Nome (Star Trek: TOS zine published in the US)

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Zine
Title: Nome
Publisher: Jumping Dik-Bat Press/Artemis Press
Editor(s): Victoria Clark, Barbara Storey (all); Nancy M., M.V.M. Varela (some)
Date(s): 1979 - 1991
Series?:
Medium: print zine
Genre: gen and slash
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Nome is a Star Trek: The Original Series story anthology zine. These are some of the biggest zines in TOS fandom, running into 300-400 pages. They are illustrated with lots of fanart, some of which has been included below at the publisher's request.

Jumping Dik-Bat Press published all but the last one; that one was issued by Artemis Press.

The zine was initially gen, but included more and more non-explicit Kirk/Spock slash in later issues.

Subtitle in issue #2: "Nome: An infinite variety of things combine to make existence worthwhile."

Issues #4-9 won the Surak Awards for 'Best Fanzine Editing'. In 1983, the editors of the fanzine won the Trekstar Award for 'Best Editors'.

Nome is one of two media zines that skipped publishing an entire issue; the other one is Voyager #11.

Many of the summaries below are by Gilda F.

Nome's Beginnings

Like many fanzine publishers, the editors of Nome gave their typewriters nicknames. Left: "Monster", Right: "Calliope" from Nome #4.
Some new additions to the family -- from Nome #11, "Nocluv" and the word processor "Behemoth."

In 2017, one of the editors (Storey) commented upon the zines' large size and production:

People would make jokes to us about you should sell wheels with [the zine Nome] so that we can, you know, carry it away. It wasn’t so much the length, but we were definitely committed to the idea of good, superior quality art to go with the stories. That was something that was, you know, our intent from the start, yeah.

[snipped]

We had a lot of people that helped us, you know, in that time, with typing the things in and, you know, binding the zines. We had parties when we’d get the zine come in. Because we would have it printed but not bound because it was cheaper for us to bind them ourselves, and that’s where we started the screw post that we kind of became famous for, because the zine was too big for anything else, and we would invite people to come over and help us do that. (laughs) So, it took a lot of work. A lot of work. [1]

Nome and Art

The first ten issues of Nome contains a vast amount of fan art. The last issue contains none.

Finding artists who were willing to submit slash-themed art was difficult in the beginning. But the quality of art and overall production values in Nome won over some artists.

From Vicki Clark in 2007:

Usually we did not have explicit illoes in Nome. We had a few "teaser" pieces of art, Example, a Pat Stall piece with Kirk and Spock looking into a mirror. We see their mirror image, they're in bed with the covers over them. We did not include any explicit artwork.

Stephanie H. did a couple of pieces of art for early issues of “Nome”. She originally agreed to do art for “Broken Images” but backed out because her husband was opposed to her participation in slash. She backed out late in the process, but we were able to get Ann Crouch at the last minute.

Connie F. was neutral about slash but she was so impressed with “Broken Images” she agreed to do art for it; Merle Decker as well. [2]

in 2017, Barbara Storey said:

[We didn't accept explicit art for Nome's covers] at the beginning, but I think that we had some covers that were more explicit than others. Maybe not explicit, you know, as some others were, but I think we may have started out that way because we didn’t want to—um, we wanted to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, basically, I guess you could say. We wanted everyone to feel that there was something for them in the zine because that was, you know, what the name Nome meant, you know? An infinite variety of things combined to make to existence worthwhile. So that was kind of our guiding principle in the beginning. I think that’s why we called the zine Nome, that we wanted to have a variety of fiction so that anybody could find something that they liked. We were really trying to live up to that idea.

Nome and the Variety of Stories, Slash

Comments by One of the Editors: 2007

In 2007, one of the editors (Clark) discussed the zine series' and slash content:

All three of us – Barbara S., Nancy M. and myself - wanted to get more involved in fandom. The ways you could become involved in fandom was by doing a zine, writing for a zine, doing art for a zine. Zine fandom was a special niche.

Barbara, Nancy and I talked about doing a zine. I remember I came up with the name “Nome”, because we decided we liked the idea of having slash in the zine, but not limiting it to slash. “Nome” was the perfect name because it means “all things which make life worth living”. We wanted to combine different elements, different themes in “Nome”.

This only marginally worked because although we did have contributors who contributed stories that were not slash, a lot of people who were more the gen type authors and artists would not put work in a zine which contained slash. We did have some.

Actually the first issue didn't have any overt slash. The second issue did. We always had a few non-slash things; we never turned a story down because it wasn’t slash if we liked it. We even had some stories with Kirk or Spock with a woman.

It worked only to a certain degree - there was, especially in the first years of our entrance in fandom in 1978 and 1979, a lot of animosity toward slash. There were panels against slash. People at conventions would walk about buttons with “K/S” with a circle/slash through it (like the “no smoking” signs.) Then K/S got less controversial because it became established. [3]

In 2007, Clark also said:

We were selling at Creation Con. Their tables were quite expensive, so we shared one table with other editors who had zines with more explicit covers than the ones we published. Whenever someone came up to our table who we didn't recognize we would say, we have to tell you these zines include adult material; if you feel same-sex stories aren’t something you want to read about, please don't buy these zines. Mary came up to our table and looked through everything. She got the spiel, bought “Broken Images”, “Nome” and some others. She returned later and bought everything on the table.

The year that I was on sabbatical, Mary was writing “180 Degrees”, a threesome story that was “logical”. “180 Degrees” was published in “Nome” # 9 in 1986, the same year that the third movie came out. We premiered “Nome” # 9 at Shore Leave that year. A fan came up to me the next day to tell me that the story bothered her so much, because it was so well written, and yet Kirk and Spock and McCoy were saying doing things in their own voices that they shouldn't be doing. [4]

Comments by One of the Editors: 2017

In 2017, another editor, Barbara Storey, said:

When we first started, our first issue was actually, you know, pretty small, and then we got to be much larger because we just had good material that we wanted to get out there. Um. I think also when we started, for instance, slash was very new. When we first started, it was just around the time or just before the time that Thrust came out, which is one of the most famous slash zines, of course. People were very cautious about it, you know? They didn’t want to get into trouble with Paramount or the actors or whatever. It’s so strange to me, no, not strange but funny for me to see now how actors and franchises tend to embrace that kind of stuff and play along with it. Back in the day you were terrified that they would find out because you thought they would sue us, or they would get upset, or whatever. It was a very different atmosphere around that particular subject matter, and people were very cautious about selling it to someone, making sure that they were old enough, you know, and things like that. Every convention that we went to, there would always be panels arguing about whether it was acceptable or not. One of the strangest experiences I ever had was at a convention where I was on a panel, and we were talking about slash, and it was just after the first movie had come out. I don’t know if you remember it or not, but in the novelization of the movie, Gene Roddenberry put a footnote very close to the beginning of it, right? And it was basically saying, you know, “Live and let live” kinds of things. I was sitting on this panel once where the pro-slash and the con-slash were both arguing their position from that footnote. (laughs)

We both thought that there was justification for our point of view in that footnote. You know, I think it was very typical of Gene. He was very into what we called “open texture.” He gave us a world, a universe, someplace to create, and he didn’t really get uptight about how we did that, you know? He was, like, “Oh, not what I would have done, but okay,” you know? To me, that was part of the attraction of fan fiction, that you could take your favorite character, your favorite situation, your favorite episode—you know, whatever—and just expand on it. Put yourself, you know, give some of yourself to that creatively.

Also from Storey in 2017:

[Nome wasn't] really a slash zine per se because that wasn’t all that we did. Personally, we were probably more relationship fans than we were slash fans. And, you know, not that we didn’t like slash or anything; it was just more our focus. I found a copy of Nome 1 anyway. When I look back on this now, I think oh my gosh, what a primitive sort of effort, you know, especially when you think of the covers and things that we had later on. Let me see if I can come up with some names here. In the first issue, we had Toni, and we had Crystal Taylor and Ginna Lacroix. I always liked her writing very much, and Gerry Downes. Teri White was another good writer. There were some in later issues that were not in our first issues, that I wish I could find. We always were excited when someone new would come up, too, because that was another thing that we were very much into — promoting new authors and giving them a chance to have their work out there.

Storey said:

[...our preference for relationship stories]. It wasn’t any judgement about slash. It was just we found those stories—at the beginning anyway—were more compelling to us or whatever, but then we did get into it more. We certainly read all the slash that was out at that time. I mean, we published slash as the zine went on. I think that in the beginning, because we were so new to fandom, we hadn’t really explored it all, and we hadn’t found the really good writers yet, you know? Certainly, “Broken Images” was slash, and we published that, you know, as a standalone issue. So I think it was just a matter of evolving tastes, you know?

[I don't think this was fairly unusual]. I think most people picked the names of their zines according to the focus that they had for the content. Obviously, as you know, Thrust is self explanatory. (laughs) Then there was the companion series, and that focused on not just the slash side of their relationship but the emotional side of their relationship, too, that they were companions. Trying to think of some other names. Sometimes the names, for example, were a reference to a favorite episode. Umm. Trying to think. There was a zine that Gerry Downes did, Alternatives, I think that was called, yeah. Usually, the name reflected in some way the content of the zine that the editors were going for, or it was a reference to a famous character or episode. I think that’s the way most of them went, you know?

[snipped]

... at that point, slash was still pretty new, and what happened eventually was that a lot of the people who started out in Star Trek became interested in other fandoms, and then they went into slash in those other fandoms, like Star Wars, like Starsky & Hutch, like I eventually became—it was later, but—eventually became involved in Beauty and the Beast fandom, and I think in each fandom, according to the characters and how they related to each other, people found, you know, a way to express the emotional side of their relationship or the physical side of their relationship, whatever it was, or other relationships within secondary characters, you know, became more popular as time went on, too. I think it was a normal progression.

Comments from a Fan Regarding the Slash Comment: 1982

Captain's Log #6 (February 1982) has a LoC by Roberta Rogow in which she derided "Nome" and its slash content:

...My (zine) table [at a con] was right next to the one selling "Nome" (one of the K/S things) - a couple of girls picked up Nome and it was all I could do to keep my mouth shut! Later they insisted on returning it & getting their money back - and then I sold them a Trek index, pointing out that they could avoid much embarassment by those zines listed under "Kirk/Spock Relationship." By the way, they then bought "Captain's Log," which I told them was "Straight Trek, in every sense of the word!" that is, good adventure stories set on board the Big E... [R.G. Pollet, editor of "Captain's Log" added a diplomatic comment]: I sincerely hope no one liking Nome or K/S is offended by that, Ms. Rogow only mentioned it to me because it had something to do with C.L. and I ran it for that reason- There are well writen stories dealing with K/S, but many people don't like it, simply because it is K/S, as some readers don't like action/adventure stories, or parodies. It also shows how helpful Robeta's Trek Indexes can be. Ed.)

Nome and One Fan's Introduction to Slash: 2007

In a 2007 interview, Suzan Lovett explained "Nome" was her introduction to slash, something that echoes many fans' similar experiences:

I got into slash—same year [1980], same con, I’m a wide-eyed newbie, and someone I didn’t know at the time, an older fan dealer who had obviously taken it upon herself to keep newly-minted “innocents” safe from unhealthy influences, saw fit to lecture me on those people over there who were putting out perverted zines about Kirk & Spock and I should stay away from them. (“Those people” were Vicky & Barbara and the zine was Nome). I’m a child of the Sixties, rebelling comes to me like breathing, especially if someone assumes an authoritarian mantle—naturally, I made a beeline for them. Once I found out what slash was all about, I wasn’t at first sure if I liked it or not as it applied to “my” characters (even if I was sure it was H*O*T*), but it was subversive and that suited me just fine. [5]

The Best of Nome

flyer printed in issue #12

In 1991, the editors announced that they were going to produce a series of "Best of" issues. This project never got off the ground, despite the statement that the first issue was available.

From the flyer that appeared in Nome #12:

As for the reprints of BROKEN IMAGES and the BEST OF NOME series: We definitely decided to go ahead with the plan to get our own copier, so reprints are not a problem anymore! BROKEN IMAGES and BEST OF NOME #1 are both now available for the following prices: $28~FC; Canada;

OF NOME $30 Canada; $36 AM to Europe; $40 AM to Australia. BEST #1 contains "The Days of Me and You" and "Both Sides Now Parts 1 & 2 by [April Valentine] (from 2, 4, & 5); "The Seed" and "The Legend of the Sand Dollar" by Marcella Belton (from NOMEs 5 & 6); and "This Simple Feeling" and "Fantasies" by Beverly Sutherland (from NOMEs 6 & 8).

Future issues in the BEST OF NOME series will be available this summer.

BEST OF NOME #2: "Antinomy" by Suzan Lovett (NOME 7): "Truth is a Nail of Iron" by DVS (NOME 7): "180 Degrees" by Mary Suskind Lansing (NOME 9): plus selected poetry from various issues. Approx. 250 pages.

BEST OF NOME #3: Flora Poste's complete Mirror series, as it appeared in several issues of NOME: PLUS her "Courts of Honor images" poetry series, with accompanying illustrations by Suzan Lovett. Over 300 pages...

BEST OF NOME #4 & 5: The collected Elwyn Conway saga, as it appeared in several issues of NOME, in two volumes (faithful readers will remember that the saga has never actually been finished.... but we keep hoping.!) Each volume will be approx. 250 pages.

Works Inspired By

In the 1980s, an filk group featured the fanzine in their series of Zine Melodies:

NOME
(sung to the tune of "Blue Velvet")
He bled green blood;
My love bled all over me.
So I tore my shirt artfully
And bared my chest.
And I still can see green blood in my dreams.

Issue 1

Nome 1 was published in January 1979 and contains 166 pages. It is gen and was edited by Victoria Clark, M.V.M. Varela, and Barbara L. Storey.

There were 600 copies printed in its first run. The editors thank "Sondra and Myrna, for bringing us together."

front cover of issue #1, "Logo designed by Barbara L. Storey, lettering by Gerry Katsban, art by M.V.M. Varela, hand by Victoria Clark."
back cover of issue #1, Evallou Richardson

From the editorial:

In NOME, we hope to combine many aspects of the Star Trek universe, especially the controversial and unique. We believe we have succeeded in this aim, and hope to expand even further in the future. This, of course, depends on the submissions we receive especially since we're all confirmed Vulcanophiles!) We will be willing to consider any subject matter, in any form, in order to be as diverse in outlook as possible. In other words, NOME will never be a totally K/S zine, or totally adult, or totally concerned with any one theme.

Art by Merle Decker, Gerry Downes, Ellen Blevins, Pat Stall, Nan Lewis, Laurie Huff, Kathy Carlson, Miriam Amos, Bev Zuk, Wendy Pearson, Carrie Rowles, Evallou Richardson (back cover), Michael Verina, Al Zequeira, Shirley T. Hallman, Miriam Amos, and Humberto Garcia.


There is a vast amount of art in this issue. Below is a sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See reactions and reviews for In Gradual Vision.

See reactions and reviews for Communion.

See reactions and reviews for In Some Strange Land.

See reactions and reviews for The Message.

See reactions and reviews for Ceremony of Innocene.

See reactions and reviews for In Time's Wake.

See reactions and reviews for A Labour of Love.

See reactions and reviews for The Beginning.

See reactions and reviews for Visions.

1979:
[zine]: Nome: an infinite variety of things combined to make existence worthwhile.' That title is quite a challenge for any zine to take on, but 'Nome' definitely lives up to its name. Highlights of the zine are a touching story called 'Ceremony of Innocence,' where Spock is forced to make a young lieutenant 'unworthy'; a stands-up-on-its-own-but-can't-wait-for-the-sequel is called 'In Some Strange Land' that deals with a nun from the eugenics time period and her encounter with Spock; and a to-be-continued story called 'In Fire and Ice' that has Spock in pon farr and bonded (you guessed it!) to Zarabeth. Other stories in the zine differ in length and mood and are from such notables as Toni Cardinal-Price, Nancy Kippax, Barbara Storey, and others. The zine is also chock-full of excellent poetry and beautiful art by Ellen Kobrin, Susan Burr, Gerry Downes, Pat Stall, Laurie Huff, and Michael Verina, to name a few. All in all, 'Nome' is an excellent, well-rounded zine that will, at one point or another, touch all your emotions. And other than the fact that you have to wait until 'Nome 2' comes out to read the endings of some of the stories, this zine is a good buy. [6]

1979:
[zine]: This 156-page zine is well-executed and generally well-written. It contains a large number of variations on the theme of Kirk-Spock friendship, some rather tender views of Spook, and a number of stories involving Spook's sexuality. The artwork is good, and the zine is worth the money. Recommended. [7]

1985:
[zine]:

... many old ads to remind you of the good old days. The introduction to this zine sets out Nome's policies as they wore then in 1978 [sic] and as they are today: "In NOME we hope to combine many aspects of the ST universe, especially the controversial and unique... We will be willing to consider any subject matter in any form in order to be as diverse in outlook as possible. In other words NOME will never be a totally K/S zine or totally adult or totally concerned with any one theme..." In NOME 2 the editors continues "Since NOME 2 does present many divergent points of view we obviously cannot and do not agree with all of them. We do, however, feel that well written material on any subject deserves to be considered for publication."

The success and continued quality of NOME after seven years must surely speak volumes for this philosophy.

' In Gradual Vision' by Martha Bonds. This is set after the 'Enemy Within'. Spock confronts how Kirk in only the short space of time he has been Captain, has affected his and Spock's outlook. As the story was written in 1978 this theme has obviously been explored many times since. Even so, Martha Bonds makes one or two telling observations about Spock and, in the manner of many earlier stories; the Vulcan is in much greater conflict, with himself over his emotions.

'In Some Strange Land' - Victoria Clark, A Spock-and-a-woman story but those of us who are allergic to such things can relax. The woman in question is a nun. Spock is thrown back in time to just after the Eugenics Wars. He is taken for a Eugenics monster. Sister Patti Wells overcomes her instinctive revulsion and helps him escape back to his own time. The sequel in 'Nome 2' is a nice counterpoint for Sister Wells is then herself 'In Some Strange Land'. It is an interesting story of a woman standing by her creed despite the fact that she is still fearful and dubious of the 'monster.' I certainly haven't read anything like it before and Spock's experience of a nun's perception is fascinating.

'Ceremony of Innocence' - Helen Lynne Kent. This really is a Spock-and-a-woman yet strangely it is one of the few of its genre that I have not found abhorrent. In fact it was very touching, due mostly to the fact that the heroine is very difficult to dislike. - She and Spock are prisoners of the Alothians, a race whose women are stunted and hideous. It transpires that the Alothians 'look to the sky' for more desirable mates but will accept only virgins for their 'harem'. Lt.Farrell is a virgin and in order to prevent her being kept on the planet (the Alothians merely erase the memories of those they do not require) Spock, also a virgin, does the necessary. The reactions of both Spock and Lt. Farrell are beautifully described, Spock's (we know him better than her, of course) particularly and there are no sloppy and precipitate declarations of love etc. It is most delicately handled, the balance is just right, and at the end, a poignant thought from the Vulcan, now back on the ship, having full knowledge of the events, unlike the Lt. whose memories have been edited. Kirk remarks that he doubts it's anything she would want to remember and Spock pauses, remembering "a cell, a simple cot and a ritual of innocence shared - no more.". Very touching.

'In Time's Wake' - Toni Cardinal-Price. The injection to restore Spock's youth after Gamma Hydra 17 doesn't take and he is literally pulled back from the jaws of death. Kirk keeps vigil and confronts his possible loss.

'A Labour of Love' - Barbara L. Storey, The Enterprise is expecting a happy event and much interest is shown in Spock's reaction. The baby has her own gift to bestow on Spock and he reciprocates. In a way, it is a sad little tale of Spock's loneliness, brought out. I think of the last lines, when McCoy says; "I guess we don't know him as well as we thought we did." "No Bones," replies Kirk. "Do you think we ever will?"

'The Beginning' - Ginna LaCroix. Again a story of Kirk in the first months of his command but a subtle study of Kirk's changing perceptions of both Gary Mitchell and Spock and it is in a rather more reserved style than usual for this author. Interesting to see how her style has evolved.

'Visions' - Teri White. Spock and Kirk dream of Spook's death, but from their own respective viewpoints, and acknowledge that the event is something they are likely to have to face. It is a harrowing short story made all the more so by the fact that the characterisations are so true; Spock is especially well portrayed.

Other stories are 'In Fire and Ice' a Spock/Zarabeth story by M.V.M. Varela; 'Communion' - Nancy Kippax - shared moments on a beach. 'The Message' - Sally Syrjala -The Enterprise has been destroyed - all hands but Kirk has accepted promotion and is no longer on board.

