Shadowstar/Issues 10-11
Issue 10
Shadowstar 10 was published in Spring 1983 and contains 128 pages.
[From the editorial]:Last week, I listened to the final episode in the National Public Radio version of "The Empire Strikes Back." Now, When NPR did "Star Wars," they used the 6 1/2 hours they had well. They expanded the story, gave us more background, more detail, real meat to chew on. It was admirable, giving the listener a feeling of freshness, of hearing something really new. Not so with "TESB." Not only were the 10 episodes dismayingly short — averaging 20 minute — they were padded with bits of non-nutritive filler, pure junk food. Daley couldn't even come up with new catch phrases; he lifted at least two directly from his novels. And...aw, let's be blunt. THE WRITING STANK. When I listened to Episode One, I thought, "Well, listen to this! The actors have gotten better! No whiny Solo! No panting Princess! This is going to be good!" Unfortunately, while most of the acting improved, the writing took a nose dive. As the weeks wore on, I grew more and more dismayed. Then came the capper: the "Dinner on Bespin" scene, where ol' Darthie tells us in disgusting detail everything he's going to do before he does it. I nearly whoopsed my cookies. Come on, guys! I could've written it better! And I hate to say it, but Brock Peters' overacting only made it worse. It just wasn't Vader. "See how your guns flies across the table and into my hand??????" Why didn't the reaction to this feat come out of Han's mouth? It would've made more sense, and sounded better. After this, I had terrible visions of the torture and carbon freeze scenes. I was sure Vader was going to stand there and give us the blow-by-blow. Not so. He saved it for later, in his fight with Luke. GAGGG!!! I'm not the greatest afficianado of Mr. Daley's works, but this was terrible, even for him. J.R. tells me I ought to sit down immediately after comes out, write a radio play for it, and send it to Lucasfilm. He figures anything's gotta be better than what they did with "TESB," and I've had a measure of success adapting short stories to the stage. Maybe I will. This last radio play was an immense disappointment. All things considered, I left wondering if Luke even knows that anything happened between Han and Leia. Perhaps he doesn't, and, given the rest of the play, maybe he's better off that way.
I'd like to give the following awards to persons in that cast: Billy Dee Williams for the Most Overacted first scene (the way it came out, we expected him to say something trite like "Slap me five, brother"); Brock Peters for the Most Overacting by a Performer who should've known better (he was much better in the NPR SW), and whoever did the voice of Yoda for the Best Imitation of a Horse.
Do I sound rather harsh? Maybe I'm being a little extreme. It's just that some people seem to think that if it bears the words "Star Wars," I'll love it instantly. Actually, I'm far more critical of the things I love; I expect more from them. After the commendable job they did with SW, it was sad to see the things they did — or didn't do — with TESB. I was very disappointed. Better luck next time, guys.
That's about all. As of this writing, it's about a month until the release of Return of the Jedi. Despite my disenchantment with NPR' s "Empire," I still await the next film with bated breath.
- A Letter from the Editor (1)
- Penumbra, Readers' Letters (2)
- Shady Thoughts: "Why Do You Waste Your Time Writing This Stuff?" by Roberta Stuemke (7)
- The Choice by Lori J. Juliano (10)
- Alderaan Lady by Bernadette Krebs (filk to the tune of "Indian Lady") (12)
- Immortal Adversary by Mary Jean Holmes (13)
- Fly Free by Karen Klinck (26)
- Bounty Hunter, song by M.J. Holmes (27)
- The History of Rheta, part two by Mary Wood (28)
- "After Wooka". Archived from the original on 2002-03-10. by Linda Ruth Pfonner (part one) (sequel to "To Wooka") (30) (After facing considerable obstacles, the Millennium Falcon returns to the Rebel Base, only to find that the Rebellion believes her crew to be traitors.)
- The Metalloids by L.J. Juliano (53)
- Sandcastle by Lori J. Juliano (61)
- I Saw Talla Again Today by Marcia Brin (62)
- Night Lord by Misty Lackey (Long before the invention of Vader, Dark Lords of another nature walked the Earth, and not all of them were evil.) (64)
- Fairy Tale, conclusion by Debra Sears (72)
- Someone is Watching by Kathryn Sullivan (84) (Something evil is stalking the galaxy espers, and it's up to Janice to find it and destroy it.)
