Interstat
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Interstat |
| Publisher: | Teri Meyer & Mary Buser & Ann Crouch |
| Editor(s): | |
| Type: | letterzine |
| Date(s): | November 1977 - March 1991 |
| Frequency: | |
| Medium: | print fanzine |
| Size: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: TOS, then later also Star Trek: TNG |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | cited here |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Interstat is a Star Trek: TOS letterzine. It ran for 152 issues. The title comes from 'interstat communications," a form of communication mentioned in the TAS episode "The Terratin Incident."[1]
The first issue of Interstat was published two months after the long-running The Halkan Council ceased publication.
The letterzine was small digest sized, center stapled and averaged around 24 pages. Covers were printed on colored paper and contained black and white line art by a variety of well known fan artists. Interstat began in 1977 by charging .50 cents per issue which then increased to $1 per issue by 1983. Overseas subscriptions were also available at a higher cost.
The large amount of mail the zine received necessitated the addition of a section called "Thanks for writing...," a list of fans who wrote letters but space constraints meant they couldn't be printed.
While it contained very, very few ads, "Interstat" had a policy of not accepting zine ads for materials that required an age statement to purchase, a policy that was upheld in regards to zines with slash but was applied more sporadically to explicit het zines such as Rigel and R & R.
Teri Meyer, the publisher and editor, has given Fanlore permission to quote from Interstat. Names of LoCers have been abbreviated to first name and last name initial.
Issue Contents
Click on the links below to see more information about individual issues of Interstat.
Editors
- Teri Meyer and Mary G. Buser for #1-15
- starting September 1979, Teri Meyer and Ann Crouch
Regular Columns
Regular columns (at various times):
- Michele Arvizu: "There's Something I've Been Wanting to Say..."
- Dixie Owen, "Dixie's Clippings": Trek-related people and projects news from Daily Variety and Hollywood Reporter trade papers, starting in March 1979
- Kay Johnson: rumors; movie news, 1978-1979, wrote until December 1979
- Melinda Shreve: character commentary until September 1979
- Michele Arvizu: ST satires
- Alice Greene, "Starfleet Now"
- Cathy Strand, "Book Barn," announcing upcoming Star Trek books
- Leslie Fish and Mary Lou Dodge, point/counterpoint column staring October 1979
- Ken Gooch joins the Omaha staff in February 1979, he wrote "Reel Reviews"
an example of Kay Johnson's column, from issue #13
an example of Michele Arvizu's column, from issue #13
an example of Melinda Shreve's column, from issue #13
an example of Cathy Strand's column, from issue #13
an example of Alice Greene's column, from issue #99
Some Flyers
1977 flyer from Delta Triad #4
1986 flyer from Hypertension #5
Later Star Trek Letterzines
Following the end of Interstat, three new Star Trek letterzines attempted to continue the tradition, with much shorter lifespans: Diachron (6 issues), Engage! (19 issues) and STARLink (35 issues).
For other fandom letterzines; see List of Letterzines.
A 1979 Write-Up
In 1979, Buser and Meyer were two of the guests of honor at Star TreKon in Kansas City. This is what was included in the program book for that con:
When a fan attempts to publish a fanzine, much thought, planning, and effort go into establishing a format. Whether to be loose and simple or complex and organized (or vice versa) is a problem many would-be publishers never solve until several issues have come off the press. So, when two enterprising (oops!) ladies from the Midwest decided that (A) they were going to put out the best news-zine in Fandom, (B) they were going to go with it from Issue No. 1, and (C) they were going to raise a little Hell along the way.. .well, the rest is history.
The newszine (or Letterzine, or any of a dozen other classifications) is, of course, INTERSTAT. And the two ladies we refer to are G. Buser and Teri Meyer. INTERSTAT first came upon the scene in November, 1977, and Fandom has never been the same. What we mean to say is: It's one thing to have relevant, meaningful, even heated (sometimes) discussions about STAR TREK; but to do it in front of all of Fandom?!? Who'da thought?!?
But that's what's been happening since Ish One.