Nome 1 also contains illos by Pat Stall, Michael Verina and many others, though I suspect the quality is not as good [in this reprint] as the original print run, and poems too numerous to mention. Its stories were, of course, unfettered by ST-TMP, WOK, or SFS at the time, and it is interesting to see how topics have changed over the years. Worth getting hold of at auction if you can - a little expensive otherwise. [8]

Issue 2

front cover issue #2, Pat Stall. It as nominated for a Fan Q. One fan's comment: "So much chest hair on Spock......wow...lovely..." [9]
Another fan's comment: "Then there’s Pat Stall’s amazing art work for Nome, which was one of the first of the K/S slash zines, the big ones, especially Nome No. 2...There is a gorgeous picture of Kirk and Spock sitting up in bed, holding, like, these vaudeville placards with Nome and Two on it, and they’re kind of looking at each other, and the playfulness of it. They don’t look at each other lasciviously or even romantically; it’s like, you know, 'Well, here we are again!' Oh my God, they look just like any other couple." [10]
back cover issue #2, Pat Stall
After "Nome" #2 was released, a fan described the zine's collation, and of writing a filksong! It was published in Stylus #1. Some of the filk's lyrics: "After we've seen the movie, Another twenty times, We'll have new inspiration For stories, art and rhymes. After Spock leaves Sickbay, And V'Ger's quest is done, We know where Kirk will take Spock -- The Human Adventure's begun!"

Nome 2 was published in January 1980 and is 322 pages long. It contains over 25 stories and many illustrations.

It was edited by Victoria Clark, M.V.M. Varela, and Barbara L. Storey.

It has the subtitle: "Nome: An infinite variety of things combine to make existence worthwhile."

The art is by Pat Stall (front cover, back cover), Stefanie Hawks (inside back cover), Merle Decker, Sue Klasky, Sheila Hallman, Kathy Carlson, Nan Lewis, Gayle F, Michael Verina, Leslie Fish, Humberto Garcia, Ruth Kurz, Laurie Huff, Al Zequeira, Evallou Richardson, and Carrie Rowles.

An ad in Datazine #1 says "This zine will contain K/S and other adult material -- therefore an age statement must accompany all orders."

From the editorial:

Now, one year later, we have all experienced ST-TMP a multiple number of times(some more than others ... And, in this particular case - yes - having is as pleasing a thing as wanting. Gene Roddenberry has been sensitive to the pulse of fandom, giving us a filmed STAR TREK which is true to itself, in a story which reflects many of the trends and moods of fan literature. The cast, especially Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner, have retained that certain, special "spark", out of which has evolved the "relationship" theme in fandom (particularly the "sickbay scene", dubbed "July" in honor of the ST calendar — what more could we want, or should 'we say, expect, than that?) To they who made our dream come true...thank you.

NOME 2 - as you may have already noticed — is a monster. We received so much excellent material that we kept accepting...and accepting...and, well, here's the result. As we mentioned in NOME 1, our editorial policy has been to present as many aspects of the STAR TREK universe as possible, especially the controversial and unique. We believe that NOME 2 has succeeded in expanding on this policy, and we hope to proceed even further in this direction in our next issue, "TILL HUMAN VOICES WAKE US", which will be our first Special Edition, authored by our co-editor, Barbara L. Storey. Any submissions received from this time on will be considered for NOME 4, which will go into production in Fall/Winter 1980.

Since NOME 2 does present many divergent points of view, we obviously can not, and do not, agree with all of them. We do, however, feel that well-written material on any subject deserves to be considered for publication, in accordance with our previously stated editorial policy. We hope you enjoy the issue, and look forward to your letters of comment.

  • Elementary Education by Jean Ensling (i)
  • Title Page by Editors (1)
  • Dedication Page by Editors (2)
  • Multiplicative Proclivities by Editors (5)
  • Discovery by Ginna LaCroix ("Pre K/S: Kirk slowly discovers the prejudice Spock has had to deal with in his life, and then Lt. Stiles is assigned to the Enterprise.") (also in Trek Encore #1) (6)
  • Cruel Words by Mariann Hornlein (28)
  • Illogic by Sarah Liebold (29)
  • Of Zarabeth's Womb by Marguerite Marasciulo (30)
  • From Leila by Marguerite Marasciulo (33)
  • So Far Away by Sarah Liebold (34)
  • If Living is Without You by Barbara L. Storey ("Pre K/S: As Spock realizes that he will be drawn to Kirk during his next pon farr and decides to leave the Enterprise, Kirk is injured while competing in mental "games".") (36)
  • Syvak No. 3 by Barbara L. Storey (55)
  • Earth, Air, Water, Fir by Victoria H. Clark (56)
  • Consumed of Thee by Della Van Hise (57)
  • Accident by Victoria H. Clark ("Pre K/S: Spockʼs feelings of responsibility for the woman who saved his life and was forced to return with him to his time are creating a rift between himself and Kirk." Prequel: "In Some Strange Land" in issue #1.) (60)
  • The Heart is Not a Logical Organ by Audrey Williams (75)
  • Idol by Ruth Kurz (77)
  • Until by Sandra Gent & Virginia Green (78)
  • No Bet by Ruth Kurz ("Spock uses seduction to make his lover take him on a landing party when Kirk tries to go on one without him.") (80)
  • Tell Me by Victoria H. Clark (83)
  • Where the Stallion Meets the Sun by Toni Cardinal ("Kirk thinks Spockʼs withdrawal is due to mourning Zarabeth until he goes with Spock to Vulcan on leave and decides he must tell Spock how much he loves him." Sequel: "A Measure of Innocence" in issue #4.) (84)
  • Contrasts by Gene Delapenia (104)
  • Apologia & Reply by D.J. Biehl (105)
  • Pyramids of Power by Billie Phillips (108)
  • A Special Kind of Friendship by Mary Aldridge (109)
  • Time by Pete Kaup (114)
  • All the Comforts by Pamela Rose (115)
  • Meditations of a Retired Hero by Sue Bursztynski (116)
  • Corridors of the Mind by Billie Phillips ("Pre K/S: Though ill, Kirk is forced to endure a "test" of his mind and soul in order to procure badly needed dilithium crystals from a newly discovered planet, while Spock must deal with his growing feelings for Kirk.") (117)
  • No Beach by Liz Persic (141)
  • Pick Up the Pieces by Terry Todzonia (142)
  • Hour of Gold by Teri White ("Now bonded, Kirk and Spock must deal with McCoyʼs misgivings and rethink their premature decision to only have sex when away from the ship." Prequel: "Hour of Lead" in Thrust and "An Anguish to Pay" in Naked Times #1.) (143)
  • No World Alone by Sarah Liebold (155)
  • Chronicles by Ellen L. Kobrin (156)
  • Time Enough by Terry Todzonia (158)
  • Reunion by Mary A. Smith (159)
  • Paradox by Dayle Barker (163)
  • Haiku by Desire Gonzales (164)
  • Reactions by Victoria H. Clark & M.V.M. Varela (165)
  • A Space in Time by M.V.M. Varela (166)
  • Freezing Embers by Marguerite Marasciulo (187)
  • Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made Of by Della Van Hise 188)
  • The Green Man by Val Marshall ("Kirk and Spock are forced to take part in a fertility ceremony as a god and his consort at which time Kirk must kill Spock, a detail that they are not aware of.") (191)
  • Trial By Fire by Angela Hanslik (209)
  • At the Hand of a Friend by Crystal A. Taylor (210)
  • I Watched by Pete Kaup (212)
  • One Indissoluable Unity by Sharon Decker ("Pre K/S: A Vulcan ensign with precognitive abilities warns Spock of danger to Kirk but when Kirk is abducted while negotiating a treaty, the ensign is afraid to use her powers to help find him, leaving Spock to search on foot as time runs out.") (213)
  • Untitled by Terry Todzoni (242)
  • Till We Have Faces by Victoria H. Clark 243)
  • To Cheat a Devil by Sarah Liebold (244)
  • Untitled by Terry Todzonia (245)
  • Journey's End by Ray Newton ("After the death of two security men who were also lovers, Kirk faces his love for Spock and the necessity of telling Spock about them in a place of his choosing, rather than taking the risk of Spock finding out unexpectedly.") (246)
  • Renewals by Susan Burr (267)
  • Rebuttal by Dayle Barker (269)
  • Writing Contest by Ellen L. Kobrin (271)
  • Someday by Diana L. Rusnak (272)
  • Legacy of Love by Judy Ferguson-Clark ("Pre K/S: Spock continues a cycle when he gives Kirk a ring given to him by the remaining member of a same-sex couple as sheʼs dying.") (274)
  • Mine by Pete Kaup (279)
  • Remembrance by Pamela Rose (280)
  • A Salvaged Poem by Jennifer Weston (282)
  • First Love by Audrey Williams (283)
  • The Beginning and the End by Sandra Gent (284)
  • Of Your Own Free Will by Crystal A. Taylor (286)
  • I Just Came to Say Hello by Liz Persic (287)
  • Untitled by Jean Ensling (292)
  • The Days of Me and You by April Valentine ("Five years after losing Kirk to an invading entity, Spock returns to the area of the event as his link to Kirk strengthens and they can be together at last." Sequel: "Both Sides Now, part 1" in issue #4.) (293)
  • Infinity by Ruth Kurz (320)
  • Over the Hill to the Poorhouse by Susan Wyllie (321)
  • Zine Ad Listing by Editors (323)

There is a vast amount of art in this issue. Below is a sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

See reactions and reviews for Discovery.

See reactions and reviews for If Living is Without You.

See reactions and reviews for Accident.

See reactions and reviews for Where the Stallion Meets the Sun.

See reactions and reviews for Corridors of the Mind.

See reactions and reviews for Hour of Gold.

See reactions and reviews for The Green Man.

See reactions and reviews for Journey's End.

See reactions and reviews for Legacy of Love.

See reactions and reviews for The Days of Me and You.

[One Indissoluble Unity]: [from the author]" Fortunately, whenever I produce something new I get a new favorite [story], but the first one will haunt me forever (NOME #2, I think.. "One Indissoluble Unity"... and now, one indissoluble piece of crap.) [11]

[zine]: The stories are varied in theme and content... The only constant is the standard of high quality. Several stories by Toni Cardinal, Teri White, Ray Newton explore the K/S sexual relationship, while several others present them as close friends. There are strong female protagonists - Vicki Clark's 'Sister Patty Wells' (definitely not a Mary Sue; she doesn't even like being aboard the Enterprise!), M.V.M. Varela's 'Zarabeth', and Sharon Decker's Vulcan 'T'Lanea.' Science fiction themes are present by April Valentine and [Billie Phillips] -- two excellent stories of extreme circumstances and deep, abiding friendship. Some of the poetry and fiction are directly based on TV episodes, plus 'Nome' has the distinction of being the first zine to publish poetry and a complete story ('If Living is Without You') based on ST-TMP. That's only the major offerings. There are approximately fifteen stories of various lengths and, by my account, fifty poems... I want to applaud three short pieces of fiction: 'Reunion,' 'Legacy of Love,' and 'A Special Kind of Friendship.' They are by three new writers with excellent promise. And this is another wonderful thing about 'Nome' -- familiar names are entwined with those who are just beginning their journey into fan participation. Controversy is present, too. stories with which you may disagree, themes with which you may not be comfortable. The editors state this is their policy, and you are forewarned. 'The Green Man' is unique, but not totally believable. 'Reunion' and 'I Just Came to Say Hello' are very good, but not pleasant reading for a sunny afternoon... Variety is 'Nome's' middle name. 'The artwork is consistently fine... The half-tone covers are by Pat Stall. The editor's care and love for their zine is obvious. Selectric-typed with four different elements for emphasis, I found no typos apparent. Time and patience shows in the layout, graphics, and reproduction. A reader can thumb through a zine and tells you it looks 'nice.' but believe me, folks, when you've sat with those sheets of Pres-type, how much work went into a production like this one. As an editor, I compliment them on a professional job well done. Altogether, a fanzine worth every cent -- a joy to receive, digest, and appreciate. [12]

[zine]: This is a huge zine, a full 26 oz. and packed with stories, artwork, and some of the best poetry I've seen anywhere. The best thing about 'Nome' 2 is that it doesn't limit itself to only one facet of fandom, but has something for everyone; it truly adheres to the concept of IDIC... There are excellent illos by Nan Lewis, Pat Stall, Gayle F, and Michael Verina, whose new pen drawings are very nice indeed. The stories range from those you could read to your child at bedtime to those that delve into the very special relationship between Kirk and Spock. Some of the material quite definitely favors the K/S premise, other stories just as definitely don't, but they all blend together remarkably well giving the reader a broad view of what Star Trek fandom is all about. The zine contains so many fantastic stories that it is difficult to single any one story out. There are sad stories, happy stories and stories that make you grit your teeth, but I guarantee you that you won't be bored. Two of the really fine poems art worth a special word. 'I Just Came by to Say Hello nearly made me cry, not only is it well-written and imaginative but very touching without being maudlin. And 'Over the Hill to the Poorhouse' is pure delight, especially for anyone who's skipped lunch (and maybe dinner, too) to buy 'just one more zine.' The cover is yet another Pat Stall classic, the zine is quite a bargain, and highly recommended. [13]

There Was No Issue 3

This is the only known zine to have completely skipped an issue in terms of numbering.

From an ad about this issue's planned edition:

'Till Human Voices Wake Us' -- Nome #3 -- Special Edition. Will Vulcan accept a seat on the Federation Council? Both Vulcan and the Federation have chosen Spock as their official liaison. He is expected to give an unbiased, logical appraisal of both sides. But an unexpected diversion forces Spock to rethink his rigid position and leads him to a dangerous confrontation with the Vulcan Council. Due late summer 1980. [14]

Another ad:

For a Vulcan, tradition, ceremony, and silence are the things that hold life together. For a Human, those same things can tear a life apart.' Cover art by Pat Stall... although this zine will deal with adult themes, there will be no explicit scenes, and no age statement is required. [15]

From "Nome's" editor:

As many of you know, 'Nome 3' has been delayed for some time. When I originally set a deadline for it, I had hopes that it would spur me on to finish it; instead, it had the opposite effect. Knowing that so many of you are waiting for it --albeit patiently, has absolutely frozen me into a state of panic, and I have not been able to complete it. (I think that some of you who are writers will understand the feeling). The only way I can take the pressure off myself is to postpone the novella indefinitely -- in effect, to strike Nome 3 from the records. We will continue with our regular issues... When 'Till Human Voices Wake Us' does come out, it will have no number; it will simply be known as a Nome Special Edition... I would like to apologize for the confusion and the long wait I have caused, and to thank fandom sincerely for its patience and understanding with my writing block. [16]

About what was published in its stead? A fan in 2007 explained:

If you’ve been counting, you’re probably saying to yourself, “But where was Nome 3?” There was no Nome 3. The novel Broken Images by Beverly Sutherland was published in its stead, but not until 1983. There are probably still fans out there somewhere looking for what they think is the missing issue of Nome to complete their collection. [17]

In 2017, Barbara Storey corrected the statement that while Broken Images was published at the same time the third issue of "Nome" was to have been released, "Broken Images" was not officially the third issue of this zine series:

Oh dear, Nome 3. Umm. I can explain to you why there was no Nome 3, actually. It’s a little bit embarrassing. Nome 3 was supposed to be a novel-length zine written by me. We started advertising, saying that the next issue was going be, like, all one story, and blah-blah, you know. I got the most severe case of writer’s block (laughs) that I think I’ve ever had. I could not finish that story. It just—I don’t know exactly what it was. The subject matter was very difficult for me at the time because there was a personal element to it. I just couldn’t finish it. So we said, “What do we do? Do we hold on to this as a placeholder with a note that it’ll arrive someday?” kind of thing. I think we tried that for a while, and then when I realized that there was a likelihood that I was never going to get it finished, we decided to substitute Broken Images, I guess you could say, for that. That’s the reason there is no Nome 3—my writer’s block. Sad to say. [18]

Issue 4

Nome 4 was published in January 1981 and contains 266 pages.

It was edited by Victoria Clark, M.V.M. Varela, and Barbara L. Storey.

From the editorial:

Well, another year has passed, and you are now holding another issue of NOME in your hands. For those of you who are wondering if we've forgotten how to count, or are wondering if you've missed something -- we haven't, and you haven't. We had intended to have NOME 3 out for FebCon, but due to the fact that it is not completed to Barbara's satisfaction, we have decided to delay publication until the spring, and to go ahead and publish NOME 4 in its stead. We apologize for the delay of "Till Hunan Voices Wake Us"; for those of you who wish to receive final information on this special edition, please send a SASE (if you have not already done so) and we will send it out to you as soon as it is ready. Speaking of SASEs: Lately there has been an increasing number of people who neglect to send SASEs when requesting information, or sending submissions and unsolicited artwork. In the past we have answered these requests and absorbed the cost, but we are reaching a point where we can no longer do this. PLEASE remember, when you correspond with any editor concerning her zine, to enclose an appropriate- size SASE if you want a response. Editors with already large postage bills will bless you for your consideration.

front cover of issue #4, Gayle F, also used on one of the 1982 Lords of Light and Darkness Fantasy Cards
"The cover of NOME 4, as beautifully rendered by Gayle F, was so intriguing to us that we decided (with her permission) to make it available in T-shirt form." [19]
back cover of issue #4, Stefanie Hawks
  • My Life by Jean Ensling (1)
  • Sonnet Number One by Barbara L. Storey, calligraphy by Sue Klasky (7)
  • Thataway on Kirk/Spock Archive by Kathy Resch, art by Laurie Huff. ("On their way back to Earth after Vger, Kirk and Spock come to understand what they are, and will be, to each other. AUTHOR’S NOTE/THANKS: I wrote this story in 1980, shortly after the release of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture”. I was just beginning to consider writing K/S, but found I wasn’t quite ready to go that ‘final step’, so this story is still pre-K/S.") (8)
  • Touchstone by Jimmye Galli (16)
  • Double or Nothing by Crystal A. Taylor, art by Lydia Moon ("Pre K/S: When Kirk accidentally breaks a taboo on a newly contacted planet, Spock must pay the price with his life and the only concession given is that Kirk can die with him.") (17)
  • Poem by Jean Chabot (45)
  • The Honesty's Too Much by Pamela Rose, art by Leslie Fish ("Pre K/S: On their way to deliver a formula for Starfleet, Kirk and Spock are abducted by an Orion in the pay of Kor who has Kirk beaten and raped in an attempt to force Spock into disclosing the formula.") (46)
  • Finis by Jennifer Weston, art by Laurie Huff. Filksong. (76)
  • The Parting by Ginna LaCroix, art by Merle Decker ("It is the end of the 5 year mission. Spock has suddenly departed for Vulcan and Jim Kirk is being cleverly manipulated into accepting the admiralty assignment. We see McCoy as he does everything he can to prevent Nogura from grounding Kirk, but Nogura and Lori Ciani are too much for him. The story ends with McCoy's subdued and bitter parting from Admiral Kirk." Sequel: "Catharsis" in Matter/Antimatter #3/4.) (also in Trek Encore #3) (80)
  • The Confrontation by Victoria H. Clark (107)
  • Whole Again by Marguerite Marasciulo, art by Evallou Richardson (109)
  • Star Gazing by Victoria H. Clark, art by Ann Crouch (110)
  • Both Sides Now, part 1 by April Valentine, art by Stephanie Hawks ("Aided by the entity responsible for their initial change, Kirk and Spock are able to once again acquire human form." Prequel: "Days of You and Me" in issue #2. Sequel: "Both Sides Now, part 2" in issue #5.) (112)
  • Spanish Moss by Pamela Rose, art by Lydia Moon ("McCoy has returned to Georgia after the 5 year mission. Tired and disheartened by Spock's flight to Vulcan and Kirk's acceptance of the ground assignment, he finally decides to return to research. A short, bitter reunion uith Kirk and a devastating encounter uith his ex-wife leave him seeking solace in the bottle, but an unexpected kindness by Kirk returns the doctor to a productive life.") (142)
  • Lament of the Other by Ellen L. Kobrin, art by Lydia Moon (165)
  • So This is Love by Jean Chabot, art by Ann Crouch (166)
  • Rumors by Mary A. Smith. Rumors fly on the Enterprise. (168)
  • A Measure of Innocence by Toni Cardinal-Price, art by Michael Verina ("Now that he and Spock have reclaimed their love for each other, Kirk is apprehensive being virgin with men when Spock is not." Prequel: "When the Stallion Meets the Sun" in issue #2.) (172)
  • Loving Commands by Jimmye Galli (184)
  • Poem by Jean Ensling (185)
  • Rationale by Dayle Barker, art by Kathy Carlson (186)
  • Nights on Neural by Dayle Barker, art by Kathy Carlson (187)
  • Passion Flower by Dayle Barker, art by Kathy Carlson (188)
  • Lt. Marlena Moreau by Judy Darnell, art by Kathy Carlson (189)
  • Let No Man Put Asunder by Billie Phillips, art by Michael Verina ("Thinking he is about to die, Spock breaks the bond to Kirk. But after surviving he finds that his former bondmate is now distant and remote." Sequel: "Windmills of the Mind" in issue #5.) (190)
  • The Time to Speak by Jean Barron (209)
  • Dark Corners by Judy Darnell (210)
  • Secrets by Susan K. James ("When Spock melds with Janice Lester in order to ascertain her identity as Jim Kirk, he sees the events of the koonakalifee through Kirkʼs eyes." Sequel: "Dust In the Wind" in issue #6.) (211)
  • Poem by Jean Ensling (213)
  • Born of Fire by Crystal A. Taylor (214)
  • Soliloquy in the Flames by Julie Osborn ("Spock reflects as Kirk sleeps after aiding Spock through pon farr.") (215)
  • The War Goes On by Judy Darnell (217)
  • Dead by Gene Delapenia (217)
  • After the Storm by Linda Neel, art by Terryl Best (218)
  • A Tall Ship by Audrey Williams, calligraphy by Sue Klasky (220)
  • Day by Day by Beverly Volker, art by Pat Cash ("Both Kirk and Spock take each day as they come to cope during their two and a half years apart between the end of the first mission and VʼGer.") (221)
  • Blood Lines by Gene Delapenia (228)
  • And Ever Shall Be, part 1 by Nancy Kippax, art by Pat Cash (a non-K/S story.) (229)
  • Song of the Le-Matya by Jean Chabot, art by Evallou Richardson (266)
  • Two Untitled poems by Jean Chabot
  • Mister Spock Welcome Aboard by Liz Persic

A small sampling of the extensive interior art. Art is included at the publisher's request.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

See reactions and reviews for Thataway.

