Warped Space/Issues 01-10

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Issue 1

front cover of issue #1, also the cover of #1/2, Jane Clinkenbeard
back cover of issue #1, Gordon Carleton

Warped Space 1 was published on October 31, 1974 (Just in time for KWest*Con!) and contains 10 pages. It was called the "Preview Issue."

From the editorial:

Once upon a time (in 1973 on the Michigan State University campus) two Trekkies met for the first time and their mundane existence was forever changed. They became fandom participants rather than mere spectators. They communicated with other Trekkies over the summer (and contaminated many of their friends with their divine madness) and conceived the (mad) idea, of organizing a STAR TREK Club at MSU, They joined already established fan clubs and associations and must have increased the U,S, Post Office's workload immensely.

They spent all their money on STAR TREK, And then they discovered there were more people (?) like them. They returned to the University this fall and began the tedious process of unraveling the bureaucratic red tape involved in forming a club on the campus. They met another Trekkie who lives in their dorm ("Who's the girl with the STAR TREK Lives on her T-shirt?" "I dunno; let's find out,") and met her formally when she came up to their room ... because she had been told of their modest (37 posters and increasing....) ST decor. So now they were three.

Soon they held an organizational meeting of the MSUSTC... and had a STAR TREK film clip presentation. About 200 people showed up What have we gotten ourselves into?

So. Hi! This is the MSUSTC's first attempt at a fanzine. I say "attempt" because we held our first meeting on Set. 8 of this year and think we should be fairly proud of that We've accomplished in putting out a special preview edition of WARPED SPACE in such a short time and with such little notice to all those who were interested in contributing. (I've just read two issues of BABEL for the first time ever and am appropriately awed. And we'reattempting to create a fanzine?). Anyway, I wish to thank Paula Block, Gordon Carleton, and Jane Clinkenbeard.

[snipped]

Thanks go to my roommate Candee Hale for putting up with me and to Cindy Myers, the girl with the T-shirt. Thanks also to the present and future members of the MSUSTC for getting involved, an especially to Jordon Marche, our photo developer, Jim Steele, who projector is confiscated whenever we want to show STAR TREK film clips, Ed Zdrojewski, who shares my dream of holding a convention next year, and Jenny Kumaran, our token alien.

There is no table of contents because, frankly, there isn't much content in this edition. Read and enjoy! And if you think you can do better, we'd love to accept your contribution!

[snipped]

Hmm. This has been an editorial comment, of sorts. Now all that remains is the dedication. This fanzine is dedicated to Gene Roddenberry. To STAR TREK. To fandom. What the Hell -- this fanzine is dedicated to the UNIVERSE! May it live long and prosper.

Now, don't you want a subscription?

  • Editor's Nook (1)
  • A Star Trek Scenario by Paula Block (Star Trek. Spock tends a dying McCoy.) (3)
  • Child, the Stars Call You by Lori Chapek (original science fiction) (4)
  • Strangers Among Us by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction vignette - an alien sent to another dimension to save her people, but loses her identity on arrival.) (5)
  • Sarek's Other Children by Anne Laurie Logan (Star Trek. A discussion of the possibility that Sarek has children who joined the Romulans.) (7)
  • Homesick 00 7405.30, poem by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction)
  • Trivia Quiz (8)
  • untitled poem by Lori Chapek (Star Trek) (9)
  • Love Poem to a Child, poem by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction) (9)
  • Ads (10)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1

See comments about this issue's contents in the section for Issue 1/2.

Issue 1/2 (the second issue)

front cover of issue #1/2 Jane Clinkenbeard
back cover of issue #1/2, same as issue #5, back, Gordon Carleton

Warped Space 1/2 (the second issue published, there was no standalone issue #2) was published on December 5, 1974 and is 48 pages. The second printing was November 6, 1975. The third printing was February 1, 1976.

This issue contains the content from the first issue, plus new material.

  • Editor's Nook (1)
  • Homesick - 7406, poem by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction) (2)
  • Song of the Spacer, poem by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction) (2)
  • Love Poem to a Ship, poem by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction, it is not the same as "Love Poem to a Child" in issue #1 which was omitted from this issue) (2)
  • A Star Trek Scenario by Paula Block. (Star Trek. Spock tends a dying McCoy.) (3)
  • Child, the Stars Call You, poem by Lori Chapek (original science fiction) (4)
  • Strangers Among Us by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction vignette - an alien sent to another dimension to save her people, but loses her identity on arrival.) (5)
  • Sarek's Other Children by Anne Laurie Logan. (Star Trek. A discussion of the possibility that Sarek has children who joined the Romulans.) (7)
  • Afterwards by Jane Clinkenbeard. (Star Trek. Spock muses over sleeping Kirk after Rayna's death.) (7)
  • Trivia Quiz (8)
  • Tomorrow? by Jane Clinkenbeard (original science fiction short, non-ST aliens. A council declares a scientist's invention too dangerous to exist and shoots it into space. It lands on an Earth beach and is opened by a child.) (10)
  • The Tollian Affair Star Trek, a story in script form by Claude Devaves) (13)
  • Star Trash - The Man Hatchery, Part 1 by Gordon Carleton (comic) (43)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1/2

[zine]:

Thanks for the copies of Warped Space. I really enjoyed reading #2. We will definitely accept it for inclusion in Memory Alpha and appreciate your remembering the Archive.

Some of your artwork is really exceptional. I especially liked the child on p. 64, And the alien on p. 4. Very nice. Course, I liked the cover the first time round too.

The script was pretty good- the opening scene could have been stronger. One does not, if one is trained properly in karate- both in attack and defente— seriously injure a bouting partner. The control ought to be good enough that a bout of skill resembles a real battle. But the foot or hand stops short of striking. The effect is there but not the pain. That is clumsiness and lack of discipline - which anyone trained as thoroughly as the ensign would have. She could not have known as much as she did and not be disciplined enough to hurt someone. (Blah!)

I really enjoyed "Star Trash". Very funny. Laughed a lot.

Most of the copy was eminently readable. If you are having it printed offset (and I suspect you are) make sure that your ribbon is fairly fresh and that the type itself is cleaned out every few pages. You might also consider printing it on a reduction. The medium reduction (like in Menagerie #2) might suit you and you can cram 1/3 more into each issue for the same price.

Enjoyed Jane Clinkenbeard's "Strangers Among Us". It had a very melancholy tone to it. Very nice. The transition at the end uas a bit fuzzy though, night be easier if she inserted a few lines of some sort of metamorphosis - Silva to Jen. The description is good and holds the story together quite well. -- Sharon Ferraro [1]

[zine]: Sieg Heil!

Having little to do and less to say, and getting the assignment by default (Sharon's typer is busted again) to do this month's LoC's, I take- Corflu in hand; the "a" key is hiccupping again.

Not bad, guys; definitely better than last time's belch. I do notice that you're using leftover covers, because they have four holes in them. Is this going to be a trademark? The covers, not the four holes. If so, you'll have fun at con tables, keeping the piles distinct.

Anyway. "Strangers Among Us" was nice, but I think you lost the last page of the original - the typesetter filled in with a page out of last month's Ladies Home Journal as one almost didn't notice it. It was certainly an amazing coincidence that the protagonist in both stories was named Silva.

The trivia quizzes are fun to have around at parties when ribald speculations on Enterprise personnel have died down a bit (you mean, you invite mundanes to your parties? How gross.) and yours are meaner than most. They are appreciated.

PRB, make up your mind what you're going to draw, or at the very least, compose it better. It looks like a sketch pad. The cover is excellently composed, but page nine is horrible.

"The Tollian Affair." Jesus. I did not think it possible for a guy (Clyde does have a Y chromosome, doesn't he?) to write a Lt. Mary Sue story, where the stupid, young, but beautiful ensign manages to Save the Galaxy with the equivalent of her hairpin. This is a worthless genre, for the hero is not heroic, interesting, or even consistent, and there is never the slightest reason for us to pay any attention to the idiot-savants that populate the atories of this ilk. Men are attracted to her because she behaves like a simp, but two paragraphs later she's inventing the phaser out of cardboard and spit, and correcting Spock's calculations. Worse, and this is why the Lt. Mary Sue is not a Hero, she is never called upon to suffer for her mistakes, neither by humans, nor by nature. There are logical results to certain actions, but the Lt. Mary Sue somehow manages to evade them, receiving nothing but adulation and success. Vide: in the teaser, we see that this Albertson has mangled a fellow officer, and thus is to be - horrors - confined to quarters, BUT! General Quarters signal sounds and she gets off scot-free, okay, once is legitimate. Anything is legitimate once. Page 21, she apparently has insulted Spock, but is not called out on it, which I would certainly expect Chapel to do. The Nurse, if she were in character, would want to know why the ensign is "going to be sick," if only because she is the nurse, and not just desperately in love with Spockie. Still, for no good reason I can perceive, Kirk is going to take this inept who nearly ripped the arms off one of his crewmembers - thus demonstrating a deplorable lack of control in a shipboard circumstance— down to a planet with an extremely sensitive political situation. No way. Bad characterization on the part of Kirk; he's not that dumb. But what am I complaining about? Bad- indeed, vile! Witless!