- Impression by Karen Ann Weikert (93)
- Cantina Customers by Karen Klinck (filk to the tune of "Please, Mister, Please") (94)
- No Place Left to Run, part two of a Star Wars novel by Mary Jean Holmes (As the novel continues, our heroes discover another threat, sabotage, treacherous enemies, and the bounty hunter on Ord Mantell.) (95)
- ads (128)
- art by Mary Jean Holmes (front and back covers), L.J. Juliano (front cover), Kyym Kimpel, Gwen Llewellyn, Karen Pauli, Carol Paulson
from issue #10, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #10, L.J. Juliano
from issue #10, Kyym Kimpel
from issue #10, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #10, L.J. Juliano
from issue #10, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #10
from issue #10, Misty Lackey
from issue #10, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #10, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #10, L.J. Juliano
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10
Well, you did it. I don't know of any other 'zine that has- had ten regular issues of high caliber, as SHADOWSTAR has proved to be. Plain and simple, I love it, and that's not because the editor had deigned to publish a few pieces of my writing and filks.
I guess I'll carry this thing cover to cover. The front cover collage is, as usual, marvelous. My favorite is "It Broke." ((the frontpiece from "After Wooka," part one.)) (How I wish I'd had the credits to bid on it at MediaWest*Con!) The new graphic you're using is nice, although I have to get used to them, after nine issues of the old ones.
As usual, I enjoyed the LoCs, and the incidental illos that accompany them are terrific.
Shady Thoughts covered something that I've had to combat ever since I started writing fanfic. Try explaining fanfic and derivate fiction to a college creative writing instructor! It's a lost cause. So, I just let the nasty comments go in one ear and out the other as much as I can.
"Choice" is a good piece to begin with. I really enjoy writing that makes you think, and Ms. Juliano has done well with this short-short.
Oh, gee, "Alderaan Lady." Who is this Miss Krebs, anyhow? Thanks for making it look so good.
I want to see more of the Annals of the Tavrenese. I could get lost in such a world and not come back. Origi nal fiction is a major reason I like SHADOWSTAR. Maybe I'll even get up the nerve to submit my Drennar universe stories . . .
"Bounty Hunter" made a hit with a friend of mine who admires Boba Fett to distraction. When can we have the music to it? ((Ed: As soon as I have the time and facilities available to sit down and cut a tape of my 30-odd SW songs. Issue #2 of The Perpetually Incomplete Fi Iksimer is supposed to be a tape- with-words-and-chords sort of things, but alternately, time constrictions and budget problems have prevented it. So, real soon now...))
"The History of Rheta" is a good article. I want to see more of this, if possible. I really enjoyed the Rheta stories that have been printed in past issues, and hope to be given more in the future.
Hmm, more serials. That's not fair. You finish "Fairy Tale," and give us part one of "After Wooka." Grr.
I'm running out of time, so I'll have to be really quick with the rest. No Place Left to Run is definitely the best of the novels so far. Keep up the good work.
Mr. Juliano's artwork, both incidental and in the "Metalloids" is fantastic.
"Night Lord" was interesting. Is there going to be more of this vampire to be seen in future issues?
"Someone Is Watching" is a very nice piece. I was wondering if we'd get to see more of Janice and Apson. The poetry and filks were terrific, and up to the high standards of the 'zine.
Marcia Brin's "I Saw Talla Again Today" was one I liked in particular. It's logical that Han would have had other women in his life that meant something to him, and the loss of that woman could be a factor in making him what he is.
Keep up the good work — I'm waiting eagerly for #11. [1]
I just got back from MediaWest*Con, where I picked up my very first issue of SHADOWSTAR ~ #10. I am very im pressed with the mix and caliber of writing in your 'zine, and am looking forward to #11. "Immortal Adversary" was a very enjoy able story. I'm glad you had the oppor tunity to include it. I read this story while I was sitting, waiting for the play Amadeus to begin, and I thought I'd scream when the lights went down. Luckily, I got to finish the story at intermission. Hope we'll see more of your original.work.
I found "After Wooka" extremely enjoy able. I loved the relationship develop ment between Han and Luke, and the jealousy of Chewie. Can't wait to see how this one ends up! Of course, now I'm going to have to order #6, to read "To Wooka."
I'm afraid I didn't understand "The Metalloids" at all, but "Sandcastles," which followed, was real nice. Marcia Erin's poem about Talla was real nice, too. "Night Lord" was different — and enjoyable. I liked it. "Fairy Tale," on the other hand, was so con fusing. This one was too far out for me, I'm afraid. "Someone Is Watching" was kind of spacy, too — but good, real good. It was scary and tense writing — just perfect for the story. And, of course, there's No Place Left To Run. I was very impressed with this story, but again, I have to wait to find out what happens. No fair! I especially liked the characterizations of Han and Leia, although Luke seems like a bit of a twit when he chews
Han out. [2]
I totally agree with Shady Thoughts and your reply. I've only been in fandom a little over three years, but I've already encountered people of the type you mentioned. It was especial ly brought home to me at Chicon last year. Although I enjoyed the con in general, nowhere have I encountered such cliques as I did there. The gap was especially noticable between printed SF fans and media SF fans. Why can't people forget their differences and concentrate on what they have in common? Ah, well, fandom — like true love — never runs smooth.
