Twin Suns

Twin Suns is a gen Star Wars fanzine.
The first issue was sort of a sister zine to ReVisions.
It ran for three issues. According to a flyer printed in Starwings #1, Jani Hicks was planning to release a fourth issue of Twin Suns at the 1983 MediaWest*Con.
==Twin Suns and "The George Lucas Letter Controversy"==
The fanzine ended up ceasing publication in response to concern over censorship from Lucasfilm that arose when Maureen Garrett, head of the Official Star Wars club, sent an August 1981 cease and desist order to the publishers of another fanzine, Guardian, claiming that issue #3 of the fanzine had violated the informal policy of George Lucas to tolerate fan fiction, provided it was not 'pornographic." McCardle, "Fan Fiction: What's All The Fuss?".
Boldly Writing documented the fall-out: "Many Star Wars fans protested, calling such an action "censorship," while other Star Wars fans, particularly ex-Star Trek fans who left because of K/S fanzines, applauded the action. In any event, two issues later, in letterzine Forum 16, Maureen sent another letter, which stated, "we hope you understand that our policy is an exercise in OWNERSHIP not censorship... Lucasfilm supports the publication of Star Wars fanzines."
Previously, in March 1981, Hicks had stated in her submission request for "Twin Suns" #3 that: 
In a letter printed in both Forum #16 (November 1981/January 1982), and in Jundland Wastes #5/6 (November 1981), Hicks wrote: 
See also: Open Letter to Star Wars Zine Publishers
See also: a zine that was stillborn due to this conflict, Scoundrel.
==Zine Guidelines==
From the third issue (which, because there were no further issues, were moot points): 
In 1991, a fan commented upon the editor's stance on making changes to an author's story:
==Issue 1==
Twin Suns 1 was published in May 1980 and contains 165 pages. It is offset reduced and has one insert.
The art is by Allyson Whitfield, Pam Kowalski, Linda Stoops, Martynn, Susan Perry-Lewis, Angela-marie Varesano, Joni Wagner, Daphne Hamilton, Lisa Mason, and Paulie Gilmore.
This issue was dedicated to Lori Chapek-Carleton.
The editor notes in the editorial that her mom "floated the loan" for this issue.
From the editorial by Hicks: 
From the zine's comments by Sacksteder: 
* Editorial by Jani Hicks, cartoon by Paulie (1)
* Publisher-torial, Publisher-torial Twinned by Ronni Sacksteder and Beth Bowles (2)
* Heads, I Win, Tails, You Lose" by Kelly Hill, illustrated by Martynn (3)
* Haiku by Linda Stoops (15)
* Ghost in Far Sector by Susan Matthews, illustrated by Pam Kowalski (Is there something in Far Sector? Han never did find out.) (17)
* Rivers of Sand (from the Collected Works of Obi-Wan Kenobi) by Angela-marie Varesano (38)
* Finish This Story by Jani Hicks (42)
* Starsame, poem by Paula M. Block (45)
* The Twin Suns Definitive MOther of a Star Wars Trivia Quiz by Linda Stoops and Jani Hicks (46)
* No Time for Our Sorrows by Ronni Sacksteder, illustrated by Joni Wagner ("Leia's life on Alderaan couldn't have been that empty.") (49)
* The Training 'Droid Interview, or "Where Have I Heard This Before?" by Doug Everman (64)
* Long, Long Way from Home by Michelle Malkin, illustrated by Daphne Hamilton ("Leia's missing in action, Luke's in the pits, and Han's beside himself.") (65)
* Bonnie Ship the Falcon, filk by Linda Stoops (92)
* Child of the Lightning by Rose Wolfe, illustrated by Lisa Mason (Ever hear of a psi-blind Jedi?) (94)
* Twin Suns Trilogy, three poems by Beth Bowles (112)
* Hail and Farewell by Christine Jeffords, illustrated by Paulie Gilmore ("The last ride to Kashyyyk... for everyone concerned.") (114)
* answers to the trivia quiz (145)
* It Could Be SWars, a survey (147)
* Credits Where Credits are Due Dept. (149)
* 'Zine Market (150)
* Closing Word -- S'Our Wars, Too by Jani Hicks, who credits the title to Gordon Carleton from an issue of Warped Space. (This is an edtiorial complaining about the secrecy of Lucasfilm and the "games studios play." Maggie Nowakowska wrote a response to this essay in the next issue.) (116)
File:twinsuns1-1.jpg|from issue #1, Martynn (as per comments by fans: the original character is physically modeled after David Starsky)
File:twinsuns1-2.jpg|from issue #1, Martynn
File:twinsuns1-3.jpg|from issue #1, Linda Stoops
File:twinsuns1-4.jpg|from issue #1, first page of "Ghost in Far Sector"
File:twinsuns1-5.jpg|from issue #1, Pam Kowalski -- Ama Epeel (sixty-year old rebel and grandmother) in "Ghost in Far Sector," digs a "bullet" out of her own leg
File:twinsuns1-6.jpg|from issue #1, Pam Kowalski
File:twinsuns1-7.jpg|from issue #1, Angela-marie Varesano
File:twinsuns1-8.jpg|from issue #1, calligraphy by Allyson Whitfield
File:twinsuns1-9.jpg|from issue #1, Susan Perry-Lewis
File:twinsuns1-11.jpg|from issue #1, Joni Wagner
File:twinsuns1-12.jpg|from issue #1, Joni Wagner, centerfold, reprinted from Pegasus #4-1
File:twinsuns1-13.jpg|from issue #1, Daphne Hamilton
File:twinsuns1-14.jpg|from issue #1, Linda Stoops, possibly shows either some fans' original characters or the editors of this zine
File:twinsuns1-15.jpg|from issue #1, Lisa Mason
File:twinsuns1-16.jpg|from issue #1, Paulie Gilmore
File:twinsuns1-17.jpg|from issue #1, Paulie Gilmore
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1==
==Issue 2==
Twin Suns 2 has the subtitle, "Tattoo" was published in 1981 and is 148 pages long, offset, reduced. The front cover is by Martynn, the back by Amy Falkowitz, foldout by Joni Wagner. Other art is by art by Amy Falkowitz, Susan Perry-Lewis, Joni Wagner, Gordon Carleton, Eileen Eldred, Dot Sasscer, Paulie, Angela-marie Varesano, MRO Ludwid and Phil Foglio.