See reactions and reviews for Double or Nothing.

See reactions and reviews for The Honesty's Too Much.

See reactions and reviews for The Parting.

See reactions and reviews for Both Sides Now.

See reactions and reviews for Spanish Moss.

See reactions and reviews for A Measure of Innocence.

See reactions and reviews for Let No Man Put Asunder.

See reactions and reviews for Day by Day.

See reactions and reviews for And Ever Shall Be.

[zine]: NOME 4 is a handsome fanzine, starting with the trompe l'oeil [Gayle F] cover illustration of Kirk and 3pock in body armor that makes them look nude, and ending with a beautiful print job that enhances their professorial quality layout. (For the gutsy, the cover illo is also available on a T-shirt.) The zine concentrates on the Kirk/Spock relationship and contains both hurt/comfort and homosexual relationship material, but it is nowhere near as sexually explicit as THE NAKED TIMES. I feel sad that I can't be too excited in this review of NOME 4 because the editors obviously tried to put out a quality 'zine and, by my tastes, failed. It is not sufficiently violent or sexually explicit to recommend it for shock value, and it is not sufficiently imaginative to recommend it for content. Most of the stories rework well-trodden ground, and additionally many of them are "downers". (Let's be frank, when you can classify most of the stories as "K/S" or "hurt/comfort", or "first-time" or "whatever," you know the writers are mining well-worn material.) The only story which showed any imagination whatsoever was "And Ever Shall Be" by Nancy Kippax, This concerns Kirk, Spock, and a telepathic Romulan prisoner. It shows promise, but it is "to be continued" in the next issue. Additionally, the interior artwork does not quite live up to the expectations aroused by the beautiful front cover. [20]

[zine]:

Nome is never a disappointment. There is no getting around the fact that the price is steep, but considering the size and quality of the contents, it’s a good investment.

"Thataway," by Kathleen Resch, offers some good insights of the changes in Kirk and Spock during their time apart. But as Kathleen points out, some things never change.

"Double or Nothing," by Crystal Taylor, has Kirk doing the noble thing - again - gaining Spock a sentence of death. The story has a fairly predictable plot, but enough surprise twists to make it a good read.

"The Honesty's Too Much," by Pamela Rose. Kirk is captured and tortured. What makes this version unique is Kirk’s reaction when he learns Spock was a witness.

"The Parting," by Ginna La Croix. Why did the threesome go their separate ways after the five-year mission? The explanations for Kirk and McCoy are realistic and likely the closest anyone has come to the correct conclusions. We are not supplied with Spock's reasons, though there are a few scattered hints.

"Both Sides Now," by [April Valentine][, is continued from a story in Nome #2.

"The Days of You and Me" skillfully examines the joys, uncertainties, hopes and fears of Kirk and Spock when they suddenly find themselves returned to corporeal form.

"Spanish Moss," by Pamela Rose, has McCoy not above a large dose of self-pity when the secure life aboard ship is taken away. Pam portrays him as a lonely, bitter man, who is at the point of withdrawing from life, and deftly shows his struggle to retain a firm grip on sanity.

"Day by Day," by Beverly Volker, compares the differences Kirk and Spock’s lives take following the end of the mission.

"And Ever Shall Be," by Nancy Kippax, gives Spock the dubious task of dealing with a recalcitrant young Romulan warrior called Malik. Nancy allows Spock to make mistakes instead of always having the answers, as too many writers are prone to do. Malik gradually emerges as an interesting character who is constantly growing in complexity.

There are several other stories. Lots of artwork and poetry. Highly recommended. [21]

Issue 5

front cover of issue #5 by Gayle F.
back cover of issue #5, Stefanie Hawks

Nome 5 was published in January 1982 and contains 331 pages. This issue was dedicated to Nancy, "our former co-editor -- we miss her and wish her all good things in her new life."

It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey.

From an ad: "This zine will contain some K/S material so an age statement is required."

From the editorial:

Because we do not wish to turn again... We have chosen to take license with a quote of T.S. Eliot's (Ash Wednesday) here--and in our dedication--to indicate to you our own dedication to the ideals of the Vulcan word, "NOME." To us, this infers the "all" of Star Trek--all the characters; all the diversity and complexity which has become the meaning behind the dream. Many of you may be aware that Paramount is filming a second Star Trek movie, in which Spock's fate is in jeopardy. Spock's death is unacceptable to us; it would tamper with the union of characters which is the essence of Star Trek, and the meaning of NOME. We urge you to write and let your opinion be known--it is not too late (the latest information reports that multiple endings have been filmed, and a final decision has not yet been made).

  • Binary Star by Jean Chabot (i)
  • On the Eve of Kolinahr by Jimmye Galli (7)
  • From the Ground, Shining Brightly by Crystal A. Taylor (9)
  • A Mission's End by Elwyn Conway ("Pre K/S: At the end of the 5 year mission, Spock returns to Vulcan to try and obtain the Kohlinahr at Gol." Sequel: "Earthbound".) (10)
  • Untitled by Terry Todzonia (29)
  • Earthbound by Elwyn Conway ("Pre K/S: Now on Earth, Kirk is unable to forget about the Enterprise and Spock." Prequel: "A Mission's End". Sequel: "And Never Parted" in issue #6.) (32)
  • Heartstrings by Terry Todzonia (46)
  • Midnight Blue by Toni Cardinal-Price (47)
  • The Reason Why by Pamela Rose & Cindy Deren (gen) ("McCoy disobeys an order from Spock and after a crewwoman is almost hurt because of it, contemplates leaving the Enterprise.") (52)
  • No Second Parting by Jean Chabot (67)
  • Spock's Court Martial by Sharon F & Linda Neel (68)
  • Dread Reality by Gene S. Delapenia (70)
  • The Rose by Judy Darnell (70)
  • And Ever Shall Be, part 2 by Nancy Kippax (non-K/S story: Prequel: "And Ever Shall Be, part 1" in issue #4.) (71)
  • Nome by Barbara L. Storey (98)
  • Parallel by Ann Flegg (99)
  • Hail, Hecate by Dayle S. Barker (101)
  • Undertow by Jean Chabot (103)
  • Ballad from the Fire by Barbara L. Storey (104)
  • Beautiful Things in Flight by Mary Aldridge (106)
  • Untitled by Jean Ensling (109)
  • That Which Lives On by Judy Darnell (110)
  • The Legend of the P'nari by Darien Duck ("A legend is told of two men who fell from the sky and, injured in a rock slide, die and are buried together as bondmates.") (111)
  • The Sun is No Friend of the Dead by Ginna LaCroix (gen) ("Because of a series of unconnected events, Kirk develops hemophilia, just as he and Spock are taken prisoner by Klingons, who torture Kirk to try and break him.") (also in Trek Encore #3) (114)
  • The Dark and Empty Sky by Jean Chabot (150)
  • Silent Tears by Devery Helm ("Pre K/S: After a deep meld to strengthen their friendship and deepen their understanding of each other, Kirk must deal with the deep sadness he perceives from Spockʼs childhood.") (151)
  • Vulcan Hands by Sharon F (155)
  • A Separate Peace by Victoria H. Clark (157)
  • As Snowflakes Fall by Sharon F (158)
  • The Seed by Marcella Belton ("A/U: After Kirkʼs death, Spock discovers a daughter of Kirkʼs that neither was aware of." Sequel: "The Legend of the Sand Dollar" in issue #6. (160)
  • Untitled by Victoria H. Clark 190)
  • View of Sarpeidon by Kathy Resch (191)
  • The Mountain Weeps by Diana King (This poem won an Interstat award according to the editor's comment in the preface to Diana King's Trinary Star.) (195)
  • Homecoming by Merle Decker ("Kirk goes with Spock to Vulcan on leave where Spock asks him to accompany him on a pilgrimage and join him in a type of warrior bond." Sequel: Journey to the Day in issue #7.) (198)
  • Orion Rising by Jean Chabot (245)
  • The Loving Touch by Jean Chabot (249)
  • Both Sides Now, part 2 by April Valentine ("Trying to fit back in, Kirk and Spock must return to the area of space that first caused their transformation when the entity realizes that another of his kind is trying to enter this universe." Prequel: "Both Sides Now, part 1" in issue #4.) (250)
  • Dream Upon the Plains of Gol by Jean Chabot (302)
  • Fascination by Bobbie Hawkins ("After leaving Vulcan, Spock finds that self analysis is too much and he switches to analysing his captain, which continues even in his sleep.") (304)
  • Dreamworld by Ann Flegg (309)
  • Windmills of the Mind by Billie Phillips ("On Vulcan to rebond, Kirk and Spock both deal with the loss of trust caused by Spockʼs deceiving of Kirk regarding their initial bond." Prequel: "Let No Man Put Asunder" in issue #4.") (310)
  • A Friend by Gene Delapenia (330)
  • To Boldly Go by Ellen L. Kobrin (331)


There is a vast amount of art in this issue. Below is a sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

See reactions and reviews for A Mission's End.

See reactions and reviews for Homecoming.

See reactions and reviews for Earthbound.

See reactions and reviews for The Reason Why.

See reactions and reviews for And Ever Shall Be.

See reactions and reviews for The Legend of the P'nari.

See reactions and reviews for The Sun is No Friend of the Dead.

See reactions and reviews for Silent Tears.

See reactions and reviews for The Seed.

See reactions and reviews for Both Sides Now.

See reactions and reviews for Fascination .

See reactions and reviews for Windmills of the Mind.

[zine]:

In this issue, Nome continues to hold onto its reputation as one of the main watering holes for Kirk, Spock, and K/S fans. The table of contents reads like a fannish who’s who. This issue contains: ‘A Mission’s End’ and ‘Earthbound’ by the same author, which deals with Kirk and Spock leaving the Enterprise at the end of the five year mission. Since this theme they hold in common is the only real plot, making each piece more or less a vignette, they could have easily been combined. As it stands, one if left with the feeling that the next few stories, which also proceed along the official Roddenberry timeframe, are not real stories either, but a series of flashbacks that are superimposed on each other. ‘The Reason Why’ – a story revealing the author’s idea of the reason behind McCoy’s mistrust of machines. It is well up to the generally high quality of writing in this zine. ‘And Ever Shall Be’ – unlike far too many others, this sequel can be read and enjoyed without having read part one. It concerns Spock attempting to train a young Romulan prisoner to handle his high telepathic ability, and is one of the more interesting pieces in the zine, though the mutual religions experience Spock and the Romulan prisoner have at the latter’s first sight of Spock’s firepot icon is a bit much. ‘Beautiful Things in Flight’ – much too short, though nothing essential is missing from this brief scene featuring likeable, interesting crew members we haven’t met before. They are so well handled that the reader is left wanting more . With a bit more conflict added to the story, this one would have been best of zine. ‘The Legend of the P’Nari’ – touching and not over-blown tale of Kirk and Spock’s death and it’s resultant legacy to the descendants of their native benefactors. ‘The Sun is No Friend of the Dead’ – run-of-the-mill torture milieu story; Kirk gets tortured past the breaking point, hemophilia and nearly drowned; all for poorly plotted reasons. The three or four other plot threads are not tied together well. In fact the whole thing reads like the author was trying to use up leftovers from her ideafile. ‘Silent Tears’ – realistic study of what it might be like to enter a mindmeld, made up of Kirk’s reflections on what he has just seen of Spock’s childhood memories. A well thought out character study. ‘The Seed’ – Kirk has died, and Spock is totally bereft, contemplating his own death. Then he learns of the existence of Kirk’s daughter, who he promptly heads out in search of, even though he has been informed she does not wish to meet him. It is not completely clear whether the author felt this pair would be a total mismatch; she does hint at the end that the two will end up together, whether this will be good for the young woman or not. Also, it is a good thing the author establishes at the beginning that Spock’s mental facilities have been negatively affected by Kirk’s death because otherwise the impression one gets of Spock being played by a sex-starved Tony Randall would ruin any legitimacy of the characterization has. ‘Homecoming’ – this story marks the beginning of the ‘Let’s Get Metaphysical’ part of the zine. Readers should be aware that, with one noticeable exception, all the rest of the stories are mainly concerned with Kirk and Spock coming to realize the incredible depth of their feelings for each other. Not that this is a bad thing, mind you, but reading over 100 pages of it in a row can be emotionally draining. In this piece, Kirk and Spock go on a pilgrimage, become bondmates, and find they are going to be the next Vulcan messiahs. If that doesn’t sound too outlandish for you, you’ll probably enjoy the story [Homecoming] very much, as it IS competently written. ‘Both Sides Now’ – this sequel is not QUITE successful in standing alone, but the major difficulty lies in a feeling of not knowing the new character, Moreau, well enough to empathize with him fully. Fortunately, the story mostly focuses on Kirk and Spock learning to deal with their new bonding and increased powers. Some of the ideas presented here are quite intriguing. ‘Fascination’ – a refreshing new twist on the K/S idea, very deftly handled so that the humorous ending does not obscure the sensuality of the main story. ‘Windmills of the Mind’ – yet another sequel story which easily stands on its own. Amanda is, surprisingly, the focus of this tale of Kirk and Spock’s bonding problems, and she is handled superbly here. Joined with a good intelligent look at the difficulties that would be involved in meshing the lives and personalities of two such different people, it makes this story the best crafted in the zine, and so earns best of zine award.

Overall contents: very good. Anti-K/Sers should note that there is sexually explicit material in the zine. Art: very good to excellent. Repro: high quality, very few typoes [sic]. Value: considering the size, a very good buy for fans of good zines and/or Kirk and Spock. [22]

[zine]:

Nome 5 is well printed, well bound (this one will definitely not fall apart in your hands), well illustrated and ENORMOUS. At 330 pages it is difficult to review -- everything written and unfortunately, nothing really sticks in my memory as being outstanding.

For non-K/S fans who thought Nome would be full of K/S stories, it is not. There is only one that is explicit although there are several that assume the relationship and others that hint at it.

When I say there are no outstanding stories, perhaps I should be strictly accurate. 'The Seed' by Marcella Belton comes into that category because its concept is (to me) so ghastly. Following Kirk's death his daughter comes out of the woodwork and Spock, as executor of Kirk's will goes to see her. What he finds is a girl who attracts him, being as it were, a surrogate Kirk (with whom he had never had a sexual relationship). Never in a million years can I see Spock behaving as he is portrayed in this story... but Marcella Benton does and that after all is what really matters.

There are three stories which are sequels to stories from Nome 4 and one of these is a continuation from Nome 2. I'm lucky enough to have got hold of Nome 4 but even with the resumes given it must be rather irksome for those who haven't read it.

'Both Sides Now' by [April Valentine] is the third part of a trilogy. Kirk and Spock have both sacrificed themselves to a formless alien invader from another universe to save our (their?) universe. This alien is the 'Moreau Effect' which in part 2 assumes human form. The three, Kirk, Spock and Moreau are linked telepathically and have other supernatural powers. Part 3 explores Kirk's inability to cope with the closeness they share.

'Ever Shall Be' by Nancy Kippax is the story of Spock's relationship of necessity with e Romulan. - Malik an untrained telepath.

'Windmills of the Mind' by [Billie Phillips] is my personal favourite but I confess to being a [Billie Phillips] fan. This is the second part of a story wherein Kirk and Spock are lovers and bonded but neither is being honest with each other about the depth of the bond. They lose trust in each other because Spock breaks the bond when he thinks death is imminent. This second part mainly covers Amanda's musings about her relationships with the three men in her life and her own death. [Billie Phillips] provides us with her usual mature psychological analysis and the story moves on to explain how Kirk and Spock, in the light of Amanda's thoughts and fears, resolve their own differences.

'The Homecoming' by Merle Decker is one of those stories which centres around yet another Vulcan traditional ceremony. (Dorothy Fontana has a lot to answer for). It is woven around a rather nice Vulcan legend and contains a fascinating reason for the existence of Pon Farr.

The last major story is 'The Sun Is No Friend of the Dead', by Ginna LaCroix. Kirk contracts a clotting disorder.. The search for a remedy is interwoven with Kirk's anxieties regarding his (moral) capitulation while under torture and what this tells him about his relationship with Spock.

There are several other stories and poems included by well known authors such as Ellen Kobrin, Jean Chabot, Jimmye Galli, Toni Cardinal-Price and others that we have come to expect good works from.

'Fascination' by Bobbie Hawkins is the only truly K/S story, owing to the fact that Susan K, James had not managed to complete her promised sequel to 'Secrets' from Nome 4. 'Fascination' is good enough but totally eclipsed by the author's truly magnificent portrait of a sultry Kirk.

So, all in all, Nome 5 is good but not brilliant...and there's a lot of it. This, of course, may be the answer, there may be just too much for one to take in and remember, I found all the stories seemed to merge into a homogenous mass which only goes to prove how rarely a true classic is produced. [23]

Issue 6

Nome 6 was published in May 1983 and contains 356 pages. It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey.

This issue won a 1984 K/Star Award.

From the editorial:

This past year has been an eventful one for Star Trek fans, what with the advent of Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan and the controversy it engendered in fannish circles -- and the rumors wafting our way concerning Star Trek III (Return to Genesis -- ?).

The contents of this issue mirror, in part, the turmoil that the movie, with its ambiguous ending, has produced. We noticed that in the months following its release, we were literally deluged with ST:TWOK poetry, reflective of a need to express grief, anger, and hope for a beloved character's loss -- however temporary that loss may be. If there seems to be an overabundance of such material in NOME 6, it is because we share this need.

Just one last serious note before proceeding to happier items. For the first time since we began publishing NOME, we find ourselves deeply disappointed in a would-be contributor. This artist, who promised last fall to do our cover, has vanished -- we could not reach her by phone, nor did she respond to our two mail-grams. Our striking cover is due to the kindness and generosity of Stefanie Hawks, a fine artist and good friend. We appreciate her last-minute help beyond measure; without it this issue would probably have been delayed several months.