Exucrable! Characterization typical of the Lt. Mary Sue story. Witness page 26: Spock asays, "If I could feel emotion, Doctor, I would probably agree with you." Well, primo, while we all know Spock can feel emotion, he is not going to admit that he does; he is not even going to admit the possibility that he could. Secundo, no way would he even indicate that he could agree with the Doctor on anything in an informal situation, which this was. Page 33, we have Miss God rather snottily teaching Chapel to play chess, whan, A) Chapel is her ranking superior, a lieutenant, end, B) Chapel has more likely learned to play the game long before, if only to inviegle Spock into a moent together. And Chapel is portrayed as such a brainburn case. Name or Ba'el, she's the Head Nurse, peoplel She cannot be that mindless. But this, too, is how the Lt. Mary Sue story operates: characterization of the regulars is allowad to go to hell in order to puff up the heroine. If everyone else is apparently an outpatient from a lobotomy ward, Albertson can't help but look pretty good.

I won't go into the bad plotting, wooden dialog, lack of definite setting, and brainless handling of the play structure, except to say that, if filmed, this would be horrible. Very little happens, people are generally talking to one another or "going" somewhere. Many people write their trek stories in play form, thinking it easier than prose. Unfortunately, a good play, a decent play, an adequate play is not simple, and requires more than indenting and capitalizing the character's name. Consequently, most of these fan stories come out badly. They are simply not worth my time; the only reason I finished this, indeed, got past the teaser, was to review it. And my considered opinion is that it stinks".

Ah, me, invective is such fun. Almost as much fun as reading "The Man Hatchery." Now this was very, very good. In fact, it was superb. No, let me make that fantastic. Gordon Carleton - make that outstandingly fine, and the absolute best all-round (words and pictures) parody of any Strek episode I have ever seen in this or any other life.

Anyway, "Star Trash" was pretty and good and I enjoyed it. Carleton, I'm yours!

Well, hope next time is good, too. Be seeing you.

-- Paula Smith [2]

[zine]: Writing bad science fiction is simple. Writing plausible science fiction is difficult. Writing "fascinating" science fiction is truly reaching for the stars, my friends. I congratulate you on your first two volumes of Warped Space. They are fascinating.

Fanzines, unlike all other literary genre, thrive on stories of characters whose previous (future?) existence is not solely the creation of the writers of the fanzine stories. Only Mr. Spock himself would bs able to compute the probability of tha existence of Warped Space without the Enterprise crew. Our friends' precursors were surely those swarthy heroes of tha oral tradition in America like John Broun and Paul Bunyan. These well-rememberad ones ware crested by unknown Roddenberrys and many stories ware authored throughout the years detailing their exploits. Our favorite crew certainly had distinguished forebears. [3]

[zine]: Love STAR TRASH, beautifully done with a nice sense of space. I've seen comics that were hard on the eye with too much going on in each frame but Gordon allows breathing space. He has captured the best moments of the "Menagerie" and brought out some terrific humor. The likeness of Pike had me in hysterics. His "Journey to Babcon" was great- I wish I could have been in on it to appreciate the humor more but I have been to a few NY cons so I know about the humor. Love his depiction of the dealer's room with everyone and everything looking for you. Especially like the guy leering at you in the end telling you his seven years are up. ^Vho was that supposed to be? ((YED's note: Gordon, who else?)) [4]

Issue 3

front cover of issue #3, Jim Steele
back cover of issue #3, Jane Clinkenbeard

Warped Space 3 was published in February 14, 1975 (second printing, October 8, 1975, third printing, February 1, 1976), is 33 pages long, and has 12 stories, poems and sparse art.

Its content is all Star Trek: TOS. The cover is by James Steele; back cover by Jane Clinkenbeard. The interior art & illustrations are by Gordon Carleton, Jane Clinkenbeard, Jim Steele.

It is, at this point, an "official publication of the Michigan State University STAR TREK Club, printed by the University Press." A note in the second printing: "We operate with partial funding from MSU, but they don't fund us for reprinted issues, ao we are barely making ends meet."

From the editorial:

My, my... just back from one convention and it's almost time to flit off to another. NYC - I'm yours! And this, our issue #3, is scheduled to be ready for sale at THE STAR TREK Convention.

[...]

For the 1st time we have Letters of Comment, which Candee suggested be called Warped Communications. So be it. And a word of warning from the Editor: a letter to me with carries even the slightest mention of WARPED SPACE just might be confiscated for publication in the above mentioned section of future issues.

We've been getting some terrific stories, sto. through the mail and I want to say to these people (and our on-campus writers) Ihet I received far too much to fit into this Issue. If your contribution isn't in this issue it's not because it wasn't goodi I'm saving some of the best for the next issue. As I am typing this, I don't know exactly what's going into this issue because I still have to do tho layouts. But I love all tho stuff we've been getting and will fervently welcome more. Artwork, tool

Our MSUSTC T-shirts arrived (finally) and are wonderful! We're taking orders again — $5 in person or $6 postage paid, and please specify the size.

[...]

I've got lots to criticize (nicely) in some of the stories printed in this issue, but I'll leave all that to someone who wants to write letters, at least for the time being. Some of my criticisms are just pat peeves I've developed as a result of typing the stories up and rereading and rereading them for typos, etc., and some are a result of simply knowing the person who submitted the thing. Ed Zdrojewski's story has a lot of flaws (to my way of thinking, and I'm prepared to defend my case), but the overall effect was to me, quite haunting. Cindy flyers' introduction to the latest MSUSTC fad reads just as she talks- honest! Etc., etc., etc. As editor, I reserve the right to edit the stuff sent in to me. I try to consult the author involved whenever possible, and in the case of long-distance communications it sometimes turns out to be difficult. If anyone is offended by the way his/her story, poem, or whatever came out in the publication, I apologize defiantly.

Thanks go to Marty Siegrist for helping me type this monstrosity and especielly to Gordon Carleton for filling in blanks with cute little cartoons after having finished "The Man Hatchery" for this ish, too! Jane promised me that the additional illos I need for this issue will be in tomorrow, so, Jane Clinkenbeard, I thank you in advance. Thanks also to the people who contributed their creative works to this issue (and the next!). By the way, did you know we're planning our very own STAR TREK convention? For May 2-4! YAY!

Now it's off to the copy center to reduce everything but my report of the ISTC, which I still have to type. Tally-ho! ...

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3

See reactions and reviews for The Sixth Year.

[zine]: Onward. Just finished a bout with WS3. I was mellow for the unicorn pieces because I heard an old but goodie on the radio today -- the Irish Rovers doing "the Unicorn." Nice pieces, and though Jane's unicorns were nice, I'll stick with the De Peterson's white charcoal on black.

The Sixth Year was exasperating. An interesting alternate universe, but exasperating. Needs another rewrite to bring everything into sharper focus. And avoid changing points of view inside a scene as on p. 9. And what the heck is an ancient Vulcan proverb? Tricky. An interesting history as you postulate it, but as I say, it's like a pleasingly decorated room with dirty clothes and junk making it unpleasant -- clean it up and you'd have a much better product. The mutiny, by the way, seems unnecessary to me. There was really no reason that Kirk had to be back on the ship. Ah, well. A flawed pice, but at least Ed didn't have people gushing all over each other in tones of undying love. Or pon farr.

As expected, Star Trash, was excellent. And the script generator is superb. I really loved it. Also surprised to see my letter printed. At least to see so much of it. And Paula's. I applaud you people for printing non-praising criticism. Thank you.

Keep up the good work. If Jane ever, mind EVER, decides to part with the original of that back cover, tell me first and tell me the price. I really liked it and would be willing to pay for it. Very nice. Superb, really.

