Daymare" / McCoy is haunted by Spock's continuing hold on him, and nightmares he cannot remember.
  • Poem: "Were You There?" / A drunken McCoy queries the other barflies about whether they were one of the 18 survivors of an Orion attack when Spock and Kirk were killed.
  • Filk: "Lookin' for the Challenger" [30]

[zine]: This is one of the biggest zines I've ever seen? there are about seventy-five contributors, including myself. It is also one of the prettiest zines I've ever seen. There is a great deal of professional quality artwork herein. The art concentrates on portraits of the Big Three and Sarek. These are all quite attractive, but I confess my heart belongs to Caryl Sibbett's lovely portrait of the 'First Couple' of ST III, on page 207. (The accompanying poem, by Daniel Barth, is, well... different.)

Stories are lavishly illustrated with art well suited to the tone of each.

On the literary level. Galactic Discourse is like the little girl with the little curl. When it's good, it's very good; when it's bad, it's horrid. Getting the unpleasantness out of the way, in the latter category we have far too much gushy material—stories, poems, and vignettes—whose only purpose or point seems to be to extol the joys of male bonding. I don't want to cramp anyone's style, but I think the literary possibilities of blissful t'hy'la-tude have been pretty well exhausted, and it's time to get back to seeking out new life and new civilizations. There is also a sprinkling of embarrassingly sophomoric K/S, e.g.: 'Would I drive you indoors again/...If I told you how incredibly cute you look/All bundled up in borrowed sweaters/Like a cuddly Christmas elf?1 Give me a break! (The author of this piece must have been having a bad day; elsewhere in the zine she has a good humorous piece, 'The Question,' which those who wonder if Vulcans are ticklish should read.) I am not sure what the K/S is doing here in the first place, because this was advertised as a 'genzine,' which I always understood to mean 'no "slash" material.' I don't speak 'fanglish' very well; perhaps 'genzine' actually means 'no physically explicit "slash" material,' which is a horse of a slightly different colour.

Moving onto the very, very good material, we find 'Acceptance,' by Gina LaCroix, a genuinely interesting tale of Kirk and Spock trying to stop a civil war, and trying to keep the good captain from being shredded beyond repair in the process. I really enjoyed this and I don't even like hurt/comfort! In Joyce Tullock's 'Pegasus and the Starman,' Uhura, Scott, and McCoy encounter a unique alien. The story is originals gripping, and thought-provoking. Joyce handles the impossible task of writing believable non-humanoid aliens so well that I think she should go pro. Not all the excellent pieces are on such heavyweight topics; this zine has a good dollop of humour. In Rayelle Roe's 'The Universal Insanity Bomb,' Spock is zapped into the most obnoxious, airheaded yuppie one could hope to laugh at. A lot of us can sympathize with Jennifer Weston's 'Lament of a Would-Be Fanzine Artist;' as I struggle with drawing Kruge's mouth, I will remember her wonderful closing line: 'Hope, like wiregrass, springs eternal.' Parodies of the Mary Sue cliche have become cliched themselves, but Kate MacGullugh manages a fresh, amusing slant with "The World's Shortest Mary Sue Story.' The accompanying cartoon provides a great punch line: Mary Sue, who has just been beamed to the Bird of Prey's bridge, looks properly dippy. Kruge looks comically astonished.

A feature I particularly liked was an art portfolio on the topic, ' What do the Enterprisers do on shore leave? According to TAGS, they have pillow fights!—an answer that made me laugh. Other funny answers to this important question were provided by Mel White (one of my favorite cartoonists), Maggie Manlove, and Melody Rondeau.

This is a huge zine and I have only mentioned the items making a particular impression on me; there are many others, both long and short. If you buy this, at the very least you will get a lot of zine for your money, as well as a lot of fine artwork. Despite the excess of saccharine 'relationship' gushing, I did enjoy the zine enough that I plan to submit again. I think all Galactic Discourse needs is to tone down the rhapsodizing about the 'famous friendship.' The pieces where this friendship was a realistic undertone, an accepted fact of the characters' lives—as in 'Acceptance'—worked quite well. In the next issue I hope to see more such pieces, and fewer (or no) pieces where the friendship is an awesome obsession for the characters—and the author as well.[31]

References

  1. ^ from the Zinedex
  2. ^ In 1993, a zine ed asked her readers to list their "Five Favorite Fanzines." This was one fan's comment. For more, see Psst... Hey Kid, Wanna Buy a Fanzine?/Top Five Fanzines Questionnaire.
  3. ^ from Scuttlebutt
  4. ^ from Fanzine Review 'Zine #2
  5. ^ from Scuttlebutt
  6. ^ from Menagerie #12
  7. ^ from Sehlat's Roar, as is, including typos
  8. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  9. ^ from Enterprise Incidents #6 (1978) by Sandra Gent
  10. ^ from Karen Halliday's Zinedex
  11. ^ from Right of Statement #3
  12. ^ from Enterprise Incidents #6 (1978) by Sandra Gent
  13. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  14. ^ ShatnoyKisses' March 25, 2013 post to the K/S Zine Friends Facebook group, quoted with permission.
  15. ^ from Boldly Writing
  16. ^ from Datazine #14
  17. ^ from Universal Translator #7
  18. ^ In 1993, a zine ed asked her readers to list their "Five Favorite Fanzines." This was one fan's comment. For more, see Psst... Hey Kid, Wanna Buy a Fanzine?/Top Five Fanzines Questionnaire.
  19. ^ from Treklink #4
  20. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  21. ^ from Beyond Antares #28
  22. ^ from a 2015 eBay seller
  23. ^ from Datazine #27
  24. ^ from Datazine #27
  25. ^ from Datazine #27
  26. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  27. ^ from a 2015 eBay seller
  28. ^ review by Paula Smith in Warped Space #49
  29. ^ from Treklink #10
  30. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  31. ^ by Linda Slusher in The Clipper Trade Ship #58
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