Universal Translator/Issues 1-10

Issues 1-10 · Issues 11-20 · Issues 21-32

Issue 1 (1980)

Universal Translator 1 was published in January/February 1980. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #1

• a letter from Gerry Downes says she will no longer publish Stardate Unknown so she could devote her time to writing novels
• a zine ed is selling original art from her zine Showcase #1-#4 to pay the bills
• Mindy Glazer announces her zine Tales of Feldman:

  Peculiar Announcement -- The Library of Demented Treklit will soon have available, on a lend basis only, 'Tales of Feldman.' In the tradition of Harlan Ellison's theory that there are bound to be a few rotten apples in the Enterprise bunch, Demented Treklit takes courage in presenting Ensign Fiona Feldman. Follow her merry angst as she bobs and weaves between court-martial, and other generally lousy situations, only to wind up in the same old place... but not quite. 'Tales of Feldman' asks the question: Why did Starfleet take this Jewish girl? Why haven't we had any more Jewish Mary Sues? Why, in all probability, will we never have one again? For the answers to these and many other peculiar questions, SASE to Mindy.

• a zine ed writes that the second supplement of Delta Triad has been canceled
• Paula Smith writes: "Never in print and never to get that way is anything called 'The Best of Menagerie."
• there is a personal statement, a call to arms really, from a fan who urges other fans to write 'Time' magazine and the critic, Rex Reed, as they have both isulted Star Trek fans, calling them 'half-educated' and 'lobotomy cases,' respectively
• a zine ed has taken her printer to court for failure to deliver services paid for and has won her case; her zines, Side-Trekked and If Not for Heroes should be in the mail soon
• a fan writes a long, long essay on poetry and how to write it
• a review of Mission to Mrinn, see that page
• a review of Changeling #2, see that page
• a review of Crossfire (the same review is also published in Starsky & Hutch #6), see that page
• a review of Syndizine, see that page
• a review of Mirrors of Mind and Flesh, see that page

Issue 2 (1980)

Universal Translator 2 was published in March/April 1980. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #2

• the editors of SPICA has had "a proposition from one of our artists for a graphic adaptation of Alan Dean Foster's 'Splinter of the Mind's Eye.' Does anyone know: a) if we we need permission, and b) if we do, how do we get it? This would be a one-shot publication, non-profit, of course."
• a fan in Kansas is working with a local theater regarding the movie release. "I am working with the manager on a Trek display, which will include a table of free literature. I am looking for all varieties to cover as much of fandom as possible. Zine editors: if your zine requires an age statement, please don't send me a flyer."
• a fan announces: "I am driving from Chicago to the Mos' Eastly Con and have a seven-passenger VW stick-shift bus and am looking for people to share driving/costs."; a number of other fans put out requests for roommates, other rides, and "company during transportation" for Mos' Eastly Con
• a zine ed writes:

  I'm interested in hearing from editors who have to have help with typing their zines for printing and can give me a couple of months to get the work done. Sometimes, if I gain access to the typer for more than an hour a week, it's a miracle. Price for typing up finished pages for printer is a copy of the zine, naturally. Also, it helps to have postal costs financed.

• there is, among other con announcements, an ad for Shore Leave #2
• a review of Companion #2, see that page
• a review of Mahko Root #2, see that page
• a review of Naked Times #3, see that page

Issue 3 (1980)

Universal Translator 3 was published in May/June 1980. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #3

• This issue had an announcement that the editors were receiving more reviews than they could publish, and that a goal of 24 pages an issue was set.
• a review of Nome #2, see that page
• a review of Dracula, the same review that appears in Datazine #7
• a review of L.A. Vespers, the same review that appears in S and H #8 and Datazine #7
• a review of Contact #5/6, see that page
• there is a rebuttal to a review of Companion #2 that was in the previous issue of "Universal Translator," see that page

Issue 4 (1980)

Universal Translator 4 was published in July/August 1980. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #4

• this issue has a personal statement from T'Yenta, a fan who reviewed zines for "Universal Translator." T'Yenta emphasized her anonymity and stressed her real identity should be of no concern:

  I appear to making some people miserable... by my very existence. To date, I have become aware of three people who are being hassled by various other people, because said various others believe that each of them is me. Please folks, cease and desist... Who I am is completely unimportant, because no one in fandom knows me anyway. I am one of the great, amorphous mass of zine readers. I have never written a LoC; I've never even ordered a zine by mail. I don't contribute fiction, poetry or artwork; I've never so much as asked a question of a Con Panel; I don't personally know anyone who is into Star Trek. I mail my submissions to 'Universal Translator' through friends of friends, cousins of friends and the occasional kid who will do anything for a quarter, including not asking me any questions. The name I write under was borrowed -- that' a nicer word than stolen -- from a minor character in a as yet little known fanzine. The author of the zine didn't seem to mind (or if she did, I didn't know about it), until she began getting compliments for my work. Since she, and the other two women who are being told they are me, are all writers, I'm sure they would much prefer to hear about their own work rather than someone else's... There is a need to know [my real name] that I find offensive... If I came out of the closet as Annette Buxbaum or Marie Osmond, would it really make a difference?

• a review of You May Deny, see that page
• a review of Tales of Feldman, see that page
• a review of The Other Side of Paradise #4, see that page

Issue 5 (1980)

Universal Translator 5 was published in September/October 1980. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #5

• there is a personal statement by Carol Hydeman explaining a name change:

  The Fan Fund will be held again next year, though under a new name. Many people voiced a concern to me that the name 'Star Trek Fan Fund' seemed to restrict the participants and recipients, to Star Trek fans, thus eliminating many people. I have shared this viewpoint, seeing the name "Star Trek Fan Fund" as being merely a holdover from the time the Fan Fund originated -- before the great rise of Star Wars, Starsky & Hutch, and all the other sub-fandoms that have come into being in the last few years. But I don't want to allow such a simple misunderstanding as this to unduly alienate any possible future participants. Therefore, I have decided to change the name to the 'The Media-Oriented Fan Fund,' which should make clear the restrictions on the type of participants I would like to see for the fund. Any objections?

• a fan gives this personal statement:

  This is a challenge to fandom: For months now, there have been fannish discussion about feminism in fanlit -- or, rather, about the absence of feminism in fanlit. This absence makes no sense, as SW/ST media fandom is known to have a majority of women members. Although men of fannish media are worthy of literacy and creative endeavors, I believe that now is the time, long overdue, for fannish writers to move past this male-identification into the realm of FEMALE-identification. My challenge: for the women of media to begin writing and creating women of Star Wars, Star Trek, and media. As a forum for this material, I have launched Storms, a fannish feminist excursion into the women of fandom and fannish creation. I need ideas, feedback, constructive advice and support from interested feminists.

• a review of Enter-comm #2, see that page
• a review of Bait Once, Bait Twice, see that page
• a review of Games of Love and Duty, see that page
• a review of A Time of Death, A Time of Life, see that page
• a review of Spica #2, see that page
• a rebuttal of a review of Contact #4/5, see that page
• a response to a review of You May Deny, one that may be the first use of the word spoiler in pre-internet media fandom, see that page

Issue 6 (1980)

Universal Translator 6 was published in November/December 1980. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #6

• the editors not they have reached the zine's first year mark; they also say they will take money for subscriptions up to issue #12, committing to a second year of publishing
• a fan asks others for a copy of the cassette tape of songs sung by Bruce Hyde at Star Trek America 1980 in NYC
• a fan has cut her hand on a Coke bottle and has scraped all deadlines for her zine Southern Star. Though she writes that "the zines will eventually appear," there were no more
• there is an ad for the first Media West*Con
• there is an ad for The Price and The Prize; it was aiming for a publication date of October 1980
• there is a personal statement from the zine ed of Odyssey (Star Trek: TOS zine) saying that since McCoy fans are having a hard time finding each other, she will act as a clearing house for hooking people up for correspondence
• a fan writes a personal statement directed to a fan named Serina who was asking for submissions for a series of stories in a submission request for stories in the all-female Silver Squadron series. She says that only one zine has the right to publish these stories based on that idea:

  You may not be aware of it, but Linda Rose and I started that series... in November 1978. The only zine we allow such stories is Spica. Due to a large number of important features not yet brought out in the stories published, Linda and I feel that the only ones who can write about the squadron, as set up in our 'BSG' alternate universe) are Linda and myself thus far... We feel that some confusion may arise. Some people may join your club because they think it has something to do with [our universe]. Some people may not join your club because they think it has something to do with [our universe]. Either way, some people will be misinformed... This could be taken care of if you change the name of your squadron. If that is impossible, the other thing to do is to let everyone know your club is not connected to our Silver Squadron nor endorsed by us... This should save a lot of time and hassle --neither of which makes being an editor of a zine or the president of a club any easier.