I think you've caught us in artwork -- nearly anyway. You have a great cartoonist and a fine general artist. Now work a bit on editing and print better fiction. [5]

[zine]:

Finally got around to WS3. Definitely your best so far, guys. The second half of the Man Hatchery, and indeed all of Carleton's illos were fine as usual, as were the couple Clinkenbeards.

However, you might work a bit on the visual impact of your layout. With offset, one has a lot of control over the graphics, which you're not taking advantage of. The Con report, esp, the first two pages, was just about right. You may also want to fool around with paratype or hand lettering, in order to jazz up your titles and make it easier to tell where a new piece begins, as well as make the titles legible.

Ed Zdrojewski's story was quite good; the characterizations could have been better, but on the whole he shows a decent grasp of the genre (trekfic). The only drawback was he rushed the ending just too much. If the story, from the point where Pennington leaves the phaser schematics on the table were two or three times longer, with more detailed explanation of what is happening and why, the story would have been excellent. as it was, it was only quite good. How the hell did Spock and McCoy leave Ylb's ship? Anyway, the Sixth Year is one of the few - far too few- if you ask me - stories in which something irrevocable happens to the Big E. There is no harm in that, people; in fact, it usually makes for a better plot than the mandalas we generally get; which after some pretty convoluted convolutions, only cycle back their starting point. It is good, Ed. Your article in the State News tho... well, leave us face it, we can get the "Trekkies Examine Space in Heads" stuff from the straight press? Or were you heavily edited?

Block's story, eh. All right, but not much point. It reads like the conclusion of a larger tale. [6]

[zine]: Issue 3's back cover was exceptionally nice, very impressive, I like Jane's layout of the figures, the background, the detail. That third season script generator was vicious but all too true and I found myself gasping for breath the more I read into it. The VERY best piece, the thing that had me laugh ing all day and then writing my own in the late night was "Turnabout Titles." I was in pain.

... I enjoyed Gordon's illo, of Schuster's con in January, brought back some nice memories. And especially his return of turnabout titles in issue 4. I enjoyed "the Logical Thing to Do" as a nice insight into Amanda and the problems she faced inevitably with Sarek. Nicely written. Also liked "the Starfleet Song"- I especially like those poems done "to the tune of ... " More! More! More! [7]

[zine]: ... WARPED SPACE 3 ... I think is my favorite issue. Two stories in particular turned me on: Paula Block's The Quality of Mercy was a fine sequel to the late Blish's "Spock Must Die.' I always thought JB's militant Christianity got in the way of his human understanding, and that his "tachyon" Spock deserved bet ter than to be dissolved against the barrier, and I'm very glad that Paula Block brought him back. This opens all sorts of possibilities- why does Spock dislike his tachyon twin so much? Why does the tachyon Spock feel obliged to come and explain things to Kirk? Will we ever see him again? What's it like for him, living among the Romulans (we never get to see enough of them, an/way)? And what name is he going by- he can't keep calling him self "Spock-One;" how about "Stranger"? Yes, Paula's story opens some fine possibilities, and I'd like to see something done with them. I'd like to do some myself.

The Sixth Year annoyed me; not because it was badly written (it wasn't), but because of its basic assumption. What makes Ed Zdrojewski think that Anarchists are necessarily anti-technical, or that "an anarchist's dream" would be a permanently pastoral society? Dammit, I'm an Anarchist, and so are most of my friends, and none of us, thank you, are anti-technical Luddites! Yes indeed, I'd like to write an answering story to The Sixth Year- especially since there's a way out of the mess Kirk finds him self in at the end ... [8]

Finally, why is everybody so down on the people who ran the big STAR TREK Chicago Con this last August? It was my first Trek-con (the first time I realized I wasn't the Last Trek-fan Left Alive, in fact) and I had a great time. I know there were a lot of mix-ups about who the official gofers were supposed to be, but I know for a fact that this con was put together by only two girls (not a whole club) who'd never run any kind of-con before, much less a big one, and I think they can be excused for a few fuck-ups. So why all the geshrei about it? Explain?

((Editor's Note: To start with, if I have to answer any LoC questions, I'll employ Ruth Berman's method of enclosing them in double parentheses, ok? To answer: fandom has officially, and unofficially been a non-profit- making hobby-type activity. Conventions, and this includes STAR TREK conventions, have traditionally been non-profit- making. Any profits, if any, are donated to charity.

Lisa Boynton's con, and a few other professional cons have made huge profits (the Chicago Con, by some reports, cleared $100,000!). These people are making money off the- fans and are also escalating celebrity rates, Equicon, a legit con, is refusing to pay these rates, asking people who are interested in science fiction and not huge fees for a few moments of their time on stage, to the con as guests. And Equicon has annually donated any "profits" to charity. The roadshow cons, it is now feared, have marked the end of the STAR TREK conventions as we have known them.

Also, people resent being screwed; as one of the Chicago gofers, I know that Lisa reneged on the original terms. I hadn't planned on attending the con until I heard the terms. if I'd have known what was intended, I would not have gone regardless. Lisa did not pay all gofers full membership refunds, as agreed. She said she couldn't afford it ... )) [9]

Issue 4

front cover of issue #4, Linda Michaels
back cover of issue #4, James Steele

Warped Space 4 was published in March 1975 and contains 28 pages. It has sparse interior art by Jane Clinkenbeard, James Steele, Denise Peterson, and Gordon Carleton. The editor in issue #5's editorial admits that this issue wasn't proofread as she was busy with college finals.

  • To Me by Paula Block (12)
  • Turnabout Trouble by Gordon Carleton (12)
  • Double Trouble, fiction by Karen Klinck (13)
  • The Logical Thing to Do, fiction by Jan Marche (21)
  • a newspaper clipping from the Detroit Free Press for March 4, 1975: "A Million Letters Bring 'Star Trek' Back -- as a Movie" (27)
  • Warped Communications (29)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4

[zine]:Got WP4 and once again I'm Impressed. Being a super big Spock fan I went alsolutely ecstatic over "Tha Logical Thing to Do". It not only covered one of my favorite topics but it was super well-written, too! Keep it up.[10]

[zine]: "To Explore Strange New Worlds"- too confused, much too confused. And most of the references were kind of sand-bagging people. And all Gaelic, too. Can't you branch out a bit, please? If you had to do something that silly, you should have called fara (?) a widget. That would have made her last comment ("You may never get rid of me.") much more reasonable, and would have opened further doors. (That way, of course, Lyndri uould have been a Fifinella.)

Or haven't you heard about the computer haunted by gremlins?

I will not TOUCH "Turnabout Trouble"!

I'd hoped you would have caught a small mistake on p.15, column 1- Spock(2) grabbed Chekov (1), not (2). My typo (I know, I know ... ) By the way (p.17, col.2) I'm thinking of forming a series of awards: the Captain's Glare, the Raised Eyebrow, the Nurse's Professional Smile, etc. Any takers?

I loved "the Logical Thing to Do"- lovelyl Beautiful! A writer; a real, live writer! Whee!

Hey, uhat about a McCoy spin-off? Just think, whan Nimoy guests on it you could call it "Lost in Spock". Or when McCoy realizes his favorite dream: "Space General Hospital". Or, should the Spock spin-off air on Mondays and tha McCoy spin off on Tuesdays, you could call it "Spock is Yesterday".

Are you sufficiently ill yet? (Ouch!)[11]

[zine]:You folks ars getting better all the time. I loved Gordon's "Turnabout Trouble"; was hilarious. I about busted my belt - laughing at it.

The "Mirror Mirror" continuance was adequate, but not one of tha best pieces you have printed. It suffered badly by comparison to Laura Basta's superb "Federation and Empire" series from Babel. Also the use of numbers was bothersome, though I can't think of any other way it could have been handled. I liked having Uhura save them. One thing is that the narrator committed a minor error known as author intrusion - editorializing on events inconsistently. ("brutal captors") and in some other places. The basic plot wasn't bad, thought point of view was inconsistent and made for a slightly muddled feeling when reading it. The physics of how the Big E was thrown again into the other universe may also be questioned. Sort of like, "Well, if we ant them back there again just take the 2 factors that have previously ripped the Enterprise from the control of the crew and throw them tighter an that'll do it." ...

To Explore Strange New Worlds was very difficult to read -- I nearly dropped it in the tub in exasperation. I think that Ms. Logan know what the story was about but I don't yet. It came across as sort of a "Trekkie" tale I wrote when I was 14 -- the "I have powers you don't and am superior to you Star Fleet people, but I will fraternize with you anyway and show a little patience." She managed to display Kirk's chauvinism and bias a good deal -- especially after the ambassador pointed out that the "14 year old girl" was in fact older then he, and Kirk was too dense to pick up on it. Dee's allow was wistful but the background was too busy. Some of the Paradox background was good also.