Don't get us wrong, now. G. and Teri have done a super job, and it's their collective neck on the line every time a new issue is mailed out to subscribers. Saying that INTERSTAT is the pulse of Fandom would be putting it mildly. Perhaps referring to it as the soul would be closer to the Truth.
But beyond (and before) INTERSTAT, you find two dedicated, deserving and down-to-earth women who will do just about anything for Fandom. But be prepared. Stopping the Enterprise in its tracks at Warp Factor Eight would be easier than stopping G. and Teri once their minds are made up to do something.
But you know.. .we wouldn't want 'em any other way.
From the Editors
In the fourth issue, the editors wrote:
As every fan-publisher knows, there is a periodic analysis and re-grouping of a zine's purpose and philosophy. It is time now, for us, to share with you our intentions for INTERSTAT. The continuing purpose of INTERSTAT is to provide a regular interchange of ideas, philosophies, opinions and comments...on topics of your choosing. We feel that every letter we receive deserves a hearing. (If you don't wish the letter you write to us published, please mark it so!) As the time comes that we receive more letters than space permits we will print letters in direct proportion to the views presented. At no time will we make editorial decisions to print only letters reflecting our beliefs. We strive to present an unbiased forum. This is the reason for INTERSTAT's existence.... INTERSTAT was intended as a fan-comment zine. Our columns of zine and con listings are not integral to our original intent. The most complete and most professional update of zines (with reviews) is available from Scuttlebutt, [address redacted] Likewise, Spectrum [address redacted] is the definitive source of con info and zine analysis. These two publications are doing a magnificent job of regularly fulfilling the needs of fandom in their respective areas. Our columns in these areas will be phased out as LOCs increase... In response to a number of inquiries we would like to clarify our position as regards fanzine "reviews". INTERSTAT will publish fan reactions, comments, essays and critiques of fan and professional fiction—in the form of LOCs. These will be considered comments by a specific writer—opinions of one person. Criticism is an art. And in lieu of making editorial judgments on "reviews" submitted, we will publish only personal letters of comment. We appreciate your support, your violent criticism and your kind words. Because of your involvement in INTERSTAT we are compelled to do everything in our talents and powers to give you an honest forum. We do expect you to tell us when we go right and, more importantly, when we go wrong.
In the ninth issue, the editors wrote:
In response to several letters inquiring as to the rationale we use in determining which LOCs will be printed, these are our criteria. 1. All letters received by the 15th of the month, by either publisher, are considered for the next month's issue. 2. Letters relating to S.T. and its genre receive precedence over letters relating to other topics. 3. New topics are favored on a 30% new (as available) to 70% proportion of continuing topics. 4. Insights on current controversies and replies to published comments are published in a direct percentage re- lationship to the total number of replies received on that topic. Each issue reflects the pro/con proportion of mail received that month. 5. New writers have an edge over writers who have pre- viously appeared in INTERSTAT—but only the first time. 6. Letters which are clear and concise are favored over letters which ramble. 7. Letters of over one 8 1/2 x 11 page may be edited for length in order to provide the widest forum for all comments. And we dislike the arbitrary function of trying to ascertain which topics are most important to a letter writer. So these letters are subject to the confines of layout. In the clutch of "publishing week", layout considerations are the determining factor between two letters of comparable view. We feel this is fair. While both of us feel volatilly on issues (often in opposite corners) it is not our place— in INTERSTAT-- to censor, control or "guide" this zine by publishing letters which conform to our personal opinions, The LOC section is a fan forum. At the same time, as publishers, we will not print any letter which our legal counsel considers libelous. We are responsible legally, financially and ultimately, for these pages.
Reactions and Reviews
Now, thanks to Interstat, I have letters to write, things to think about, and people whom I've never even met to be angry at. [2]
Interstat is a good idea for fans wanting to keep up with who's doing what in fandom, who's arguing on what issues, and it offers the kind of balanced, open forum that fans crave. Comments on ST:TMP, ST:TWOK, ST:TV and other such issues are always prominent. Occasionally there is some out-right feuding, but generally the debates are only mildly heated. There have been unfair criticisms of INTERSTAT in the past for this, but such is to be expected in a fandom as diversified as ours is.
