Communicator (Star Trek UK newsletter)

Communicator is a Star Trek: TOS newsletter and letterzine published by Rosemary Wild in the UK that ran for four years. Mimeo, A4.
Wild bought her own duplicator; issue #6 is the first issue printed with it. She wrote that "all splotches" can now be blamed on her. 
Fan who wrote essays and reviews got a free trib copy of this zine, but fans who simply wrote a letter of comment did not. 
==Description from an Ad==
==From the Editor==
==Censorship==
While the letterzine itself did not censor its content, getting the word out about it and the other zines Wild published required clearing some hurdles, specifically those in Great Britain. 
In issue #23, the editor wrote about these challenges: 
==Issue 1 (1981)==
Communicator 1 was published in late 1981 and contains 20 pages.
* review of The Tribe of Jen-Wae, see that page
* review of Classified Assignments #1, see that page
* two reviews of The Price and the Prize, see that page
* review of Relay #3, see that page
* a review of the tie-in book, Death's Angel by Kathleen Sky
* Nocturne, see that page
* letters of comment
* a short bit of tongue-in-cheek words from a Vulcan Dictionary
* ad for a Star Trek Writers' Workshop (July 2-July 4, 1982, Wigston Stage Hotel in Leicester)
* a con report for Aucon '81, see that page
* British zine ads
* American zine ads
* some fan club descriptions
* some trivia 
* forthcoming conventions
===Issue 1: Excerpts from Comments===
==Issue 2 (1982)==
Communicator 2 was published in January 1982 and contains 22 pages. 
* a review of Variations on a Theme #5, see that page
* a review of Classified Assignments, see that page
* a review of Obsession #1, see that page
* a review of Final Frontier #1, see that page
* two reviews of If Freedom Fall?, see that page; there is also a discussion of these reviews in "Communicator" #5
* In Defence of V'Ger, meta by Sarah Smith
===Issue 2: Excerpts from Comments=== 
From the editor: 
Also from the editor: 
A fan's comment: 
A fan's comment: 
A fan's comment: 
A fan's comment: 
A fan's comment: 
A fan's comment: 
A fan's comment: 
==Issue 3 (1982)==
Communicator 3 was published in 1982 (February?) and contains 22 pages.
* Vault of Tomorrow #1, see that page
* Epilogue #1 and #2, see that page
* two reviews of Precessional, see that page
* two reviews of T'hy'la #1, see that page
* Out of Bounds, see that page
* Weaver of Dreams, see that page
* a review of the tie-in book, "Covenant of the Crown"
* "The Perils and Pitfalls of Ordering American Zines" by Rosemary W.: ("From the title of this article, you will see that it is by nature a warning. My own experience of American zine ordering is, like my available cash, limited and before 'Communicator' my contacts in fandom were also circumscribed.... I made up my mind to produce an article incorporating all the complaints I have received. I have done this in my own, name, rather than use a pen-name, for sake of truth and so that outraged zine eds. know where to write. I do not wish to detract in any way from the excellent work of many eds. and the fine-quality of the finished zines, but there are problems which it is only fair that British fans (and many of our readers are new fans) should, know about." -- some of these complaints are editors who do not respond to letters, editors who collect cash in advance and don't send zines [[[Naked Times]] #4/5 is specifically called out as fans waited MANY years for this publication], zines still being advertised when in fact they are out of print, inflating prices of zines....)
===Issue 3: Excerpts from Comments===
A fan comments, taking on the topic of American zines vs. British zines: 
A fan comments on no-frills zines and "quality": 
A fan has these opinions: 
A fan would like to be warned: 
==Issue 4 (1982)==
Communicator 4 was published in March 1982 and contains 22 pages. 
* The Beginner's Guide to Kraith Collected part one by Vivienne Rivers includes a short introduction, and an overview (not a review) of Kraith Collected #1, see that page
* One Way Mirror, see that page
* Nor No Man Ever Loved, see that page
* The Honorable Sacrifice, see that page
* K/S Relay #4, see that page
* Cheap Thrills #3, see that page
* Mirrors of Mind and Flesh, see that page
* "The Lesson," vignette by Janette Burton
===Issue 4: Excerpts from Comments===
A fan commented on terminology and opinion and pseuds, and a reply by the editor of "Communicator": 
A fan is pleased with this publication and has a suggestion: 
A fan of pen names said: 
Regarding judging first efforts: 
A fan comments on another fan's admonishment of Trek fans and their cliquish behavior at cons and said: 
A zine ed and writer comments about recurring themes in Trek fic: 
A fan suggests steering away from some practices of other fandoms, specifically Doctor Who: 
==Issue 5 (1982)==
Communicator 5 was published in early May 1982 and contains 22 pages.