Your trivia quiz is sadistic, as soon as I find my Concordance, I'll do it. Gordon's animals are great -- especially James T. Rat. Roddenberry didn't say anything new -- did you know that when he was at CMU, he recorded an interview that is avialaxbot to other NPR station? I happened to hear the tail end of it a couple of weeks ago. I loved Lori's format for her con report -- "And on the seven day, we rested" -- GREAT.

Dee's McCoy on p.14 was good.

The Logical Thing to Do was the best fictional piece in the magazine -- very good. A few minor literary polishings and I would say it's one of the best of "Why did Sarek and Amanda get married?" stories I have read. Very well done and it was really the logical thing to do. The only change I would make is to eliminate that last scene from Journal to Table. It is extraneous.

Thanks for printing info on the STFLAwards and the Free article, which I had missed seeing. It seems, so far, that Paula and I are your running commentary column. I still applaud you long and loud for printing criticism. Takes a lot of guts. Hey. How about trading cartoonists for an upcoming issue -- just for a change of pace and a little variety?

Paula pointed out (and no doubt you have already realized it) that if you reprint the con it will, of course be, Return of the Ourcon. Right?

I loved the back illo. The TV antenna I didn't notice 'til I studied it for the third time, and the little water bird in the back window. I might have extrapolated a sehlat whose eyes blinked on turn signals, too. [12]

[zine]: I loved WS4 - loaded with all sorts of fas-cinating stories and such! Anne Laurie Logan's stories are new to me and I will reserve judgement until a later date. Loved "The World of STAR TREK" by Gene Roddenberry. I have yet to hear this brilliant man speak in person. Sigh! Your STAR TREK Trivia Quiz was fantastic but I only missed two questions; how about a harder quiz next time, guys? [13]

[zine]:WS is a pretty good zine that started out enthusiastically only last year (Oct. 74) and is hitting it's 8th Issue this month. The graphic quality varies as to readability, but with the superb caricature talents of Gordon Carleton and the fine, occasionally excellent art of Jane Clinkenbeard the layout Is rapidly improving. The quality of content also varies widely from surprisingly good to mediocre. More than anything else, though, this zine is out standing, because it Is going places. It gets better every issue and the story "The Logical Thing to Do" in #5 was the best and I mean very best, "Why Amanda Married Sarek" story I've ever read. [14]

Issue 5

front cover of issue #5, James Steele
back cover of issue #5, Gordon Carleton, same as back of issue #1/2

Warped Space 5 was published in April 16, 1975 (second printing: November 25, 1975) and contains 16 pages.

From the editorial:

Next ish will have two pictures of Frank Herbert (author of Dune, among other titles) and some quotes of the aforementioned human being. Maybe Frederick Pohl, too, if we're lucky. (F.P. will be on campus April 21, 30. I Just might be able to get in an interview with him and get it ready for WS6. With luck.)

Ourcon '75. Ugh. Not really, but how was I to know what I'd gotten myself (and others) into? Missing a call from Waltor Koenig because I was in the bathtub!Talking to David Gerrold's answering service (which I've been told is a machine named Igor) because he wasn't home- but calling to find out, of all things, his social security number! Or calling Margaret Basta for assorted infos and talking to Sharon Ferraro and Carol Lynn at the same number because they all just happened to ba at Margaret's! (After I called Sharon in Kalamazoo end was told she was in Detroitl How was I to know?) Or calling Yang long distance and talking for 45 minutes or so! Ugh. Again. But I can't waitl (And, as a P.S,, we might have a surprise guest, or two. But it's a surprise ...

Having a con is... having some MSUSTCars pull a prank phone call on you at 11:45 p.m. (They identified themselves as Harlan Ellison's manager -- if I'd have been more awake, I'd have been more alert and would have caught on...) ... getting more mail in one day than you ever got all last year... answer more mail in one day than you ever answered all last year... etc.

[...

The last issue. Ugh. Not that it was a bad issue. Au contraire. But it wasn't proofread. At all. Put out during finals week, y'know.

[...]

Hey- ere you people out there? Don't you have anything, good or bad, to say about WARPED SPACE? We've love soma LoCs. We honestly would! I'm thinking of giving Sharon and Paula their own column! [15]

[...]

What with con (our), this ish, the next wish, the convention booklet, etc. and so forth, I feel like a troglyte [sic] chained to a typewriter in the depths of Yakeley Hall. But I do sometimes get out to attend classes.

From the editor, at the end of the zine:

This is our convention issue, folks! Not that it has any convention-related materials within its pages, but it is coming out for Ourcon '75. And because it a convention issue, it's just a tiny bit shorter than a regular issue as

far as normal number of pages go.

Time out from the editorial while I

explain something; this editorial is being typed at 1:24 am on Day 2- the dawn of the con and I've just spent some two hours in the company of Mark Lenard and David Gerrold after picking them up at the Lansing airport and Walter Koenig called to inform us that he couldn't arrive until very late Saturday night due to family concerns and was that alright with us? (Of course it is, we are very pleased to have you appear at all, Walter!)

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5

[zine]: Page One. Decent cover. Steele, tho' the Big E looks like it's been playing a bit too much frisbee recently. Your interiors in general are eh, but you are shaping into a reasonable portraitist,' Carleton, of course, is a fantastic characterist, as well as being damn funny. "Ransomed", however, couldn't have been saved with a heart transplant. Both "Ransomed" and Ed's

"Starburst" suffered from the same stylistic defect: e jumpy, incoherent style in which the plot line gets lost. In both stories, it was hard to figure out what was happening, let alone keep track of the storyline.

Both you guys need to tell the story more clearly. You, especially, Ed,had enough plot, cast, and scenery to fill a novelette, let alone a 4-page short, even when reduced. Do not pad, no, you guys throw enough trivialities into the tale as it goes; the 24 glossed-over crewmembers in. "8b", the Daystrom in "Rsm" needn't have bean there. But the logic of the plot needs to be filled in; you two jump too far, too fast, with too discrete hunks of plot, "Starburst" uas of particular interest to me because it was an extra-Enterprise story. It had good enough characterization, tho', as I mentioned, too many people were introduced, and their parts neither explained, nor resolved, Tho plot was jumpy, and its logic shaky, Uhy uould the captain bomb the star before the landing party returned (they might have found data that would have reversed the Captain's decision; alternatively, the lousy transporter could have blown yet another fuse, as they always seem to do at a critical moment, stranding the crew on the planet)? It wouldn't have affected the plot for the Captain to wait another 5 minutes. Why didn't Fyth warn the Captain the artifact was a solar voodoo doll? Hatred? Jealousy? Mutiny? April Fool? Too many things are left dangling. It could have been much better, Ed, your story in WS3 was much better fleshed.

Klinck's story is badly flawed, in that the dream cannot possibly be Spock's. Such would be entirely out-of-character for Our Hero, Actually, this is a lay—Spock story without even any of the good scenes; the wife is never really seen, not described, has one line. And that is because it is her dream, the situation she wishes could be. It is a Trekkie tale, too, very little substance, replete with, pray for us, Morbeus "and than I woke up" finish. Klinck is much better on filksongs. The Starfleet song is neat. Is there to be a filksing at Ourcon?

Clinkenbeard, as usual, had the superb, haunting illus; but far too few, gang, far too few.

Yer layout work is improving. While the quality of content has down a bit (because you're rushed getting the con together, I know), your graphics are immensely improved. But pleez! Do you have to reduce on a xerox before taking it to the printers? Isn't there anyone in town who will both reduce and print reasonably? At least, if at first you don't recede, buy, buy again; redo the xerox til it is all nice and black. Find another reducing xerox if you have to; there must be one somewhere else on campus. You also might white-out the edges of the original copy with liquid paper after you've pasted

them down; this will get rid of that black illo in the columns. [16]

[zine]: Thank you!On to WS5 and the heart of this LoC. Just file it under tho "Sharon and Paula comment on how crummy/great

our last issue was" column (AKA Warped Communications.)

First of all, the the editorial page illos really were great, to me anyway.... Tho other picture of you scrunched up under the covers is priceless. Great, I know what you mean about calling Yang and talking for 45 minutes too. I do it every time and so does he—no matter who is footing the bill, us aluwys and up talking for a horrible length of time.

