Nightlight

Zine
Title:	Nightlight
Publisher:	Amapola Press
Editor(s):	April Valentine
Date(s):	1986, 1991
Series?:
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Starsky and Hutch
Language:	English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Nightlight is a slash Starsky and Hutch anthology edited by April Valentine. Art samples are included on Fanlore with the publisher's permission.

The name of the zine is the alternative title for the episode, "Bust Amboy."

Submission Request

flyer printed in the ZebraCon 6 program book (1986)

From Between Friends #9 (May 1985):

S/H zine now accepting submissions. Planned for summer '86. Seeking stories, vignettes and poetry exploring the S/H relationship as an integral part of the lives and work of Starsky & Hutch. Fiction may be set during or after the series. Looking for stories of the relationship in transition, heavy on characterization and plot, trauma acceptable, but would prefer no death stories. First times are okay, if explored in new ways, new settings, with new catalysts.

The Third Issue That Wasn't

Addiction was *supposed* to go in a zine -- Nightlight 3 -- but [April Valentine] simply didn't get enough other submissions and we both decided not to hold it up anymore. Even the art was originally done for Nightlight 3, and I asked Suzan if I could use it for the story. We never planned it to be a standalone, and I had no idea it would be long enough when I started it. So the fact that it is a standalone is simply circumstances. Likewise Risk originally was in one of the Nightlights, and other novels--stories long enough to be categorized by anyone as novels, not short stories--have been published in many zines and also serialized in zines. I mean it took me just as long to write Addiction whether it showed up in Nightlight or got published by itself.

Issue 1

cover of issue 1, Suzan Lovett

Nightlight 1 was published in July 1986 and has 286 pages. Later published by April Valentine (the name she's requested be used online) as part of her In Person Press. Cover art is by Suzan Lovett. Other artists include Carol Davis, Merle Decker, TACS, Ruth Kurz, Dargelos and Maureen B.

From the editor: "Whether depicting the first time or an ongoing physical relationship, whether showing S&H as lovers before, during or after the series, the fiction in 'Nightlight' keeps a light burning brightly all night long, shining in the window, one that keeps the love light glowing between the partners."

• Caviar by April Valentine, poem (1)
• Merlin’s Keep by Terri Beckett and Chris Powers (2)
• Camelot, poem by Sue Anne Hartwick (17)
• Soulcraft, poem by Jean Chabot (18)
• Kid’s Game by Billie Phillips (19)
• Once Bitten by Lynna Bright (24)
• Spiderwalk, poem by Jean Chabot (35)
• Hanged for a Lamb by Emily Ross (36)
• Judge Not by Ruth Kurz (a sequel to "Home" in The Phone Booth) (40)
• Midnight in an Alley, poem by Jean Chabot (59)
• Risk by Linda McGee (60)
• Golden Man, poem by Lucy Cribb (157)
• Life Force by P.A. Perry (158)
• art portfolio by Suzan Lovett (159)
  • Embrace by Lynna Bright (160)
  • Enchanted Garden by Susan K. James (162)
  • A Little Lower to the Left, Schweetheart by Jeannette Paris (165)
• Pastorale, poem by Emily Ross (169)
• Lonely Hearts by April Valentine (170)
• Cougar, poem by Sue-Anne Hartwick (181)
• Christmas Every Night by Noel Navidad (also in Cucumbers and Crisco) (182)
• Huntington Beach by Carol Davis (188)
• The White Knight’s Lament, poem by George Barnes (190)
• The White Knight’s Pledge, poem by George Barnes (191)
• Keeping Score, poem by Belle Eyre (192)
• Angel Face, poem by Emily Ross (194)
• Interlude at Itasca, poem by Pat Massie (195)
• Protect and Serve by April Valentine (196)
• Bright Promise, poem by Pat Massie (286)

• 

  from issue #1, Carol Davis

• 

  from issue #1, Jean C.

• 

  from issue #1, "Hard to describe in mere words. Sensual, exotic, delicate, and technically marvelous when we can finally control the evoked emotions long enough to notice technique. "Enchanted Garden" is worthy of the extra expense—delicate color, heavy paper."
  At first glance, this Suzan Lovett drawing may seem a two dimensional abstract figura serpentinata - it shows a naked Starsky & Hutch entwined, surrounded by flowers and butterflies, holding hands. In this case, the placement of the image - next to Susan K. James's one page story Enchanted Garden -- is strategic. The story opens with Starsky badly injured in the hospital, hallucinating, trapped in icy cold darkness punctuated by textures and shapes which eventually take the form of his lover Hutch: "Through half-slit, heavy eyelids he saw the darkness sunder. And his gaze, midnight blue and innocent as newborns', fastened on the sole butterfly resting, alive and brilliant with color, on their enlaced hands." As with much of Lovett's art, it takes repeated viewings to gather in all the details and to be able to parse the symbolism.