"The Choice." I must have been half asleep when I read it — I didn't understand it. What was the choice? Where did the illos fit in? Your other works are fantastic, Lori. I'd like to hear from you on this. < ref> from a letter of comment in "Shadowstar" #11</ref>
Kathy Sullivan — the next H. P. Lovecraft? Her story was something else, wasn't it? I think she should do more stories with a horror I slant. She exhibits a grit I've not noticed in her other writing.
SHADOWSTAR #10 was another long- awaited dream-come-true. Every thing was super, but "Someone Is Watching" had to be the gem of the issue.
While I'm on the topic of horror, vampire stories are the most worn-out genre. Talk about overworked subject matter! Of course, this is only my opinion. That's why I can't understand why I liked Misty Lackey's "Night Lord." I think I was fascinated with the thief and healer ideas. The final understatement about the graves neatly ended the tale. I assume Misty did her own art? It reminded me of Japanese animation style. I forgot to write in my last letter the thing that I wanted to say most about #9. I loved the short poems. I think the idea was a unique and refreshing touch. The poetry it self had a big idea all in a neat and small package. It was nice to be able to not have to spend a long time reading to get to the end of a short story or a novel. I hope that this feature of SHADOWSTAR will be repeated in each issue to come.
Thank you for making Shadowstar #10 a reality. [1]
Since I haven't said it before, I very much appreciate your sure hand on my rough spots. I type so badly and so slowly that I nearly despair over the uneven bits — yet I can't bear to go through ALL THAT AGAIN and try some thing else. Beautiful editing job on "Night Lord!"
If you really think (from the mailbag) that people want to see more Dawntreader stories, in the words of the late Jimmy D., "I've got a million of 'em!" They're roughly based on the Andre Norton universe of The Last Planet et al, plus a few embellishments of my own.
I absolutely loved all of #10 (as per usual). Must say that I see no problem in writing derivate fiction; ultimately, all fiction is derivate — we are our roots. You'll notice that, though my stuff is supposedly "original," it owes tons to Tolkien ("Merry Xmas"), Andre Norton ("Graduation Day"), and Fred Saberhagen ("Night Lord"). The piece enclosed ((this issue's "Were Hunter")) owes its entirety to the song/video by Duran Duran,"Hungry Like the Wolf." So, as my postdoc friend Di (the direct inspiration for Diana Tregarde) says, "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke." Or, in translation, "If you don't like what I'm doing, ignore it or shut up about it." ((Ed: Actually, I would prefer to expand it to "Ignore it or write what you like yourself." To quote Henry Higgins: "If you can't appreciate what you've got, you'd better get what you can appreciate." This could apply well to many of fandom's anti-media people. Just because one person chooses not to "waste" his or her time in a certain pursuit doesn't make the pastime worth less or somehow invalid.)) [3]
Issue 11
Shadowstar 11 was published in Summer 1983 and contains 156 pages.
- Letter from the editor (1)
- Shady Thoughts: Our Writer's Guidelines: An Explanation by Mary Jean Holmes (2)
- Penumbra (4)
- Prelude by Roberta Stuemke (original science fiction, Traveller's role playing game) (11)
- The Contest, introduction of a contest for Star Wars fic based on an illo, winner planned to be printed in issue #14) (20)
- A Friendly Place by Misty Lackey (Diana Tregarde first appeared in "Merry Xmas to All" in Shadowstar #8.) (22)
- Word Search Puzzles by Lynda Vndriver (26)
- Shifting Sands by Lori Juliano (original fantasy) (28)
- "After Wooka". Archived from the original on 2002-03-10. by Linda Ruth Pfonner (part two) (sequel to "To Wooka") (Star Wars) (33)
- After After Wooka by Linda Ruth Pfonner ("The following segment was not originally a part of this story. However, after urging by both the editor and other readers at MediaWestCon, Linda graciously provided this addenda, to answer a few burning questions: what happened to Major Sandor and the cat? To this end, we present what I refer to as: After After Wooka.") (Star Wars) (56)
- They Wait, poem by Kathryn Agel (Star Wars) (62)
- The Dragon by L.J. Juliano (The Shadow, comic) (63)
- Wisdom, a Song by Mary Jean Holmes (68)
- Were-Hunter by Misty Lackey (In a letter of comment in this issue, Lackey wrote: "The piece enclosed in this issue ("Were Hunter") owes its entirety to the song/video by Duran Duran,"Hungry Like the Wolf."") (70)
- The Fall of Castle Merrimac by Rosalinda Arias (original fantasy) (73)
- Magic-Bringer, poem by Karin Zygowicz (83)
- The Parting by Carol Paulson (84)
- Chameleon by Misty Lackey (Dawntreader, sequel to "Graduation Day" in issue #9) (86)
- No Place Left to Run, part three of a SW novel by Mary Jean Holmes (Star Wars) (91)
- Think Art, poem by Lori Juliano (119)
- art by Jean Danielsen (back cover), Anne Davenport, Mary Jean Holmes (front cover), L.J. Juliano (front cover), Kyym Kimpel, Misty Lackey, Karen Pauli, Carol Paulson, Mary Wood
from issue #11, Mary Jean Holmes (the illo that was intended to spark contest entries)
from issue #11, Jean Danielsen
from issue #11, L.J. Juliano
from issue #11, detail from a page, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #11, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #11, Mary Wood
from issue #11, L.J. Juliano
from issue #11, Mary Jean Holmes
from issue #11, sample text
from issue #11, Mary Jean Holmes
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 11
"Sick Humor" may very well describe those certain cartoons (poor Kermit!), but definitely does not apply to the rest of this very nice issue!