NOTE: the table of contents in this zine does not match the one Agent With Style advertises; AWS's version lacks the poems, likely just not listed, something that makes the stories on AWS's TOC appear longer than they are.

front cover of issue #6, Stefanie Hawks
back cover of issue #6, Michael Verina
  • To Possess the Wonders by Toni Cardinal-Price (6)
  • First Command by Sharon F, art by Caro Hedge (7)
  • Secrets by Susan K. James (8)
  • In the Crack by Gene Delapenia (10)
  • Dust in the Wind by Susan K. James, art by Merle Decker ("Kirk is injured when he beams down to Delta Vega without Spock, bringing things to a head with Kirk who is unable to deal with Spockʼs need of him." Prequel: "Secrets" in issue #4) (11)
  • Bid the Stars Farewell by Andrea Kunz, art by Laurie Huff (31)
  • Journey Through Fire by Mary A. Smith, art by Ann Crouch ("Spock goes to Gol to have his memories of Kirk and the Enterprise exorcised from his mind.") (32)
  • Home by Jean Chabot (40)
  • Where Do We Go From Here? by Patt Demetri (41)
  • The Interview by Mary Ann Drach ("Spock informs Sarek of his admittance to Gol after his tenure at the VSA doesnʼt work out." Sequel: "In Transit".) (reprinted from The Other Side of Paradise #5) (42)
  • In Transit by Mary Ann Drach ("Spock goes to Sarek to inform him of his failure at Gol before he leaves to find VʼGer. Prequel: "The Interview" in this issue)
  • This Simple Feeling by Beverly Sutherland, art by Nan Lewis (After VʼGer, Spock must come to terms with his feelings for Kirk." Sequel: Resting Place in Another K/S Zine.) (53)
  • Haikus by Sharon F, art by Caro Hedge (105)
  • Lilacs and Unicorns, poem by Sharon F, art by Caro Hedge (106)
  • The Visit by Debbie Gilbert, art by Evallou Richardson (108)
  • The Needs of the One by Victoria H. Clark, art by Stefanie Hawks (110)
  • In the Eye of the Beholder by Sharon F, art by Caro Hedge (112)
  • When There are No Answers by Ginna LaCroix (gen) ("Kirk feels heʼs too old for command and the death of his nephew in an accident where Kirkʼs age slowed him down reinforces that idea. Another summary: McCoy uses all his ability as a physician and his love for Jim Kirk to help the Admiral survive a personal crisis that could destroy his career and his relationship with Spock.") (also in Trek Encore #3) (113)
  • In Silence Parted by Diana King (158)
  • The Collection by Liz Persic (159)
  • Alpha and Omega by Liz Persic, art by Signe Landon ("Kirk reads the book that was Spockʼs birthday gift to him - before and after Spockʼs death.") (160)
  • Georgia Ramblin' by Sharon F (164)
  • Genesis by Debbie Gilbert, art by Caro Hedge (166)
  • The Story by Nancy Esther James (167)
  • For Jim by Sharon Fuchs (168)
  • The Legend of the Sand Dollar by Marcella Belton, art by Kathy Carlson (Sequel to "The Seed" in issue #5; not a K/S story.) (169)
  • Father/Son & To Kill a Vulcan by Melanie Athene (202)
  • I Was Wrong About You by Sharon Fuchs (203)
  • The Awakening Flame by Jean Chabot (204)
  • Antinomy by Suzan Lovett & Adrienne Deutsch, art by Lovett (The editors note: "ANTINOMY is a story that we commissioned from the authors; however, due to its increasing length (and our own enormous size), we opted to publish only this "teaser." The story will be presented in its entirety in NOME 7 next year. Our thanks to Suzan & Adrienne for their understanding of our predicament.") (205)
  • And What of Lazarus? by Jane Yambe (212)
  • The Enchantress by Jane Yambe, art by Caro Hedge (213)
  • Pax Vobiscun by Sharon Fuchs (214)
  • Between the Gulf and the Bridge by Crystal A. Taylor, art by Pat Cash ("Kirk is forced by Starfleet to go after a fleeing scientist, a man Kirk knew while a cadet and who, after witnessing Kirkʼs behavior with Spock, hates Kirk for feeling for his bondmate what he never felt for him.") (215)
  • Endless Battle's Eve by Jean Chabot, art by Gayle F (264)
  • Rumor Has It by Devery Helm ("Humor: A crewwoman overhears a conversation between Kirk and Spock and mistakenly thinks they are lovers, a misconception reinforced when McCoy asks about the conversation without asking the topic.") (This won a 1984 K/Star Award.) (267)
  • The Chess Match by Flora Poste, art by Ann Crouch (also in Mirror Universe Alternates) (275)
  • And Never Parted by Elwyn Conway, art by Conway ("After VʼGer, Kirk tries to get his life and his relationship with Spock back on track but is sidetracked when called to transport scientists and media personal to a new planet." Prequel: "Earthbound" in issue #5. Sequel: "And Never Parted, part 2" in issue #7.) (279)
  • Zine Ad Page (356)
  • Starry, Starry Night by Judy Darnell (inside back cover)

There is a vast amount of art in this issue. Below is a sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

  • from issue #6, Merle Decker

    from issue #6, Merle Decker

  • from issue #6, Laurie Huff

    from issue #6, Laurie Huff

  • from issue #6, Ann Crouch

    from issue #6, Ann Crouch

  • from issue #6, Nan Lewis -- "This picture perfectly illustrates the story it accompanies: This Simple Feeling. There is a beautiful scene in which Kirk tries to avoid waking Spock (who is recuperating from the V-ger meld in Kirk's cabin due to his own being unavailable). Kirk is naked, and in the drawing his back is to Spock as he reaches into his suitcase. The uncertainty he feels at their situation is clearly etched on his face. Behind him, Spock has wakened and watches intently. The drawing is very softly done in dots, which matches the feel of the moment exactly. It makes an already unforgettable moment even more so." [24]

    from issue #6, Nan Lewis -- "This picture perfectly illustrates the story it accompanies: This Simple Feeling. There is a beautiful scene in which Kirk tries to avoid waking Spock (who is recuperating from the V-ger meld in Kirk's cabin due to his own being unavailable). Kirk is naked, and in the drawing his back is to Spock as he reaches into his suitcase. The uncertainty he feels at their situation is clearly etched on his face. Behind him, Spock has wakened and watches intently. The drawing is very softly done in dots, which matches the feel of the moment exactly. It makes an already unforgettable moment even more so." [24]

  • from issue #6, Evallou Richardson

    from issue #6, Evallou Richardson

  • from issue #6, Stefanie Hawks

    from issue #6, Stefanie Hawks

  • from issue #6, Signe Landon

    from issue #6, Signe Landon

  • from issue #6, Kathy Carlson, art from The Legend of the Sand Dollar

    from issue #6, Kathy Carlson, art from The Legend of the Sand Dollar

  • from issue #6, Suzan Lovett

    from issue #6, Suzan Lovett

  • from issue #6, Pat Cash

    from issue #6, Pat Cash

  • from issue #6, Gayle F, see the original color illo here

    from issue #6, Gayle F, see the original color illo here

  • from issue #6, Elwyn Conway

    from issue #6, Elwyn Conway

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6

See reactions and reviews for This Simple Feeling.

See reactions and reviews for And Never Parted.

See reactions and reviews for Antinomy.

See reactions and reviews for Rumor Has It.

[Between the Gulf and the Bridge]: The story, "Between the Gulf and the Bridge", in Nome 6 (for my taste) has an excess of violence, BUT the last 3 pages, in which K. & S. explore the various aspects of friendship are beautiful... a real growth experience for both, (as well as leaving the reader something to think about.) Also, Spock's reaction to Kirk's agony while in the healing trance seemed a logical consequence of the bond, also Spock's reaction to Deering afterwards. [25]

Issue 7

Nome 7 was published in May 1984 and contains 412 pages. Art by Suzan Lovett, Caren Parnes (back cover), The Southern Cross (front cover). Other artists noted below.

It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey.

This issue won a 1985 K/Star Award.

front cover of issue #7, The Southern Cross. Art based on Stars by Maxfield Parrish (1926). From a fan in The K/S Press #77: "This is one of my favorite covers! Here we see a naked Kirk sitting on a rock by the water, knees bent up, arms around his legs lost in thought as he looks up into the night sky; Spock's face is in the back ground among the stars. Perhaps in that moment Spock is thinking of Jim as well, far away on Gol? That's the feeling I get from the images."
back cover of issue #7, Caren Parnes

From the editorial:

"Like a bird on a far-distant, like a ship on an uncharted sea, you are lost in the arms that have found you...don't be afraid...loves's plans are made.... (Justin Hayward)" This quote expresses, to us, the theme of both NOME 6 and 7, where stories and poetry alike suggest the lost and the found. Perhaps our contributors, as ourselves, needed to explore these concepts profoundly at this time -- NOME 6 being published the year following ST: TWOK (where Spock is lost), NOME 7 being published on the eve of STAR TREK: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (where we firmly believe he will be found). But remember, please, that NOME 7 will debut before the June 1st premiere of ST: TSFS; therefore, not all of our contributors' ideas about ST: TWOK's aftermath will or can be true. These are creative solutions before THE creative solution -- so to speak.

This is not to imply that the contents of NOME 7 are limited to ST: TWOK and beyond. Indeed, our longest offering -- "Antinomy" -- is an "end of the 5 year mission" story. "And Never Parted, Part II," as you'll recall, is post ST: TMP.

Speaking of "And Never Parted" -- we're afraid that we were inadvertently misleading in our last editorial. You see, we thought that Elwyn Conway's novella would end with this issue -- we were wrong! At this point, we're toying with the idea of publishing the remaining chapters (and there are several) as a special but, more on that anon...

  • Winds of Change by Judy Darnell (inside front cover)
  • Title Page by Editors (1)
  • Dedication by Editors (2)
  • Multiplicative Proclivities by Editors (5)
  • Second Star to the Right and Straight on Till Morning by Meg Fine, art by TACS (6)
  • The Key by Liz Darcy, art by Caro Hedge (9)
  • After Talos IV by Jane Yambe, art by TACS (10)
  • Antinomy (whole story, an excerpt was printed in the previous issue) by Suzan Lovett and Adrienne Deutsch, art by Lovett ("Pre K/S: Spock is forced into a clandestine mission he is unable to tell Kirk about, unaware that it is a ploy to separate them.") (13) (reprinted in Antinomy)
  • Untitled by Victoria H. Clark (130)
  • In the Heart of the Night by Judy Darnell (131)
  • Truth is a Nail of Iron by Vivian Gates. ("Pre K/S: Spock asks Kirk if self-gratification helps remove mental stress after a stressful mission, so Kirk gives into a fantasy and shows him.") (132)
  • The Secret by Liz Darcy, art by Stefanie Hawks (141)
  • Turning Point by Sharon F, art by Kathy Carlson (142)
  • A Common Bond by Ginna LaCroix, art by Nan Lewis (gen) ("Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Sulu are stranded on a planet where non-whites are discriminated against.") (144)
  • The Winter of Despair by Sharon F, art by Caro Hedge (182)
  • Victory by Caro Hedge, art by Caro Hedge (184)
  • Night Currents by Vel Jaeger (185)
  • All I See by Karen Swanson, art by The Southern Cross (189)
  • Let Me Help by Jo Ann Sides, art by Ann Crouch (190)
  • Mirror Afterthoughts by Flora Poste. ("After they aid their counterparts from the mirror universe, Kirk is unable to quit thinking about them and their being lovers. Prequel: "Mirror Allegiance, part 2" in issue #11." Sequel: "The Chess Match" (poem) in issue #6.) (also in Mirror Universe Alternates) (193)
  • Forget by B.L Barr (214)
  • Silver and Gold by Katherine Gillen (meta essay, reprinted from the year before when it was issued as a standalone zine) (215)
  • Yesterday, One Golden Afternoon by Melanie Athene, art by Caren Parnes (239)
  • Remembering Will Have to Do by Toni Cardinal-Price, art by TACS ("After Spockʼs death, McCoy visits Kirk at the apartment Kirk shared with Spock, trying to get him to face the death of his bondmate.") (242)
  • Our Memories Alone by Toni Cardinal-Price (247)
  • T'Ty'La by Denise Habel, art by Caro Hedge (248)
  • An Economy of Memories by Connie R. Faddis, art by Gayle F Gen ("Kirk, Spock and McCoy are tricked into mating with a hideous creature by its keepers who get away with it by blackmailing Spock, the only one of the three who remembers the attack.") (reprinted from The Sensuous Vulcan) (251)
  • Home: A Ni Var by Audrey Williams, art by Caro Hedge (267)
  • Psi 2000 by Flora Poste, art by Caro Hedge (268)
  • Wind Walker's Wisdom by Sharon F, art by The Southern Cross (271)
  • Journey by Jean Hinson (272) (excerpt from Sojourns)
  • Dialogue in One Voice by Audrey Williams (281)
  • Journey to the Day, part one by Merle Decker, art by Decker, calligraphy by Diana King ("Now bonded, Kirk and Spock are sent as emissaries to a planet being considered for membership in the UFP but they are abducted and must seek aid from a nomadic tribe." Prequel: "Homecoming" in issue #5. Sequel: "Journey to the Day, part 2" in issue #8.) (283)
  • Speak to Me Only by Toni Cardinal-Price (331)
  • Triptych by Kathy Resch, art by The Southern Cross (332)
  • And Never Parted, part 2 by Elwyn Conway, art by Conway and by Pat Cash "(Kirk and Spockʼs indecision continue as both seem unable to accept the reality of their relationship, or to communicate." Prequel: "And Never Parted, part 1" in issue #6. Sequel: "And Never Parted, part 3" in issue #8.) (340)
  • Zine Ad Page (412)
  • A Friend in the Bar by Toni Cardinal-Price (inside back cover)

There is a vast amount of art in this issue. Below is a sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7

See reactions and reviews for Antinomy.

See reactions and reviews for Truth's a Nail of Iron.

See reactions and reviews for A Common Bond.

See reactions and reviews for Mirror Afterthoughts.

See reactions and reviews for Silver and Gold.

See reactions and reviews for Journey to the Day.

See reactions and reviews for Remembering Will Have to Do.

[zine]: NOME 7 continues the NOME tradition of good printing, good illos, good writing & good editorial work. It is probably the best volume yet with its major work being Antinomy by Suzan Lovett & Adrienne Deutsch, & containing 2 sequels to stories in previous volumes one of which I, personally, have been eagerly awaiting since its cliff-hanger ending in NOME 6 - and it's still not finished! (Yes, Elwyn Conway, I mean you - how can you be so cruel??) Kirk & Spock are still hanging on the same cliff 92 pages later. To be fair, I think the editors of NOME were rather taken aback too. Hopefully all will be well in NOME 8.... Noteworthy illos are those by Suzan Lovett to illustrate '"Antinomy," the cover & 2 others by Southern Cross & my absolute favorite by Caren Parnes which accompanies a beautifully sad poem by [Melanie Athene]. [26]

Issue 8

front cover of issue #8 by Caren Parnes -- "This name on a piece of art is all I need to tell me it will be extraordinary. It will be sensitive, it will be realistic, it will frequently tell a story. Such is this NOME cover depicting Kirk as he appeared in STIII, his eyes cast upward and to his right where there is an image of Spock in his white robe, surrounded by flame. Nestled in the opposite corner is a sketch of the Enterprise being incinerated in the atmosphere of Genesis while her crew looks on. This piece speaks eloquently of sacrifice and of hope." [27]
back cover of issue #8, "The Most Human," a poem by Barbara L.B. Storey
first page of the influential essay by Joanna Russ

Nome 8 was published in May 1985 and contains 388 pages. Art: Caren Parnes (front cover), Barbara L.B. Storey (back cover), M.V.M. Varela (table of contents). Other art: see below.

It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey. This issue was sold at, among other places, Creation Con.

From the editorial:

In our last editorial, we remarked that issues 6 & 7 of NOME reflected on the twin themes of 'lost' and 'found.' The theme of issue #8 is one of 'reunion', as our beautiful front cover (drawn by Caren Parnes under a tight deadline and stressful circumstances) illuminates most poetically. Because we were so very pleased with Caren's work, we decided that the back cover should enhance it. Therefore, we departed from our usual practice of presenting an illo as end note, and chose instead a poem which mirrors her artwork.

  • Yet Love Remains by Jean Chabot (inside front cover)
  • Title Page by Editor (1)
  • Dedication Page by Editor (2)
  • Multiplication Proclivities by Editor (5)
  • All Stories New by Nancy Esther James, art by Suzan Lovett (6)
  • A Durable Flame by Flora Poste, art by Caren Parnes (9)
  • In Trust by Mary Ann Drach, art by Caren Parnes ("Sarek goes to Kirk to find out why he hasnʼt taken Spockʼs katra to Vulcan.") (10)
  • Brief, Shining Moment by Emily Ross, art by Caro Hedge (21)
  • Letting Go by Flora Poste, art by Nan Lewis (22)
  • Golden Boy by Judy Darnell, art by TACS (24)
  • Leila by Emily Ross, art by Kathy Carlson (26)
  • Another Addict Raves About K/S by Joanna Russ (Essay about the appeal of K/S which concludes that K/S is a metaphor for heterosexual sex between equals, with Spock as the symbolic female.) (27)
  • Morning Glory by Liz Darcy, art by TACS (39)
  • A Last, Sweet Taste of Darkness by Meg Fine (40)
  • Counterpoint by Liz Darcy, art by Caro Hedge (42)
  • Fantasies by Beverly Sutherland, art by Caro Hedge and Caren Parnes ("After McCoy sees a show being shown at an exclusive menʼs club of Kirk and Spock portrayed as lovers, he has them see it without telling them what itʼs about.") (43)
  • Untitled by Jean Schnedler (101)
  • Nature Study by Melanie Athene, art by Caro Hedge (102)
  • New Dawn by Liz Darcy, art by Caro Hedge (103)
  • Time Present by Flora Poste, art by Nan Lewis (105)
  • The Price by Jane Yambe (106)
  • There Are Many Ways to Mourn an Icarus by Jane Yambe (107)
  • Mirror Antagonists by Flora Poste, art by Suzan Lovett (Mirror universe: "Spock has secret orders to report to Vulcan, orders Kirk feels threatened by when Spock refuses to divulge their content." Sequel: Brotherʼs Keeper by D.T. Steiner in Rigel #3.) (also in Mirror Universe Alternates) (108)
  • Mirror Antecedents by Flora Poste, art by Suzan Lovett (Mirror Universe: "Now thought dead by the Empire, Spock must find a way to confirm the sincerity of Kirkʼs change in allegiance to the rebel Consulium." Prequel: "Mirror Awakening" in Maine(ly) Trek #4. Sequel: "Mirror Allegiance" in issue #9 and #10.) (also in Mirror Universe Alternates) (151)
  • Nighttime Soliloquy by Pat Foley, art by TACS (213)
  • Such Stuff as Dreams are Made of by A.F. Black, art by Gayle F (216)
  • Tell Me, Jim... What Does it Mean? by Beverly Sutherland, art by Gayle F (219)
  • Portrait of a Legend by Sharon F (222)
  • Journey to the Day, part 2 by Merle Decker, art by Decker, map by Diana King ("Kirk survives his injuries and when the nomads return for him and Spock, they continue their search for the missing Vulcan expedition." Prequel: "Journey to the Day, part 1" in issue #7.) (227)
  • Sound of Heartbeats by Mary Suskind Lansing. (A/U: "On his deathbed, Kirk finally confesses to Spock of his love for him.") (278)
  • Untitled by Jean Schnedler (282)
  • Never Told Him by Donna Rose Vanderlaan (283)
  • Time by Kathy Resch, art by Karen River (286)
  • Absence Without Leave by Flora Poste, art by Caren Parnes (291)
  • And Never Parted, part 3 by Elwyn Conway, art by Conway and Pat Cash ("Kirk must try to overcome Spockʼs fear of a relationship between them even though he himself is unsure of what they really are." Prequel: "And Never Parted, part 2" in issue #7. Sequel: "Never and Always" in issue #9.) (292)
  • Matters of the Heart by Judy Darnell (388)
  • In the Season of the Rose by Judy Darnell (inside back cover)

There is a vast amount of art in this issue. Below is a sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

  • from issue #8, Suzan Lovett, a piece that is similar to another work of hers that year, the cover of There Are Three. The illo was also used as the cover of the book Enterprising Women. In the book, the author wrote: "Suzan Lovett's death-and-resurrection illustration for the poem "All Stories New"... Note the religious referents: cross, flames, touching hands from Michelangelo's Creation of Man, and the three principals from Star Trek, all set against a background of stars and planets."

    from issue #8, Suzan Lovett, a piece that is similar to another work of hers that year, the cover of There Are Three. The illo was also used as the cover of the book Enterprising Women. In the book, the author wrote: "Suzan Lovett's death-and-resurrection illustration for the poem "All Stories New"... Note the religious referents: cross, flames, touching hands from Michelangelo's Creation of Man, and the three principals from Star Trek, all set against a background of stars and planets."

  • from issue #8, Caren Parnes

    from issue #8, Caren Parnes

  • from issue #8, Nan Lewis

    from issue #8, Nan Lewis

  • from issue #8, Elwyn Conway

    from issue #8, Elwyn Conway

  • from issue #8, TACS

    from issue #8, TACS

  • from issue #8, Gayle F

    from issue #8, Gayle F

  • from issue #8, Merle Decker

    from issue #8, Merle Decker

  • from issue #8, Gayle F

    from issue #8, Gayle F

  • from issue #8, Karen River

    from issue #8, Karen River

  • from issue #8, Merle Decker

    from issue #8, Merle Decker

  • from issue #8, Pat Cash

    from issue #8, Pat Cash

  • from issue #8, Elwyn Conway

    from issue #8, Elwyn Conway

  • from issue #8, TACS -- "Here is a depiction of two Kirks (my favorite subject: Kirk). At the top is a young captain, already serious and intent as he embarks on his life‘s journey. And below is Admiral Kirk, who has likely just sacrificed his beloved ship and his only son to save the man he loves. Etched on his face are the lines of the years between...years of adventure and discovery and of devotion to a man for whom he has now offered everything that he is. The accuracy of these images is stunning and the amount of feeling shown in the eyes and on the faces is truly amazing. Beautiful work." [28]

    from issue #8, TACS -- "Here is a depiction of two Kirks (my favorite subject: Kirk). At the top is a young captain, already serious and intent as he embarks on his life‘s journey. And below is Admiral Kirk, who has likely just sacrificed his beloved ship and his only son to save the man he loves. Etched on his face are the lines of the years between...years of adventure and discovery and of devotion to a man for whom he has now offered everything that he is. The accuracy of these images is stunning and the amount of feeling shown in the eyes and on the faces is truly amazing. Beautiful work." [28]

  • from issue #8, Merle Decker --"The signature says this was drawn in 1985, but it has lost none of its appeal in the intervening years. Clearly a hurt/comfort scene, Spock (with the sleekest hair you‘ve ever seen) cradles Kirk against one arm while holding a bowl in the other. Spock is wearing a civilian tunic or robe, showing no markings, while Kirk is bare-chested and covered mostly with a blanket or sheet. The concern in Spock‘s eyes is palpable, matched only by the trust in Kirk‘s as he looks toward his friend. This accompanies a Merle Decker story, which I now must try to find time to read!" [29]

    from issue #8, Merle Decker --"The signature says this was drawn in 1985, but it has lost none of its appeal in the intervening years. Clearly a hurt/comfort scene, Spock (with the sleekest hair you‘ve ever seen) cradles Kirk against one arm while holding a bowl in the other. Spock is wearing a civilian tunic or robe, showing no markings, while Kirk is bare-chested and covered mostly with a blanket or sheet. The concern in Spock‘s eyes is palpable, matched only by the trust in Kirk‘s as he looks toward his friend. This accompanies a Merle Decker story, which I now must try to find time to read!" [29]

  • from issue #8, Pat Cash -- "It is nothing short of amazing to me how anyone can draw a portrait. How can an artist with a pen or pencil manage to capture the essence of a person in a way that a camera can only hint at? It isn‘t often that it happens, but certainly this is one of those instances. This is Spock. I want to touch the gleaming hair on his slightly wrinkled forehead. I want to gently ask what causes his huge dark eyes to look so sad. This is gorgeous and I hope there is a matching Kirk at the turn of a page. Sadly, there is not – but that doesn‘t diminish my admiration for this piece. Kirk is here in this picture – unseen – he and the love his friend holds for him is captured in Spock‘s expression. I know from the uniform Spock has recently returned from Gol, so I am able to read into this masterpiece all that is necessary."

    from issue #8, Pat Cash -- "It is nothing short of amazing to me how anyone can draw a portrait. How can an artist with a pen or pencil manage to capture the essence of a person in a way that a camera can only hint at? It isn‘t often that it happens, but certainly this is one of those instances. This is Spock. I want to touch the gleaming hair on his slightly wrinkled forehead. I want to gently ask what causes his huge dark eyes to look so sad. This is gorgeous and I hope there is a matching Kirk at the turn of a page. Sadly, there is not – but that doesn‘t diminish my admiration for this piece. Kirk is here in this picture – unseen – he and the love his friend holds for him is captured in Spock‘s expression. I know from the uniform Spock has recently returned from Gol, so I am able to read into this masterpiece all that is necessary." [30]

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8

See reactions and reviews for Another Addict Raves About K/S.