Onward!! "Lt. M'Ress at the Federation Masquerade." Not bad. Interesting enough, BUT (and I hats to say this) vary difficult to make sense of if you weren't there.

Ed's "Starburst" was interesting, but like the last one, unpolished, I think I caught his veiled denunciation of Communism and Federation reformers (Typical of 3rd season Kirk—to hell with the Prime Directive), I've always thought that some of the other starship captains were less scrupulous than Kirk, And Ed allows a little of the Terran Xenophobia to emerge with the captain's description of the Zotians. But the thing that grated on the edges of my perfectionist readers senses was that there was no clear reason for Fyth's action. Why should he not tell the captain? Sure, Heim may have been a bigoted, overbearing fellow, but, for heaven's sake, the rest of the crew certainly didn't deserve to die. It followed fairly well up to that point (except for the-fact that I think Captain would hot have launced this Starburst until after his people had been beamed back aboard. It was not really a plot point,and would have worked just as well to transport the team up first and then launch it). Heim came across as a latter-day Patton—"Give me two weeks and I'll be in Stalingrad, and stomp those Communist bastards." Enough of that.

"To Stand Beside Me" was an interesting incident, but unclear and out of character for both Spock and McCoy. Even considering it was a dream; sort of a dream "Lay Spock" with a slight over tone of Trekkie fantasy.

Karen's poem and Gordon's poster were a nice pair. Have you seen the "Cadet's Lament" in T-Negative? Really funny. About the mortality rate of Junior officers.

"Ransomed" was interesting... Okay, Good idea,inadequately handled. Well enough plotted; nice to see #1 back at the steering wheel. It was unnecessary to have Chekov seduced. It mads no plot point and could have been left out. (By the way, perspective—wise, was Chekov kneeling in the shuttlecraft in that illo? Or was Spock standing with his back plastered against the shuttlecraft?) Actually, this story would probably have worked better in a script format, standard characters, and the middle of "He moved here and she moved there" would be handled much better as stage directions. Final comment—good plot, inadequate treatment.

"WS itch" was..umm..OK. Sounds very much like the "How I met LN" write-ups in the LNAF Journal. I suppose I would write the same type of thing, but not as long. "How I met Harlan Ellison at a cost to the University of over $1,000 and subsequently went Bananas for a Fortnight." Did you ever have a VIP serve Cool Whip to your guests at a dinner with his hands and throw a milk carton at the kitchen door? Well, neither have I, but it would be fun.

Is that enough?? Covers were fine, although the bridge looks a little pregnant in the back. [17]

Issue 6

front cover of issue #6, Paula Block
back cover of issue #6, not named, likely Gordon Carleton

Warped Space 6 was published in May 1975 and contains 20 pages.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6

See reactions and reviews for Nicheles, or Coming of Age.

See reactions and reviews for Made for Each Other.

[zine]: Heigh ho, fruit and cereal lovers. This time, the salad days, and I don't mean coleslaw. #6 was very, very good indeed, quite your best so far. [see this fan's comments for Nicheles, or Coming of Age on that page]. Chaingas was weird, but also well-done. I don't normally like this sort of story, told in the first person obscure. I'm not sure I "liked" this one. But I do recognize it as well-written and I applaud Kent. (Which, fer a dime, will get yer wash dried.)

You guys also have a talent for picking up good transcripts. How did you get hold of the Clarke tape? (ED: I did not yet have a tape recorder, and furiously scribble what Arthur C. Clarke said -- I would love a tape of his lecture. -- Lori Chapek)

One of Those Days -- silly but cute. Same for Lux Esto. Both were good.

[see this fan's comments for Made for Each Other on that page].

Anyway, very good issue. A far-improved sense of graphics, too. I are impressed.

Lori, I sent a shtick off to Phil to illo and send it on to you soonish. We very enjoyed your con. [18]

[zine]: Sorry to bust up the Ferraro-Smith monopoly but I think it's time some of us local people spoke up. Also, I think its' time that a few nice things were said in the midst of all this constructive criticism.

[see this fan's comments on the story Made for Each Other ]

[see this fan's comments on Ourcon ]

So let's hear it for Lori and peace in the Mooyou galaxy. [19]

[zine]: I'm not going to even attempt that word search in issue 6 as I'd have to bill you for the pair of

glasses that kind of concentration would need. That's my biggest complaint- too small print. I realize that with the cost of postage going up every second Monday, and printing costs being what they are, that it is difficult to use a larger print, but maybe if you solicited new subscribers the costs would equal themselves out. Yes? You know, if it hadn't been for Regina auctioning off her zines I might never have known about you. Why not an ad in APOTA? ((YED, again. The November issue of STAR TREK WELCOMMITTEE'S "A PIECE OF THE ACTION" has a full- page MSUSTC ad!))

Issue six "One of Those Days" was a cute idea but not well-written. The connections between events was seamless and it became obvious, although I loved the part about the crewmembers wandering about the corridors endlessly. The end was disappointing with the food being transported to the Klingons ... maybe it should've ended with Kirk looking for a bathroom. Anyway, liked the animals in the same issue, James T. Rat, Mr. Scotch and Mr. Spot. Especially Mr. Spot! Dressing up that fire hydrant with Vulcan era was ridiculous! [20]

Issue 7

cover of issue #7, Paula Block
back cover of issue #7, Gordon Carleton
included in the back of some reprints of issue #7, flyer for ReKWest*Con

Warped Space 7 was published June 4, 1975 and contains 26 pages. This issue was supposed to be the Ourcon report issue, but no one turned in enough stuff and there were final exams and.... The editor promises this content in issue #8.

Reprints: #2, August 12, 1975, #4, February 1, 1976, #4 ("and final") April 5, 1976.

NOTE: because there were so many reprints and it appears that Chapek tweaked/rewrote her editorials for each, each of the reprints may have slightly different commentary.

Copyrights on the fourth printing (1976) was to MSUSTC.

The editor reports in an early reprint that Ourcon 1975 was fun but financially troublesome and asks other fanzines (in exchange for a free ad in Warped Space) to run an announcement that, in part, says:

Ourcon '75 put the MSUSTC heavily into debt. If you wish to donate money to help pull us out of the hole, we can offer you the following deals. Lifetime membership to the MSUSTC (for as long as it and you are in existence) for donations of $5 or more; lifetime membership to the MSUSTC and an Ourcon program book (as long as they last) for donations of $10 or more; and lifetime membership, the program book and a three-issue subscriptions to Warped Space for donations of $15 or more!"

From the editorial in a later reprint:

On to this issue...Paula Block starts off in this issue, what we hope will ba a continuing series of Lt. Faulwell-Dr. McCoy episodes. Quaint. She and Gordon have co-authored the second installment, which is already completed. Talk about impatient!

[...]

This issue is dedicated to boojums Press (and that includes Sharon Ferraro and Paula Smith) for their encouragement, aid, and contributions. And their con was the first con I ever went to ... they really started me off in fandom (betcha didn't know that, huh, guys?) and set my feet on the primrose path ... Thanks a lot, guys.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7

[Birthday Waltz]: Having escaped his 47th birthday "surprise" party, a moody McCoy tends to Lt. Sadie Faulwell's sprained ankle, and ends up plying her with drinks and dancing. The writing is excellent, with fine characterization and dialogue, and the story is witty, tender and lyrical without being sappy. [21]

[After the Ball]: Sadie's point-of-view. McCoy is being shy after their first encounter, feeling like an old fool, and she sets out to convince him otherwise. Maintains the delightful dialogue and Faulwell's little eccentricities - like her addiction to the space between his teeth. [22]

[Lover's Story]: A not-very-interesting romance for Chekov, with Beatles lyrics and heavy accent. [23]

[zine]: Got the latest WS and, I must admit, I pretty much enjoyed it. Especially glad to see other comments printed besides Paula's and my barrages. Only on point I disagree with Paula Block on [refer to Block's letter in the previous issue] -- Paula S. and I don't take time to criticize bad or inadequate zines, ones that show no promises or ingenuity or creativity. We read them and stash them away to gather dust bunnies. WS is the most quickly improving, funny, creative, enjoyable (even when it's mediocre, it's fairly enjoyable) zine we've come across in a long time. We criticize it because we not only think, we know it's going to improve. The fiction is evolving at lightning speed and the art is following close and the humor that appears generally knocks me off the chair. I just went through Paula's bound set [of Warped Space] and was even more impressed to see them in sequence -- it is a measurable improvement. As busy as Paula and I are, we sincerely hope to ALWAYS have to time read WS and criticize it. (This hurts me more than it does you - I'm only spanking you because I love you!) Keep it up, team. Keep the old Flairs ready, the typewriter ribbon clean and the creative sparks clear. Zounds.