Thanks for printing your writer's guidelines. It is helpful for any potential submitter to understand the rules of the game, so I'm sure many will appreciate this inclusion. I'm also sure it will help you as well. One editor on the east coast has finally pub lished her guidelines, mainly to eliminate hand written manuscripts! Some people know the basic rules, but a few must feel that an amateur editor isn't worth certain considerations. Publication of such guidelines should straighten out similar misunderstandings.
Best of luck to you! Penumbra was fascinating, as always. People sure do give you a lot of well-deserved compliments! Are you still embarrasssed when you print them, or are you finally discovering that all those people can't be wrong...?
Misty Lackey is proving to be quite a prolific and good writer! I couldn't help but think of Piers Anthony while reading "A Friendly Place," although Anthony's nightmares are much nicer beasts. Sun Nyun Moon wouldn't, I think, take too well to the spelling of his name, however... "Were-Hunter" was excellent, and although a bit short, kept me satisfyingly spellbound, awaiting the out come. Nice ending, that! "Chameleon" was also quite entertaining. There will be more of Darla and Dawntreader, will there not? Misty must keep writing! ((Ed: Don't worry, she hasn't stopped. There'll be more. Will there ever be more...!))
"Shifting Sands" was cute, but shifted a bit too much for me. I can't determine the connection be tween the mews and the children. I loved "Think Art," also by Lori. How thought provoking...I'm creative, therefore I am? Lovely stuff!
L.J.Juliano's (not to be confused with Lori, natch!) art continues to impress and amaze me, even after seeing it regularly in SHADOWSTAR and occasionally in DRAGONLORE. I still can't figure out how the guy does it! Did you know he also draws a monthly comic with some friends, too? I mean, Larry is obviously destined for greatness. I'd love to see some of his works in color — any chance of that happening in SHADOWSTAR? ((Ed: Not in the near future. The cost of color separation hereabouts is circa $500 per page, plus printing costs, which are absolutely outrageous. Someday, perhaps, but not in the foreseeable future.))
"Wisdom" — a beautiful poem. Thanks for writing and sharing it with us. The illustration accompanying it was also very nice.
Does Rosalinda Arias hail from Wisconsin? I can't help but relate the name of her castle to Merrimac, WI. Regardless of where she lives, I loved her story. A nice blend of fantasy with just a touch of SF — not enough to intrude, but enough to aid and enhance...very nicely done. Her description of the planet Eckqua "made entirely of crystal and glass. There were no dark places there..." makes me wonder if she has heard of ECKankar, commonly called ECK. ECK is all light and love and crystal colors, too. Interesting.
All in all, an extremely fine issue, and I look forward to many, many more! I have just one question; As a writer, artist, costumer, singer, musician, actress, editor, friend-co- many, and wife, too...do you have time to wash the dishes. If so, how do you fit it in!'[4]
I like the slightly new-and-improved graphics, but you've been so tantalyzingly close-mouthed about the new ones you're still working on, that I'm really getting very interested in seeing them. I hope they show up soon — I want to see what excites you so much.
Penumbra; Wonderful! Controversy! Criticism' People who actually think about what they're reading! I will confess that I did get a little irritated at some of the comments aimed at our story "Pleasure Cruise."
[...]
