Moonbeam (zine)

Moonbeam was published by Moonrise Press (which later became Vendredi Press). It was a series of gen anthology multifandom fanzines published by Deb Walsh between 1977 and 1979.
Moonbeam was published over 6 issues (1977 to 1979). Deb Walsh then moved her focus to another multimedia fanzine, Felgercarb which had started publication in 1978.
==Notes from the Publisher==
For much more, see .
Excerpts:
Deb Walsh discusses the role that multimedia fanzines played in early fandom: 
She goes on to note that the Star Wars films changed how fans perceived what was fannishly acceptable material: 
==Its Place in Star Wars Zine History==
The first Star Wars zines:
* Hyper Space (fiction and non-fiction) ties with The Force (non-fiction) as the first zines with a focus of Star Wars. Both zines were published in June 1977.
* Warped Space #26/27, a multimedia zine published in July 1977, had a Star Wars cover, the artist was Gordon Carleton. In August 1977, "Warped Space" #28 had the first Star Wars story in a multimedia zine. Moonbeam #1/2 also contains an early story that was published in November 1977.
* Come Wars, a 1977 (month unknown) 16-page sexually explicit gay/slash comic by Sean
* Timespan, a 1977 (month unknown) included "The Saga of Jharal" a story about two Jedi's, pre-ANH
* Moonbeam #3 (focus of Star Wars fiction and art) The editor of "Moonbeam" says: "I believed for almost 30 years that it was in fact the first primarily Star Wars fiction fanzine, but I recently learned that Skywalker, the exceptional Star Wars zine edited by Bev Clark, was in fact first by a couple of weeks. Ah well. I was still one of the first, and probably the first on the East Coast..".Actually, according to the dates on the zines themselves, "Moonbeam" was first; perhaps there was an understood wiggle-room with the distribution? and the letterzine, Alderaan, a letterzine with a Star Wars focus, were both published in February 1978.
* Against the Sith (Star Wars fiction and non-fiction) and Skywalker (Star Wars fiction) were both published in April 1978. From Nancy Duncan in "Against the Sith's" editorial: "We know of two other SW zines so far, Hyperspace .... and Skywalker." This statement is contradicted in December 1985 by the editor of "Skywalker," Bev Clark, in comments to Southern Enclave #10: "AGAINST THE SITH came out a few weeks before SKYWALKER, no more than six. Neither was the first SW fanzine, exactly. The very first fanzine was a small, poorly produced effort out of Long Beach, called THE FORCE; it was more like a traditional SF fanzine in that it didn't have much fiction. It was also what is bluntly called in SF fandom, a crudzine. The first fanzine to print all SW fiction, though admittedly as a single issue of a fanzine that was not devoted to SW to the exclusion of all else, was MOONBEAM 3, which came out in the late fall of 1977 or the early spring of 1978 before either AGAINST THE SITH or SKYWALKER, at any rate. SKYWALKER was certainly in preparation by then, however, it began in September, 1977." It appears that either Bev Clark is mis-remembering the date of her own fanzine's publication, or there is a difference of opinion about what constitutes the "beginning" of a zine, and that perhaps Clark is referring to when she first started collecting material, rather to when the zine was available to fans. 
* Tribulta Times may also be on this list.
==Issue 5/6's Place in Zine History==
This issue published the first known virtual season.
==Issue 1/2==
Moonbeam 1/2 was published in November 1977 and contains 100 pages. The art is by Mary Bloemker, Pat O'Neill, Kathy Stear and Deb Walsh.
Publisher's notes: "Issue #1/2 was considered a double issue based on the prevailing zine sizes of the day – 50 pages was considered to be normal at that time, and #1/2 came in at twice that. It was also fairly normal to be able to purchase a subscription to a zine, and zine publication was often quarterly. I think this is in part because so many zines at the time grew out of clubs, whether on college campuses or high school quads." 
Portions of the zine can be found here..
See much more from the editor at: .