See reactions and reviews for Sound of Heartbeats.

See reactions and reviews for Journey to the Day.

See reactions and reviews for Fantasies.

See reactions and reviews for In Trust.

See reactions and reviews for And Never Parted.

See reactions and reviews for Mirror Antagonists.

See reactions and reviews for Mirror Antecedents.

[zine]: for h/c and pages and pages of innuendo (lots of foreplay but no climax) read Contact 8. [31]

[zine]: This is a huge zine: 388 pages! No wasted space either. Even the inside front and back covers have poetry as well as the back cover. I often pick up this chunk of a zine and flip through it. It's loaded with goodies. There is lots of poetry and art throughout the zine. Many of the poems are long, two or three pages in length, and are truly lovely. Among my favorites are: "Time" (fal tor pan poem) by [Kathy Resch], "Nighttime Soliloquy" by Pat Foley, "Golden Boy" by Judy Darnell, "A Last Sweet Taste of Darkness" (great h/c) by Meg Fine, "Never Told Him" (another fal tor pan) by Donna Rose Vanderlaan and more. Also, I like that most of the poems have accompanying art as the stories do. A real treat! Today, most art is reserved for stories. Perhaps art was in abundance years ago? There is lots of great art by popular artists in fandom: Suzan Lovett, Merle Decker,TACS, Caren Parnes, Gayle F and others. As far as the stories go it's a mixed bag: I love "Journey to the Day part 2" by Merle Decker. Her art accompanies the story and is set during the five year mission as is "Fantasies" by Beverly Sutherland. There are two Mirror stories that are parts of a series that are intriguing, "Mirror Antagonists" and "Mirror Antecedents" both by Flora Poste. There's a story set in the TMP time line, "And Never Parted part 3" by Elwyn Conway. A ST III story seen through Sarek's POV, "In Trust" by Mary Ann Drach that I really liked. And a lovely bitter-sweet h/c vignette with a much older Kirk and Spock, "Sound of Heartbeats" by Mary [Suskind Lansing]. So a bit of everything here. However many of these stories, as you can see, are parts of a series so that was a bit frustrating as I had not read the other parts. But I found I still enjoyed them anyway." A big, satisfying zine! [32]

[zine]: When I first picked up this enormous issue (almost 400 unreduced pages) I wasn't sure what to expect. I have long been a reader of the NOME fanzines, however, and I was relatively sure I wouldn't be disappointed, and I was right! "Mirror Antagonists" & "Mirror Antecedents" by Flora Poste are two stories set in the the "Mirror-Mirror" universe. Each story is complete by itself, gratefully."Antecedents" takes place after the Halkan Crisis with Kirk and Spock becoming aware that there is much to learn from each other. They explore their pasts and possible futures. "Antagonists" goes into the events surrounding Spock's first Pon Farr. This piece was well thought out and executed. You will probably want to check out future stories in this series as they become available. "And Never Parted" by Elwyn Conway proved to be an almost irritating story for me to read. We are dragged through, what seems to be, page after page of Kirk and Spock almost "getting together" only to have them thrown back to their feelings of guilt - anger - self hate - denial and then to have the passion build up again to the "touching point" then turn the page and we're back to the guilt - anger - self hate - denial. This was only Book One and Kirk and Spock still aren't together! Some of the scenes are beautifully written with dialogue and characterization pretty true to form, however, I would suggest more editing in Book Two, unless the author is trying to torture us all by this emotional build up and let down! "Fantasies" by Beverly Sutherland gets my vote for Best of Zine. She offers us a witty story of what happens when the good Doctor just happens to see an erotic holographic film starring (would you believe) Kirk & Spock look-alikes?? He then cleverly lures the real Kirk and Spock into viewing the film for themselves. How he convinces them to go and what happens after they see the film make this story one I'll remember. Joanna Russ offers several essays for our consideration. One titled "Another Addict Raves About K/S" is both interesting and informative. She presents a very thoughtful discussion of one person's discovery of K/S. Although you may not agree with everything she writes - she is very candid with her comments and her own personal views whIch can only make all of us think about our own feelings concerning the many aspects of K/S. NOME 8 was a pleasure to read and a zine that will be proud to be included in a zine collection. [33]

[zine]: I imagine that most readers along with myself turned immediately to "And Never Parted" by Elwyn Conway when they received their copy of NOME 8. Could our heroes sort themselves out? More importantly, could they sort themselves out to our satisfaction? Well, there may be divided opinions on this fact but my feelings are, that with the conclusion as it is at the moment they're either fooling me, Elwyn Conway or themselves. And I believe the latter. This would seem to be borne out by the fact the story ends with the elgend 'End of Book One'. Hell's bells - can tension mount any further you may ask. I nearly expired from it reading thus far - pity poor Kirk & Spock. The whole thing is wonderfully written & completely over the top. I once promised myself I would never jump on the 'Oh God', 'Oh Spock', 'Oh Jim' bandwagon, believing, as I still do, that such exclamations sound faintly ridiculous coming out of my heroes' mouths, however, I will amend my views a little; in the right hands they can work. Elwyn Conway's are the right hands. Even the whimpering, sobbing, moaning & gasping doesn't seem completely out of place, though I suspect if I stopped & thought about it, I might begin to have doubts. Two more confused men than Kirk & Spock you will never come across. Kirk flirts with poor, uptight Spock over & over again, regretting it & drawing back repeatedly. Spock retreats like mad with such cryptic thoughts as '...When Kirk came to his senses & their relationship reverted to simple friendship - as it surely must...' and, acknowledging that to humans a mental closeness often lead to a physical one...' That was a possibility not to be contemplated.' Then, later, as Kirk nearly orgasms while locked in a prolonged kiss with Spock, he starts to tell Spock, & pretty nearly convinces himself, that he really doesn't want sex & that in fact he is really rather frightened of the idea. Spock doesn't really commit himself, even to himself, & we are left to assume that it is the dreaded pon farr that is the problem. My main worry is that 2 men with such little self knowledge, or at least self honesty, are left in charge of a very expensive starship but I can suspend disbelief just for the sheer enjoyment of the intensity of feeling portrayed. It seems that a monumental explosion is jsut around the corner. Spock's thoughts on the subject just about sum it up; 'He had created for himself, in his years of lonely longing, a dream world, a fool's paradise of rarefied spiritual & romantic sentiment in which he had worshipped Jim Kirk from a safe distance...But dreams were never meant to be realised, they were meant for dreaming in unsullied perfection, aloof from harsh realities... (Reminds you of the distance between hurt/comfort & K/S doesn't it?) Pon farr raises its ugly head in Beverly Sutherland's "Fantasies". It is 7 years since Spock's last &, despite McCoy's best efforts, the good doctor is running out of ideas for an 'antidote'. An overheard conversation causes him to visit an establishment where the stars of a homosexual hologram show strongly, & presumably deliberately, resemble his Captain & First Officer. Watching the various fantasies starts to convince him of the possibilities &, with pon farr soon to be upon them, the potential benefits for both men. To this end he consults Satik, Spock's clan cousin & a healer, & is encouraged. With some doubletalk he persuades Jim & Spock to go & watch the show & off they go. Now I recognise Beverly Sutherland for the talented writer she is & so I was a little disappointed in this story - not because it isn't well written, it is, but because to my mind it is based on a shakey premise from the beginning. In a conversation with a colleague, I outlined the plot & her comment was, 'It's not right is it? What do you think McCoy would have done?' "Send Kirk on his own." 'Exactly' Just precisely how wrong McCoy is, is borne out by the fact that Spock, having fled from the hologram, ashamed of his arousal, comes within a second of plunging a dagger into his heart. Kirk is lucky enough to stop him - but it is luck; with that margin it couldn't be anything else. What follows is beautifully erotic & sensitive in characterisation - Kirk especially - but if I'm honest I would look to Beverly Sutherland to produce something perhaps a little less run-of-the-mill, something more forward looking. The fantasies chosen are interesting, however, mirroring, as they do, one or two of those prevalent in K/S; slavery & violence, beaches, baths...Perhaps it bears out what I suspect, that in some stories Kirk & Spock could be interchangeable with...er in this case, Kal & Rod Biltmore (!). "Another Addict Raves About K/S" by Joanna Russ is an essay by the science fiction writer/professor of literature & her various academically extremely well qualified friends on the meaning of K/S & its significance for its predominately female readers. I have to say at this point that I get a little...excitable when people start analysing me whether it be David Gerrold or Bjo Trimble (against) or Joanna Russ (for); some of it may be true for some, a lot of it probably isn't true for others. (IDIC rules OK even in the battalions of K/S readers & writers.) Suffice to say that I agree with various portions of the essay & disagree vehemently with others. One point that really got under my skin was the assertion 'that these men who love each other aren't gay...somehow they're still very 'masculine'. Surely Ms. Russ doesn't mean to imply that to be homosexual is not to be masculine. And in the 23rd century, which is, after all what we are writing about - or some of us try to, without recourse to our 20th century female sensibilities - there will be no such labels & stereotypes. Partners will be partners & it simply won't matter. Another interesting remark is: 'I have never known in my life...a woman whose body was not, in some sense, a problem to her...women can't imagine persons with their kind of bodies saving the universe once a week.' Thinking back to the two stories reviewed above, I don't know about that; what with Kirk getting an erection when he's trying to persuade Spock his intentions are purely platonic & both of them getting extremely embarrassing erections while watching pornographic holograms, I would say men have their own problems! Anyway, Joanna Russ's essay is sure to prove an excellent launching pad for heated debate. "Mirror Antagonists" is the prologue to Flora Poste's Mirror Universe the last part of which we have already read in NOME 7. Spock has sealed orders & Kirk has been directed to take the ship to Vulcan where only Spock will be allowed to beam down. Kirk - via the Tantalus Field - is witness to a violent, destructive outburst by Spock. Yes, this is the Mirror Pon Farr. Kirk uses this apparent moment of weaknesses to extract, under torture, Spock's secret orders. And regrets it later even though he will not admit it. He confronts Spock a second time, offering help, an unprecedented move, & is rejected. Spock beams down & events proceed in a similar vein to those in "Amok Time" with some differences. An erotic dream finally sublimates the Plak Tow - with Kirk in the starring role - bringing with it the realisation that it is Kirk for whom Spock burns. Despite the handicap of having a reviewer who does not enthuse over Mirror stories, Flora Poste still, by her very skillful writing, managed to capture my interest; I cared about her characters, strange mixture though they were. Despite the brief glimpse we had of him in "Mirror, Mirror" this Kirk, in many ways, resembles 'our' Kirk; he is softer than one might imagine & has his own code of conduct - far more ethical than those around him. In fact, only he & Spock seem to have any saving graces. This Kirk is oddly muddled & one is tempted to say that he does not know himself, he certainly refuses to permit himself to see his more vulnerable side, rationalising many of his untypical feelings, particularly after his own erotic dream, the counterpart to Spock's. There are hints about how both characters might feel were their situations different: Kirk's lack of enthusiasm for his many sexual partners, his thought, before torturing the Vulcan that he would 'make an end now to any dreams he might have had about some different reality in which no such actions would have been necessary. Yes, I like this Kirk, it is a very subtle portrayal, cleverly done & it would be difficult to be interested in someone less vulnerable even though it's possible we are supposed to take him at face value. All the same this man is real, not some stereotyped sadist. "Mirror Antecedents" carries on in like manner; it is now after the meeting with Kirk & Spock from 'our' universe. Spock has told Kirk about the Concilium & they work together to avoid exterminating the Halkans. Now in exile on Vulcan, having incurred the displeasure of the Empire they exchange confidences about their childhoods & failed relationships. Spock, Sarek & Amanda try to urge Kirk to join the Concilium but the Concilium doesn't want him. Spock, now Kirk's adopted brother is himself prepared to leave. Kirk is shaken & touched...to be continued in NOME 9. In addition to these 2 stories, Flora Poste has also submitted 3 rather good poems: "A Durable Flame", "Time Present" and "Letting Go." All 3 scan & (good grief!) rhyme. Is this a record? "Journey to the Day" completes Merle Decker's trilogy started in NOME 5. The story begins with Kirk critically injured & both of them abandoned by the Roamers with whom they have been traveling. I don't have space to go into too much of the plot but suffice it to remind readers of the original mission to search for a missing Vulcan scientific party, the xenophobia of the inhabitants of the planet & an act of treachery by one Nor-apth, a young member of the ruling class, the Hal-Ian. The story ties together all these with a sprinkling of hurt/comfort, sex, & a good action/adventure basis. Merle Decker illustrates the story herself; she is one of the few people who can actually capture the Kirk profile & she does it beautifully here. Her writing is a little over-embellished at times though & she does suffer from what I think of as the 'sliding point of view' affliction... All the same, where, let's say, Beverly Sutherland has the greater writing skill, Merle Decker has the better plot. "Sound of Heartbeats" by Mary [Suskind Lansing] deals with Kirk's death in old age, & regrets...too late. A zine with authors like Flora Poste, Beverly Sutherland & Elwyn Conway & artists like Caren Parnes, Merle Decker, Suzan Lovett, Nan Lewis & Karen River has just got to be good. And NOME 8 is. [34]

[zine]: Readers looking for long, meaty stories will be delighted with the appearance of NOME 8—it's almost 400 unreduced pages include at least 5 stories of substantial length, as well as various shorter items, a traditional selection of poetry & art, & a provocative essay by pro sf writer Joanna Russ. In short, a substantial zine with lots to offer & something for everyone—not a bad buy for $15.00 plus postage. Some highlights: Beverly Sutherland's "Fantasies" reveals what happens when McCoy sees an erotic holographic film starring Kirk & Spock look-alikes, & then lures the real Kirk & Spock into viewing the film for themselves. Written with Sutherland's usual fluent skill, this was without doubt my favorite among the NOME 8 offerings. "Mirror Antagonists" & "Mirror Antecedents" by Flora Poste are 2 stories in a series set in the "Mirror-Mirror" universe, some of which have appeared earlier and/or in other zines, some of which are scheduled for later publication. Each one stands well on its own, however, always a blessing when connected works are published piecemeal. "Antagonists" details the events surrounding this Spock's first pon farr, while "Antecedents" follows the crisis at Halkan, as Kirk & Spock discover that they have much to learn about each other, their respective pasts & possible futures. Poste's thoughtful use of the mirror concept extedns to plot as well as to character, & readers will likely be tempted to seek out the rest of the series. Merle Decker's "Journey to the Day" (part 2) is routine action/adventure, with a soupcon of hurt/comfort. As with several of the major NOME stories, this is one section of a multi-part story & there are some loose ends left dangling rather portentously. Still, this is a fast-paced & enjoyable narrative. In her essay, Joanna Russ notes that "The lengthy 'shall-i-shan't-I' the characters go through for endless pages before one fingernail so much as touches another are a means of raising the emotional & erotic intensity of the situation to the boiling point..." and Elwyn Conway's "And Never Parted" is a prime example of this basic K/S convention. However, it is also an example of the worst extremes to which this convention can be taken. Not only have we waited through 3 issues of NOME for Kirk & Spock to finally get together, but during that wait we have been taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride of such excruciating highs & lows that at last it begins to seem less like psychological profundity & more like crass manipulation. Time & time again Kirk & Spock experience something transcendent & magical, only to have things brought to a jarringly abrupt halt so that everyone can go back to square one & start over again with guilt & anger & self-recrimination & reproach. Quite frankly, it goes on too long, as if the author were enjoying a wallow in frustration for its own sake—or is simply unable to write a resolution. And now we learn that this is only the end of "Book I," & Kirk & Spock-still aren't together (in the Biblican sense, that is, though we are constantly teased with the possibility that next time they will physically consummate their telepathic/spiritual union). Individual scenes are stunning, & dialogue & characterization generally ring true, but some wholesale cutting & editing are needed to make this more than an author's indulgence in gratuitous emotional overkill. Joanna Russ's essay, "Another Addict Raves About K/S," presents a stimulating discussion of one person's discovery of K/S. Not everyone will agree with every thing she has to say, & she's very frank about her own political & aesthetic biases--but this is a probing analysis that can only impel others to reflect on their own understanding of & feelings about innumerable aspects of K/S. [35]

[zine]: I have here a copy of NOME #8, a credit to the high editorial standards of NOME's first 7 issues. NOME #8 (K/S, some very explicit material, 388 pages, print large enough to read but small enough not to waste space) carries an article by Joanna Russ titled Another Addict Raves About K/S. That article is a commendable piece of scholarship that is worth the price of the 'zine alone. I doubt if it will convince anyone who is revolted by the K/S premise, but it will be food for thought for anyone who is bewildered about the appeal of this material far themselves. I think it fingers one important factor for me and helps explain why my Sime/Gen [36] series affects women the way it does.

The rest of Nome #8 is replete with poetry, sparse on artwork (but what there is seems in good taste) and filled with medium length fiction that is fairly solidly constructed. Some of the work opens insights into the peak moments of THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK. Although extremely moving, this sort of work seems static to me, and is not what I buy 'zines for. Most significant of the contributions seems to be FANTASIES by Beverly Sutherland, a First Time story, The writing craft is definitely professional level. The story premise is memorable enough to make you hunt this 'zine out of your collection and reread it years from now. As the story opens, McCoy overhears two gay crew members discussing an XXX rated video they saw on Wriggley's - with Kirk and Spock as the actors. He goes to see it for himself. McCoy is handled totally in character. He is thoroughly professional, and the kind of friend anyone would be proud to have. But my favorite scene is between McCoy and Spock's cousin Satik, a Healer. I would like to read some stories about Satik dealing with being the cousin of a legend. FANTASIES suffers only from the chronic flaw of all K/S (having created new characters and called them by old names). The only criticism I have of this story is that the resolution scene has Kirk overriding Spock's free will Just a hair too long -- even though the Vulcan thanks him later. The other items of note are parts of serials. There are two of the MIRROR series by Flora Poste, fragments which don't stand alone and really should have had more detailed prologs. However, they are memorable for the fine, convincing detail work Poste has done on transposing aired-Trek events into her Mirror Universe. I got a strong Kraith feeling from Spock's parent's house in MIRROR

ANTECEDENTS. JOURNEY TO THE DAY Part 2 by Merle Decker does have an adequate prolog and a nice map. ...AND NEVER PARTED…Part 3, by Elwyn Conway, has a cursory prolog. All of these uphold a very high standard, and deserve to be published in their whole. Some of the best creative writing seems to be occurring in the K/S context, but not especially about the K/S premise. In general, the serials or longer works outshine the shorter because the shorter form is more difficult. FANTASIES is one of the few exceptions, for Sutherland is a better crafter than most pro writers, and even there her minor character, Satik, outshines the principles for he is a mystery, while we know Kirk, Spock, and McCoy very well. [37]

[zine]: K/S zines in general are an odd genre; Unlike sf where gay issues and problems are (sometimes) set against "other worlds" and backgrounds for analysis, comment etc., K/S tends to confine itself to romance, the ubiquitous "first-timer" , fantasy and mild action-advemture (emphasis on the "action",) In its first issue, "touched" complained of this and very little, has changed since then. Perhaps that's over-reaction but it seems only fair to put the new reader in the picture. Fans of mainstream K/S will consider things differently.

