Orac's Oddities

Orac's Oddities is a free gen Blake's 7 newsletter edited by Joyce Bowen. 
It was published in the US and was meant to be for the "net-impaired." It was issued in 1997 only and had three issues. 
 
==The Need for a US Blake's 7 Infozine==
Bowen created "Orac's Oddities," in part, to fill the hole left by the cessation of Cephlon in December 1996.
Joyce Bowen wrote in October 1996: 
While Bowen felt she did not have the "required skills" for a formal newsletter, she did feel up to creating a more informal publication that was "Orac's Oddities." Also from October 1996: 
In May 1997, Bowen appears to state that she only intended to publish three issues: 
==Introduction==
From the first issue in February 1997: 
==Issue 1==
Orac's Oddities 1 was published in February 1997 and contains 10 pages. 
Oddly (ironic, considering its title), there were multiple editions of this first issue. 
From the third revision -- February 28: 
* various bits about Blake's 7 in the news and the upcoming 20th anniversary of the show
* an edited/condensed version of part one of three of an article by Faye Bull, In Defense of Blake (This article first appeared in The Blake's 7 Review #7 & #8 ("If you want the full text, SASE me.")
* a list of cons
* a list of fan clubs
* a list of "net sites" (there are five)
* some zine ads, some ads for fan-created merchandise
* an parody "article" by Dee Leery Us (Joyce Bowen), reprinted from Fantasies R Us #8752: "Blake's 7 20th Anniversary Merchandising Explosion"
* a list of TPTB addresses to write to ask that for the 20th Anniversary: ("Since 1998 is the 20th anniversary of BLAKE'S 7, we want BBC to make a special video. We'd like it to be a 'The Making of BLAKE'S 7" type of show with the stars being interviewed. Ideally, this would be shown in an edited one hour version on BBC-2 sometime during 1998, along with all fifty-two B7 episodes. Americans obviously are not going to be watching BBC-2, but we can express our support of B7 to BBC and STRESS the special video being made, especially since we'll be able to buy ft. Americans can, also, ask their local PBS stations to show BLAKE'S 7 in 1998 and mention the possibility of a B7 special being made. Try to send your PBS letters in May (1997). However, a letter to PBS anytime during 1997 is still a good idea.")
* the editor writes: "SUPPORT B7!!!!!! WRITE LETTERS ABOUT A SPECIAL. Go to DELIVERANCE '98 if you're one of the lucky types who do cons. Buy Wells's three audio tapes. It's like eavesdropping on a conversation. Buy BLAKE'S 7: THE INSIDE STORY. I wish the book were longer and had more photographs. It's really a book every B7 fan should own." 
Image:oracsoddities1-1.jpg|front page of issue #1
Image:oracsoddities1-2.jpg|inside page from issue #1
Image:oracsoddities1-3.jpg|inside page from issue #1
==Issue 2==
Orac's Oddities 2 was published in "June (ish)" 1997 and contains 15 pages.
* contains a four-page flyer for the con Deliverance
* much about fan-created Blake's 7 merchandise for sale, including teddy bears by Marian Mendez, zines, clubs, cons
* a short bio/memorial about Terry Nation, who had recently died
* some info about the Blake's 7 20th Anniversary Campaign
* article: "Blake's 7: the Inside Story" by Joe Nazzaro and Sheelagh Wells
* a B7 quiz
* a con report by Whitby27 for Neutral Zone 1997 
* a con report for Neutral Zone by Ginerva Syn
* "In Defense of Blake, Part Two: Terrorist or Freedom Fighter" by Faye Bull (condensed)
* news on the actors
* a short review of the three taped "conversations" ("Together Again" -- "Blake's Back," "Liberatored," and "Action" -- produced by Sheelagh Wells and Joe Nazzaro)
Image:oracsoddities-1.jpg|page from issue #2
Image:oracsoddities-2.jpg|page from issue #2
Image:oracsoddities-3.jpg|page from issue #2
 
==Issue 3==
Orac's Oddities 3 was published in September/October 1997. It was the last issue.
==References==
 
 
Category:Blake's 7 Non-fiction Zines
Category:1997 Zines