This issue was dedicated to Maureen Garrett.
From the zine: 
The editorial: 
* Editorial by Jani Hicks (1)
* Nits, Notes, & News (letters of comment) (2)
* Revolution Trilogy, filk to the tune of 'Prison Trilogy: Billy Rose' by Joan Baez, by Linda Stoops and Jani Hicks (8)
* Welcome Aboard by Eva Albertsson (Devanna Marongh has talents that can do the Rebellion great service -- Chewbacca knows more about them than anyone) ("winner ("The only entrant -- but that doesn't reflect on the fine quallty of this story, of our Finish This Story contest. Devanna Maronkh has some talents that can do the Rebellion great service -- and Chewbacca knows more about them than anyone. Can he verify her methods?") (10)
* Someone Saved My Ass Tonight, filk to the tune of 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight' by Elton John, by Jani Hicks (18)
* Creatures of the Force, a multipage art portfolio by Amy Falkowitz with narration (20)
* Apology, poem by Beth Bowles (31)
* He's a Sith Lord After All, filk to the tune of "It's a Small World," by Roseann Magda (32)
* Poetry Suite, many poems by Karen Klinck (33)
* A Piece of Alderaan, filk to the tune of "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," by Roseann Magda (43)
* Twisted Truths, poem by Eileen Eldred (44)
* Too Hot to Leave, filk to the tune of "Hotel California," by Jani Hicks (46)
* Some Call You Rebel: Tales from the Contraverse by Jani Hicks ("Begun in Revisions #4 but completed and significantly emended for this printing." An old friend of Han's comes to his rescue in her hour of need, and her association with him costs her dearly.") (47)
* The Source Of Courage by Jani Hicks (71)
* He Remembers All Too Well, poem by Beverly Lorenstein (74)
* Chinese Fire Drill by Anne Elizabeth Zeek and Barbara Wenk (part of the "Circle of Fire" series) (discussed in Han and Leia in Fanfiction) ("The Rebellion is short a few hundred ships after Yavin 4 -- including its transport fleet -- and they hire an old friend of Han's to procure them. The Alliance isn't asking her to spy; it's only asking her to steal!") (This story was reprinted in Collected Circle of Fire with much more art, and better reproduction.) (76)
* Credits Where Credits Are Due (138)
* 'Zine Market (139)
* Editorial Reply by Maggie Nowakowska (148)
File:twinsuns2-1.jpg|from issue #2, Amy Falkowitz
File:twinsuns2-2.jpg|from issue #2, Joni Wagner
File:twinsuns2-3.jpg|from issue #2, calligraphy by Allyson Whitfield
File:twinsuns2-4.jpg|from issue #2, Eileen Eldred
File:twinsuns2-5.jpg|from issue #2, Joni Wagner
File:twinsuns2-6.jpg|from issue #2, Paulie
File:twinsuns2-7.jpg|from issue #2, Paulie
File:twinsuns2-8.jpg|from issue #2, Paulie
File:twinsuns2-9.jpg|from issue #2, Joni Wagner
File:collectedcircleoffire-2.jpg|M.R.O. Ludwig (for "Chinese Fire Drill" -- note: as it was printed in Collected Circle of Fire)
File:collectedcircleoffire-3.jpg|M.R.O. Ludwig (for "Chinese Fire Drill" -- note: as it was printed in Collected Circle of Fire)
File:collectedcircleoffire-4.jpg|M.R.O. Ludwig: Leia dresses as a thief to get some information (for "Chinese Fire Drill" -- note: as it was printed in Collected Circle of Fire)
File:collectedcircleoffire-5.jpg|M.R.O. Ludwig: Leia dresses as a sex worker to get some information (for "Chinese Fire Drill" -- note: as it was printed in Collected Circle of Fire)
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2==
==Issue 3==
Twin Suns 3 was published in 1982 and contains 144 pages.