• the author of Murasaki! writes this personal statement:

  You have been kind and patient waiting until I received enough orders to go to press. I want to thank you for that. Now for the bad news: after numerous delays and a long went traipsing off to the printer with this limited edition under my arm to discover that the price quoted last year has almost doubled. While the cost of paper has risen only 32%, the price of printing on that paper has skyrocketed! And you already know what's happened to the cost of mailing. Now for the good news: I will honor all orders received before November 1 of this year. It will take me a while since the cost of the mailing will have to come out of my limited budget, but you will get your copy... I'm sorry. I know how long you've been waiting. I wish things were different. I've begged, pleaded, coaxed, and cajoled every printer with in the greater Houston area to no avail. I'm sure that there are those of you in Fandom who could have gotten this zine out in half the time and at half the price, but I've done the best I can with the resources that are available to me.

• a review of Interstat, see that page
• a review of One Way Mirror, see that page
• a review of Log Entries #33, see that page
• a review of Repeat Missions #3, see that page

Issue 7 (1981)

Universal Translator 7 was published in January/February 1981. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #7

• In this issue, the editor asked for more zine reviews
• in the listings, the fanzines published by the various "presses" outnumbered those put out by individuals not calling themselves a "press."
• a fan writes a personal statement looking for the whereabouts of another fan whom she sent two boxes of zines to be sold at a con last fall and has heard nothing from. "The WSA/PA is now helping me with an investigation."
• Sharon Emily wrote this personal statement:

  When Star Wars first came out, my [Star Trek] zine Showcase was (and continues to be) in great demand. I was foolishly encouraged by this demand to publish a SW zine, The Alternative Universes of Star Wars, even though I didn't have a large number of pre-orders. In order to pay for the printing, I took out a loan from the Methodist Credit Union. I have been selling zines and memorabilia and scrimping on groceries in order to pay back this loan ever since because the zine has just not sold. But now, I'm really swamped, and I would like to ask fandom for its help in paying down this debt by buying a copy of 'Alternative Universes' or sending a small donation. All donations will be carefully recorded to pay off the debt. If donations come in after the debt is paid off, I will return your money (please include a SASE) or donate it to your choice of the following organizations: dropped anonymously into the collection plate of the church where my husband is a minister; sent to World Hunger, cancer research, World Missions, or the ST Welcommittee; added to a special fund to finance the printing of Star Trek Showcase #5, for which I have already have a large number of SASEs expressing interest... Thank you.

• a fan writes a personal statement and expressed her unhappiness with the big Star Trek cons of the time:

  Are you as totally fed up with the irresponsible behavior of J. Townsley as I am? I'm referring, of course, to the recent Philadelphia convention fiasco. [Referring to schedule changes with no notification]... in both cases, I suffered considerable financial setback and an even greater degree of mental anguish. I am (to put it bluntly) sick of getting screwed by this turkey, and I want to shoot him down! True, he is the only person who handles pro cons, but his cons are little better than nothing. And surely there must be some way we could stage our own larger-than-fan cons. Townsley's advertising efforts are so pathetic. I would be surprised if we couldn't do better via the grapevine. Perhaps we have legal recourse?... Or perhaps we could stage a boycott in hopes of getting Townsley to improve? I am as anxious as the next fan to get together with friends, especially since I don't live on the east coast where gatherings are common... but I do think we owe it to ourselves to consider alternatives...

• a review of Precessional, see that page
• a review of Dedication and And The South Shall Fall Again, see that page
• a review of Galactic Discourse #3, see that page
• a rebuttal of a review of Interstat, see that page
• a review of Masiform D #10, see that page

Issue 8 (1981)

Universal Translator 8 was published in March/April 1981. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #8

• the editor asks folks to "get back into the SASE habit" as many fans are getting lazy about doing that "necessary courtesy"
• Susan Matthews's A Personal Statement from Susan Matthews, on the pulling of Ragnarok for publication.
• Randall Landers, who'd just resigned as the president of the Atlanta Star Trek Association, writes a personal statement complaining about the shoddy treatment, hijinks, and conflicting information he'd been given regarding a second Emory Trek (this one with minor celebrity guests); one of the issues was the con limiting student attendees despite the fact it was held on and sponsored by Emory College; he accuses the club of elitism: "In my opinion, elitism is utterly contemptuous of [the IDIC] philosophy as well as our modern society's. And I hope that one day, the ASTS will realize this and change their attitude."
• a review of Stylus, see that page
• a review of Companion #2, see that page
• a review of Log Entries #34 and #35, see that page
• a review of Echoes of the Past, see that page