Enough of that. This ish, #7. Thanks for the dedication. Menagerie #6 is for Hulk but maybe we can reciprocate sometime.

"Birthday Waltz". The poem [at the beginning of the story] touched a chord in me somewhere. Nice, mushy, but nice. And I like a buck-toothed Lt. who has the same tendency I do -- play havoc with my ankles. The dialogue was pretty good and the characterization consistent. A good, if not excellent, character sketch of McCoy. Nice and not over-familiar. The Lay McCoy questionnaire was funny. Illo - not the best McCoy portrait I've seen.

Guinea Pig. This one drove me crazy. The characterization of Kong was great -- almost could see his gestures and hear his voice -- superb. Did not like the characterization of Mara, however -- helping her over a string, for heaven's sake! And her title would be Commander Mara or some such. She would be a "Lady" if he were a "Lord." One more point, to be a nitpicker, first I you say (on page 21) "Star Fleet Captain," the equivalent title would be either Imperial Fleet Captain or Klingon Fleet Captain. Or the phrase might be "A Klingon needs no thanks from a human."

Enough "constructive criticism" -- the story was welll-plotted, well-thought out and in many places- well-characterised. But (knew it was coming) it was too short. The whole thing could be expanded into 1/2 again its length for deeper characterization and better description. Conclusion: GOOD story- only wish it had been longer!

"Through the Grapevine" was OK. Nothing special. "Lover's Story" is like what I wrote in 8th grade (I've still got the manuscripts to prove it!) Granted the Beatles were a major influence on music of our time- 10 years of it, but it may be stretching it a bit to use it as the thematic background for a story. (And a story it aint- it's a scene or pastiche.) Personal prejudice- I dislike seductress stories- the wily woman using her charms to "get" her man. Sorry.

Thanks for running the ad on the bacover- much thanks. [24]

[zine]: After reading "Birthday Waltz," etc., I'd like to suggest that Paula Block be

nominated as the MSUSTC's official "warped mind." Sadie Faulwell, with buck-teeth and a propensity for pratfalls, mav not be Captain Kirk's cup of tea, but she's perfect for us lesser mortals (i.e., me) to identify with. (I refuse to comment on a tooth-gap fetish.)

"Guinea Pig" was pretty cute, but, if Starfleet Command was unaware of the psychologists' project (which is inferred by the suggestion that the two men would be punished) then how did the two get assigned aboard the Enterprise?

Your fanzine is wonderfully weird, and strangely addicting. LL & P [25]

[zine]: Issue 7's "Lay Somebody*' story was very funny, but I've only seen one story as yet; it was a pithy lay-Spock story by Amy Falkowitz in Rigel 1. I've heard there are hundreds but I've only seen one.

I'd love to find more to find out what all the uproar is about. [26]

[zine]: WS7 was nice, I liked Paula's story(s). But the saboteur story was totally unbelievable. [27]

I had trouble following "Guinea Pig," due to gaps in either the plot or the logic, and the fact that characters' attitudes toward each other keep shifting—e.g., after experiencing some of the practical jolts. Kang disbelieves Kirk. And there is no real reason given for the practical jokes, even if Psych section did put the perpetrators up to it. My favorite story (surprise!) was "Birthday Waltz," but I also liked "After the Ball," if only for one beautiful paragraph in which Paula captures beautifully the fright/nervousness/sudden reluctance of a relationship which is on the verge of becoming serious. I have noticed that there is a certain point in that situation at which it would be nice to have the time to pull back and consider your position, how you got there and whether you wish to be there; unfortunately, the opportunity seldom presents itself. [28]

Issue 8

front cover of issue #8, Gordon Carleton
back cover of issue #8, James Steele

Warped Space 8 was published in July 1975 and has 26 pages.

Second printing: August 12, 1975, third printing: November 25, 1975, fourth printing: February 1, 1976, Fifth ("and final") printing: April 5, 1976.

  • Landing Party Six Writer's Guide by Gordon Carleton. An excerpt and explantion for the publisher's name: "Girc'N is a native of T'Kuht, sister planet of Vulcan. (The existance of such a planet was visually documented in the animated ST episode "Yesteryear. While we all know that... Spock himself said that "Vulcan has no moon," an enterprising Filmation animator saw fit to put a large planetoid on the horizon of Vulcan -- it's on the cover of Log One. D.C. Fontana, duly embarassed that something of the sort should get through, postulated that Vulcan is part of a twin system, something like the home planets of the Romulans.) ...The name T'Kuht is actually the Vulcan name for the planet..." (2)
  • a con report for Ourcon by Sharon Ferraro, see that page (also in Menagerie #6) (4)
  • Ourcon Folio by Phil Foglio and Paula Smith. Cartoon chronicles the details of con going. (5)
  • A Private Little Naked Time by Paula Block (McCoy rescues Sadie from the influence of the spores from Psi 2000.) (14)
  • A Piece of the Naked Time by Gordon Carleton (21)
  • Star Struck, "Journey to Babcon" by Gordon Carleton (24)
  • art by Gordon Carleton (front cover and for "Star Struck"), Jim Steele (back cover), Phil Foglio for the Ourcon Portfolio
  • inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

    inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

  • inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

    inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

  • inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

    inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

  • inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

    inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

  • inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

    inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

  • inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

    inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

  • inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

    inside sample from issue #8, from the Foglio/Smith folio

  • inside sample from issue #8, first page of "Star Struck"

    inside sample from issue #8, first page of "Star Struck"

  • inside sample from issue #8, first page of the writer's guide, Gordon Carleton

    inside sample from issue #8, first page of the writer's guide, Gordon Carleton

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8

[A Private Little Naked Time]: Events of "The Naked Time" from Sadie's point of view, along with developments in her relationship with McCoy. Wonderful writing. As Sadie gets drunker, she dresses up and drags unaffected Girc'N to the ball in the bowling alley, and is happy to have Riley as captain (Kirk never gave them double ice cream). When McCoy shows up with the antidote she sees him as killing everybody, taking all the fun away. [29]

[A Piece of the Naked Time]: Events of "The Naked Time" from Girc'N's pov, recording the crew's actions. Amusing & rife with bad puns. [30]

[zine]: First impression was: bad offset. Actually it isn't TOO bad but it is smudgy and it doesn't do the artists' credit to have badly repro'd illos. The highlight of the issue is Phil Foglio's artistic portrayal of Ourcon. It knocks me on the ground laughing every time I read back over it, but then I was at Ourcon and I wouldn't know how well the strip would be taken by others. I gather that it was written for those people who have a scattering knowledge about Michigan fandom. Paula Smith also shares credit for the strip... a dangerous duo, Paula & Phil, watch out! There is another pictorial con report of Ourcon by Gordon Carleton, not quite as good as the Foglio one, but Gordon has a good mind for adding cute little things into the corners of his drawings. There is an outline also in this issue for a story idea called The Landing Party Stories. There are five character outlines given and I hope these can be used for comic representations of the Enterprise's daily life, since I can't imagine seriously sending down THAT selection of five ding-dongs for a potentially deadly landing party duty (or any other kind of duty). A story appears later on by Paula Block based upon this series. Its starts out fine, and Paula has a good sense for handling dialog in writing but at one point it switches from first person to third person and back again... almost as difficult as reading T-Negative's early dual-first-person Dorothy/Myfanwy stories. The story just doesn't end well, left me hanging. Generally, this zine is worth buying if only for Foglio's folio... the fiction, however, is inconsequential in this issue but for the format shows promise if they don't get too serious with the landing party series. [31]

[zine]: Gordon's "Babcon" thingy drove me nuts. Without even trying you can recognize Hawkeye and Yang right off. Unbelievable! (Gork's seven years are up? Uh-oh.) The landing party idea is also (to coin a phrase) great, and Gordon and Paula's "Naked Time" stories prove there's great promise and lots of laughs in store for future additions for the series. (Mighty Manfred the Wonder Elf in living black-and-white?! Keep it up.) And in all the Warped Spaces, I like Editors' Nook and Warped Communications. LoCs turn me on. Interesting to hear what others think of the zine you are reading or about to read. [32]

[zine]: A fantastic zine, gang. #7 was good and #8 was better. That's the whole thing about you guys -- you just keep getting better and better. And Ourcon, in more ways than not, was a good con. You people are - yes, you are now - class.