INTERSTAT is where all fans are equal, and no one fan has any more right to say anything than any other fan. You can see some of the biggest names in fandom make utter fools of themselves! You can see relatively unknown fans make profound inarguable points as well. And the reverse of each is true, of course. INTERSTAT is undoubtedly one of the best services in fandom, one that more fans should not only appreciate, but subscribe to. Each issue is exquisitely produced with a minimum of typos, each one has a brilliant cover by one of fandom's best artists. There are various columns on such things as the current activities of the Star Trek stars, new sf books, news on new ST projects, news from MSA, film reviews, and editorial sections by Leslie Fish and Mary Lou Dodge. I would give it a 96-97 quality score. Don't miss out on this brilliant aspect of fandom, get this letter-zine! [3]
I thought I would take the time to thank you for a wonderful publication. With one notable exception, the contributors are thoughtful, intelligent and concise in their offerings, exemplifying the spirit of IDIC. You are to be congratulated for presenting such a wide range of views, even when it is apparent that some of them are coming from the Twilight Zone rather than TREK - all deserve to be heard from. [4]
I happen to like the petty bickering and the childish arguments. The heated disagreements keep things pretty interesting and I laugh myself through each and every one. Long live puerile ranting! [5]
Nice format, good art. Mel Shreve's column 'Insight' of character sketches is just that, insight, and very well done. For the rest of it though ..... there is definitely a tone of 'we're going to tell you only what's good for, though, Scuttlebutt does a much better job at listing all the fanzines and news around, with none of the ax grinding. [6]
INTERSTAT has just celebrated its third birthday, but before we all start popping corks .... For those unfamiliar with it, INTERSTAT (once known as Fandom's Fight Zine) is a small letterzine published monthly. It has lovely cover art, nice inside graphics and an ever-dwindling collection of letters per issue, although it seems that new subscribers are writing in all the time. Readers send in letters about what's bothering them, what isn't bothering them, what's bothering someone else, whatever, and others respond, giving this segment of fandom a chance to mouth-off monthly about what somebody said a few issues back. Your letter will be printed only if you subscribe, but that's no guarantee; it supposedly doesn't take advertising, and, as far as I know, hasn't yet included any obscenity. Yet, while some subscribers may be congratulating INTERSTAT on its longevity, there are others out there like me, rather wishing it a Get Well Soon, or, for the non-too-optimistic, a Bon Voyage to the land of Rest In Peace.
Because INTERSTAT is suffering from a strange and degenerative disease: expanding staff. You may wonder what sort of contributing staff a letterzine needs. An even better question is why it is necessary for that staff to take up half the zine with their columns, to wit: Dixie Owen's "Dixie's Clippings," a compilation from various show biz magazines on what's doing with ST, SF, what ST stars are doing; a book column, formerly by Cathy Strand and now by Ann Crouch (coincidentally one of the editors—how cozy); 'There's Something I've Been Meaning to Say' by Michelle Arvizu, a purportedly satiric, generally sophomoric and sometimes downright offensive set of pieces starring The Big Three as an advertisement for Downes Syndrome; they used to have 'It's Not a Rumor Anymore' by Kay Johnson, until the movie came out and Kay, coincidentally, won the Fan Fund Award; they added a Point/Counterpoint—legitimizing a class structure that made some subscribers more equal than others —with Mary Louise Dodge as James Kilpatrick, which I can see, and Leslie Fish as Shana Alexander, which I can't; Alice Greene popped up next with 'Starfleet Now,' news of the Space Program, and then in issue #34 they suddenly showed up with what they call a film critic. Ken Gooch's review of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK begins, "Reality is those things which are." Somebody send this boy to summer camp. Since the rest of his review was equally perceptive, I wonder which editor's boyfriend he is.