* The Beginner's Guide to Kraith Collected part two by Vivienne Rivers, see that page
* How We Learned to Stop Guessing and Trust Roget, essay by Sheila Clark and Valerie Piacentini
* New Enterprise Log #2, see that page
* Excalibur #8 , see that page
* Out of Bounds, Too, see that page
* Odyssey #6, see that page
*two reviews of The Child Within Us, see that page
* Variations on a Theme #6, see that page
* Alnitah #13, see that page
* Nightvisions, see that page
* comments and a con report: UFP Con, see that page
* a con report for Shore Leave, see that page
 
===Issue 5: Excerpts from Comments===
"Author's Song" by Anon: 
A fan comments on some misgivings regarding the upcoming Trek movie: 
An artist, Barbara Gordon, comments about remarks in a previous issue, and the editor of this letterzine responds: 
Comments about zine contents: 
Regarding no-frills zines: 
Regarding letters of comment and cost and priorities: 
==Issue 6 (1982)==
Communicator 6 was published in June 1982 and contains 22 pages. 
* Nome #5, see that page
* Triad, see that page
* Contact #7, see that page
* Spin Dizzie #6, see that page
* Kraith Collected #2, see that page
* Trilogy, see that page
* Moonwind, see that page
* Beyond Antares #18/19, see that page
* The Tale of Windy Hollow, see that page
* the tie-in book The Prometheus Design, see that page
* the tie-in book, "The Abode of Life"
* there is an artist/author statement from Ann Humphry and Meg Wright
* Where No Actor Has Gone Before?, essay by Sarah Smith
* a fan's review of The Wrath of Khan
===Issue 6: Excerpts from Comments===
From Tina Pole regarding various rumors about Galileo Con: 
A fan's comment about a movie: 
A fan comments about fans being teased: 
A fan comments about zine types and material: 
Reader's Song by Lottie Thomas: 
==Issue 7 (1982)==
Communicator 7 was published in late September/early October 1982 and contains 24 pages. 
* Barbara P. Gordon has a short personal statement: "The sequel to my story Love Slave's Song which appeared in Duet #3 has been accepted for publication. It will not be censored in any way. Details will be forthcoming." (This is a reference to the story that became Loveslaves that was eventually published by Gordon (with a pseud) in Alien Brothers in 1987. The story which featured a sex scene with fisting was rejected by the editor of "Duet" for being too extreme and dangerous.)
* Offstage Enterprise, see that page
* Gemini: The Flame and the Fire, see that page
* Classified Assignments #2, see that page
* two reviews of Never and Always with Lighter Shades, see that page
* Kraith Collected #3, see that page
* Saurian Brandy Digest #28, see that page
* The Castaways, see that page
* Let Me Count the Ways, a story in Eridani Triad #2, see that page
* Ni Var, see that page
* In Defence of Mary-Sue, meta by Karen Maund, a response to this essay is Lavinia Versus The Creeping Blorch, or A Reaction to the "Defence of Mary Sue" in issue #10
* a con report for Star Trek Writer's Workshop, see that page
* an essay by Sue W called "A Death Scene" about a then-recently aired television programme about Nelson, the relationship between his First Officer (Hardy), and how this compares to Kirk and Spock
===Issue 7: Excerpts from Comments===
Not a fan of K/S: 
On differences: 
A thought on cultural confidence: 
Regarding art, and Barbara Gordon's comments in a previous issue: 
Regarding the movie The Wrath of Khan: 
Regarding the movie: 
==Issue 8 (1982)==
Communicator 8 was published in December 1982 and contains 24 pages.
