On the Double Interview with Alexis Fegan Black

Interviews by Fans
Title:	On the Double Interview with Alexis Fegan Black
Interviewer:	On the Double
Interviewee:	Alexis Fegan Black
Date(s):	1987
Medium:	print
Fandom(s):	Star Trek TOS, slash
External Links:
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There was an interview with Alexis Fegan Black in On the Double #3. It was subtitled: "Who Are We."

A similar essay is On the Double Interview with Chris Soto.

Excerpts

[The stories I've written] that stand out in my mind are DREAMS OF THE SLEEPERS, THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS, A QUESTION OF BALANCE, FOREVER AUTUMN and YET SHALL HE LIVE. As to which is "most important" to me as the writer, I would have to say that the DREAMS OF THE SLEEPERS universe means more to me personally than any other writing I've done to date. Having an avid interest in metaphysics and out of body experiences, as well as being a long-time STAR TREK fan (before becoming a K/S fan), DOTS was probably my personal exploration that combined all of these interests. I've always felt that STAR TREK is a phenomena unto itself, and that, metaphysically speaking, it's "unusual/weird/uncanny" that so many of us who would otherwise be typically mundane people have been drawn in to the Trek universe hook, line & sinker. As for THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS, it's certainly the most fun I've ever had writing a story. I adore the "power" Spock possesses, and I've always had a sneaking suspicion that Kirk would like nothing more than to melt into the Vulcan's arms because he had to as well as because he wanted to. Kinky, I know, I know.

I'm not sure what single element "attracted" me to K/S. The main thing I remember is coming to the conclusion that I'd been wrong about K/S. When I was first exposed to the premise I was, quite honestly, livid. "That's Kirk and Spock, for God's sake! There aren't even any bathrooms on the Enter prise, and Spock is a Vulcan! I mean, heroes don't fool around... do they?" Then, after I read my first K/S story, I was curious, wanted to read more, and eventually became hooked.

As for exemplary works in the field of K/S, there have been so many that it's hard to name just one or two. Leslie Fish's THE END OF THE HURT/COMFORT SYNDROME just about says it all for me. COMPANION I also stands out in my mind as being an excellent collection of stories done in a unique fashion. As for recent zines, I'm sorry to say I'm way behind on my reading — mainly because I've been doing so much writing and attending so many conventions.

Outstanding artists, in my mind, would have to include Pat Stall, Marilyn Cole, Maureen B and Chris Soto and Gayle F; though my all-time favorite piece of Trek art is "Pride of the Clan" by Alice Jones. I'm also very fond of Ann Crouch's t-shirt-wearing Kirk's and Spock's. Her "Virgin" Spock was a real thrill.

Yes, I do [work under a pseudonym]— several of them, as a matter of fact. One of the main reasons is that I'm hopeful of publishing more professional books, and it seems that K/S is indeed frowned upon by some of the major publishing houses. Other reasons are that I enjoy reading honest letters of comment, and many letter-writers are more likely to give honest critique of a story if they don't know their letter is going straight into the hands of the editor/writer. I'd rather have honest negative criticism than insincere ego-boo, so I'll occasionally toss in a story under a different pseudonym for that reason.

I would love to see more K/S stories with metaphysical plots. Then again, I'm on record as being biased in that direction, so.... Mainly, I have been happy with the trend away from violence, rape and death stories recently…. Don't get me wrong, though. I don't mind the occasional tear-jerker death story that's got a point (i.e. the end story of COMPANION I). What I do mind are the stories which basically say, "They met, they fucked... and then they died". Or, almost worse are the stories which say, "They met, they talked... and then they fucked". As a reader, I want more substance than that."* Stories which, in my opinion, should be "outlawed" altogether are the stories dealing with extended torture and graphic scenes to depict same. I read K/S to get away from the 6 o'clock News, and if I pick up a zine with graphic violence done for the sake of shock value or to see how far the writer could push the editor, I won't read it — and I'll strongly encourage others not to read it either. K/S is about life and love in my opinion, not about torture and how awful death can be.