Now, there's nothing wrong with all these columns. Some of them might even be informative. But they are taking up half of a letterzine, and so it seems that INTERSTAT is suffering something of an identity crisis. But that's not all, folks. It also seems to be going through a metamorphosis, and I wonder if it is a natural one. INTERSTAT used to be the place to defame someone's religion and/or libel their maternal relations. It used to be full of argument, insult, and snide innuendo. But this refreshingly honest bitchy-ness has somehow quite suddenly disappeared. Not only has it disappeared, but in its place has been dished out just oodles of mutual admiration, which, like a mouthful of saccharine, will do something interesting yet not at all pleasant to your stomach. ; this the natural trend of the letters, or is ? a little artificial selection going on? Have editors decided to turn INTERSTAT into Fandom's Friendship Zine? If so, does the readership have to know? Are there some letters they won't print? Views they aren't open to? Subscribers trying to communicate these views sending in their letters which are never printed, so they finally just up and go away? There must be some editorial policy governing what and will not be printed, and, after talking to embittered ex-subscribers, one wonders if the editors have any particular ax to grind. And if their readership has the right to know what it is. The INTERSTAT policy statement tells when LOCs must be received to be 'considered' not how they are considered; that INTERSTAT wishes to feature 'a variety of opinion', while filling a letterzine with columns when letters received do not see print...
What does it take to get published in INTERSTAT? Compatible adorations? Friend of the publisher? Cash? I'm curious about INTERSTAT. Is it what it says it is? SPECTRUM, which was also a fan comment zine, ceased publication, leaving INTERSTAT alone in the field. Just what is INTERSTAT? [7] [8]
Normally I do not indulge in rebuttals, but in the case of T'Yenta's "review" of INTERSTAT, I find this to be an absolute necessity. While T'Yenta's review is not, of itself, worthy of rebuttal (it is simply nauseously offensive), most of its contents are so erroneous that in fairness to INTERSTAT, a rebuttal is definitely in order. Every person has an opinion - unfortunately the original review went a great deal further. It was' filled with misstatements, erroneous facts, malicious speculation, slurs, and outright lies; and the record needs to be set straight. INTERSTAT readers recognize the garbage by its stench. However, those who have not read INTERSTAT may be mislead by the review which was an insult to INTERSTAT, its editors and its readers. I wish to take apart the review point-by point... [which she does]... Reviewers have a responsibility -to inform with credible, accurate information. T'Yenta has not done that. Instead, she has abused her position as reviewer to draw-and-quarter a victim, in what seems to be pure spite (for what I don't know). She has grossly shirked her responsibility as a reviewer; and in the process, cheated her readers with shoddiness. She has substituted venom for objectivity; misinformation for veracity; and outright lies for truth. She did not take the time to verify any of her "facts", and she has insulted all of her own readers by pawning off on them a product (her review) which is cheap, unsupported ru-more-mongering, fit only for printing in a yellow-journal rag (which UT is not). She insults the intelligence of UT's readers, and demeans and degrades the position of reviewer. [9]
I blush to confess that my first reaction to reading Interstat was distress. "Oh dear!" I thought to myself, "These people are arguing with each other. How dreadful! This is going to ruin fandom." But, of course, that is silly. People will always disagree; here is a forum for individuals to defend unique points of view. A letter of comment expresses an opinion. If there was no opposing argument, It wouldn't be very interesting. Fortunately, there seems to be no danger of a consensus ever being reached, so the debates will continue. Ann Crouch and Teri Meyer describe their zine as: "The only monthly Star Trek publication devoted to fan comment, analysis, and reaction." In addition, there are other short features such as book reviews, notes on celebrity appearances, awards, and activities, or satirical mock-interviews. I do not, however, recomment Interstat for a neo-fan. A considerable knowledge of amateur writing is assumed. This is a zine for the sophisticated fan who enjoys emotion laden discussion. [10]