 
* a review of Enterprise Log Entries #50, see that page
* a review of The Problems of Doctor Penhaligon, see that page
* a review of The Things I Cannot Change, see that page
* a review of Cheap Thrills #4, see that page
* a review of R & R #17, see that page
* a review of New Enterprise Log #2 and #3, see those pages
* a review of The Daneswoman, see that page
* a con report for Galileo Con, see that page
* "Star Trek: The New Arthuriad?", meta by Lyn M
===Issue 8: Excerpts from Comments===
Comments from Wild about zine piracy: 
Regarding the movie: 
About the movie: 
About the movie: 
Regarding the comments in the previous issue about art, education, and fan opinion: 
Stop dragging sex into it: 
About that sex in earlier zines, and more: 
==Issue 9 (1983)==
Communicator 9 was published in January 1983 and contains 24 pages.
* a review of Quartet, see that page
* a review of Debt of Dishonour, see that page
* a review of Contact #8, see that page
* a review of Cheap Thrills #4, see that page
* a review of The Clean Zine, see that page
* a review of Kirk, see that page
* a review of The Morning of the Sixth Day, see that page
* a review of Brave New Worlds, see that page
* a review of Alternative #2/3, see that page
* a review of the pro book "The Making of ST2 - The Wrath of Khan" by Allan Asherman ("This seems to me to be a perfect example of 'cashing in' on Star Trek, although I wouldn't call it a rip-off (like some of the books that followed ST TMP)."
* The Appeal of the Slave Story in Fandom, meta by Jane Jones
* "Alexander Parallels," meta by Sue Williams about parallels between Alexander the Great and James T. Kirk
* a fan's review of the movie The Wrath of Khan
===Issue 9: Excerpts from Comments===
Sheila Clark wrote about zine production, and about differing views of Trek: 
Valerie Piacentini wrote about zine reproduction, auctions, and out-of-print zines: 
Barbara P. Gordon wrote about reviews: 
This fan has read porn, and ma'am, K/S is no porn: 
Glen David wrote about a review of one of her zines, and of being jossed by stardates: 
===Issue 9: Reactions and Reviews ===
==Issue 10 (1983)==
Communicator 10 was published in February 1983 and contains 22 pages.
* news that two fans are trying to start a zine library by post
* a letter by Della Van Hise that the editor of "Communicator" says is "regarding the NT situation." The letter, Wild says," "speaks for itself and is very revealing of the financial position of the U.S. eds." 
* a review of Obsession #2, see that page
* two reviews of Alnitah #14, see that page
* a review of Naked Times #4/5 part one, see that page
* a review of Mixed Metaphors, see that page
* a review of Fesarius #5, see that page
* two reviews of Black Fire, a tie-in novel by Sonni Cooper, see that page
* a review of A Vulcan Trilogy by Doris Beetem in Eridani Triad #1, see that page
* a LONG open/personal letter from Della Van Hise about the troubles she is having in her personal life and therefore in getting zines out to people who have ordered them, see In regards to the rumors - I'm not surprised that they're circulating...
* One Editor's Views, meta by D. DaBinett
* LAVINIA versus THE CREEPING BLORCH, or, A reaction to the 'Defence of Mary Sue', meta by Pam Baddeley (a response to Karen Maund's In Defence of Mary-Sue)
* Treklit as Eroticism, meta by Helen R. Bookman
===Issue 10: Excerpts from Comments===
===Issue 10: Reactions and Reviews ===
==Issue 11 (1983)==
Communicator 11 was published in 1983.
==Issue 12 (1983)==
Communicator 12 was published in 1983.
==Issue 13 (1983)==
Communicator 13 was published in 1983.
==Issue 14 (1983)==
Communicator 14 was published in 1983.
==Issue 15 (1984)==
Communicator 15 was published in January 1984 and contains 24 pages.
 
* "Star Trek: The Search for Spock -- Notes taken on slide presentation by Paramount"
* a review of Stern Daughter, see that page
* a review of Duet #6 and #8, see that page
* a review of Kraith Collected #4, see that page
* two reviews of And Another K/S Zine, see that page
* a review of the tie-n novel by Diane Duane: "The Wounded Sky"
* a review of The Turbolift Review #2, see that page
* Is There Anybody Else Out There?... A Defence of THAT Motion Picture, meta about Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Janet Stewart
* a con report for the Leonard Nimoy Convention #3, see that page
===Issue 15: Excerpts from Comments===
The editor bemoans the lack of civility she has seen in other zines and comments by fans: 
An author says her zines are not gen but instead (while not using the word) pre-slash: 
Regarding the movies, characterization, and manipulation: 
Some comments on uniforms and the transporter: 
==Issue 16 (1984)==
This issue contains a letter from Alayne Gelfand asking fans to have patience and trust Della Van Hise regarding receiving the zines fans had paid for.