"Prelude" by Roberta Stuemke. Magnificent! Tell this girl to try submitting this tale or anything else she has of this caliber to a pro-zinel Pacing, structure, plot, all perfectly assembled. And the ending is excellently done. I'm running out of superlatives, already!
page 18; I've loved this cartoon since I saw it at MediaWest. I'm glad to have my own copy of it, now. Thanks for printing.
"A Friendly Place" by Misty Lackey. Very plausible; I've been told that the Spiritualists really do believe that there is no evil Beyond — as if Hitler's soul could have been made beneficent, just because he died! Surely, if there was no Evil, how could we define Good? The Universe is a Balance between the Light and the Dark. I like the ending of the story, too — it fits the tale well. Excellent.
"Shifting Sands" by Lori Juliano. Title page is lovely. The story is wonderfully crafted; such a command of the language I wish I had! But I didn't understand it at all. What do the two mews have to do with the two children? And what did the old man have to do with the unicorn?
"After Wooka": yes, well. Subtly edited; nicely illustrated... "After After Wooka": In my own defense, let me point out that this was written very quickly after MediaWest, where people all jumped pn me, wanting to know what had happened to Major Sandor and Raksha. I'll admit I was touched that so many people were concerned about my cat; she's not really very likable.
"They Wait" by Kathryn Agel. Very touching. One could argue fine points, like Han doesn't have golden eyes, they're hazel, and Leia's aren't sable, they're dark brown, and sable means black or dark brown with a black overlay. But it doesn't matter. The poem is lovely. And the illo isn't bad, either.
"Dragon" by Larry Juliano. This is weird, I always look at this serial, mostly because the artwork is so striking; I have no idea what's going on, and I can't figure it out, no matter how many times I reread it. Oh, well. The art alone is enough to justify its existence. But is that one creature on page 66 supposed to look so much like H.R. Giger's Alien?
"Wisdom" by M.J. Holmes. Lovely, simply as a poem. Next time I see you, I'd like to hear you sing it. Please? The illo isn't a bad portrait, but the shadows are so dark, it's hardly recognizable as our favorite little blond hero. Not that he locked terribly blond in RotJ...
"Were-Hunter" by Misty Lackey. Very nice turn on the usual theriomorph stories, thoroughly ambiguous on all the details, except the important ones. Wonderful!
[4]
Fan letter time!
Got #11 in the mail, right on time (which is amazing, because the Postal Disservice lost all four packages of manuscripts I sent out the week after Labor Day — good thing I stopped sending originals).
Spent a very enjoyable evening devouring same from front to back, no pauses.
"Prelude" was different — I liked it quite a bit; I've had music speak to me before this, my self ("Coq d'Or Suite" to be precise), so I know whereof Roberta Stuemke speaks.
I thought the last time I read something by Lori Juliano, that she reminded me a bit of Ray Brad bury — now, after "Shifting Sands," I'm sure of it. "After Wooka" definitely turned me on — I'm a sucker for psi-meld stories, and Linda Pfonner handles the subject very deftly.
I found the blend of magic and (presumably?) tech nology in "The Fall of Castle Merrimac" rather intriguing. Is there more? ((Not at the moment, sad to say,)) "The Parting" was perfect. Not too long, not too short, a lovely little gem.
Oh, yes — your own multi-parted magnum opus. Damn you for leaving us high and dry at the end of each issue, anyway! Now I'll have to wait until Christmas to find out what happens next! Grr!
Since no one ever seems to mention the poetry, I will. Darn good, all of it, but particularly, "Think Art."[4]
I'm a tad jealous of Misty Lackey's "Night Lord" story. I've often wondered if a story couldn't be done showing a vampire to be as human as a living person (not counting DC Comics' Andrew Bennett of the "I Vampire" series), but could never come up with a working plot. Thank the Force there's someone else in fandom who had a similar thought, but was able to do something about it. [4]
I will admit that, at first, I thought I might be turned off by the media-based Star Wars stories. I am currently working on a Doctor Who story, and I have great appreciation for those writers who are able to tap into the characters of another, and give them deeper characterizations than hoped for in books or film. An excellent job overall. I especially liked "After Wooka;" the writing and situation were totally believable and well-done.
I find it ironic that the poem following my story, "Magic Bringer," was by Karin Zygowicz, the same person who first encouraged me to submit "Castle Merrimac." I'm glad that she did suggest it. After trying to submit this story to all of the major science fiction/fantasy magazines and getting nothing but rejection slips, your acceptance letter came as a bringer of joy. It is a great boost in my writing hopes and it helped to just affirm my own thoughts of, "Hey kid, you're not such a bad writer, after all." Thanks again.[4]