After six months of INTERSTAT I am thoroughly hooked. All the comments and criticisms are terrific and I just love the way people insult others they don't agree with and criticize people for taking pot shots after they themselves have done so. I find it all very humorous. [11]
"I got into the letterzine Interstat, run by Teri Meyer, around the time TNG started, which wasn't long before Interstat came to an end. It was a lot of fun, but once people started going online in large quantities, letterzines were passe -- you didn't have to wait a few weeks to read whether anyone had a response to what you had to say, or to respond to someone else's comments."[12]
I know that people always write this in their letters, and it has become cliche, but I must thank you for putting so much time and effort into such a fantastic human endeavor such as INTERSTAT. It is a wonderful fanzine. [13]
I have to say that I have never detected any kind of bias or favoritism on the part of the editor. I think Teri does a fine job of printing letters both pro and con on all the issues currently being discussed. When she expresses her own opinions, which she has every right to do, she clearly labels them as such and does not find it necessary to disguise them in the form of selected letters. [14]
It never ceases to amaze me how Teri can turn out such a varied and interesting publication on a very tight schedule. I get more all around ST information from INTERSTAT than from any other fan publication. [15]
Sometimes I wonder if INTERSTAT will ever run out of controversy. I hope not! [16]
[the first three issues]: INTERSTAT is primarily a letterzine with hopes of filling the great void left by Halkan Council's recent demise, and thus far has made an excellent start. It's published around the 1st of each month, promptly mailed, and has three on-going departments which are regular in addition to the LoCs, "Humors", by Kay Johnson, checks out and answers questions, with info as recent as up to the 21st of each previous month; so far it has been concentrated on Paramount's ST-what-ever project, and whether or not LN will return to reprise Spock. (At present, it's a movie, starting date unknown; and no definite word on LN yet...) My own special delight is Michele Arvizu's "There's Something I've Been Wanting To Say", which is a skillfully-done hilarious put-on about various episodes which had me indignantly reaching for tapes and growling—"He didn't say that!" before I knew I was being had. You may remember Michele as the author of the very imaginative "The Mirage", and her teasing originality goes full-out in this column. (The entry in issue #1 makes sure you'll never see DD, BC, and TW again without thinking of this kooky dialogue, off just enough to confuse. Issue #2 makes hash out of the revered AT—or should I say hamburger?—when Spock demands to be beamed down to his mother's planet, to "our place of consuming". The third column tells us solemnly about a heretofore unknown fourth season of Star Trek, which has Kirk and Spock shambling about in the Star Wars "milieu, with the usual very funny results.
In addition to the zine ads, good art inside and out, and Mel Shreve's knowledgeable analysis of the chief characters (one for each issue), the remainder of the zine is letters. So for an extended discussion of the addition of SW to formerly ST zines (resented by some, welcomed by others), prior censorship as possibly practiced by the INTERSTAT editors with, regard to zine ads (they noted that they would reject those which carried age warnings, then proceeded to list several which did), the argument which started long ago in Halkan about adult-material vs G-rated in current zines, have been featured as letter answers-letter; and made for lively pages.
A fine beginning for this zine, though they need the choice of more letters each month. [17]
I really enjoy finding out what other fans think about Star Trek, even if everyone disagrees most of the time. [18]
This zine supplies information and most importantly, a forum for fans. There is a definite need for 'a little emotional' about their heroes and their adventures. The letters: good, bad, and scathing, cover the cross-section of the XV series to the first two films.
The best perspective is given by Deborah Bruno, who poses the unthinkable: A world without Star Trek and its creators. Maybe those who complain about clubs should read this one. Covers are well drawn. The only drawback of the magazine is the fact that your full name and address is given - the editor should have considered publishing name and town only. People from the same town may suddenly have found a Trekker in their best friend - a friend who violently disagrees with their own views. [19]
Widely Known for Heated Discussion
Interstat was famous for its sharp, and often inflammatory, letters.