From Dean's editorial: 
From Walsh's editorial: 
* From the Mouths of Alpha – Editorials by Deb Walsh and Lillie Deans (4)
* Lost and Found by Patrick Daniel O'Neill (The Enterprise finds itself lost in space with the Robinsons. Reprinted from Second Age #6 with the permission of the author and artist.) (Star Trek/Lost in Space crossover) (5)
* A Voice in the Dark by Alex Potter (A story written only months following the debut of the original Star Wars film in US theaters. This story is part one. Part two was supposed to be in "Moonbeam" #3, but instead appears in Felgercarb #5/6 two years later. This story is one of the very first Star Wars fan fics published.) (Star Wars) (23)
* Requiem for Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell, poetry by Deb Walsh. (Jim Kirk has survived his encounter with the man who would be a god, but what about the man who’s lost his friend?) (Star Trek: TOS) (29)
* The Revenge by Michael Heyes and Patti Cullen-Heyes (A story in The Loner AU series. The fourth installment in the Daniel Morgan/'99 series, this story pits Alpha against one of the oldest, and fiercest, enemies.) (Space: 1999) (30)
* By the Beautiful Sea by Deb Walsh (While Dr. Elizabeth Merrill and Mark Harris are on vacation, they learn about an archaeological find that could lead to the discovery of Atlantis – will Mark Harris finally leave the surface world for home?) (A Man from Atlantis) (55)
* ’99 Word Search by Catherine Schell (word searches and crosswords) (68)
* Reflections (Space: 1999 poetry) and ’99 Lecherous Limericks by Kathy Stear (69)
* Young Leia Organa, poetry by Deb Walsh (Star Wars) (70)
* Gotcha, Mister Spock!, humor by Roberta Rogow (Mr. Spock faces his most desperate hour.) (Star Trek: TOS) (71)
* Space Chantey, filk by the Merchant Marines, and Federation Cadets, sung to the tune of "Bell Bottom Trousers," by Patti Cullen-Heyes (Star Trek: TOS) (72)
* At First Sight, fiction by Lillie Deans (Space: 1999) (73)
* She Wore a Yellow IDIC, filk by Roberta Rogow (Star Trek: TOS) (75)
* Eve of the Dorcons’ Return, fiction by Deb Walsh. (Maya’s future looks bleak when another Dorcon ship locates Alpha. But is Tony Verdeschi prepared to let her go?) (Space 1999) (77)
* Consumer's Guide (93)
* This Maya's No Elephant, essay and photos by Deb Walsh ("The concept of a superior alien culture is nothing new to science fiction, and certainly not to tele-SF. Also, the ability to transform the molecular structure of an object or person is as old as alchemy, that parent to modern science. Therefore, the character of Maya on Space.: 1999, as played by Catherine Schell, should be as familiar to us as an old shoe. A comfortable one at that. But is Maya cliche? Not really, unless one is caught up in the argument comparing Spook to Maya, and even then, the parallels are strained.") (Space 1999) (95)
* The Atlantean Connection by Deb Walsh (99)
File:Moonbeam1-1.jpg|from issue #1/2, Pat O'Neill
File:Moonbeam1-2.jpg|from issue #1/2, Deb Walsh
File:Moonbeam1-3.jpg|from issue #1/2, Deb Walsh
File:Moonbeam1-4.jpg|from issue #1/2, Linda Rioux
File:Moonbeam1-5.jpg|from issue #1/2, Deb Walsh
File:Moonbeam1-6.jpg|from issue #1/2, Deb Walsh
File:Moonbeam1-7.jpg|from issue #1/2, Deb Walsh
File:Moonbeam1-8.jpg|from issue #1/2, Deb Walsh
File:Moonbeam1-9.jpg|from issue #1/2, Roberta Rogow
File:Moonbeam1-10.jpg|from issue #1/2, Deb Walsh
File:Moonbeam1-11.jpg|from issue #1/2, Alice Newsom
 
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1/2===
==Issue 3==
Moonbeam 3 ("the indescribably delicious fanzine") was published in February 1978 and contains 108 pages. It was edited by Deborah M. Walsh, the assistant editor was Lillie Deans.
=== Issue 3: About===
The author says that everyone warned her not to do a Star Wars zine because conventions where they were sold could be dangerous due to the government; the FBI were frequently at these cons to confiscate what they considered illegally-produced Star Wars merhchandise. This didn't stop Walsh from creating issue #3, as "I was headstrong and crazy for the Force." .