• 

  from issue #1, Maureen B., illo for "Hanged for a Lamb"

• 

  from issue #1, Ruth Kurz

• 

  from issue #1, Merle Decker, reprinted in Risk

• 

  from issue #1, Merle Decker, reprinted in Risk

• 

  from issue #1, TACS

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

"Nightlight" was gorgeous. Enjoyed almost everything in it... and more importantly, it really puts me in the mood to work with/on STARSKY & HUTCH stories again. Thanks! (Now I really got to make sure C7#4 is spectacular...)

That beautiful Suzan Lovett color cover promises a satisfying zine, and the promise is kept. Even before the zine starts we have a TACS illo and [April Valentine] poem to set the tone, which is consistently wan throughout.

CAVIAR - Games are different with different players, and Starsky saves the best for home.

MERLIN'S KEEP - So good to see this published at last, especially knowing who inspired the "lady in an Indian-print dress with a miniature dachshund." Lovely reaffirmation of their passion. There IS magic, and in Carol's drawing, too.

CAMELOT - This bit of love fits right in here.

SOULCRAFT - The image this evokes is breathtaking. KID'S GAME - I love the child-like theme of this vignette -- the gates, the decision of no more games, finding Starsky "running away from him?," "My mother said a policeman would always help me," and after the proposal, hearing the children's voices and his pat-a-cake poem. Jean's illo echoes the love this makes us feel.

ONCE BITTEN - The love is always first with these two. And it was clear that Starsky wasn't a home-wrecker — just dealing with a confused and hurting man.

SPIDERWALK - Some surprises are wonderful — nothing to fear from this careful snare.

HANGED FOR A LAMB - Love the line 'you and who el…uh, scratch that.' Maureen caught the anger in Starsky, and Hutch's quiet support. Yes, almost home.

JUDGE NOT - I'm very pleased with the presentation of my story, the illo placement so that holding the between pages it looks as if S&H are looking at each other, but most of all I love the typo on page 43. "They'd settled on Hutch's couch with a couple of bears and stared at each other." Priceless, especially for bear person like me! Appreciate the use of the scales motif, too.

MIDNIGHT IN AN ALLEY - The imagery in Jean's poem as usual is awe-inspiring. Her word pictures are wonderful.

RISK - The my-partner-is-missing segment of this story is solved pretty early leaving the rest of the story for my-partner-is-hurting. Hutch thinks it through logically, analyzing himself, trying to understand Starsky — all very believable, and we hurt for his suffering. Then the beautiful moment of mutual discovery and the "happy ending" — only it isn't the end, there's a lot more loving and learning, A story to be savored and illos to match. Perfect.

GOLDEN MAN - This lover knows his golden man, accepting all that he is.

LIFE FORCE - Mutual need, always there.

SUZAN's ART PORTFOLIO - Hard to describe in mere words. Sensual, exotic, delicate, and technically marvelous when we can finally control the evoked emotions long enough to notice technique. "Enchanted Garden" is worthy of the extra expense -- delicate color, heavy paper.

EMBRACE - A fitting tribute to a beautiful drawing. Utter contentment with one another.

ENCHANTED GARDEN - A mystical approach to the dreamlike death state - unexpected, believable. A LITTLE LOWER - No latter how unrealistic, a public get-together is a delight to read.

PASTORALE - Lovely and loving.

LONELY HEARTS - In any universe they belong together, regardless of the "what-ifs."

COUGAR - Never alone again.

CHRISTMAS EVERY NIGHT - This is cute, in character, and has a great cartoon illo.

HUNTINGTON BEACH - I don't know whether to be happy or sad. Life changes us. Nice illo, too.

WHITE KNIGHT'S LAMENT and PLEDGE - Painful poetry, depressingly descriptive, but loving.

KEEPING SCORE - Loving and giving and going a long way together. Warm and happy. Comfortable.

ANGEL FACE - A bit of a shock after the wrath of the previous story, but this is also Hutch. INTERLUDE AT ITASCA - Sometimes the fantasy is all that can keep us sane while waiting.

PROTECT AND SERVE - This in depth study of the problems of mid-life adjustment to major changes is both tender and believable. Love the tennis/athletics solution to Hutch's yearning for the old rapport between him and Starsk. They need to be partners. Now I want the story where they do find a partnership job. Martha?? Carol's illos at the beginning of each part are lovely.

BRIGHT PROMISE - a perfect poem to follow the commitment celebration of P&S. TOTALLY A GOOD ZINE!

Issue 2

cover of issue 2, by Suzan Lovett -- winner of a Huggy Award in 1993

Nightlight 2 was published in 1991 and has 340 pages. Color cover by Suzan Lovett, other art by Maureen B., SVE, Merle Decker, J. Jones and Chris Soto.

A submission request:

Nightlight II is in search of high quality "/" fiction illustrating the love between Starsky and Hutch. Stories may be set during the series or range beyond, may be simple relationship stories or include their work as cops. Explore the depth and breadth of their beautiful relationship, the highs and lows and all the moments in between. Contents so far include "The White Feather" by Marion Kelly and "The Proving Time" by Ellen Morris, along with "Separate Lives", the second story in "The Flame" trilogy and sequel to "Guilty Secrets, Guilty Pleasures," by [April Valentine]. Especially needed at this time are medium length stories and vignettes. Please include an appropriately sized SASE with all submissions and send to editor [April Valentine] at the above address.