A number of letterzines contained comments by readers patting themselves on the back in congratulations and relief that their publication wasn't like Interstat's tone and level of disagreement. One example is S and H. Fans in that letterzine wrote many times that they didn't want their publication to become another Interstat, that the flames and often harsh arguments were not to be emulated: In 1980, a fan wrote:
Please, people, if we are going to discuss this [slash], let's keep it civil. The sorry example of "Interstat" has shown how very little there is to be gained from the they do too/they don't neither type of exchange... [20]
In 1979, the editor of Spectrum wrote of Interstat's reputation as an arena for heated conflict:
[One issue of Interstat] doesn't seem to be any different from any other issue. The general trend among the Interstat contributors seems to be who can holler and scream the loudest and most offensively over topics that can never allow for any black and white resolutions. Interstat has become a battleground in print, with many of the letters being directed not at fandom in general, but toward specific individuals concerning purely personal matters. That may be fine once in a while, but if Interstat is indeed a FAN FORUM as the editors state, then the topics inside should be applicable to fans in general, and not just a convenient street corner to scream profanities from. Even a lot of the people writing to the zine have expressed the same opinion, but it just hasn't stopped...If you don't mind searching between the caustic and vituperous letters for those of merit, then Interstat may still contain something of interest for you. Can you honestly send a LoC to Interstat any more without some cause to worry? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm scared to death at the idea of the editors standing by while a pack of blood-thirsty fen rip me verbally limb from limb. Some of the fans in the zine will tear your throat out if you but touch the wrong subject, and the editors won't lift a finger to help or hinder anyone. I used to recommend the zine, but in all good conscience, I can't now. It frightens and depresses me. I hope that I'm in the minority, but I have a sinking feeling I'm not. [21]
A fan in 1982 wrote:
I have read INTERSTAT with interest almost since the first issue. But I read the 1981 issues with much distaste and sorrow. They grow increasingly quarrelsome, back biting and just plain nasty...Let alone IDIC - where are simple good manners and debating rules? Most of the writers seem to know each other, but if this attitude continues, I am happy not to know any of them, or even go to a convention (which I always wanted to). [22]
Things were still heated in 1984, when a fan wrote:
It seems like a lot of people are down on Interstat lately, I really think that zine could use an extensive rehauling myself. It simply is not the forum for 'fan comment, analysis and reaction' it once set out to be. It reads more like the monthly newsletter for the Harve Bennett fan club. And the way that people address each other has really become horrendous, I think. The art of expressing one's opinions logically and honestly without the need to preface one's comments with rude, crude, snide and nasty little put-downs has become almost extinct. [23]
The Necchi-Brady Letters
The Sandra Necchi Controversy (1984)
In 1984, Sandra Necchi wrote a letter to "Interstat" that the editor refused to print, stating it was too mean and did not support Gene Roddenberry and Harve Bennett. Necchi claimed censorship, and instead distributed this letter, as well as Teri Meyer's response, to fans.
See The Letter That Interstat Wouldn't Print.
Three years later, Necchi (using the pseud, Kristen Brady) distributed another letter, this one much more scathing.
The Kristen Brady Controversy (1987)
In 1987, Kristen Brady, a fan using a pseudonym, contributed a highly negative review of Interstat called Anatomy of a Letterzine to several zines, one of which was Power of Speech (her own zine). The review takes "Interstat" to task for two things: one, its "gnashing of teeth, the raking of claws, and the lashing of tongues -- not to mention the backbiting, mudslinging..." and two, the reviewer's belief that "Interstat" was nothing but a censored rag dedicated toward TPTB. She wrote: "In which one critic takes a look at the letterzine know as 'Bennett's Tenets,' also known as 'The Harve Bennett Fan Club Newsletter,' or, as it is more commonly called, "Interstat".... Unless you are stout of heart and rodinium-plated, do not remove the staple that holds the pages of Interstat together...for to do so otherwise would be to unleash hissing, spitting, growling, barking, and snapping such as no fan has ever encountered before."
Excerpt from the review:
Mr. Bennett's continued interest in the goings-on of the fannish community -- as evidenced by his occasional letters to Interstat -- is the proverbial monkey wrench in the works. The knowledge that 'HB' will be watching casts a entirely new light on the subject, and the subscriber's letters, which once might have started out as an attempt to reach out to new fans and perhaps talk a little Trek, suddenly take on a very personal and a very immediate importance as each tries to impart his or her own personal vision of the essence of True Trek to one in a position of power. It then becomes of paramount importance that these personal visions not be marred or sullied in any way, in the eyes of HB. In this context, any opinion contrary to the author's own personal conception of Trek is taken as a personal attack, and by the same token, if an author wants his/her own beliefs to stand, it often becomes necessary to tear down those of others. Gone is the forum type of atmosphere one would assume of something called a letterzine. Gone is any give-and-take if opinions, any exchange of ideas; the atmosphere of Interstat is quite unmistakably that of competition. The goal is, I think, for each participant to try to get his/her particular vision to be the one that HB selects and possibly incorporates into future Trek projects...