The artwork is by Daphne Hamilton, Linda Stoops, Martynn, Joni Wagner, Bernie, Wanda Lybarger, Eluki bes Shahar, Meredydd, Carol McPherson, Lee Reynolds, and Gordon Carleton.
A flyer said the original four color covers were cancelled when the printer told the publisher it would cost an extra $500.
The copyright statement: 
* Letters of Comment (1)
* Knight Errant by Samantha Blackley, illustrated by Martynn ("a vignette showing Han's chivalrous spirit") (10)
* The Voice, poem by Marcia Bring (17)
* Proving Ground by eluki bes shahar, illustrated by the author ("if you liked Heinlein and Norton when you were a kid, you'll love this (besides, the hero is, well, interesting)") (18)
* Tonight, My Friend, poem by Irene Shafer (42)
* The Last Knight, poem by Jenni (45)
* Dateline: Mt. Trumbull by Linda Stoops, illustrated by Eluki bes Shahar ("it's round, and blue, and watery, and hangs in the sky like a cloudy orb on a moonless night") (46)
* Monologue, poem by Ronni Sacksteder (49)
* Decisions by Rhiemmenth, illustrated by Linda Yamashiro ("two old friends, some questions, and a fateful choice") (50)
* Someone to Talk To by Carol Mularski (part of her "Desert Seed Series), (illustrated by Carol McPherson) ("Luke comer to grips with his parentage and his memories") (52)
* The Flame, poem by Irene Shafer (63)
* Thousand Worlds Hymn, filk to the tune of "The United Nations Anthem" by Ludwig von Beethoven, by Maggie Nowakowska (64)
* The Turning of Tocneppil by Beverly Bishop, illustrated by Dot Sasscer ("a little story of Darth and Leia's, uh, previous acquaintance") (66)
* Night Cry, poem by Marcia Brin (77)
* Twilight, filk to the tune of "Four Green Fields" by Tommy Maken, by Maggie Nowakowska (78)
* by T.S. Weddell, illustrated by Wanda Lybarger ("Han and Luke have a strange encounter at a harvest festival") (80)
* Four Filks by Roseann Magda (91)
** I'd Like to Teach the Jedi Way, to the tune of "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing"
** The Emperor's Lament, to the tune of "Suicide is Painless" -- the theme from M*A*S*H by Johnny Mandel
** Find Us a Base, to the tune of "Home on the Range"
** Boba Fett's Favorite Things, to the tune of "My Favorite Things" by Richard Rogers
* Revenant by Anne Elizabeth Zeek, illustrated by Jackie Dunster ("AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following story stands on its own. It is an independent tale which does not belong to any^ universe which I have created either alone or with a co-author. "Revenant" borrows elements from the CIRCLE OF FIRE universe and, as a result, could be considered an "alternate" FIRE story. But this is not its original purpose. "Revenant" is, purely and simply, an SF story, a 'what if?' tale written for your— enjoyment?") (96)
* Rebirth, An Elsequel to Revanant by Anne Elizabeth Zeek (127)
* Diverstissments, Games, Word Search and Puzzles by Lori Kilpatrick (129)
* SunsSet, editorial ramblings and ravings by Jani Hicks (133)
* 'Zine Market, ads (139)
File:twinsuns3-1.jpg|from issue #3, Martynn
File:twinsuns3-2.jpg|from issue #3, Martynn
File:twinsuns3-3.jpg|from issue #3, Joni Wagner
File:twinsuns3-4.jpg|from issue #3, eluki bes shahar
File:twinsuns3-5.jpg|from issue #3, eluki bes shahar
File:twinsuns3-6.jpg|from issue #3, eluki bes shahar
File:twinsuns3-7.jpg|from issue #3, Carol McPherson
File:twinsuns3-8.jpg|from issue #3, Wanda Lybarger
File:twinsuns3-9.jpg|from issue #3, Meredydd
File:twinsuns3-10.jpg|from issue #3
File:twinsuns3-11.jpg|from issue #3, Gordon Carleton
File:twinsuns3-12.jpg|from issue #3, Gordon Carleton
File:twinsuns3-13.jpg|from issue #3, JR Dunster
File:twinsuns3-14.jpg|from issue #3, JR Dunster
File:twinsuns3-15.jpg|from issue #3, eluki bes shahar, illo accompanying the editoral
File:twinsuns3-16.jpg|from issue #3, eluki bes shahar, commentary on George Lucas' fanwork restrictions, see The Star Wars Letters
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3==
==References==
Category:Star Wars Zines
Category:1980s