Nome 8 is, without doubt, tha best of the currant U.S. K/S zines, which in fact is hardly flattery since the standard of the rest varies from the acceptable to the infantile. This goes for both the content and the grammar, spelling, and typo department. The presentation of many, however, is lovingly lush and expensive! Nome 8 la also expensive but avoids the thin-trickle-of-text-ln-vast-white—space— -margins effect that makes the overseas customer feel cheated. The text itself is soothingly error-free. The reason for Nome's price is that it's more than 300 pages long and almost half of the cost is postage. However, when it does rest in your hands (which will be quite soon after ordering! the eds are efficient) you should find it worth the money. There are a number of satisfyingly long stories, almost all of which are K/S. Moat memorable ia Elwyn Conways, "And Never Parted". (This ia tha third part of her atory but a synopsis is given and I don't think too much is lost). Although basically a first-timer, it is superbly written, full of meaty character and at the same time set against solid backgrounds - with plot! "Fantasias" by Beverly Sutherland" must be considered next and over this one I'm torn. Yes, it's superbly written, yes the characters are fine, but - and it's a considerable one - I feel the whole idea is a waste of Ms Sutherlanda considerable talent, a "brief look at the plot will explain. On shore, McCoy is directed into a gay film club (Man Two Man!) by a crew member, and views a movie in which the two protagonists are startlingly like Kirk and Spock, but instead of having a quiet word in Kirk's ear he says nothing and arranges for Kirk and Spock to view the film together. They are not lovers at this stage and McCoy thinks it will bring then together! The story, then, is based on a false premise and I can't help feeling that the sole reason for its existence is that Kirk can make love to Spock while the latter is suffering the effects of a Phaser stun, (paralysing the voluntary reflexes only, of course!) Flora Poste has two of her "Mirror Universe" stories here and while no great fan of "Mirrors", I can read these with enjoyment for they are carefully crafted to bring reality to the strange lateral inversions we saw in the episode. Other stories include Merle Decker's adventure series, competent but pedestrian and a"What-is-Sarek-thinking-in-STIII?" by Mary Ann Drach. Again, fine writing but with perhaps a little too much of the movie dialogue. The zine also contains some superior poetry, notably the shorter pieces by Jean Schnedler. Some of the longer work still hasn't discovered that an uprush of words in columns isn't poetry. Unusually there's a non-fiction article, too. Joanna Russ, pro writer, analyses Trek, (from the outside, reminding us firmly of her professional qualifications and also that none of us writes as well as Virginia Woolf. I note from her choice of pronoun, she doesn't include herself.) Her thesis is that K/S is a new type of feminist fiction written by women for women in fulfillment of our specific needs. Sorry, but as a writer, however amateur, I identified with little of it. I do not wish to have my potential readership limited by a theory. I write for anyone who'll read and, as I've said before, lament the absence of male readers and writers. Incidentally, Ms Russ tells us emphatically the absence of male readers and writers in U.S since Kirk and Spock are not gay, they just go to bed together, and they are always shown as so masculine - oh Ms Russ! The presentation of Nome 8 is lovely with beautiful artwork, particularly by Caren Parnes, a superb and bleak Kirk with Sarek from STIII and a cover, also STIII, with Kirk and Spock. Caren has caught exactly Spock'a quizzical expression from the final scene.

Finally, for the mainstream K/S fan this is the year's buy. There's nothing to better it. However, if you've never read any K/S and are seeking the 23rd century's response to gays or even a 20th century consciousness, you won't find it here but then you'd have to look very far to find it elsewhere! [38]

I bought this zine because Joanna Russ asked me to read the more recent version of her K/S essay in it.

The first thing I noticed was the high quality of the poetry. "Such Stuff As Dreams Are Made Of" by Alexis Fagen Black may be the most imagistically powerful K/S poem I've ever read. I'm so glad it was reprinted, so I could have the opportunity to read it. "Time" by Kathy Resch was particularly noteable for its imagery and intensity. "Yet Love Remains" by Jean Chabot, the first piece in the zine, is also memorable. They are both TSFS poems, but their styles are highly individual. I really liked them.

[See this reviewer's comments about Mirror Antecedents, Fantasies, Journey to the Day, Another Addict Raves About K/S, and And Never Parted.]

But do read NOME 8. There may be a large portion of the zine that you dislike or find uninspiring, but this is because NOME has a tendency to publish longer fiction. It's almost 400pages, so if you don't like half the zine, there's still a lot of material that you may find utterly wonderful and well worth the price. [39]

Issue 9

front cover of issue #9 by Caren Parnes
back cover of issue #9, Caren Parnes

Nome 9 was published in May 1986 and contains 380 pages. It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey.

From the editorial:

Because of the nature of the past year and its events, this editorial will necessarily begin on a sad note.

As many of you already know, Toni Cardinal-Price -- a fan, a writer, a friend, a sister to us -- was killed in a car accident in August of last year. Her loss is as keenly felt today, while writing this editorial, as it was on the eve of the terrible day that we lost her.

Apart from our dedication of this issue of NOME to Toni, and beyond our plans for HEARTSTRINGS (a memorial collection of her best work), and the auction (of zines and other material) to benefit her daughter... (both projects to see fruition later this year or early in 1987 -- send SASEs to us for information), we also hope to include excerpts from her vast body of work in each succeeding issue of NOME; perhaps a poem, or a vignette. We would like to think that she is somehow a part of every issue of our zine, as she will always be a dear part of our lives.

Also from the editorial:

This issue of NOME features several pieces of work that require specific comment. "Courts of Honor] Images" was scheduled for inclusion in NOME 9 long before we learned of the difficulties surrounding distribution of the book. Upon realizing that many of our readers might not yet have read the novel which inspired the art/poetry cycle we were about to publish, we asked the poet, Flora Poste, if she would write a series of short background blurbs to accompany her sonnets and Suzan Lovett's art portfolio. This she graciously agreed to do. We believe that, whether you've read the novel or not, you will enjoy their remarkable work.

It is not appropriate here to launch into a long explication of what has occurred regarding Courts of Honor. Suffice it to say that we, acting in a group with several other fans, are now in the process of trying to resolve its problems and expedite the situation in the least financially

stressful way possible for fandom. Please watch for information as it becomes available in Universal Translator, Datazine, Not Tonight, Spock, etcetera.

Also from the editorial:

See the the editors' remarks about And Never Parted.

Artwork

Flora Poste's Sonnets and Suzan Lovett's Art for Courts of Honor

This zine contains 37 sonnets written by Flora Poste for Courts of Honor. These sonnets were accompanied by Suzan Lovett's art.

title page
one example
  • The Decision | The Request | Lessons | The Consultation | The Galhawk | The Confrontation | The Seekers | Rho | The Reprieve | Aggression | Learning to Fly | Onion | Picnic | On Veith | Remembrance | The Challenge | In Limbo| The Rescue | The Signal | Recollection | Defiance | Heroes | The Deserted Bridge | Culpability | Kaimos Lucas | Retrospective | The Fortress | Prescription | The Tirzen | Renewal | O'Neill | Comparisons | The Wanderer | Evidence | Nocturne | The Parting | Summation

Below is an art sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9

See reactions and reviews for 180 Degrees.

See reactions and reviews for Intermezzo.

See reactions and reviews for Coming to Terms.

See reactions and reviews for Mirror Allegiance.

See reactions and reviews for Never and Always.

[Courts of Honor portfolio]: "Images" is an art portfolio accompanied by sonnets based on the happenings in The Price and Courts of Honor by Syn Ferguson. I have always had very mixed feeling about COH. Some parts of it I liked, other parts I did not. But I think anyone can enjoy this lovely portfolio which provides clues to some of the scenes if one has never read COH. The poems and illos appear in the novel's plot sequence, and are accompanied by brief explanatory notes. Very nicely done. It's a shame these were never put into the novel. [40]

[Courts of Honor portfolio]: ...as to Suzan's illos. If the original plan was for COH to be printed the size it eventually was. then I'm rather glad Suzan's illos weren't used. They deserve to be shown full-size, not reduced compressed into a small page. They are all exqusite and Flora's poetry really sets them off. [41]

[Courts of Honor portfolio]: First. "Courts of Honor Images" was wonderful (and I haven't even read the story yet). Really makes me want to get my hands on the whole thing. [42]

[Courts of Honor portfolio]: "Courts of Honor Images" was excellent, both the art and the poetry. I am one of the fortunate who has read CoH. It's a wonderful piece of writing and Images complements it beautifully. [43]

[zine, comments by Syn Ferguson]: NOME arrived and of course I ripped it open to find Flora's poems and Suzan's illos. Naturally, they looked glorious. I'm very glad that Suzan's work is getting the circulation it deserves, as those illos were an inspiration to me and the first thing that showed a reader would get out of COH the feeling I was trying so hard to put in. Now I can say the same for Flora's poems. I'm as apprehensive as any author about people's interpretation of my work, but Flora was right on, and in at least two places-"The Galhawk" and "Renewal"-she came up with insights I certainly wish I had had! ... Of course, all the zine, as usual, is very attractively presented. I enjoyed "Coming to Terms" and the poetry, but I find I can no longer enjoy (after what I wrote!) the longer pieces, and fandom is aging-it shows in how desperately we keep trying to deal with death and loss and the inevitable injustices of life. I'm not saying these aren't valid topics for fiction, but for me, now, they're downers; I hope that fun, zest, and hope aren't the exclusive property of the young. Maybe it's just that I'm not new to the genre any more, but Grandmaw wants to know "Whar's the sense of wonder?" This isn't meant as a criticism of NOME, but an observation. I guess nothing is ever going to be as exciting to me as those first "first-timer" stories, now it's getting down to-as my married friend said in a delightful Freudian slip-"the same old sex." . . . What I would like to read is what maybe five of the top editors see as the evolution of themes in fanzines and fan writing. What's it all about, what are we doing writing and reading this stuff, what's changing, and how come? [44]

[zine]: I was somewhat disappointed in NOME 9. In short, the zine lacked tenderness and affection. Emotionally, over all, it was numb and flat. However. I am happy to say that I still feel my money was well spent, because I adored the COURTS OF HONOR section. I am not particularly knowledgeable on either art or poetry, but I was very moved by both. I have not yet read COH, but am more determined than ever to find a copy. Thanks to you. Flora Poste. and Suzan Lovett for a magnificent portfolio. Despite my feelings on this particular issue of NOME. I'm still convinced that you are a class act and hope to see many more issues in the future. [45]

[zine]: This issue of our beloved and venerable NOME is a monster, guys. At 380 pages, after you've read it, it will make an excellent doorstop. The center piece of the zine is COURTS OF HONOR IMAGES, Suzan Lovett's beautiful illos, originally intended for Syn's ill-fated epic. Flora Poste's sonnets enhance them beautifully. INTERMEZZO by Mary [Suskind Lansing] is the lead-off story, and if it doesn't rend your heart you're an android. A beautiful story, well-written. COMING TO TERMS by Janna Silverstein, focuses on Saavik during and after the end of STIII. Janna gives Saavik some well-deserved new dimensions here; I enjoyed a chance to get to know her better! MIRROR ALLEGIANCE Part I by Flora Poste, is probably an excellent story. I don't know -- I kept nodding off (sorry, Flora, it's not your writing). Since I am not a mirror universe aficionado, I must disqualify myself from an opinion on this one. I don't remember the beginning (it was too long ago), and the end doesn't seem to be in sight. So the present is all there is to. go by — and the mirror universe isn't my favorite place. 180 DEGREES by Mary Suskind Lansing, is a different kettle of fish. BOY, is it ever different! I am also not a fan of K/S/McCoy tales — but this one grabbed me and kept my -interest — the premise for the trio was the most believable I've ever come across, and the best reason yet for why Spock REALLY left for Gol at the end of the 5-year mission. The Pollyanna's among you probably won't like the ending worth a (insert colorful metaphor of your choice), but it's perfect for the story. NEVER AND ALWAYS: Book III, Part I, by Elwyn Conway; The on (and on... and on...) going saga is STILL going on. I don't remember the beginning of this one either, but in this case it doesn't matter Because when it's finished (if it ever is) I'm going to gather it together into one pile and read it again — then use IT for a doorstop. (Just kidding, Elwyn). Reading this one in pieces is easier than the mirror universe, because the writing is excellent, the story is absorbing enough to made me want to know what's going to happen next, and the peripheral characters are convincing and 3-dimensional MIRROR AWFULNESS by Flora Poste, a one-page "preview" of her on-going epic, is a delightfully hilarious end to this NOME. I loved it! Add to all the foregoing, front & back covers of Caren Parnes usual superior artwork, and is well worth the price. [46]

[zine]: As you invite comment about NOMEs practice of printing what seems to be limitless episodes of interminable serials. I thought I would let you know what this reader thinks. For the first time since I began reading zines, I didn't order the new NOME and a summer without it seemed curiously incomplete. Still, knowing the new one consisted mainly of a death story, more Mirror meanderings and still more Elwyn Conway, made it seem my money would be better spent elsewhere. Eventually, a friend lent me a copy so I might enjoy the lovely work by Flora Poste and Suzan Lovett on the Courts of Honor theme. I think this work contains some of the best Trek poetry I've ever read and while standing on its own merits, the whole adds greatly to my enjoyment of Ferguson's novel. But I didn't have S23 to spend on 70 pages, much as I would have liked to have it.

Naturally, I read the rest of the material as well and concluded, sadly, that I had been right about the rest of the contents. However, whether one likes or dislikes K/S/McC and death stories, the problems are really with the continuations.

As for Elwyn Conway, let me begin by saying I think she can be a marvelous writer, especially when the characters stop thinking and start acting. She has the ability to describe landscape and action in a way few zine writers have and I admire and enjoy much of the things that have happened in 'Never and Always". The canyon flypast with Kirk at the stick and the film crew egging him on; that marvelously awful "personality" the Enterprise is stuck with transporting; there is so much that is a delight. It is only when the inevitable point in each installment arrives where Kirk and Spock, either singly or together, go broody (I keep hens and I know what I'm talking about) and the pages fill up with internalizing that the whole story drops dead in its tracks. As someone else has already said: why can't they talk to each other instead of themselves? As a dramatic device, all this introspection has its limitations and by this time. I know that once K or S starts "thinking," nothing more will happen. Here again, just like Flora's Mirror protagonists. they rehash the same old fears and reservations all over again. I'm not sure who qualifies for the indecisiveness prize here but I wouldn't put either of them in charge of anything I valued! I do agree Ms. Conway is absolutely right to tell her story the way she wants to; I just wish it didn't have to be in annual installments in what was once a well-edited, varied and exciting annual story collection. Is there no possibility of separate publication of, say, 100 or 150 page installments? [47]

Issue 10

front cover of issue #10, Caren Parnes
back cover of issue #10, Caren Parnes

Nome 10 was published in July 1987 and contains 374 pages. Art by Gayle F, Caro Hedge, Caren Parnes (front and back covers), Suzan Lovett, Chris Soto, Pat Cash, and Elwyn Conway.

The last ten pages were compiled and added after the initial printing. See Touching and Touched for details.

It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey.

From the editorial, a focus on the role of LoCs and of Elwyn Conway's fiction saga:

'That time of the year" is coming round again, and another issue of NOME is even now in its final stages of polish—we hope you're impressed with the results (actually, we are very happy with this particular edition; in fact, it probably ranks as a favorite with both of us). We'd really like to know what you think . . .and speaking of what you think, NOME 10 is introducing a new feature: a LOC Column!

This "brainchild" of ours was actually also precipitated by you! We received numerous letters of comment after NOME 9's editorial posed the question of continuing Elwyn Conway's saga-and you can tabulate the results yourself. We were positively bowled over. Either those readers who don't want the story to keep on spinning didn't write, or the "hall talk" we kept hearing tell of was considerably exaggerated. The two of us, along with some other fan editors, have long been puzzled by the scarcity of LOCs these past few years (oh, we often got a line or two, or even a paragraph, along with a SASE for our next ish. But rarely the true, detailed analysis which the word "LOC" implies). We have felt their lack-and so, also, we believe, has fandom. Letters of Comment, as they were conceived in the zines of the 1970s and early 1980s, helped to keep fandom healthy; they kept open the lines of communication among fans and interfered with the regrettable tendency of editors to take themselves too seriously and become too sensitive. Most importantly, these LOCs helped foster the sense of fan literature as a "writers' workshop"—a time-honored tradition which was very much a part of our fannish past. The deluge of letters we received last summer (following NOME 9's debut) caused us to speculate anew—and we came up with a brilliant (?) idea. Perhaps part of the reason for the lack of LOCs was the lack of the publication of LOCs! There was a time when LOC writing was an art form in itself, and one looked for one's favorite LOCer in the next issue. However, as zines got more glossy, and printers more expensive, the columns started to go...andso did the LOCs.

Is it possible that the one was a natural outgrowth of the other? We decided to see! Hence, NOME 10's LOC Column. We'll print it here, and in NOME 11, on a trial basis. If it appears to work -- and by that we mean stimulate interest in discussion and analysis of fan writing—we'll continue the feature.

  • My Vulcan by Ruth Kurz (inside front cover, poetry and art)
  • Multiplicative Proclivities by Editor (4)
  • LoCs (6)
  • Epic by Judi, art by Caro Hedge (10)
  • Ampersand by Michele Arvizu, art by Caren Parnes (Through the night of a diplomatic reception, Spock comes to understand his friendship with fellow crewmembers and with Kirk. Introspective study of Spock's attempts to communicate with his human associates.) (11)
  • Octave by Camille Lang, art by Caro Hedge (56)
  • Against Simplicity by Flora Poste (57)
  • Sea Change by Barbara L. B. Storey, art by Caren Parnes and Caro Hedge (After bringing the whales to their time, Spock helps Gillian understand the whales through a mindmeld, while trying to understand his feelings starting to break free about Kirk.) (58)
  • Life and Loss by Jean Schnedler, art by Suzan Lovett (121)
  • Untitled by Camille Lang, art by Suzan Lovett (123)
  • One More Door by Ellen Morris, art by Chris Soto (As Spock and Kirkʼs daughter prepares to leave for Starfleet, Kirk must tell his bondmate of the potentially fatal disease he has contracted.) (125)
  • Untitled by Liz Darcy (153)
  • McCoy by Judi, art by Caro Hedge (154)
  • Truce by Camille Lang (156)
  • Sight Unseen by Caren Parnes (157)
  • Faith by Judi, art by Gayle F (159)
  • An Easier Time by Michele Arvizu, art by Pat Cash (After the fal tor pan, Spock has dreams of his pon farr on the Genesis planet, deals with Spock's efforts to regain his personal memories.) (160)
  • Unanswered by Flora Poste, art by Caro Hedge (198)
  • Unspoken by Flora Poste, art by Caro Hedge (199)
  • Mirror Allegiance, part 1b by Flora Poste, art by Suzan Lovett (M/U: Kirk is unable to give his trust to Spock until Spock offers him a mindmeld. Prequel: "Mirror Antecedents" in issue #8. Sequel: "Mirror Allegiance, part 2" in issue #11.) (200) (also in Mirror Universe Alternates)
  • Vow by Flora Poste, art by Caro Hedge (305)
  • Touching and Touched by Elwyn Conway, art by Conway (Now together, Kirk and Spock discover a deeper meaning to their relationship through the intervention of a "seer." Prequel: "Never and Always" in issue #9. Sequel: "Genesis Aftermath" in issue #11.) (306)
  • Touch by Toni Cardinal-Price, art by Caro Hedge and Caren Parnes (inside back cover)

There is a vast amount of art in this issue. Below is a sample. Art is included at the publisher's request.

  • interior page from issue #10, Elwyn Conway

    interior page from issue #10, Elwyn Conway

  • interior page from issue #10, Caren Parnes

    interior page from issue #10, Caren Parnes

  • interior page from issue #10, Suzan Lovett for "Life and Loss"

    interior page from issue #10, Suzan Lovett for "Life and Loss"

  • interior page from issue #10, Chris Soto for "One More Door" -- "This is a gorgeous illo! A close-up side view of Kirk and Spock in a meld; bare arms and shoulders. Spock's hands are on Kirk's face and you can see that Kirk is looking slightly away from Spock's eyes. I'm awed by that detail alone. It looks exactly like them as they appeared in the early movie arc. It could nearly be a photo. I envy the owner of the original illo. I had to make a copy of this pic before giving the zine back to my friend. It's one of the best drawings of K&S I have ever seen. I also enjoyed reading the story that accompanies this drawing: "One More Door," by Ellen Morris. An unusual but very poignant story." [48]

    interior page from issue #10, Chris Soto for "One More Door" -- "This is a gorgeous illo! A close-up side view of Kirk and Spock in a meld; bare arms and shoulders. Spock's hands are on Kirk's face and you can see that Kirk is looking slightly away from Spock's eyes. I'm awed by that detail alone. It looks exactly like them as they appeared in the early movie arc. It could nearly be a photo. I envy the owner of the original illo. I had to make a copy of this pic before giving the zine back to my friend. It's one of the best drawings of K&S I have ever seen. I also enjoyed reading the story that accompanies this drawing: "One More Door," by Ellen Morris. An unusual but very poignant story." [48]

  • interior page from issue #10, example of how poem and art were created together as one

    interior page from issue #10, example of how poem and art were created together as one

  • interior page from issue #10, Gayle F for "Faith"

    interior page from issue #10, Gayle F for "Faith"

  • interior page from issue #10, Pat Cash for "An Easier Time"

    interior page from issue #10, Pat Cash for "An Easier Time"

  • interior page from issue #10, Suzan Lovett for "Mirror Allegiance"

    interior page from issue #10, Suzan Lovett for "Mirror Allegiance"

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10

See reactions and reviews for Sea Change.