Joan Verba in Boldly Writing commented on this letter years later: "Interstat readers responded by rebutting it in the pages of the newsletter. As with other critical reviews of the letterzine, this review had no effect on Interstat's subscribers — most were satisfied with the product, and thought the criticisms were unfounded."
The End
From The Monthly in January 1991: "DEVASTATING NEWS: "The forthcoming issue of Interstat, #151/152 will be the last. Due to overwhelming home improvement Teri Meyer will not longer be able to continue to give us the fine issues of one of fandom's most favorite zines... history's of fandom's finest hours sadly close with the final issue of Interstat."
The editor signs off in the last issue:
It was a joy to see a dream become reality, to provide a monthly forum of news and comment for Star Trek's unique following. INTERSTAT evolved into a 13-year history of the range and direction of Star Trek fandom, a chronology of the views and opinions of the finest letter-writers In any media fandom. Because of the talent and diversity of these letter-writers, I was always assured of the continuation of this publication. No editor could be more grateful. There are many people to whom I would like to extend my deepest thanks, particularly the staff of INTERSTAT. Their time and efforts often made the difficult task of meeting monthly deadlines seem easy... [long list of detailed thanks snipped].... It was the best of times, sometimes the worst. But what a privilege for an editor to have had a readership and staff whose unswerving support nurtured and sustained her every effort. No journey was too great, no adventure more beloved. Beam me out, too, Scotty.
Additional Reading
- Jefferies Tubes #7: Remembering the Trek Letterzine, Interstat by Marie Jose and John Tenuto, dated June 6, 2013[24]
- Interstat code entry at the Memory Alpha Wiki
- Interstat code entry at Star Trek.com
Cover Gallery
I find INTERSTAT artwork to be worth the price of a subscription alone! [25]
You should be commended on the consistently excellent quality of art you manage to obtain for INTERSTAT. The cover art is something to which one can look forward to seeing. The interior art is also quite appreciated and of a like calibre. Such illustrations add greatly to the appeal of a publi cation. [26]
cover of issue #1, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #2, Heather Firth
cover of issue #3, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #4, Heather Firth
cover of issue #5, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #6, Heather Firth
cover of issue #7, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #8, Heather Firth
cover of issue #9, Mike Brown
cover of issue #10, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #11, Heather Firth
cover of issue #12, Mike Brown
cover of issue #13, design and stencil by Jude Huntsberger, silkscreened by Mary C. Buser
cover of issue #14, Mary Strand
cover of issue #15, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #16, Heather Firth
cover of issue #17, Wilhelmina
cover of issue #18, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #19, Heather Firth
cover of issue #20, Mike Brown
cover of issue #21, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #22, Heather Firth
cover of issue #23, Mike Brown
cover of issue #24, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #25, Melinda Shreve-Reynolds
cover of issue #26, Mike Brown
cover of issue #27, Heather Firth
cover of issue #28, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #29, Mike Brown
cover of issue #30, Heather Firth
cover of issue #31, Ann M. Crouch
cover of issue #32, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #33, Mike Brown
cover of issue #34, Ann M. Crouch
cover of issue #35, Ann M. Crouch
cover of issue #36, Heather Firth
cover of issue #37, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #38, Mike Brown
cover of issue #39, Ann M. Crouch
cover of issue #40, Ann M. Crouch
cover of issue #41, Ann M. Crouch
cover of issue #42, Heather Firth
cover of issue #43, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #44, Mike Brown
cover of issue #45, Ann Crouch
cover of issue #46, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #47, Mike Verina
cover of issue #48, Mike Brown
cover of issue #49, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #50, Heather Firth
cover of issue #51, Ann Crouch
cover of issue #52, Michael Verina