Other unknown content.
==Issue 17 (1984)==
Communicator 17 was published in May 1984 and contains 24 pages.
* a review of The Conscience of the Governor, see that page
* a review of Locusts.. and wild honey, see that page
* a review of It Takes Time On Impulse #1, see that page
* a review of The Exhibit, see that page
* a review of Naked Singularity, see that page
* a review of Matter/Antimatter #3/4, see that page
* a review of Genesis X, see that page
* a review of the pro book, "The Trellisane Confrontation"
* a long description/analysis/review of "Star Trek III" movie gleaned from the Paramount slide show
* a long description of some personal interchange between "Communicator" and the Australian fan club Astrex focusing on morals and opinions regarding K/S fan material
* No Place to Go?, meta by Rosemary Wild regarding K/S fanworks: cliches, tropes, and trends within; it is a response to an essay by Johanna Cantor in R & R #12 (1980) 
* a review by Darien Duck of the movie The Search for Spock
* a review by Pat English of the movie The Search for Spock
===Issue 17: Excerpts from Comments===
A fan commented to comments by Alayne Gelfand in the previous issue: 
The editor writes of the challenges of negotiating with other zines for trade and for ads, mainly due to other zine eds spurning K/S content. One fan club had had a change in leadership, and as a result, would no longer accept ads or deal in zine trading with the editor of "Communicator": 
==Issue 18 (1984)==
==Issue 19 (1984)==
==Issue 20 (1984)==
Communicator 20 was published in 1984.
===Issue 20: Reactions and Reviews 20===
The editor of "Communicator" had this to say in issue #22 about the review above from "Constellation": 
==Issue 21 (1985)==
Communicator 21 was published in January 1985.
* "Not Essential Trek," an essay by May Nash, the topic is the Trek movies 
* other unknown content
==Issue 22 (1985)==
Communicator 22 was published in March 1985 and contains 20 pages.
* a review of Doomsday Voyager, see that page
* a review of Galileo Shuttle Logs #1, see that page
* a review of Duet #11, see that page
* a review of Emanon #21, see that page
* a review of Parallax Ring, see that page
* a review of It Takes Time on Impulse #2, see that page
* a review of the tie-in book, "My Enemy, My Ally" by Diane Duane
* "Operation Omelette!", meta by Barbara G regarding the episode that took place on the planet Deneva 
* Dear Artist: Under-Draw!, an scolding and imperious open letter by Bjo Trimble that was distributed to fans via flyer
===Issue 22: Excerpts from Comments===
This issue contains just a few letters. One is from a fan who is angry and distraught about zine she has paid for YEARS ago and not revived. Another is from Carol Lynn who gives a short Kraith update, and explains that Kraith Collected #7 is much delayed. 
The other letter is by an Australian fan: 
==Issue 23 (1985)==
The Communicator 23 was published in May 1985 and contains 22 pages.
* a review of Nome #1 and #2, see those pages
* a review of California K/S, see that page
* a review of Naked Times 4/5, part two, see that page
* a review of Tesseract #3, see that page
* a review of Naked Singularity, see that page
* the open letter called To the Editors of All K/S Zines and All Other "/" Media Zines, this letter was printed in other zines and refers to The Great Australian Radio Show Fiasco
* a con report for 1985 Sol III, see that page
* "A Gulp of Armageddon," fiction by Barbara Gill
* many zine ads, including ones for Travel and High Adventure, The Other Sides of Me, The Pledge #2, and Doomsday Voyager
===Issue 23: Excerpts from Comments===
The male/male sex is okay, but this fan has had it with the drinking: 
Where there's money, there's motivation: 
This letter is by Della Van Hise: 
==Issue 24 (1985)==
Communicator 24 was published in July 1985 and contains 16 pages. It was the last issue.
===Issue 24: Reactions and Reviews ===
==References==
Category:1980s
Category:Star Trek TOS Non-fiction Zines