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Linda McCarthy
| Fan | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Linda McCarthy |
| Alias(es): | |
| Type: | Fan, fan writer |
| Fandoms: | Science Fiction, Star Trek, Blake's 7, Doctor Who, Harrison Ford |
| Communities: | Astrex, Austrek |
| Other: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Linda McCarthy (??? – late 2024?) was an Australian science fiction fan and writer/reviewer. She was particularly interested in Star Trek.
She is remembered by early fans for being tall, having beautiful wild hair and thick glasses, and an enthusiasm for fan activities.
Early Days in Fandom
Linda joined the clubs Austrek and Astrex in the 1970s and became known within both communities. She later mentioned that she met Diane Marchant in 1973 and "stayed in touch with her for the rest of her life".[1]
She suffered a number of chronic medical conditions which affected her life for many decades. During her time in Melbourne in the late 1970s, she befriended members of Austrek and one of them was able to secure medical care that helped treat her eyesight.
Moving to New South Wales, she became well known in Astrex for her writings, in which she reviewed Star Trek episodes, movies, books. or wrote her own fan fiction. She was a regular contributor to Data until she became legally blind.[2]
Her handwriting was so bad because she couldn't see it... but she still would write. Sometimes, someone would donate a ribbon for the typewriter or something.[2]
Linda became involved in Astrex and Medtrek events, particularly those that took place outside of Sydney literally around the corner from her house. She even helped to knit a Doctor Who scarf as a convention fundraiser. However, her involvement became more sporadic due to her blindness.
We would go and visit and sit on the stoop and have a great time. She had these wonderful, saved cats - all fluffy ones. But only she could "see" inside her place as she had no lights on, and the blinds down - she knew her way around. I don't even know how she managed to see the (Star Trek) episodes and movies... I know she had her old VHS tapes that were her precious possessions.[2]
Publications
The Captain's Log | Data | Beyond Antares | Lodestar | The Chronicles | Better Idea Zine | Multiverse
Later Life
Linda eventually "retired" to her home outside Sydney, where she became known as a loyal pen-pal to her fan friends. She wrote long missives that demonstrated her continued love for Star Trek, science and its sense of wonder, and her admiration for William Shatner:
With this dreadful disease (COVID) that is stalking the world, we all need to have our hearts lifted to loftier goals and hopeful desires. Certainly the space programme gave us that... We are so far advanced.... now! The gee wizardry of the mobile phone, laptop, satnav, CD, DVD, downloads, the Internet and so much more, are all built on the back of the space programme. So much for the nay-sayers who rubbished NASA for its "waste of money"![1]
There's not much cheerful news about these days, but a happy thing of note was Shatner's trip into space. Good on him, I say! At 90 years of age, the man is no spring chicken, his bones would have to be a bit brittle. The stress of take-off and landing etc could easily have broken bones, caused a heart attack, or anything. To undertake such a venture at his age is a bold move indeed,[1]
Vale
Linda died probably late in 2024, and true to form, her friends were alerted to her passing when they received pre-written handwritten letters informing them of her death in early March 2025:
If this has been sent to you, it's because I've died...Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for all you've done for fandom... It's been fun.
Live Long and Prosper[3]
Her death is estimated to have taken place late in 2024 because her friends did not receive Linda's regular Christmas cards and letters, and those who sent her Christmas cards had them returned in March 2025, after the Post Office had kept her unclaimed correspondence for the obligatory three months[2].
References
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Linda McCarthy, undated correspondence to Geoff Allshorn.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Susan Smith-Clarke, correspondence, 6 March 2025.
- ^ Final letter (postmarked 4 March 2025?) from Linda to Geoff