Publisher's notes: "Issue #3 was my Star Wars issue. I believed for almost 30 years that it was in fact the first primarily Star Wars fiction fanzine, but I recently learned that Skywalker, the exceptional Star Wars zine edited by Bev Clark, was in fact first by a couple of weeks. Ah well. I was still one of the first, and probably the first on the East Coast, and the zine ultimately ended up in the Lucasfilm Fanzine Archives." .
From an ad in Jundland Wastes #1: "Photocopy of all SW issue. Includes first of the ThousandWorld Chronicles, fiction by Paciello, Rogow, Munson, Walsh, etc. $7.96/copy."
In July 2012, this zine was featured in a blog post at the University of Iowa Special Collections.Zine Month in Special Collections by Kalmia Strong, July 2, 2012, accessed August 30, 2012
 
From the flyer: "A Voice in the Dark part two by Alex Potter "...we may not be able to include it in this issue...")"
=== Issue 3: Contents ===
* Editorial by D.M. Walsh (4)
* The Farmer's Sister, short story by Roberta Rogow, illoed by D.M. Walsh (5)
* Nature's Course, short story by J. David Lubitsch, illoed by Mary Bloemker (13)
* Corell Also Exports Pirates, novella by Maggie Nowakowska, illoed by the author (This was the very first ThousandWorlds stories published. It was also printed in Timeframe #1 in 1979.) (21)
* Obi-Wan Portfolio, poetry by Patrice L. Cullen and D.M. Walsh, illoed by Caroline Carrock, Pat Munson, Alice Newsom, and Laura Osgood (41)
* Home, short story by Jackie Paciello, illoed by D.M. Walsh (51)
* The Corellian's Tale, poem by Patrice L. Cullen, illoed by Mary Bloemker (55)
* And No Time For Sorrow, short story by Patrice L. Cullen, illoed by Alice Newsom, D.M. Walsh ("The Death Star is gone, and the rebels are safe for the moment. But Leia and Luke find the seeming peace disquieting.") (57)
* The Long and Winding Road... by Deborah M. Walsh ("Something is calling Luke back to Tatootine, despite the dangers -- which side of the Force is luring him?") (61)
* Star Wars Crisscross, puzzle by Cynthia L. Smith (69)
* The Jemada, novella by Patricia A. Munson, illoed by the author ("This story chronicles Lord Vader's strange adventures after the Death Stars with the rarest of the Jedi, the Jamanda.") (71)
* Star Wars Sequels, ‘A Forced Honeymoon’ and ‘Play It Again, Han' by Peter A. David and Myra J. David, illoed by D.M. Walsh (97)
* Nocturnal Visitations, poem by Lillie Deans ("A Space: 1999 prose poem, it's a sensitive look at Maya's innermost fears.") (100)
* Consumer's Guide to Fandom, article by D.M. Walsh, illoed by Linda Rioux (101)
* From Jester to Jedi, an Alec Guinness profile by D.M. Walsh (103)
* Man from Atlantis (lyrics), Atlantean Connection II by D.M. Walsh, illoed by Mary Bloemker (105)
File:Moonbeamthree-1.jpg|inside issue #3, illo by D.M. Walsh for "The Farmer's Daughter"
File:Moonbeamthree-2.jpg|inside issue #3, Maggie Nowakowska
File:Moonbeamthree-3.jpg|inside issue #3, Maggie Nowakowska
File:Moonbeamthree-4.jpg|inside issue #3, Laura Osgood for the Obi-Wan Portfolio
File:Moonbeamthree-5.jpg|inside issue #3, Pat Munson
File:Moonbeamthree-6.jpg|inside issue #3, Caroline Carrock
File:Moonbeamthree-7.jpg|inside issue #3, sample text
File:Moonbeamthree-8.jpg|inside issue #3, D.W. Walsh
File:Moonbeamthree-9.jpg|inside issue #3, Alice Newsom
File:Moonbeamthree-10.jpg|inside issue #3, Pat Munson
File:Moonbeamthree-11.jpg|inside issue #3, Pat Munson, a pre-Jossed Darth Vader
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3===
==Issue 4==
Moonbeam 4 was published in June 1978 and contains 88 pages.
