The Council Log

From Fanlore
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Zine
Title: The Council Log
Publisher: The Federation Council, a fan club in Oregon, US
Editor(s):
Date(s): 1983-1986
Series?:
Medium: print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom: multimedia
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

The Council Log is a gen multifandom zine with an emphasis on Star Trek.

It was published twice a year by a Star Trek fan club based in Oregon, US.

Special Issues of this zine were published in later years. These special issues include new material, as well as material from older issues.

NOTE: the fan club also published a monthly bulletin called Council Log (minus the "The") and it is very easy to get these two publications confused.

Issue 1

The Council Log 1 was published in 1983 and contains 32 pages. It was edited by Bernadette.

The art is by Oscar Hult and Karen Taylor. The zine also contains a single full-page publicity shot for the movie "Brainstorm."

The first issue was only available to club members.

front cover of issue #1
  • Just a Few Words, editorial (1)
  • The Writer, vignette by Calvin Littlefield (2)
  • The Phoenix Question? by Cynthia Coit (comments on the Phoenix books by Marshak and Culbreath: "Are the Kirk and Spock consistent with the T.V. series and movies in their character development in the Phoenix books?") (3)
  • Star Trek/Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea actor trivia (5)
  • Mopsie, cartoons featuring tribbles, by Oscar Hult (6)
  • The Saga of Starfleet Officer Kenny L. Jones (conclusion), fiction by Kenny L. Jones (the first part was published in the club's newsletter, of which the title is unknown) (Star Trek) (7)
  • Behemoth -- The Story Idea by Calvin Littlefield ("The only way to keep a fanzine on newsletter going is by getting material to print in it. This, however simple it sounds, is a never-endlng pain-in-the-neck. One hears almost every excuse in the book why this-or-that "just isn't ready yet" to be put into print. One famous line is "I just don't have any ideas for a story". Well, thanks to one member, we are going to attempt to remedy that excuse. "Behemoth" is the beginning of a short story submitted by Calvin Littlefleid. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to stir up your creatlue juices and finish it. We will publish the best effort in the next issue of Council Log (provided someone finishes the teaser). The winning author will receive a prize for his or her efforts. Good luck.") (original science fiction) (18)
  • Art Portfolio by Karen Taylor (Star Trek) (21)
  • Con Reports (24)
  • Movie News -- Brainstorm (31)
  • Mopsie, cartoons by Oscar Hult (30)

  • from issue #1, Karen Taylor

  • from issue #1, Karen Taylor

  • from issue #1, Oscar Hult

  • from issue #1, Oscar Hult

Issue 2

The Council Log 2 was published in 1984 and contains 48 pages.

front cover of issue #2, Signe Landon

The art is by Signe Landon and Oscar Hult.

From the editorial:

Not one word.

Not one word about ANY of the mistakes in this fanzine. Not about the typo's, the different type-styles, the occassional [sic] crooked margins, or misspellings [sic]. You are lucky it is here at all. This fanzine has survived four different typewriters (we usually use one, which is still in the shop for its second time during the creation of CL #2), three different typists, two pounds of chocolate (look, melts in your mouth, not on the fanzine) and several Oregon monsoons. If we were superstitious, we would seriously wonder if this was meant to be.

In any case, here it is. You will find this Council Log is a broader blend of fiction and non-fiction articles than the last one. Included are several poems by Jean Curely; three humerous [sic] short stories by Peter Horadan, Bernadette Voller,and Mary and Martha Stone (two TREK and a SPACE: 1999); and an informative listing of current Star Trek publications by Nancy Hoven.

The letter by Jean Curely, a response to Karen Taylor's con report for Westercon and her observations about the lack of respect for Trek fans from science fiction fans:

The Star Trek fans couldn't understand why the book fans didn't see how much better ST was than books. A fast writer might write three or four novels a year, but Star Trek had a new story every week! There was so much more diversity in ST, but the book fans just couldn't seem to see this. So the Star Trek fans started their own mini-fannish kingdom, complete with clubs, cons, and zines.