cover of issue #53, Mike Brown
cover of issue #54, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #55, Heather Firth
cover of issue #56, Mike Brown
cover of issue #57, Michael Verina
cover of issue #58, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #59, Heather Krause
cover of issue #60, Mike Verina
cover of issue #61, Ann Crouch
cover of issue #62, Mike Brown
cover of issue #63, Sat Kam Kaur Keahey
cover of issue #64, Ann Crouch
cover of issue #65, Chris Grahl
cover of issue #66, Heather Krause
cover of issue #67, Mike Verina
cover of issue #68, Ann Crouch
cover of issue #69, Mike Brown
cover of issue #70, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #71, Chris Grahl
cover of issue #72, Eric Stillwell
cover of issue #73, Merle Decker
cover of issue #74, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #75, Ann Crouch
cover of issue #76, Mike Brown
cover of issue #77
cover of issue #78, Chris Grahl
cover of issue #79, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #80, Merle Decker
cover of issue #81, Mike Brown
cover of issue #82
cover of issue #83, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #84, Fanti Dovener
cover of issue #85, Ann Crouch
cover of issue #86, Chris Grahl
cover of issue #87, Fanti Dovener
cover of issue #88, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #89, Merle Decker
cover of issue #90, Mike Brown
cover of issue #91, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #92, Fanti Dovener
cover of issue #93, Mike Brown
cover of issue #94, Chris Grahl
cover of issue #95, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #96, Merle Decker
cover of issue #97, Mike Brown
cover of issue #98, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #99, Fran Dovener
cover of issue #100 Chris Grahl
cover of issue #101, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #102, Merle Decker
cover of issue #103, Mike Brown
cover of issue #104, Fanti Dovener
cover of issue #105, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #106, Fran Dovener
cover of issue #107
cover of issue #108, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #109, Karen A. Bates
cover of issue #110, Mike Brown
cover of issue #111, Merle Decker
cover of issue #112, Fanti Dovener
cover of issue #113, Fran Dovener
cover of issue #114, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #115, Pat Horowitz
cover of issue #116, Merle Decker
cover of issue #117/118, Mike Brown
cover of issue #119, Fran Dovener
cover of issue #120
cover of issue #121/122, M.S. Murdock
cover of issue #123, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #124, Pat Horowitz
cover of issue #125, Fran Dovener
cover of issue #126, Mike Brown
cover of issue #127/128, Lana Brown
cover of issue #129/130, Pat Horowitz
cover of issue #131/132, Nan Lewis
cover of issue #133, Vel Jaeger
cover of issue #134, Fanti Dovener
cover of issue #135, Mike Brown
cover of issue #136, Vel Jaeger --Wesley Crusher
cover of issue #137, Vel Jaeger
cover of issue #138, Pat Horowitz
cover of issue #139, Mike Brown --portrait of Harve Bennett
cover of issue #140
cover of issue #141/142
cover of issue #143, Mike Brown
cover of issue #144, Vel Jaeger
cover of issue #145
cover of issue #146, Vel Jaeger
cover of issue #147
cover of issue #148, Nan Lewis -- Spock and a cat
cover of issue #149
cover of issue #150, Mike Brown
cover of issue #151/152
References
- ^ “Intersat? That's been out of use for two centuries.” Uhura, “The Terratin Incident,” Star Trek: The Animated Series.
- ^ from a fan in Interstat #45
- ^ from The Clipper Trade Ship #44/45
- ^ from Julianne D in Interstat #77
- ^ from Linda L in Interstat #77
- ^ from Stardate: Unknown #4
- ^ from a review by T'Yenta in Universal Translator #6;
- ^ this review has a long, long rebuttal by Teri Meyer in Interstat #38, see that page
- ^ from a much longer rebuttal to an earlier review in Universal Translator
- ^ from Spin Dizzie #4
- ^ from Mark M in Interstat #66
- ^ Trek Magazine dated March 18, 2010; reference link.
- ^ from a fan's letter in Interstat #76
- ^ from Mary T in Interstat #77
- ^ from Deborah L. B in Interstat #78
- ^ from Linda G in Interstat #89
- ^ by Dixie Owen in WXYZine #1 (1978)
- ^ from Nancy J. C in Interstat #111
- ^ from Beyond Antares #28 (1986)
- ^ from a 1979 issue of S and H
- ^ from Spectrum #39
- ^ from Nancy C in Interstat #51
- ^ K/S & K.S. (Kindred Spirits) #11
- ^ reference link.
- ^ from a fan in Interstat #56
- ^ from Interstat #34