• Midnight Blue by E. E. Rochon (1)
• Home Repairs by Linda McGee (3)
• The Proving Time by Ellen Morris (9)
• Coffin for Two, poem by Jean Chabot (78)
• Act of Faith by Belle Eyre (79)
• Written In the Heart by MRK (85)
• Cornsilk, poem by Sue-Anne Hartwick (109)
• Home Front by Rosemary C. (110)
• Obeah, poem by Jean Chabot (163)
• Separate Lives (to be continued) by April Valentine. A sequel to "Guilty Secrets, Guilty Pleasures" in The Fix #4. Reprinted in The Flame Trilogy. (164)
• Nocturne by Leah S. (240)
• Life in a Different Place by MRK (241)
• Love in a Different Place, poem by Jean Chabot (249)
• Bye the Sea, poem by Sue-Anne Hartwick (250)
• Cabin by the Sea, poem by Lorelie (251)
• White Feather by Katherine Robertson (252)
• Anniversary, poem by Sue-Anne Hartwick (340)
• art portfolio
  • "David " - J. Jones
  • "Hutch " - J. Jones
  • "The Devil & Mr. Hutchinson " - Suzan Lovett with an interpretation by Elizabeth Lowry

• 

  from issue #2, SVE

• 

  from issue #2, Maureen B.

• 

  from issue #2, SVE

• 

  from issue #2, Merle Decker

• 

  from issue #2. This J. Jones Hutch portrait is based on 4th season, a period in which many fans found the actor, with his signature mustache, to be aesthetically displeasing. Here, her pencil work softens the look and gives the character an almost dignified air. Note the detailed light and shadow strokes the artist used on the hair.

• 

  The story, "The Devil and Mr. Hutchinson" was inspired by this illustration by Suzan Lovett. The drawing shows Starsky, in his infamous red longjohns, kissing Hutch while a devilish Starsky imp and an angelic Hutch cherub smile at the viewer. The plot in the short story is simple: Hutch is trying to cook dinner for Starsky and Starsky 'tempts' Hutch again...and again....and again. This piece premiered five years earlier at ZebraCon #6, where it won a Huggy Award—A fan who was at the con writes: "I'm wondering how much Suzan's "The Devil and Mr. Hutchinson" would have fetched, too, if it had been up for sale!" Another fan writes of this illo: "I hope you've all been privileged to see Suzan Lovett's "angel and devil" rendition in lovingly detailed artwork, inspired by [Satan's Witches] -- it's quite wonderful, and gives great views of red and black long underwear!"

• 

  from issue #2, Chris Soto

• 

  from issue #2, This drawing by J. Jones illustrates the story White Feather. The image is unusual because the center focus is not Starsky & Hutch, but rather a detailed portrait of a female OC. Most fan art focuses on the characters from the show; however, parts of White Feather are told from the OC's POV so a visual introduction early on in the narrative is crucial. The drawing also demonstrates Jones's emerging style with significant effort being put into pencil shading (hair, clothes and even the wallpaper).

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

[Written in the Heart]: This is the very first story on her page, and it lists the second story as the sequel, but really every story on the page follows the other, so it is best to read this one first and then the rest in order. This is a post "Sweet Revenge" story that begins with Starsky still in the hospital. When a volunteer comes to read Wuthering Heights to him, he embarks upon an epiphany. (Can you guess what it might be?) There's just something about recovering Starsky that I like. It may be mother hen Hutch! The R rating is for language.

[White Feather]: He recognized the darkness for what it was-if he did nothing, he would die-if he moved, ah, God, if he moved, the pain would give him life. He was so tired…and terribly afraid. Case file, metaphysical exploration, and relationship story all in one, this one's long and involved, and worth every minute. Curl up with a cup of coffee or cider, and pass a cold winter's day lost in its pages.

[The Proving Time]: Oh how I love the Rocky Horror stuff in this story! And I love Starsky's white mesh shirt. And how Hutch watches Frank N. Furter in silhouette go down on Brad, saying, "but isn't it NICE," and thinks of Starsky, with the same wild curls. I'm not too crazy about the childhood trauma stuff the story goes into later, but the grisly murder case is all fascinating, and the original characters all ring true to the time.

[The Proving Time]: Here's an example of a story which had elements I loved: In Nightlight 2 there is a story that centers around the Rocky Horror picture show. (Can't recall the title, sorry.) Starsky wears a white fishnet shirt, which he bought at a rummage sale because it made Hutch blush.  He knows perfectly well he's wearing it to get a rise out of Hutch, but even though he knows that much, he still hasn't thought through all the implications.  This story starts to play around with the visual parallel between Starsky/Frank N. Furter, and Hutch/Brad in a way that could have been very interesting. (Especially because it was Starsky who originally wanted to see RH, and yet Hutch who was closer to coming to terms with his own feelings for Starsky....) There was much more that could have been developed, is what I'm saying, with the guys feeling awkward but still turned on by what they were seeing on the screen... But unfortunately, in the story the movie is interrupted by Starsky's finding a dead body in the men's room, so...