After the first impact, things calmed down a bit. The book and Trek fans started to slowly merge together. Small groups of mixed media (Time Tunnel, Planet of the Apes) and large groups of Star Trek fans were still joining, but adjustments were being made and accomodations [sic] sought (similar to the co-existance [sic] of sf fans and comic book collectors). There still was a rift, but it was slowly healing.

And then, in 1977, things changed again. Another giant influx of media fans invaded, this time devoted to Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The only thing they knew was their media, and again, that's all that they wanted to talk about. The Trek fans, understanding what was happening to these neofans, quietly adjusted. The book fans did not. They withdrew and went into shock again.

Things are slowly getting better now. The first influx of Trek fans gave the book fans experience to deal with the influx of media fans, so things are progressing faster than they did before. There's still a rift there. It may never completely heal. The media fans feel slighted — they don't think the book fans are giving the media a fair shake. A lot of the books fans aren't. The book fans don't believe that the media fans are willing to venture into the larger, more varied concepts found in books. A lot of media fans aren't. This is changing slowly.

Things are starting to balance out now. Hopefully, in time, a trufan will be defined as a person who likes science fiction in any form, is willing to ackowledge [sic] that each form has it's abilities and liabilities, and that all forms have their place in fandom.

  • Just a Few Words, editorial (1)
  • Letter, a response to the con report by Jean Curely for [the 1983 Westercon, one that wrote of Karen Taylor's puzzlement about lack of respect for Trek fans from science fiction fans (2)
  • When All Else Fails..., fiction by Mary and Martha Stone (Space: 1999) (3)
  • Tritical Pilaf, recipe (10)
  • Alien, poem by Jean Curely (11)
  • Reference: ST Publications by Nancy Hoven (a list of pro, for-profit publications) (12)
  • Infinity Limited, poem by Jean Curley (18)
  • If At First, fiction by Bernadette Voller (Star Trek: TOS) (19)
  • Mopsie, cartoons by Oscar Hult (21)
  • Word Scramble, puzzle by Peter Horadan (21)
  • Review: The Monthly Comic by T.E. Pouncey (22)
  • From a Disgruntled PBS Supporter, poem by Jean Curely (Doctor Who) (23)
  • Stardates, article by Peter Horadan (Star Trek: TOS) (24)
  • Comet, poem by Jean Curely (25)
  • Trivia by Peter Horadan (26)
  • Quest, fiction by Chris Hatton (original science fiction) (27)
  • Good Ship Enterprize, satire by Peter Horadan (Star Trek: TOS) (47)

  • from issue #2

  • from issue #2

  • from issue #2

  • from issue #2

Issue 3

Issue 4

The Council Log 4 is undated (likely December 1984) and contains 36 pages.

front cover of #4, Karen Taylor

The cover is by Karen Taylor. There is one interior by Karen Taylor and one non-credited cartoon.

From the editorial:

Dear Gentle Beings: As usual I seem to be putting my thoughts down on this piece of paper at some outlandish hour of the night. The fanzine, once again, is almost to the point of completion and as a bit of reward to myself I am allowing these few moments to communicate with all of you.

I (as we all do, those of us that have contributed those many hours to the birth of this publication) feel this is one of our best fanzines ever. There could have been more; there are several intriguing stories that are waiting for Log #5. We simply ran out of room. Thirty pages or so is just about all our budget can handle at the moment. So read this effort and re member, there is certainly more to come.

I also must admit that this issue may be my favorite. So close to the holiday season makes one appreciate the gentle humor many of these tales contain. There happens to be a Christmas story, too. We hope that this will be one of those things that gives you a happy feeling to keep when the last page is turned and read.

As usual, we are ever-so-thankful and thrilled to be able to share with everyone the wonderful artwork of Karen Taylor. As many of you may know, there has been several requests for more of her work—and we try to oblige. The fanzine is mostly TREK, this time out; but we also have several interesting articles on comic books and their progress and an excellent Dr. Who story. Also, due to popular request, another installment of "The Goodship Enterprize" by Peter Horadan.

