Pon Farr Press
| Zine Publisher | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Pon Farr Press |
| Contact: | Della Van Hise |
| Type: | fanfic |
| Fandoms: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Status: | inactive |
| Other: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Pon Farr Press published numerous popular and widely-read K/S zines from 1979-1995. Some of their zines have been collected as part of ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.
List of Zines Published
5 of Hearts: The Collected Short Novels of Alexis Fegan Black | The 25th Year | Against All Odds | Beyond the Veil | A Collection of Dreams | Coming of Age | Covert Action | Crossroads | Daybreak | Dreams of the Sleepers | Fever | The Fifth Hour of Night | Dreams of the Sleepers | Imaginary Lines | K/S Collected | Naked Times | Oasis | Oath of Bondage | Otherwhere/Otherwhen | Off Duty | Private Possessions | A Question of Balance | Psychic Storm... and other K/S stories | Speed of Light... & other K/S stories | Starry Seas, Earthly Planes | Styx and Stones | Taking Command | Time Out of Mind | Unholy Alliances | Vagabonds | Warlords | The Year of the Ram
From a 1992 Submission Request
K/S NOVELS -- As one of the longest-running and most experienced K/S publishers, Pon Farr Press is now actively soliciting for K/S novels. Novels can be any length (over 50,000 words, that is), and can deal with any aspect of the K/S relationship. Mirror universe, 5-year mission, time-period, alternate universe, pre-Reform Vulcan, "slave" stories -- all welcome! Friendly, easy-to-work-with editor will give you the time and attention your work deserves. New writers welcome, established writers strongly encouraged. For some of our previous novels, see THE WAY HOME, (Sharon St. James), AN OATH OF BONDAGE, (Sharon Pillsbury), TIME OUT OF MIND, (Keith Donovan, Nathan St. Germain), and the novels of Alexis Fegan Black. Payment in copies of your novel, or for other zines from Pon Farr Press. A great way to fill out your collection without having to deplete your pocketbook.
A 1993 Offer Due to Dwindling Sales
In a flyer printed in Taemon's Cuckoos, there was this statement:
SAVE 10% -15%!!!
In an effort to rekindle a seemingly dwindling interest in K/S, all orders of less than $100 are available at a 10% discount!! Orders in excess of $100 can save even more - 15%! Depending on how much you order, it's like getting zines for free! So come on and take advantage of this offer by returning this original flyer with your order. Order now! Offer expires February 15, 1993! (Not valid outside the US & Canada).
PLEASE NOTE! My apologies for any orders still outstanding at this time. Due to our recent move, I've been having some problems w/the xerox machine as well as w/locating a new printer not shocked by K/S. Add that to working on a pro novel & my time has shrunk dramatically. At any rate, all outstanding orders will be filled prior to 3/1/93, or may be picked up at ESCAPADE if you'll be attending. Apologies & regards - A.F.B.
Bill Hupe Agents the Zines
From the winter 1993 mailer by Bill Hupe:
... at Media West* Con, we started agenting Pon Farr Press fanzines; both their new and reprinted titles. As some of the reprints of foil covers do not turn out all that well, some people have questioned (rightly so), their legitimacy, and in such cases we produced the publisher's inventory sheet as well as authorization to sell. As of this point in time, the publisher has started to include a notice on the title page if a change of format has occurred. We keep on file a letter of authorization from each and every press we agent for, so if you ever have a question, please feel free to ask us, or even contact the original publisher if you have any doubts. With this point in mind, Pon Farr Press elected a few days ago to offer us co-publication rights. This means that we agent all of Pon Fan Press titles, and we have permission to produce copies from masters we have been provided with, All volumes that we print ourselves contain a 'printed with permission' statement. If you have any questions, please just ask us, or write Pon Far Press [sic] directly if so inclined.
From a 1994 ad in On the Double:
IF YOU WANT FASTER DELIVERY, BILL HUPE AND PEG KENNEDY HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO SELL ALL PON FARR PRESS PUBLICATIONS EXCEPT FIVE OF HEARTS. NECROPOLIS. KILLING TIME. AND MY SOUL TO SLEEP.
Also, Some Changes in Mailing Policies
From a 1994 ad in On the Double:
We regret that we can no longer be responsible for orders lost, stolen, confiscated or destroyed when enroute [sic] to countries other than the US. The best possible care is taken when packaging overseas orders, but due to the whims of custom officials, and the hazards befalling overseas orders, we can no longer accept responsibility for replacement of lost zines. Overseas fans wishing to purchase their zines via surface mail (which can take 60-90 days), rates are available as follows: add $2 per zine to the US price. SPECIAL NOTICE TO OVERSEAS FANS: Unfortunately, insurance is no longer available on overseas orders due to the problems which have been encountered with customs and duty. Personally, I don't understand the system, but I've been told by postal officials that the chances of a package being opened are actually increased when insurance is purchased, so...while insurance could be purchased, I don't recommend it for K/S orders.
Pon Farr Folds Up Its Tent: 1994
From a notice in Media Monitor #10 (winter 1994):
Quitting fandom. After 16 years of editing, writing, and producing fanzines, Pon Farr Press has decided it's time to quit. Due to other commitments on my life, as well as the fact that zines are no longer breaking even for me, I find it necessary to fold all production of Pon Farr Press zines. In the future, my zines will be available from Bill Hupe.... For the record, this is not an open invitation for zine pirates to have a field day with my titles.. Also, this notice does NOT apply to Mkashef Enterprises nor to Wendy Rathbone.
The Tent Was Back Open in 1996
Sometime between 1994 and 1996, Pon Farr Press began publishing zines again.
From an Open Letter by Dovya Blacque in Come Together #27 (March 1996):
MKASHEF Enterprises has not and cannot assume responsibility for any order considered "outstanding" or pending with PON FARR PRESS. However, MKASHEF is offering the following information: "PON FARR PRESS has filled all orders received. From the many letters Alexis Fegan Black has received regarding lost orders, she is estimating that approximately 140 zines have been lost. She has also narrowed the time period of these losses to two particular, large mailings she did in July 1994 and December 1994. "As of August 1995, PON FARR PRESS is out of business. It is bankrupt. There is no money. However, Alexis has every intention of re-filling all orders which have been lost. At the moment, she is unable to take much action as, stated above, there simply are no funds with which to print any replacement zines. She will replace all zines for which she has received copies of canceled checks within the next 12 months [the letter was undated]. This will be a slow process simply due to the lack of money available.... "These orders will be filled through MKASHEF but not by MKASHEF. Again, I do not and cannot accept any responsibility for whatever remaining business anyone has with PON FARR PRESS.... "Anyone who has worked with MKASHEF in the past knows I honor all orders I hope my track record will be enough for everyone to extend to me the respect of acknowledging my word as confirmation regarding Alexis and her actions concerning her zine business. There is nothing underhanded or dishonest gang on here. Alexis feels bad that the situation has become so complicated and has every intention of making all commitments good as soon as one of the many writing projects with which she is involved comes through. Thank you for your patience and understanding.