The Primal Screamers
| Website | |
|---|---|
| Name: | The Primal Screamers |
| Owner/Maintainer: | |
| Dates: | late 1990s?-last updated September 2001 |
| Type: | |
| Fandom: | The X-Files |
| URL: | The Primal Screamers, Archived version |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Primal Screamers is an X-Files closed mailing list created by a group of fans. The website also hosted episode reviews, fic recs, and discussion essays.
It was named after/inspired by the fic Primal Sympathy by Lydia Bower, and as they “screamed” for “Primal.”
A 1998 Description
In 1998, one of the Primal Screamers described the group to fans on alt.tv.x-files.creative:
The Primal Screamers have put together a Fanfic Primer of what we considered classics, must-reads, in the fanfic world. These stories were chosen by 14 women ranging from 15 to 41, a mixture of Shippers and Noromos, with a variety of tastes in style and genre. It's an excellent place to begin if you want to read the "Classics" of XF fanfic. Each story is accompanied by a blurb telling why the story is a classic, and there are links to each author's website, if available. [1]
The Mailing List
Some stats from "On a typical ScreamerDay... " compiled at Insanity by the Numbers:
- Average number of e-mails: 368
- Average number of Screamers online at any given time: 4
- Average length of a thread: 3 days
- Average number of new threads started on a given day: 5
- Average number of smut references: 14
Members
Andrea, Barb, jeni, Katrina, Lesley, Lisa, Lydia, Mara, Mel, Michaela, Rachel, Shari, Sherrie, and Trillian.
Introduction
In the years to come, all philes throughout the world will speak in tones of fear, and with trembling of the Hiatus of '97.We were left stranded for five long months, in a land desolate from the pain and horror that was Gethsemane. But sparkling amongst the numerous predictable and uninspiring post-episode fics, the shone several fics that were bright lights in our darkness. Among them were Between Two Truths, Missing Voices, and Things Which are Not. But it was the angst of waiting for each new chapter of Primal Sympathy that caused us to let loose a primal scream in the AOL Fanfic folder. But jen, in her infinite wisdom, saw fit to gather us in private email so that we could share our pain and agony together.
We invite you into our world, where we can talk fanfic (and smut especially) until our inboxes are bursting at the seams. There's plenty of room on our comfy ol' shipper couch, but if you're of the NoRomo persuasion, Rachel and Mara are always looking for more people who are a little off their rockers. OOOPS! <eg> I meant "who'd like to sit in the NoRomo rockers." C'mon in, and make yourself at home. Look around, and sign our guestbook (or at least see how many times WE did). But don't take any of the Jelly Bellys and peanut butter m&m's you see lying around. Sherrie and I KILL for those things!! <g> [2]
FAQS
Q: Can I join?
No. <g> The Screamers developed a realistic fear that, what with so many fanfic-adorers who were just dying to discuss the scintillating issues of good Mulder-hair episodes with us <snort>, our mailboxes would explode and the pieces of e-mail would fly up in the air, conk us all out on the head, and get Rachel in trouble with her mom because some mail screaming SMUT! would fall out on the floor. So at a certain point...we became big ole meanies and closed our Official Screamer doors. <sniff> BUT, you can be an Honorary Screamer with a nifty Screamer badge and everything! All you have to do is sign our guestbook!
Q: What is the Sign of the Screamer?
A: For your viewing pleasure, we refer you to "Ascension", when Mulder says "I saw a helicopter". (Also, look for the Screamersuit on the tram.)
Q: How do I become an Honorary Primal Screamer?
A:Just by being here!<g> Please sign our guestbook so we know who you are. Then we'll be able to email you when we send out mail to all our honoraries. We like to have active Honoraries, so make sure to stop on by our Coffee Talk page to discuss our latest topic!
Q: Do you accept submissions?
A: Nope, but we're always trolling the newsgroups, fic lists, and the web for good fic. So one of us is bound to read it at some point. If you happen to have a fic recommendation, why not rec it in our guestbook?
Q: Which is correct? "Youse" or "y'all"?
A: Y'all. Don't let the other Screamers tell you any differently.
Q: Can I link to the Screamer site?
A: Sure! In fact, here's a nifty banner you can use!
Q: How can I get in touch with the Screamers as a group?
A: We can be reached at [email protected] send email to Mel at [email protected] I'll forward your mail to the whole group.
Q: Why does the Xfiles intro have that sprouting bean?
A: We don't know, but it drives Mel nuts it's not a paranormal phenomenon, it's a LEGUME!!
Q: Where can I find what I'm looking for?
A: You can't get there from here. [3]
References
- ^ Shari, Fanfiction Classics, July 17, 1998
- ^ Introductions
- ^ FAQS