  • Just a Few Words, editorial (2)
  • Comics Cater to Modern Tastes, article by Tim Pouncey (with permission from "The Wichita Sun") (3)
  • Holiday, fiction by Bernadette Voller (Star Trek) (5)
  • Goodship Enterprize by Peter Horadan (19)
  • a short quote by Kurt Vonnegut "On Science Fiction," from an interview with T.E. Pouncey at Wichita State University on September 26, 1984 (20)
  • Artwork: Doctor Who by Karen Taylor (22)
  • Justify Thyself, Time Lord, fiction by Chris Hatton (Doctor Who) (23)
  • untitled, non-credited poem (29)
  • 11 Great Science Fiction Heroes from the Comics, article by Tim Pouncey (30)
  • a short quote by C.J. Cherryh "On Science Fiction," from an interview with T.E. Pouncey at the Wichita "Amerbercon" (may be a typo for "Ambercon") on June 15, 1984
  • An Evening with Mudd, fiction by Tim Pouncey and Naomi Johnson (Star Trek) (32)

  • from issue #4, Karen Taylor

  • from issue #4

  • from issue #4, not credited, portrays Spock and Carl Sagan

Issue 5

The Council Log 5 was published in July 1985 and contains 35 pages.

front cover of issue #5, "Justify Thyself, Time Lord" by Signe Landon

"Being a Fan Means..."

Getting a new mailman at least twice-a-year as your old one has a breakdown from the type and amount of mail that you receive.

Having a phone bill that exceeds your monthly car payments.

Having a line of credit with your local copying company.

Having all the postal workers groan when you walk into the Post Office.

Having the totals of your monthly phone and postage bills equal your rent.

Surviving conventions on Coca-Cola and the fumes of fannishness.

Taking a lot of pun-ishment.

  • Goodship Enterprize, fiction by Peter Horadan (3)
  • Being a Fan Means... by Jean Curely (4)
  • Justify Thyself, Time Lord, part two by Chris Hatton (5)
  • Star Trek Things, crossword puzzle by Peter Horadan (23)
  • The Invaders: Episode Guide by Pouncey (24)
  • Review by Kathleen McKown: Chekov's Choice, a DC comic book (24)
  • Price of the City, science fiction story by Jean Curley (29)
  • On Science Fiction -- Fred Saberhagen by T.E. Pouncey (31)
  • "Robotics" Comics by Chris Hatton (28)
  • Answer to Star Trek Things (31)

  • inside issue #5, Karen Taylor

  • inside issue #5, sample text

Issue 6

The Council Log 6

Issue 7

The Council Log 7 was published in 1986 and contains 49 pages. The cover is by Karen Taylor. Gin Turpin is an interior artist.

cover of issue #7

Original to this zine:

  • Just a Few More Words, editorial (2)
  • And All They Had Left Were Empty Gestures by Jean Curley (Blake's 7)) (3)
  • poem by Shona Jackson (5)
  • Interviews with Nicholas Courtney and Mark Strickson (Doctor Who, "The following information was obtained through a personal interview and a stage talk... at the Philadelphia Creation Con Convention, November 9 and 10, 1985." Interviewer was Kathleen McKowen.) (6)
  • Oilcan Man by Littlefield (Star Trek: TOS) 10)
  • Subspace Message, fiction in the form of letters home by Shona Jackson (Star Trek: TOS) (12)
  • The Ten Worst Science Fiction Cartoon Series Ever To Appear On Television by Pouncey and Johnson (27)

The Best of the Council Log 1976-1986 (reprints):

  • Letters to the Editor, fictional story in letter form, fan meets Kirk, Spock, and McCoy in a field by her college, by Sue Smirnes (30)
  • Flight of the Goodship Enterprise, filk by Calvin Littlefield (Star Trek: TOS) (39)
  • Greater Love Hath No Man, poem by Karen Taylor (40)
  • Martian Sands, poem by Carolyn McMillin (science fiction) (44)
  • Beyond Solaris, poem by Carolyn by McMillin (science fiction) (44)
  • Earthbound Starborn by Karen Talyor (science fiction) (45)

  • inside page from issue #7

  • inside page from issue #7

  • inside page from issue #7

Retrieved from "https://fanlore.org/w/index.php?title=The_Council_Log&oldid=2460629"