Issue 9 (1981)

Universal Translator 9 was published in May/June 1981. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #9

• the editors announce that "Ro" would be stepping down as editor at the end of the year as the amount of work the zine takes has become too onerous:

  As you can guess, the number of hours spent each week on UT, especially just prior to mailing, is tremendous. Ads have to be constantly updated, flyers sent to new fans who enquire about price and availability, mailing labels and records have be filled out for new subscribers or renewals. There are several trips to the bank and post office each week. There are two consecutive weekends of around-the-clock typing sessions, followed by layout, and delivery to the printer. A third weekend is spent collating, stapling, stamping, and more record-keeping, and mailing. And when one issue is 'put to bed,' so to speak, the next day's mail starts the procedure all over again. The correspondence (glorious as it it!), and the work never end. Overwhelming as it all seems, UT would still be a reasonable hobby if it weren't for our other 'jobs.'

• there is a proposal for the zine T'hy'la and Vault of Tomorrow, at this point just twinkles in their creators' eyes
• there is a personal statement by the editor of The Captain's Woman who promises the full-color cover of issue #3 by Gayle F will be printed, but she has to back down on the color cover of Menage a Trois due to cost reasons
• there is a personal statement from Allyson Whitfield who says she is no longer associated with Alderaan
• there is a personal statement from the editor of Delta Triad who says her new zine will be called The Gallian
• there is a personal statement from the editor of Matter/Antimatter that says that issue #3 will be further delayed, and this time for another six months
• a review of The Price and The Prize, see that page
• a review of Starweaver, see that page
• a review of Sun & Shadow, see that page
• a review of Alnitah #11, see that page
• a review of Log Entries #36 and #37, see that page

Issue 10 (1981)

Universal Translator 10 was published in July/August 1981. It was edited by Susan Bridges and Rose Marie Jakubjansky.

front page of issue #10

• Boldly Writing says :

  The year 1981 marked a turning point with the pro novels. Reviews went from being almost always negative to being largely positive. Part of the change was due to a real improvement in the quality of writing, and part due to new influx of fans who never saw the classic fanzine stories of the 1970s. Some fans claimed that no Star Trek pro novel ever outshone the best fanzine stories of the 1970s. Other fanzine readers of the 1970s sided with the newer fans and claimed that some of the pro novels of the 1980s were pretty good. The 'which is better, pro writing or fanzine writing' debate continued off and on through the entire decade.

• T'Yenta writes a personal statement; it is an announcement regarding the unauthorized selling of Spock Enslaved:

  Diane Steiner left fandom under a cloud some years ago after cashing numerous checks for The Sensuous Vulcan and never delivering the goods. She has since become unreachable by the U.S. Postal Service so I can't tell her, but if YOU know where Diane is, you might want to let her know that someone may be taking advantage of the fact that she won't come out of the woodwork. Someone has reprinted Spock Enslaved and is selling it, presumably -- dare I say it? -- for her own profit. Is it with the author's permission? Until this matter is settled, if you want a copy of 'Spock Enslaved,' I suggest that you buy one at auction. You can buy a 'new' copy for less than the original would cost, if you can find the seller, but anyone will tell you that the story is so old and so tame that buying such a copy isn't worth enough in terms of personal titillation and edification to justify what it would mean to our honor system. Because, to put it bluntly, supporting a bootlegger, is helping someone get herself involved in a nice lawsuit when the original holder of the copyright DOES decide to do something about it. And supporting a bootlegger is driving one more nail in the coffin of zinedom, because encouraging someone to violate the law in reprinting one zine is only encouraging her to violate the law in reprinting another. And if we have to worry about our neighbors, as it were, stealing the words right out of our mouths, why are we here, folks? We can all go out and get ripped off in a much more impersonal way.

• a fan wants some photos from the uncut Catlow, which means the ones of Nimoy in the bathtub
• a fan writes: "Anyone in the Cleveland area in interested in (or borrowing) Star Trek fanzine? Let's get a library of sorts going. My husband can no longer support my fanzine addiction on his own."
• there is a zine proposal for Imperial Entanglements
• Gayle F an ad that says: "'The Price and The Prize' is sold out as a zine. I've put together some unbound, coverless copies, part offset, part xerox." The price of this 'The Price and the Prize' was $10, first class.
• a review of Alpha Continuum #1 and #4, see that page
• a review of Fermata, see that page
• a review of Tales of Feldman, see that page