P. Block, youse is a fine writer. The "Naked Times" were well-written, well-characterized, and one fate few December-May relationships concerning a ST regular in trekfic that works. Very good. Your young character is not terribly young, as she is 29, nor, more importantly, does not act childishly. Gordon's version had less of a plot in itself, being simply a retelling of the first story, but it was interesting. The Landing Party series should be quite something as it developed. How does Dr. Wacker tie in?

The cartoon strips, naturally, I loved. (Aside from the fact that I wrote one of them.) Nobody does cartoons as well as Gordo, except maybe Phil. Marvelous, marvelous, even nationalous, she said, shaking her head bemusedly.

You will note that our criticism becomes less constructive and more eulogistic as you guys continue to progress so fantastically, and we find less to carp about. Get lousy again, so we can bug you some more. Fair enuf?

What about the porno ish? Love & kisses. [33]

[zine]: Hope you all enjoyed MicroCon II. We did, anyway.

One offshoot comment on WS8- it is the most dog-eared copy of any issue I have. I keep reading and rereading it. Especially the comics. Now, to keep things straight, I'll begin at the beginning. Karen Klinck's Ourcon report- I always enjoy hearing of ... what is the word ... maybe confrontation- with the "stars" a la Karen's costume and Mark Lenard's reaction.

The Landing Party Writers' Guide - a great idea. I really like it. One of the main attractions of writing Trek stories is that the main characters are already created and ready to use. Getting away from the "Big Three" makes it tougher for novices, but you give them a pre-set set of regulars also. Neat idea. I look forward to seeing what other WS readers come up with.

(Our story will be in to you by August 22- the #10 deadline- brown paper wrappers indeed.)

Being biased, all I can say about the Ourcon Folio is SUPERB. The only problem was the spotty printing. Too bad you can't find someone else as cheap that could do a better job.

Private Little Naked Time: was very nicely done. I enjoyed it and have reread it at least twice now. Couple of spots where the dialogue believability factor dropped a little (like p. 15, Scotty's line about "...forming attachments at this stage of the game." Scotty tends to be much more related in informal situation. [Also], you thought some of the bowling alley scenes was unreal -- not at all -- sounds entirely real. I had never thought that anyone would take Riley seriously and actually show up in the bowling alleys for for a dance.

A Piece of Naked Time was equally interesting -- showing two sides of the same event. The Landing Party stories may not be Great Literature, but is sure the hell is fun.

I heard Phil Foglio say at ReKWest*Con that he thought Gordon's "Journey to Babelcon" was a better cartoon report than his own. I wouldn't agree with that. I thought both were hilarious and equally funny in their own way. I do wonder, however, how interesting and enjoyable the reports (the Landing Party stories, etc.) are to people... readers... who did not attend the con or do not know the LP6 models personally.

I would hate to see WS turned into an incredibly enjoyable, but limited in-joke. It's too good to exclude some people because they can't have the pleasure of meeting Sadie Faulwell's and Girc'N's and Kimeya Maya's and Fred Shippe's and Mitva Razumov's models. At this point, I think the concept is working wonderfully well and the calibre of writing has made it interesting anyway, but the creation of the in-joke is something to avoid, watch for, and reject in upcoming sagas. HOORAY for Landing Party Six (and the KDC and KAC).

Keep up the fine work folks. I can't wait for the next issue. Hot jets. [34]

[zine]: I really enjoyed WS8. The characters you have all created are very tempting to write a story about. As you probably remember, MSUSTC was my first exposure to the vast amounts of people following ST. The more of the various fanzines I read, the more impressed I am with the quality of about 80% of the material. Pretty good percentage! And, of all the fanzines, I must admit I like WS test because of tne humor in a lot of stuff, particularly Gordon's work. His cartoons and stories, as well as Paula's, are excellent!

From the little you told me of WS10, that sounds like it'll be great.

One thing I forgot to say, was despite all its problems, the con went over well. We learned from the problems and mistakes and won't make them again. I hope we do have another con ... thanks for making it possible! [35]

[zine]: Issue 8 has got to be my favorite. The cover was hilarious with the Enterprise noticing the arrival of the Romulan ship coming in with Mark Lenard. The Landing Party Writer's Guide and the- first story is

an excellent idea with nice possibilities that I hope to see used. "Ourcon Folio" was THE best- my words can't describe how hard I laughed for how long, or how delicious I found it. This entire Todd Bake - Phil Foglio fight is great and I was in tears with giddiness. P. 8- the far right drawing by Bake, "Boy, I wish these Trekkies could draw ... " had me in spasms. Paula brings out the best in Foglio's humor. I'm a tremendous fan of theirs. I enjoyed Todd Bake's retaliation in issue 9; I didn't even notice The little hat dangling over' the flame until

I reread it. I love that ugly creature, the Nudorian, forcing everyone to subscribe. His hands with those tentacle-like cups are GREAT![36]

[zine]: WS is a pretty good zine that started out enthusiastically only last year (Oct. 74) and it's hitting it's 8th Issue this month. The graphic quality varies as to readability, but with the superb caricature talents of Gordon Carleton and the fine, occasionally excellent art of Jane Clinkenbeard the layout Is rapidly improving. The quality of content also varies widely from surprisingly good to mediocre. More than anything else, though, this zine is outstanding, because it Is going places. It gets better every issue and the story "The Logical Thing to Do" in #5 was the best and I mean very best, "Why Amanda Married Sarek" story I've ever read. [37]

Issue 9

front cover of issue #9, Gordon Carleton
back cover of issue #9, Jane Clinkenbeard

Warped Space 9 was published August 15, 1975 and contains 26 pages.

Second printing: November 25, 1975, third printing: February 1, 1976, fourth ("and final") printing April 5, 1976.

The editor notes that issue #10 will be one that subscribers can skip if they ask her:

Warped Space 10 (which we have been light-heartedly calling our "porno" ish) will only go out to those subscribers or whoever requests that issue! We don't want to offend anyone who might not like what sort of stories and/or artwork issue 10 will contain. It you don't think you'll like that issue, by al means let me know; you won't get that issue and we'll extend your subscription by one. WS10 is intended to parody Grup. We are calling it "Grope" [38] We are no means turning WS into a porno zine, etc, etc, etc. We just wanted to do something special for issue #10.

  • The Editor's Nook by Lori Chapek (1)
  • ReKWest*Con con report by Lori Chapek (1)
  • MicroCon II con report by Lori Chapek (1)
  • Warped Communications
  • I Was in Leonard Nimoy's Bedroom (and he wasn't wearing a shirt!), a review of Nimoy in the play "Fourposter" on stage for Drury Lane North in Chicago, by Paula M. Block (5)
  • After the Goldrush, Landing Party 6 fiction by Paula M. Block (Joanna McCoy is about to be married. McCoy wants to attend the wedding, but dreads the reunion with his ex-wife and her family. Both Sadie and Jim Kirk feel obligated to help and agree to accompany the doctor into the uncomfortable situation. After meeting McCoy's ex-wife, Sadie feels lonely, alienated, and realizes she really knows little about Leonard McCoy.) (6)
  • The Trouble with Revels (SCA: 1465), Landing Party 6 fiction by Lori Chapek and Paula Block (13)
  • Harvey Mudd's Song, filk by Karen Klinck (21)
  • Beginning of a Long Story, or of minkees and bears, or just one of them days, or voyage to the bottom of Cheronn Firraro, or invasion of the bears, or hell, it's just part of something, pull up a chair and listen, OK? (part one) by Paula Block (22)
  • conventions listings (27)
  • art by Gordon Carleton (front cover), Jane Clinkenbeard (back cover), Todd Bake, Paula Block and Joni Wagner

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9

[After the Gold Rush]: The Sadie/McCoy romance seems to be distancing a bit. McCoy is moody over having to see his ex at Joanna's wedding, and asks Sadie to come along; she feels used to prove his virility. She is also propositioned by a big, strong, blunt Mooan, who names her "Puritan." Though tempted, she sticks with McCoy. Paula's usual fine writing. [39]

[The Trouble with Revels]: LP6 is sent on a diplomatic mission to SCA 1465, where they find a medieval society and Sadie meets back up with the virile Mooan of the last episode, Athos. Athos challenges Girc'N for Sadie - but it's for appearances; Girc'N ends up well-looked-after while Sadie can choose to screw Athos or not. She chooses to.[40]

[The Beginning of a Long Story]: Enterprise is transporting ambassadors and LP6 members are having to look after them. So far they have Poblocki Bears (who like to push buttons and are opti-pathic, meaning everyone has to be cheerful around them) and Minkees (cats who can only say, "feeeeed meeeeee"). LP6 is headed for Nudor to pick up the next batch of ambassadors when a stowaway Minkee causes a shuttle crash. [41]

Issue 10

front cover of issue #10, Gordon Carleton
back cover of issue #10, Joni Wagner

Warped Space 10 was published in August 1975 and contains 33 pages. It is an adult het all-Star Trek: TOS issue.

