Star Trekkers: All Channels Open
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| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Star Trekkers: All Channels Open |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Jan Seifert and Vicky Walters |
| Type: | |
| Date(s): | June 1988-to at least autumn 1989 |
| Frequency: | |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Trek |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Star Trekkers: All Channels Open was a newsletter for people who were fans of Star Trek. The content wasn't always Star Trek-related, however, and in some ways this newsletter functioned a bit like an APA.
Description from Its Creators
When asked why we started the newsletter, we at first found ourselves at a loss for an answer. Somehow at the end of the discussion we both decided we had Katy Keene to blame! Now who Is Katy Keene? A number of years ago, Katy was a comic book character who portrayed the life of a fashion model according to Bill Woggon, her creator at that time. We both enjoyed sending Mr, Woggon fashion designs for Katy to wear. Mr. Woggon would dress his model in the fashions the readers sent in. Vicky and I met through a pen-pal bulletin board in a Katy Keene comic book issue and the discovery of communicating through correspondence brought a great deal of satisfaction to both of us. Eventually we crossed each other's path in college. During a difficult period in my life, Vicky came to my aid. It was then she aided me with my activities in another Star Trek group. Since not all groups are for everyone, Vicky decided to try an idea she had and asked if I would help her. We decided to advertise in "Star Trek The Official Magazine" that we were forming this group and see what happened. Over a period of months a number of enquires came in and through correspondence we asked for input from these folks. Their ideas began w formulate the basis for a newsletter shared among those with a common interest in Star Trek. Much of the newsletter format underwent changes from month to month as one idea sparked another and members of the group followed through. Our masthead, for instance, is the contribution of Jon Hook, one of the talented crew. Although a small group, we find that we all are involved for "the fun of it!" (as Gene Roddenberry pointed out at last year's Creation Con in Los Angeles). And that's what we all have been having - from novelettes, to cartoon booklets, to the creation of characters. Since Vicky was not out for fame or fortune, it was decided that the newsletter would become a center for pen-pals to correspond through and share with a group in various projects which members suggest. Therefore in order to obtain any one issue, correspondence with headquarters is necessary. The first issue was sent out in June of 1988 and was four pages big. The newsletter has since undergone some changes and we experimented with ways to get more into less space, finally arriving at the format we have now. (Which, a little over a year later, sometimes reaches 20 - 24 pages each month.) As the newsletter grows and the crew members increase, one day we shall probably have to carry everything off to the printers for the finished copies. Expenses information-wise are pretty equal. Most of the members send us ideas, thoughts etc coating them approximately 25c to 50c and receive in return an issue which cost approximately 45c - 50c - much like a pen-pal exchange. We do have some overseas members which create slightly higher expenses - but here again, there are expenses on both sides of the sea. Since both Vicky and I have home equipment related to our professional careers and have few vices (except maybe for doll collecting and Star Trek) when we're ready for just fun stuff, we tackle the next issue or project the 'crew' is involved in. [1]