See reactions and reviews for One More Door.

See reactions and reviews for An Easier Time.

See reactions and reviews for Touching and Touched.

See reactions and reviews for Ampersand.

See reactions and reviews for Mirror Allegiance.

[art]: Like most artists, I scan the art first, Caren Parnes is always outstanding. And her work for this issue is no exception. Chris Soto is one of my favorites, and her illo of Kirk and Spock in the mind meld (p. 149) turned my eyes green with envy. I didn't care too much for Elwyn Conway's artwork, but you can't have everything. And Suzan Lovett's style is always intriguing. I love the way she gives her illos a different perspective. [49]

[zine]: This is one of the most interesting issues of the series. It contains six good length stories plus poetry and art. All the writing is of the high standard we have come to expect from Nome, so this review is on the basis of a) personal preference and b) an idea I have about current trends in K/S.

I enjoyed Nome 10 because whether or not I agreed with the themes and characterisation, each story provided something to think about rather than the usual first time 'wallow'. For example "Sea Change" by Barbara Storey, my favourite in the zine, is a post ST IV story which sets Gillian's adjustments to the 23rd century against Kirk and Spock's relationship. Spock has forgotten his previous life as Kirk's lover. He must make changes before he can return to Kirk. I liked this for the lovely warm pictures of Spock from Gillian's POV.

Michele Arvisu contributes two pieces. The first is not strictly K/S but shows the Series Spock trying to understand 'the grand fallacy' of his existence on the Enterprise and his place among the crew. I felt uncomfortable with this one. To make it work. Kirk must be bumptious and insensitive with Spock, which in the series he isn't - bad-tempered, yes, but quick to apologise. Here he orders Spock to strip (in his quarters at least) so that he can see what he's got! Then he instigates nude wrestling with his discomfited F.O. and afterwards cheerily tells him that he's had his first homosexual experience! Later Kirk openly flirts with a woman while silently mouthing "I love you" over her shoulder at Spock. As Leslie Fish has said, "Not my Jim" - thought-provoking though.

Michele's second is post ST IV. Spock vows things will be easier with Jim this time (they were not lovers in the past), but only after he has sorted out the pon farr business and had sex with Saavik! Again out of character for me but interesting.

"Mirror Allegiance" by Flora Poste finally reaches a sort of conclusion to the saga (although a postscript is promised). Written in her customary meticulous style, this segment seemed rather wordy to me. All the action is retrospective, which is hard to handle with variety. I could feel the author shifting her characters from sofa to fireplace to window to break the monotony. I do like her careful exploration of relationships but I think she has overdone it this time.

Elwyn Conway also reaches a stopping point but as usual, I wish she would give us more of her excellent plotting and minor characters and less saccharine. This time under the influence of the Etife's love and peace hippy style planet nearly everyone pours out feelings for everyone else (as usual, too, no one does anything).

The least satisfactory story for both style and content is "One More Door" by Ellen Morris in which Kirk and Spock produce a daughter by genetic and McCoy's manipulation and Kirk contracts a nasty bug which will probably carry him off - pure soap! It may be unkind to say so but I suspect the author has no experience of impending bereavement or if she has, she can't write it.

The poetry, real poetry not prose-in-chunks-on-a-page, is of very high quality, especially the work by Flora Poste.

As a whole Nome interested me because I think I detect an intriguing reflection of K/S in general in its present form and I think, too, I may have found at least part of an answer to that perennial question, why not more established stories and why so many first-timers. To explain I'll have to take you back to the 70's when K/S was just getting into print. With Thrust, Companion, and others, writers and readers found they had a phaser on overload in their laps. The idea of K/S was not well received by fandom in general, so that those first zines and their immediate successors were faced with the task of explaining K/S not just to the outside world but to K/Sers themselves. It was special, they said; it was not gay, they said; two heterosexuals who love each other; it was pon farr; it was unique; etc, etc. Yet as the years passed, instead of readers and writers getting accustomed to the idea - yes, OK, they're lovers, so what happened next? - in 1988 they are still flailing with desperate explanations, and Nome 10 is a case in point. Six stories, five writers, and all trying to justify, rationalise, explain in heterosexual terms the K/S premise. Kirk and Spock produce a daughter (born naturally in a tank, 'delivered' by McCoy). Only after sex with Saavik can Spock express his love for Jim. Elwyn Conway states time and again that Kirk isn't homosexual, that the relationship is unique, spiritual, transcendent and blessed by the Etife, her and their guru (very 60's). The ambivalence runs deep.

Even Flora Poste has them agonising at length. Only Barbara Storey seems comfortable, describing them as lovers before her narrative starts. Still Spock has to talk to a female (albeit a well spoken whale) before he can return to Jim.

In general the relationship is not accepted, not taken for granted and always worried over. Is this part of the 80's backlash? Is this why there are still the endless first timers, because even K/S fans cannot accept what they created? Is it also the reason for the lack of established relationship zines? I can only resort to rhetorical questions. (How about some feedback in the letters section of "t"?)

As you can see Nome gave me many a bone to worry over and I recommend it for that reason and because it is a good read. With the $ so low against the £, it must also be a better buy than any of the earlier issues, although it's $30 airmail (for almost 400 beautifully presented pages - laser printed and I'm viridian with envy). [50]

[zine]: On the issue of printing a special collection of Elwyn Conway's epic, I plunk down on the side favoring this. . . . Not to be greedy or anything, but I would also greatly enjoy Flora Poste's Mirror stories "collected." "Mirror Allegiance" was very, very nice, and the most exquisite slow tease I've read in a long time. Mingled with that was a very insightful glimpse of the sort of pressure the Mirror universe would cause in even the most strong-willed of men. Suzan Lovett's illos added very well to the story—one minor quibble though. Did I miss something? Did Spock shave? And not to be fussy or anything, but why the different costume for the characters in succeeding illos if they are not supposed to be separated in time? Oh, well—beautiful illos anyway. Both of Michele Arvizu's stories were great. I rather enjoy a "vulnerable" Spock and she does him very well. I found that the close plot resemblance of "Sea Change" and "An Easier Time" detracted from my first enjoyment of "An Easier Time" (even with the careful placement of a non-ST IV story in between), but I found if I read the stories separately, each stood up very well to an ideal reconciliation. I won't rave on — except to say that this was an excellent 'zine with nary a bad story in it. Thanks. [51]

[zine]: "Mirror Allegiance" was very . . . intense. All I can say is I wait intently to find out what happens in 'Aftermath.'

As for Elwyn Conway's 'Touching and Touched," put me on the list of people who loved it. I really like the way she writes, and I how that she does get them together, literally. I think it would be breathtaking; she paints such lovely word pictures. This episode was so real . . . the glances across the room . . . Kirk looking at Spock like he was the "Holy Grail" . . . the search for a "private setting" . . . YES! YES! YES! (Here it comes.) But, it's driving me crazy! It's not the next episode, although I eagerly anticipate it, it's all the parts I missed I I can't tell you how many times I've read and reread the synopsis of Book Three and even the LoC pages searching for hints of what has already happened. I know just how Spock feels (felt?) without his memories. Here are these tantalizing glimpses of things so close that I can almost feel them but can't reach I Have you ever considered republishing those earlier episodes? Surely I'm not the only one who desperately wants to read about that night on the observation deck, or of Kirk crying in Spock's arms, etc., etc., etc. I was very impressed by the illustrations (in NOME 10), especially Suzan Lovett's work, and the one of Kirk and Spock lying together in particular.

I'd like to know when you expect NOME 11 will be available ... I can hardly wait. You've made a believer out of me. [52]

[zine]: Thank you for NOME 10. It was terrific. Until vary recently I was a bookstore casualty. I devoured mainstream ST, searching for every moment of closeness or friendship between our two heroes. I really didn't know what I was looking for specifically, but I knew I wasn't getting it. About six months ago, I bought my first zine of any kind. ... I was instantly hooked. After a while, even though some of the stories dealt with a much deeper friendship than I had ever seen before, it wasn't enough. ... I mentioned, to a friend I had just discovered, that I was a K/S fan. She told me, much like Kirk told Spock in "An Easier Time," that I didn't know what I was saying. She want on to explain the premise of Kirk and Spock as lovers. She was right, that wasn't what I meant...exactly. I thought it over and found that the idea appealed to me …a lot! It just didn't seem like such a large step from the relationship I saw to one of lovers. Then your flier arrived…

I was overjoyed when NOME 10 arrived. It was just as I had hoped, a collection of very beautiful love stories and poetry…a full-course meal at last I I also found I was right the first time when I said I was a K/S fan. I especially liked Barbara's "Sea Change." I found Amanda's, and particularly Sarek's acceptance of their relationship very touching. I thought 'One More Door" was very sweet. In my opinion, the single best line in the entire zine is "I read the hell your mind," from "An Easier Time." I liked this one very ouch as well, and liked the different flavor it brought to the same basic question as Barbara's story.

I had a little trouble believing that Spock would tell Uhura about "the kiss" in "Ampersand." I was also a little disturbed by Kirk's teasing "I love you." In general, the whole story felt like it was going somewhere but never quite got there. [53]

[zine]: A bit of comment. I hate "to be continueds." I await with baited breath the end of Flora Poste's Mirror story. I have come to really care for her alternate Kirk and Spock. Their search for selves/relationship/mutual meaning seems more real and poignant than what Elwyn Conway wrote in "Touching and Touched." Yes, I've enjoyed her saga, but "Touching and Touched" was too much of the same thing. " Never and Always" was WONDER-ful—"T & T" was too long, maybe twenty-five pages worth. I really want the story to move on, not necessarily that Kirk and Spock find their resolution this minute, but that they and crew be back in their own reality. A reality that does not exclude that beingess so clear in "T & T," instead is that and more. K/S and fandom are, to me, the obvious extensions of the original TV series; to dwell totally in the sublime is "not logical," given all that has gone on before. [54]

[zine]: I'd really like to say just how much I love Flora Poste's Mirror series and Elwyn Conway'a saga. I have to admit that sometimes I get impatient for the story (both of them, actually) to progress, but ... I would feel it extremely impertinent to tell them to hurry up. Besides, if they did that, who'd take their place when they'd finished? I'm enjoying both series far too much to wish them ended. I would like to say, very sincerely, that among the two or three hundred Star Trek volumes I have, NOME ranks, as a aeries, the highest. Your stories are consistently good, and your poems often superb. [55]

[zine]: [much snipped about the history and viability of printing stories in a serial format]...Prozines that come out every month can break up a long work into installments with cliffhanger endings, and thus increase or ensure circulation volume as people, try to collect all the installments. ST 'zines that come out once a year can't do it exactly the same way, but it can be done.

My own Kraith series was designed to be scattered among many 'zines and read in all sorts of random orders. Each piece of it contains one whole, complete story with a beginning, middle, and a real ending. . . . Elwyn Conway's opus is not constructed in this fashion. It is a work designed to be read at one sitting, like COURTS OF HONOR, but much too long to write, publish, or read in one sitting. That is what has your readership up in arms, and that is why I believe your ultimate solution of publishing as much of the rest as you can in NONE 11 and the "collected" as a special issue is the best way to approach the problem. But I think you should consider one more possibility. There are those who have all but one or two of the 'zines where the other parts of Conway's novel appear. Perhaps you could take advance orders from those who want only the missing parts, not an entire collected, which will be expen$ive. Flora Poste's "Mirror" opus is likewise a "one-sitting" read but is being broken up between scenes where the dynamics of the drama suffer terribly from the interruption of the narrative.

I want to go on record as saying that, personally, I like both these series and I want to see them completed. I feel that NONE is doing ST-dom a great service in making these works available despite the physical difficulties of publishing them in snatches. I adore the esoteric twist that Conway introduced with her "Etife" character. I am a student of the esoteric sciences myself, and have always felt that ST would have done more episodes with an esoteric base if they'd had time ... So Conway's exploration of the spiritual dimensions of Trek seem thematically perfect to me— especially because she reveals an uncommon level of mastery of the concepts. I would like to see her develop a fantasy universe of her own where she could expound in full on her philosophies.

Flora Poste likewise is hitting a nerve. The juxtaposition of what it would take to change a galactic civilization with what it would take to change a Kirk or a Spock is thematic magic of the first order. She does not shortchange any of her characters, nor does she underestimate the magnitude of the changes she is narrating. Any thinner a narrative would make it seem more like a comic book. I'd like to see her finish this story in the style she has adopted for it.... I don't mean to shortchange Arvizu (she's great!) or the multi-textured imagination of Barbara Storey with her evocation of Spock and the whales. All of the material in NOME 10 deserves close and detailed critical analysis. All of the writers are doing things that have never been done before, and all of the stories are meat for writing workshops on technique and craft. But every last one of then is head and shoulders above the average story submitted to my various writing workshops.

In craft, imagination, art. and production, NOME is in the top five percent of everything I read, pro, amateur, and fannish. But that doesn't mean I couldn't dissect it under a microscope and enjoy pointing out where it could benefit from improvement. However, I want you to realize that what you have achieved is far more impressive and far more important than what you've failed, so far, to achieve. NOME makes me confident in the future of the literary field. [56]

[zine]: NOME 10 was an excellent issue. While all the stories were good, my favorites were the two by Michele Arvizu, even though "An Easier Time" copped out on the K/S. They both had a unique feel to them. And after loathing Elwyn Conway's earlier part of the series, the last two sections were quite enjoyable. She seemed to get past her more masochistic pleasures. You-all always do a quality zine. [57]

[zine]: As expected, NOME 10 Is beautiful. Then I started to read it, and it became more so. The poetry, graphics, and artwork separate and enhance in a comfortable, pleasant manner, allowing me to glide from one story to the next with an easy transition.[58]

[zine]: Caren's covers are terrific! In fact, all of the art in the zine was wonderful.

I wrote way back in March and asked about the possibility of getting all of Elwyn's story, so I for one would welcome such a special edition! I have missed three (I think) parts of her story, and while I very much enjoy what I've read, I am anxious to see what I've missed. Which brings me to the "continuing story" idea, Elwyn's story is so interesting and well-written that I don't mind too much having to wait so long for more (despite my reaction of "Oh, shit!" when I get to each part). And at least all of the story is staying in the same zine. But I do think that more than one continued story is too much. I also enjoyed your LoCs segment—perhaps more people would write more and better LoCs if we didn't feel sometimes that we're writing into a void.

As to the zine itself, I mostly enjoyed it. The poetry was good, my favorites being Flora Post's "Unanswered" and "Unspoken." The stories were all very interesting—"Ampersand" was really involving, I enjoyed every bit of it, but it didn't seem to go anywhere. The only fault I found in the zine was too much heavy seriousness—if there had been even one "light" piece, the contrast would have made the read even better; to me at least. And while some zines err on the side of too many sex scenes, I feel the reverse about this zine. So on the whole this was a very worth-while zine—I'm glad I got it. [59]

[zine]: It was for Conway and Poste that I ordered NOME 10, so I turned to their stories first, I enjoyed them both, although the Conway doesn't sees to me one of the strongest in her saga. The minor characters, except for Chapel don't seem to be handled as authoritatively as the major ones have been, but that may be either (a) a matter of space, or (b) a simple disagreement about who they really are. Chapel was quite believable—not likable, but believable.

Conway's illustrations are of course extremely accurate in detail. And good, too. But—let me be precise about this—they aren't as far above the general run of illos as her story is above the general run of stories. Suzan Lovett's for Flora Poste, on the other hand, are. And this Mirror story is one of Poste's best, leaving the reader relieved ("Finally!"), but also a trifle uneasy about what'a going to happen next. I've really enjoyed Poste's and Conway's slow exploration of their characters, unhindered by the need to have something "happening" every minute. "Sea Change" would be good even if all it did was point out that George and Gracie are alone on a world where no one can pronounce their names. It's a poignant picture. But apart from the whales, the story of Spock searching for his past while Kirk awaits the court-martial that will determine his fate is interesting in itself. Michele Arvizu's stories: I can't decide why I like "Ampersand" so much better than 'An Easier Time." Perhaps it was Spock minus his memory I didn't care for in the latter, for the story was, objectively speaking, just fine. (Possibly I was just too chilled by the sex on a cold chair!) As for "Ampersand," I loved it and I want a sequel. I especially liked Kirk's use of a "Spock-substitute" obviously, Michele Arvizu has a sense of humor. Maybe that's what I missed in her other story. Ellen Morris's "One More Door" seemed to have an extra plot in it. The central "fact" in the story, the secret Kirk is hiding, seemed a little unnecessary to me; the strength of the story is in a good idea, well worked-out. The story of T'Lena's conception, birth, and rearing was what really interested me—all very convincing, except Kirk's willingness to spend twenty years planetbound. And Chris Soto's illos are perfect; T'Lena looks as described in the story, and just like her daddies. Really a delight, capped off beautifully by Liz Darcy's verse. Five Poste sonnets were a welcome treat too.

I don't think, frankly, that I'd be able to afford the Collected Conway, after buying all but NOME 5 separately. If you do put it out, though, wouldn't it be better to put the whole saga in, not omitting what's in NOME 11. [60]

[zine]: NOME is celebrating its tenth edition and its creators believe this to be their best collection of works yet. Having read Nome for ages, I have some reservations about their glee. We all want our moneys' worth, but I prefer a wide selection of short-short stories with one or two longies thrown in to make a balanced zine; a few well placed poems and lots and lots of art work - the juicier the better. NOME 10 is a lengthy zine all right, but the balance is off. Most of the stories - of which there are six - average 50 pages and one is over 100 pages long. The writing is by and large very readable, but more brevity and in some cases clarity is in order. Some of the illos are very nice, particularly those by Caren Parnes on the covers - one of Spock's mind meld with Gracie and the other with Spock and the Horta - a parallel bridging the episodes with the JOURNEY HOME - which I had never considered. The covers also serve to foreshadow the contents of the zine; a mixture of episode stories and post-movie writings. Probably the best story in the entire collection is Barbara Storey's SEA CHANGE which attempts to deal with the events which must occur after the renegade BOUNTY reaches the Pacific with George and Gracie and before the hearing demoting Kirk. In her story, the author grapples with issues like Gillian's adjustment into the 23rd century and also the whales adjustment. Interestingly. Spock finds his answers about his relationship with Kirk through self -examination engineered by the whales. Similar post-JOURNEY HOME stories exist but to my knowledge, the catalyst for the reformation of the K/S relationship has never been the whales or Gillian for that matter, and they are a nice change of pace. Storey also must be credited with some fine research into whale and dolphin behavior and the existing facilities for their study today - not only was the tale enjoyable to read, but if you are not careful, you may actually learn something to add to your cocktail rhetoric. AMPERSAND, one of the shorter pieces - 35 pages - gives Spock a chance to examine his relationship with the "secondary" characters who too often are excluded from K/S geared zines. The illos for this one are fail, but the one depicting an ancient Vulcan piece that Spock and Uhura discuss is a disappointment and would have been better simply left out as the image was well drawn by the author's words. Speaking of art, there is one piece worth a good long look. Entitled LIFE AND LOSS by Susan Lovett, the work illustrates a poem of the same name and depicts a Christ-like Kirk with a thorny crown and allusions to Spock's death and rebirth; it is really quite lovely. There is always at least one story which because of its poor treatment of a plot or a badly portrayed characterization of Kirk or Spock loses points for the entire zine. This time the honor goes to Ellen Morris' ONE MORE DOOR in which Kirk and Spock have a daughter of their own - genetically engineered by McCoy. Kirk is now at a ground assignment and Spock plays the role of a doting father. Their characters are not those of the Kirk and Spock I know and love, and the story is absurd and soap-operatic in the extreme -avoid this one entirely. Two of the submissions are sequels; MIRROR ALLEGIANCE by Flora Poste and TOUCHING AND TOUCHED by Elwyn Conway. The Poste story takes place in the episode Mirror universe after Kirk and Spock have defected from the Empire. The plot line in this one however is less action-oriented than the previous stories in the series and focuses more on the K/S relationship itself. Though well written, this one I found to be too wordy and predictable. The other sequel contribution is the fourth in a series of pre-relationship stories. This one introduces an interesting character alien culture which allow Kirk and Spock time and perspective to examine their developing intimacy. Next to Storey's piece, this one ranks at the top for readability and plot intricacies. Even if you have not read the prequels to the Post or Conway stories, each of the contributions in NOME 10 stands well on its own. My final judgment on NOME 10 is that it is a well-designed zine combining episode and post-movie stories, but the length of each and the lack of outstanding art and the near absence or erotic art, diminished this reader's enjoyment of the zine as a whole. NOME 10 does show strength in the writing quality of each author regardless of story content and this I'm sure is a reflection of careful and profession editing and overall high submission standards which have always been a credit to the NOME series. [61]

[zine]: Artwork, editing and layout is of the usual NOME quality, as is the size (nearly 400 pages). The overall mood of the stories in this issue seems to be on the Introspective side. I found the poetry unremarkable, with the exception of Judi's EPIC, which is memorable. AMPERSAND by Michele Arvizu, is an intriguing, introspective study of Spock's attempts to communicate with his human associates. There are some excellent insights, and a sense of alien thought processes, and all the characterizations are true to form. But the title was a little humbling - at my age I thought there were no words left that I had never heard of. It fits the story perfectly. Look it up - I did. AN EASIER TIME, also by Michele, starts out a little slow and muddy, beginning after the end of ST4, and dealing with Spock's efforts to regain his personal memories. Stay with it, the ending is worth all the rest, and Saavik's characterization is great. SEA CHANGE by Barbara Storey Is a well-written approach to a further acquaintance with Gillian Taylor, George and Gracie - all of them well-delineated. It gets a bit long here and there, but covers an interesting interim period of ST4. ONE MORE DOOR by Ellen Morris; I found the premise somewhat untenable - a personal prejudice. I've always had difficulty buying that Kirk and Spock could have a child (I don't care how many advances science makes In 300 years!). But even aside from that, the story was depressing to me, even though it was well-written (or well-edited). MIRROR ALLEGIANCE, Flora Poste's ongoing epic; Although I'm not a mirror universe fan, I read this one and found that it explored some interesting alternate timelines. I found it a bit over-long, and the plethora of French quotations is a bit pretentious (we're not all multilingual). There were so many of them that they tended to interfere with comprehension, but that is, I realize, my problem - not the author's... although I always thought the idea of writing was to communicate ideas. Those of you who don't read French will find the communication a little sticky here. TOUCHING AND TOUCHED, by (you guessed it) Elwyn Conway. What can I say about Elywn's ongoing saga - except that wherever she's going with this, it is a fascinating journey. Some stories need a well-defined plot -beginning, middle and end, to hold the interest. Elwyn has created a place here, wherein move our favorite beloved characters. A place so interesting we want to linger - are in no hurry to find out where they're going. Elwyn's imagery of contact with Eternity is brilliant - written as only one who has had the experience. I was sorry to see it end, but end it does, in this issue, with an editorial note on how close we came to having to wait another year for the end of the story. You spin a great yarn, Elwyn. When's the sequel? In this issue, the editors have initiated a new feature - several pages - of LoCs; an interesting feature in itself - but I question the judgment of editors who saw fit to include a letter from Syn Ferguson, whose last communication with fandom sounded suspiciously like "Adios, Gringo...." However, I do have an answer of sorts for Syn's letter: she wants to know "what's changing in fandom, and how come?" It's simple. Syn: One of the nicest things about fandom, that lovely glow of trust among strangers who share a common interest - it's gone. Do I need to mention why? [62]

[zine]: Nome 10 has about the best so far of Flora Poste's Mirror stories, illustrated by Suzan Lovett. I especially liked the way Poste's characters have a mirror relationship— Spock is the whole, complete being (but still Spock), and Kirk the incomplete one, tortured by self-hate.