This issue contains no letters of comment.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10

See reactions and reviews for Not Bad for a First Try.

[Nudorians on Parade]: Kinda tedious continuation of last story - the Nudorians, like so many fanzine races, run around naked and seem to do nothing but have sex with anyone and everyone in sight. LP6 meets them at their crashed shuttle, fends off their amorous overtures and beams up with them. The Nudorians continue to screw everywhere and arrive at the formal reception wearing only navel rings as their fancy dress, having shed the trench coats Girc'N talked them into wearing.[42]

[Mirror Leerer]: Sadie Faulwell's experience with Mirror McCoy while he's in our universe - he's into S & M; she ends up seducing him to hold him until Spock can round him up, once she figures out it's not her own Bones. Believable and interesting take on this situation. Particularly interesting is Sadie's reaction - she does not altogether hate the way he's treating her. [43]

[The Rylan Recommendation]: LP6 is sent down to observe the local primates, and find themselves sucked into an observation arena themselves, being observed by a Klingon device with overtones of the mindsifter. [44]

[A Private Little Amok Time]: Typical LP6 story with no apparent point except to stage a few sex scenes. LP6 is investigating a rather dull planet when a party of Klingons arrive to engage in an orgy. [45]

[zine]: Don't not get the wrong idea about me as far as WS10 is concerned. I am not a Puritan (yuk, yuk). I really liked it. It was interesting to read a story about someone who gets laid by Spock and didn't want to. At first she didn't ... WS is making rounds about the school. All of my copies are worn because of the handling. Kelly T. keeps a copy of WS10 in his folder so every time he opens it, there is Spock, staring us In the face. This, of course, draws attention from others, notably the senior English teacher. Lucky they were able to retrieve it before she got into it. In a Catholic school, it is not a great thing to have hanging around. [46]

[zine]: "Mirror Leerer" and "A Private Little Amok Time" by the two Paulas were very good. KAC and KDC were really in character. And I really loved "the Lace Box." Almost fell on my tushy reading that one. Hysteri cal! !! "Not Bad for a First Try" is in a class all by Itself. It goes against a few Kraith conceptions which I believe in, such as tenderness in love-making is a learned thing, therefore a Vulcan (even half-Vulcan] could not be so. Distasteful as it is, I also go along with Kraith's idea that pon farr is a case of. rape. In "Amok Time" T'Pring showed no emotion but reeked of cold logic while Spock showed a HELL of a lot of emotion. Makes sense. Either way it is, the story I loved. Appealed to my perverted side. [47]

[zine]: WS 10 was marvelous; I kept my roommate up with my hysterical laughter, interspersed with "You've got to read this!" [48]

[zine]: Absolutely loved WS10, "Not Bad for a First Try" was really good. Since it was the first issue I looked at, I got the impression at first that WARPED SPACE was an outlet for everyone's sexual fantasies! Also dug "Galactic Lovecry" and the accompanying Siegrist illo. Keep up the good work, folks; I'll be waiting for future issues. [49]

[zine]:

WS10 was kind of grotesque for the most part. I didn't finish reading the first and last stories in WS10 because the printing was so horrible and the first story was too dull to be worth the effort and the last story too grotesque to be worth the effort. I have mixed emotions about Paula Block's and Paula Smith's stories in WS10. One one hand they were well enough written; on the other— the subject matter just doesn't really appeal to me all that much. I mean, stories about McCoy raping someone and a landing party watching a Klingon orgy are not at the top of my stories-to-be-read list. Oddly enough, I enjoyed Connie 's lay-Spock story, but Connie handled the task beautifully.

I'm beginning to suspect that Faulwell is a Lt. Mary Sue in disguise— or maybe an anti-Lt. Mary Sue. Would you believe a mirror version of Pat Zotti's Amy? I've been trying to figure out what a Faulwell is in positive terms. The conception of Faulwell that I can make out is totally negative. But to be a believable character-- or I should say a 'sympathetic' character, especially to be a main character in a continuing series of stories— I should think that Faulwell should have a balance of positive and negative qualities. To be a believable crewmeriber of a starship she has to have a job on board and be reasonably qualified and stable enough to do the job. But it seems that almost every time we see her she's going off the deep end about silly little thing's like a birthday. Or she's ticked off at McCoy or seducing McCoy or being seduced by some alien. All of which can be fine, but there's a limit where it becomes a bit tiresome. If I remember right, Paula said in one of WS's lettercols that she was trying to portray a realistic relationship (one that isn't all 'sweetness and light') and that is a laudable goal. But I think she's making a mistake in trying to dump all the dramatic problems on Faulwell's shoulders -- it isn't reasonable. There should be some give and take in a normal relationship. McCoy's no saint. I hope in the future that she will let McCoy carry some of the burden of the stories, give Faulwell some positive qualities, point: up some of McCoy's weaknesses (his irascible nature, his stubborness, his probable devotion to duty/his career at the possible exclusion of some other parts of his life, etc." — in general put more balance into the series. [50]

[zine]: I wish to rebut Ms. Joyce K. Quackenbush's letter regarding the sexual escapades of Sadie Faulwell. As a woman of mature years who has been married to the same man for thirteen of them, I can assure all you little innocents out there that the true test of a relationship is whether it can withstand the kind of pressures described in the three Faulwell stories. If McCoy does take her back, their relationship will have been enhanced, and will probably take on a deeper meaning to both of them— they need each other and no outside episode can ever change that. I like the Faulwell stories, and I think Paula Block is a marvelously perceptive writer and a truly liberated and sensitive female to have written them. Aside from which— please change your printer so that I do not have to change my optometrist!! [51]

References

  1. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #3
  2. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #3
  3. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #3
  4. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #12
  5. ^ from an LoC by Sharon Ferraro in "Warped Space" #4
  6. ^ from an LoC by Paula Smith in "Warped Space" #4
  7. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #12
  8. ^ This answering story became The Weight.
  9. ^ comments by Leslie Fish and a reply from the editor of Warped Space #13
  10. ^ Annie Brown, one of three LoCs in "Warped Space" #5
  11. ^ Karen Klinck, one of three LoCs in "Warped Space" #5
  12. ^ Sharon Ferraro, one of three LoCs in "Warped Space" #5
  13. ^ a letter of comment by Vickie Carleton in Warped Space #9
  14. ^ by Sharon Ferraro in Menagerie #6
  15. ^ Sharon Ferraro and Paula Smith had contributed the majority of the letters of comment at this point.
  16. ^ from an LoC by Paula Smith in "Warped Space" #6
  17. ^ from an LoC by Sharon Ferraro in "Warped Space" #6
  18. ^ comments by Paula Smith in "Warped Space" #7
  19. ^ comments by Paula Block in "Warped Space" #7
  20. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #12
  21. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  22. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  23. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  24. ^ a letter of comment by Sharon Ferraro in Warped Space #8
  25. ^ a letter of comment by Beverly J. Miller in Warped Space #9
  26. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #12
  27. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #15
  28. ^ from a LoC in "Warped Space" #18
  29. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  30. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  31. ^ from Spectrum #18
  32. ^ from an LoC by Joni Wagner in Warped Space #9 (1975)
  33. ^ from an LoC by Paula Smith in Warped Space #9 (1975)
  34. ^ a letter of comment by Sharon Ferraro in Warped Space #9
  35. ^ a letter of comment by Linda Bryan in Warped Space #9
  36. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #12
  37. ^ letter of comment in "Warped Space" #12
  38. ^ The editors are apparently unaware of the UK series of zines called Grope.
  39. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  40. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  41. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  42. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  43. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  44. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  45. ^ Halliday’s Star Trek Zinedex (TOS) - Title Index, Archived version
  46. ^ from a fan's letter in Warped Space #11
  47. ^ from a fan's letter in Warped Space #12
  48. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #13
  49. ^ from an LoC in "Warped Space" #14
  50. ^ from an LoC by Roberta Rogow in "Warped Space" #15
  51. ^ from an LoC by Jean Lorrah in "Warped Space" #15
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