The magazine is filled with goodies: an installment of Elwyn Conway's saga, and a story by Ellen Morris in which we see Kirk and Spock as fathers of a daughter (and Chris Soto's image of her is perfect), a whale story, a Saavik story, a party/conversation story. Poetry, including five Flora Poste sonnets.

One warning: I am not a plot person; I enjoy stories that are essentially long dialogues with hardly any outward action. NOME specializes in these. [63]

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10: Some 1988 Meta on the State of K/S Fiction

One fan, Jane Carnall, used the LoC as an opportunity for meta, discussing the stories in Nome #10 as examples of the way 1980s fanfiction represented K/S. These letters was written six years before The Wave Theory of Slash, but essentially describes a slash fandom stuck in the first wave, with fic writers "still trying to rationalize and justify." She also pointed to some issues in the way K/S fic treated homosexuality:

This is one of the most interesting issues of the series. It contains six good length stories plus poetry and art. All the writing is of the high standard we have come to expect from Nome, so this review is on the basis of a) personal preference and b) an idea I have about current trends in K/S.

I enjoyed Nome 10 because whether or not I agreed with the themes and characterisation, each story provided something to think about rather than the usual first time 'wallow'. For example "Sea Change" by Barbara Storey, my favourite in the zine, is a post ST IV story which sets Gillian's adjustments to the 23rd century against Kirk and Spock's relationship. Spock has forgotten his previous life as Kirk's lover. He must make changes before he can return to Kirk. I liked this for the lovely warm pictures of Spock from Gillian's POV.

Michele Arvisu contributes two pieces. The first is not strictly K/S but shows the Series Spock trying to understand 'the grand fallacy' of his existence on the Enterprise and his place among the crew. I felt uncomfortable with this one. To make it work. Kirk must be bumptious and insensitive with Spock, which in the series he isn't - bad-tempered, yes, but quick to apologise. Here he orders Spock to strip (in his quarters at least) so that he can see what he's got! Then he instigates nude wrestling with his discomfited F.O. and afterwards cheerily tells him that he's had his first homosexual experience! Later Kirk openly flirts with a woman while silently mouthing "I love you" over her shoulder at Spock. As Leslie Fish has said, "Not my Jim" - thought-provoking though.

Michele's second is post ST IV. Spock vows things will be easier with Jim this time (they were not lovers in the past), but only after he has sorted out the pon farr business and had sex with Saavik! Again out of character for me but interesting.

"Mirror Allegiance" by Flora Poste finally reaches a sort of conclusion to the saga (although a postscript is promised). Written in her customary meticulous style, this segment seemed rather wordy to me. All the action is retrospective, which is hard to handle with variety. I could feel the author shifting her characters from sofa to fireplace to window to break the monotony. I do like her careful exploration of relationships but I think she has overdone it this time.

Elwyn Conway also reaches a stopping point but as usual, I wish she would give us more of her excellent plotting and minor characters and less saccharine. This time under the influence of the Etife's love and peace hippy style planet nearly everyone pours out feelings for everyone else (as usual, too, no one does anything).

The least satisfactory story for both style and content is "One More Door" by Ellen Morris in which Kirk and Spock produce a daughter by genetic and McCoy's manipulation and Kirk contracts a nasty bug which will probably carry him off - pure soap! It may be unkind to say so but I suspect the author has no experience of impending bereavement or if she has, she can't write it.

The poetry, real poetry not prose-in-chunks-on-a-page, is of very high quality, especially the work by Flora Poste.

As a whole Nome interested me because I think I detect an intriguing reflection of K/S in general in its present form and I think, too, I may have found at least part of an answer to that perennial question, why not more established stories and why so many first-timers. To explain I'll have to take you back to the 70's when K/S was just getting into print. With Thrust, Companion, and others, writers and readers found they had a phaser on overload in their laps. The idea of K/S was not well received by fandom in general, so that those first zines and their immediate successors were faced with the task of explaining K/S not just to the outside world but to K/Sers themselves. It was special, they said; it was not gay, they said; two heterosexuals who love each other; it was pon farr; it was unique; etc, etc. Yet as the years passed, instead of readers and writers getting accustomed to the idea - yes, OK, they're lovers, so what happened next? - in 1988 they are still flailing with desperate explanations, and Nome 10 is a case in point. Six stories, five writers, and all trying to justify, rationalise, explain in heterosexual terms the K/S premise. Kirk and Spock produce a daughter (born naturally in a tank, 'delivered' by McCoy). Only after sex with Saavik can Spock express his love for Jim. Elwyn Conway states time and again that Kirk isn't homosexual, that the relationship is unique, spiritual, transcendent and blessed by the Etife, her and their guru (very 60's). The ambivalence runs deep.

Even Flora Poste has them agonising at length. Only Barbara Storey seems comfortable, describing them as lovers before her narrative starts. Still Spock has to talk to a female (albeit a well spoken whale) before he can return to Jim.

In general the relationship is not accepted, not taken for granted and always worried over. Is this part of the 80's backlash? Is this why there are still the endless first timers, because even K/S fans cannot accept what they created? Is it also the reason for the lack of established relationship zines? I can only resort to rhetorical questions. [64]

Kirk and Spock are long term lovers, yes, but their relationship is not complete until they produce a child (by McCoy's genetic manipulation) and this baby is delivered in the most "natural" way possible. The story seems to imply that the relationship cannot be considered as complete in itself but must be ratified in (what is in this century) a heterosexual manner.

Michele Arvizu's "An Easier Time" seems to produce the same answer to the problem. The post-Voyage Home pair have no relationship and, it seems, cannot have one until Spock has had sex and converse with Saavik. Only through her can he learn to accept and later voice his love for Kirk. "He thought of his time with Saavik. She had given all this to him. She had put things in perspective, made him feel unique, special, loved. Given him the courage to speak of love to Jim and the chance to reinvent himself." So again, homosexual love has been somehow verified by heterosexuality.

Michele's other story [Ampersand] echoes the theme. Although not primarily K/S, it is made clear that Spock cannot begin to understand Jim without detailed reference to McCoy and particularly Uhura (with whom at one stage he wishes to spend the night). "Sea Change" approaches the dilemma more easily, but even here the intervention of a female is needed, albeit of Gracie, the whale! Barbara is, however, more comfortable with her characters; Kirk and Spock were lovers before Genesis. Flora Poste's "Mirror Allegiance" is A/U and therefore not subject to quite the same criteria, but Kirk and Spock still agonize desperately over the simple fact of sex, this in a universe of extreme sophistication. Still, we don't have the he's-heterosexual-he-can't-possibly tangle.

The story that is the keystone of the argument is Elwyn Conway's continuing saga. Her heroes are heterosexual and she states this firmly and often. For example. Kirk says of himself and Sulu, "He'd never been sexually attracted to any man and wasn't about to make an exception now." Elwyn seems to need to explain and vindicate Kirk and Spock's love time after time. It is spiritual, overpowering, different from that of any other couple, "A love that transcends sex" and finally is blessed and sanctioned by a guru figure, the Etifa. Having gone carefully through the zine, it seems to me that NOME 10 is quintessential of the 80's. There is no matter of fact approach. (A British writer once defined the ultimate K/S story as, "the red alert goes, Kirk and Spock jump out of bed and get on with the adventure.") There are no established stories (and very few at all in K/S). Is this the result of the Puritan backlash of AIDS? Is this why there are still so many first time stories? I wait hopefully for your reaction. (By the way, when the infamous Clause 27 of the Local Government Act is passed in Great Britain, which forbids the 'promotion' of homosexuality as a valid lifestyle, the writing of K/S will become technically illegal.)

Finally, I must say that I thought NOME 10 one of the best of the series; well-written, a good variety of stories, and thought provoking. [65]

Issue 11

cover of issue #11, Pat Horowitz

Nome 11 was published in June 1988 and contains 384 pages. Art by Pat Horowitz (front cover), Caro Hedge, and Lee Wyatt.

It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey.

From the editorial:

This has been a difficult year for us on a number of levels... [some personal information snipped]... in these past few months we have begun to experience some serious ambivalence toward fandom for the first time.

There have been many positive things happening—the response to NOME 10 in general, and the LoC column (which was fantastic—keep it coming!) in particular, and, of course, the outcome of the first annual SURAK Awards, held at Shore Leave last summer. NOME won in several categories, as did some of our authors and artists. This was a great thrill for us all, and we want to thank all of you for your continued support and interest.

Balancing this, however, was the sudden dissolution of a friendship we had perceived as valuable, and the deeply disappointing response from fandom to our flier for HEARTSTRINGS. (We have abandoned this project as a separate entity; instead, a HEARTSTRINGS section will be presented in each subsequent issue of NOME—commencing in this issue with "No Greater Gift," Toni's last, unpublished story.)

Finally, this year we have been subjected to several vicious and unprovoked attacks by another segment of the K/S community. These, we admit, have managed to tip the balance of our fannish experience to the negative and given us cause to wonder if we actually do want to continue NOME on an ongoing basis (and we consider one issue per year to be ongoing). We begin to question whether our aim—to produce a quality zine that is representative of fandom at its best (and, at its best, fandom is very special indeed)—is worth the cost in slurs and libelous insinuations, which have wafted our way since the spring of 1987.

Of course, should we decide to suspend publication of NOME—or even to discontinue it as an annual event—we will be allowing these above-mentioned elements to defeat us...and probably assist them in achieving their goal in the first place. Hence our quandary. We'd appreciate your thoughts on this matter—we have always valued our readers' input.

The editors comment on the long-running Elwyn Conway series:

Speaking of input: that is exactly what we didn't get from Elwyn Conway this year. Unfortunately, we do not have the next chapter in her saga, although we do have the final story. As some of you may know, Elwyn lives in Australia, so contact with her is primarily by mail. After many letters and attempts at telephone contact, we were forced to make the editorial decision to print the final piece in the saga, which takes place after STAR TREK: THE WRATH OF KHAN and before STAR TREK: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK—"Genesis Aftermath: Before the Search." Several interim chapters in the saga are, as yet, unwritten. Should we be able to reestablish contact with Elwyn and, should she write these missing parts, we will still consider reediting the work as a whole and publishing it separately as a NOME Special Edition... NEWS FLASH: Just two days before our deadline—we were inputting this editorial, in fact—we received word from Elwyn Conway! She has been extremely ill this year, but is now feeling better and is resuming work on the "missing" chapters! The possibility of her completing her saga now looks more promising. If you are interested in a re-edited, collected edition of her complete novel (which may have to be printed in two volumes), please send us a SASE marked "Conway—Saga." If enough interest is shown, we will bring these volumes out next year. [66]

Art is included at the publisher's request.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 11

See reactions and reviews for Just as the Twig is Bent.

See reactions and reviews for Thinking About Slash/Thinking About Women.

See reactions and reviews for Medical Mind.

See reactions and reviews for Lie Down with Love.

See reactions and reviews for Mirror Allegiance.

See reactions and reviews for Pas de Deux.

See reactions and reviews for Genesis Aftermath.

See reactions and reviews for No Greater Gift.

[zine]: My favorite thing in NOME 11 is a Spock death sonnet, "Through Which I Could Not Touch" by Flora Poste. After that came the stories, a nice mix of types and lengths, all meeting impressive standards of writing and characterization. The end (but not the middle) of Elwyn Conway's saga is here; a passage between Kirk and McCoy, placed after Genesis and before they know about Spock'skatra. It suffers a bit from the need to fit with STIII, but it's still a fine vintage, if you like love and tears. I do. I'm sad to say that Flora Poste's saga winds up in this issue. This is a more cheerful story than the previous ones, a little less gut-clenching, with more trust and less doubt. It's told partly in multi-layered flashbacks. Also: Two nice vignettes, one a thoughtful chat between Spock and McCoy before Kirk's birthday, and one a delicately imagined day in Spock's life as a member of the ENTERPRISE family; A chance to see Spock and McCoy practice medicine together during a planetary disaster; A young officer learns from Kirk and Spock about the give and take between loving equals; A mystery story—Spock is accused of murder and believes himself guilty. Kirk won't stand for it; A mirror universe story about Kirk and Spock in Starfleet Academy; Edi Bjorklund has an essay, "Thinking About Slash/Thinking About Women," that's interesting and informative—a feminist perspective on K/S; This begins to resemble a table of contents. Frankly, I thought all the prose in this issue was excellent. If you'd rather, you can just print, "Thumbs up for NOME 11." P.S. NOME also now has a long LoC column—a feature more zines should copy. [67]

Issue 12

cover of issue #12, Arleen Geller

Nome 12 was published in July 1991 and contains 286 pages. The binding is bold bound. Arleen Geller is the front cover artist. There is no interior art.

sample page from issue #12
sample page from issue #12

It was edited by Victoria Clark and Barbara L. Storey.

From the editorial:

...we also became quite heavily involved in another fandom — and if you think STAR TREK fandom has its problems, believe us, ST is all sweetness and light compared to what goes on in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. But then, there may be something to that old adage. . . . "everything is either good or bad by comparison." It took us rather more time to compile enough material for this issue and you'll notice that much of what we have is episode-related. This may be due, in part, to our own diversities of interest. Also, quite possibly, to the schism created between "Classic STAR TREK" and STAR TREK: The Next Generation, which has had a definite impact on the fandom. On a sadder note, it is also true that two of our most loyal and prolific contributors —Flora Poste and Elwyn Conway—have ceased writing indefinitely, due to ill health, leaving a void which can never be filled. It is to Flora and Elwyn, friends of so many years whose words who have enhanced so many issues of NOME, that we dedicate our twelfth issue.

The stories and poems below are reprints of works by Toni Cardinal-Price. The editors called this section "Heartstrings," and it is in memory of Toni.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 12

See reactions and reviews for Two Blind Mice.

See reactions and reviews for A Man of Integrity.

See reactions and reviews for A Matter of Approval.

See reactions and reviews for Coming Home.

See reactions and reviews for Sand Castles.

See reactions and reviews for A Change of Mind.

See reactions and reviews for Apotheosis.

See reactions and reviews for Hand to Hand.

[Simply Love]: "Simply Love" was memorable among an excellent group of poems in NOME 12. I could almost hear Kirk slapping Spock's hand away,and I could clearly hear Spock's side of the dialogue even though not a word of it was written. And the poem, though long, was remarkably consistent in tone, except for the third stanza. The references to the "first Vulcan' Kirk had ever seen did not seam to fit, and I think maybe a shorter discussion of that trip to New York would have made this a better piece of writing. And the transition in the last stanza on page 207, following "Whew! As I was saying ...."also seemed a bit abrupt. Maybe eliminating the word "Yet" would have restored some of the cadence which I found a bit choppy here. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this poem. It shows just the sort of open-minded casual intimacy I love to read about. And it's got to be the first time I've ever read of Kirk calling Spock "dear one." Was that a slightly sarcastic tone I hear there? [68]

References

  1. ^ Media Fandom Oral History Project Interview with Barbara Storey
  2. ^ A 2007 Interview with Victoria Clark
  3. ^ an interview which was published in Legacy
  4. ^ an interview which was published in Legacy
  5. ^ from an interview with Suzan in Legacy #1
  6. ^ from Scuttlebutt #16
  7. ^ from Academy Chronicles #7
  8. ^ from Communicator #23 (May 1985)
  9. ^ Denise Dion's June 4, 2012 post to the K/S Zine Friends Facebook Group, quoted with permission.
  10. ^ from Media Fandom Oral History Project Interview with Jane Mailander
  11. ^ from Virgule-L (March 6, 1996)
  12. ^ from Datazine #7
  13. ^ from Universal Translator #3
  14. ^ from Datazine #3
  15. ^ from Scuttlebutt #16
  16. ^ from a notice by the editor in Datazine #15
  17. ^ from The K/S Zine: The Time of the Beginning 1976-1985
  18. ^ Media Fandom Oral History Project Interview with Barbara Storey
  19. ^ from the editors
  20. ^ from TREKisM #18
  21. ^ from Stardate #10 (1981)
  22. ^ from Datazine #19
  23. ^ from Communicator #6 (June 1982)
  24. ^ from The K/S Press #89
  25. ^ from K/S & K.S. (Kindred Spirits) #6 (1983)
  26. ^ from Not Tonight, Spock! #7
  27. ^ from The K/S Press #139
  28. ^ from The K/S Press #139
  29. ^ from The K/S Press #139
  30. ^ from The K/S Press #139
  31. ^ from K/S & K.S. (Kindred Spirits) #6
  32. ^ from The K/S Press #65
  33. ^ from Datazine #41
  34. ^ from Not Tonight Spock! #11
  35. ^ from Not Tonight Spock! #12
  36. ^ In this comment by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, she uses "Sime/Gen" rather than "Sime~Gen." It is unclear if this was deliberate, a typo by the editor of Treklink, or if it was because the typewriter didn't include a "~" key.
  37. ^ comments by Jacqueline Lichtenberg in Treklink #2
  38. ^ from "touched" #6, the editor of "touched" adds a comment, see Another Addict Raves About K/S
  39. ^ from K/S & K.S. (Kindred Spirits) #19 (1986)
  40. ^ from The K/S Press #91
  41. ^ from the LoC section in Nome #10
  42. ^ from the LoC section in Nome #10
  43. ^ from the LoC section in Nome #10
  44. ^ from the LoC section in Nome #10
  45. ^ from the LoC section in Nome #10
  46. ^ from On the Double #3
  47. ^ from the LoC column in Nome #10
  48. ^ from The K/S Press #57
  49. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  50. ^ from 1988, in The Unique Touch #2
  51. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  52. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  53. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  54. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  55. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  56. ^ from Jacqueline Lichtenberg's LoC in Nome #11
  57. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  58. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  59. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  60. ^ from a LoC in Nome #11
  61. ^ from Datazine #49
  62. ^ from On the Double #7/8
  63. ^ from Treklink #11
  64. ^ by Jane Carnall from The Unique Touch #2
  65. ^ from a LoC by Jane Carnall in Nome #11
  66. ^ This zine, and any further chapters, did not come to fruition.
  67. ^ from Treklink #14
  68. ^ from The LOC Connection #35
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