The art is by Heather Firth (front cover), poster for "For Luck" by Joni Wagner, back cover by Deb Walsh.
Publisher's notes: 
* It's Me Again by Deb Walsh, editorial
* The Duplicate Affair by Patrica A. Munson, art by PAM and Evallou Richardson, (reprinted from the U.N.C.L.E. HQ newsletter and yearbook) ("Illya and Napoleon face the Countess from the Corfu Affair ... again.") (4)
* A Meeting in an English Pub, or, Yes, I Remember It Well by Eileen Roy, art by Walsh ("The story of two unlikely comrades, joined by something more than a professional bond.") (19)
* Maiden Voyage by Walsh, art by Mary Bloemker (Man from Atlantis/Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) (23) 
* There Has to Be a First Time by Eileen Roy ("What happens when the Impossible Mission Force finds the mission impossible?") (42)
* Assignment: Night of the Untimely Trek by Gina Martin and Linda MacLaren, art by Bloemker (Gary 7 illo reprinted from The Vaslovik Archives #2) ("James T. West and Artemus Gordon are Joined by an out-of-place, out-of-time agent in this latest meeting with Dr. Miguelito Loveless.") (43)
* The Collegiate Affair by Deb Walsh, art by Evallou Richardson (Man from UNCLE) ("When Illya Kuryakin goes back to school, it's not for self-enrichment.") ("Seaview I is trapped at the bottom of the sea, and only one man, Mark Harris, can salvage it. Or can he?") (62)
* The Name of the Game Affair by Patricia A. Munson, art by Michael Goodwin, Pat Munson and J. David Lubitsch ("Every agent has to face that final affair, but when it's your best friend, it's even harder.")
* Illya's Reverie, poem by Susan Wyllie (52)
* Biography of Diana Rigg by Debbie Phares (59)
* untitled poem by Patti Cullen-Heyes, art by Michael Goodwin (60)
* Elizabeth by Lillie Deans (78)
* Agent's Roster by the readers (87)
* Consumers' Guide to Fandom (89)
* Cosmic Bulletin Board by the readers (92)
* art portfolio: Emma, a Portrait in Black and White, art by Heather Firth, reprinted from Avenger's Fan Network, art by Shel Dorf and R.M from En Garde
==Issue 5/6 (First Virtual Season)==
Moonbeam 5/6 was published in March 1979 and contains 167 pages. It is a Space: 1999 zine. The original print run had 200 copies. Deb Walsh was the editor, Lillie Deans the assistant editor.
 
This zine's content is the virtual third season of Space: 1999, the first known virtual season in existence. Each "show" has characters from the original show plus guests who were fancasted. Some of the fan casts were Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Parker Stevenson, Kate Jackson, Freddie Fender, and Mrs. Olson (character in old Folger's Coffee commercials) The "Tunnel Times," a parody of newspaper issues, acted as fillers in-between and as sort-of commercials. 
The art is by Beckey Aulenbach, Rose Marie Badgett, Mary D. Bloemker, Steve Eramo, Judy Moore, Alice Newsom, Laura Osgood, Evallou Richardson, Joni Wagner, and Deborah M. Walsh.
===Issue 5/6: About===
From a submission request: 
From the lengthy editorial by Walsh in the zine which includes many thanks: 
Publisher's notes many years later: 
Also from the publisher many years later: 
===Issue 5/6: Contents===
* A Change of Pace by Sue Ginter and Judy Moore (3)
* An Act of Jealousy by Rose Marie Badgett (23)
* The Tunnel Times by The Georgia Delegation (34)
* At Any Price by Mary Fall Wardell/Mary A. Fall (36)
* A Step into the Fire by Diane Steitz (45)
* The Tunnel Times by The Georgia Delegation (62)
* Price of Passage by Jo Ann Fore (64)
* The Nomads by Jon S. Aiken (88)
* The Tunnel Times by The Georgia Delegation (101)
* Guardian of a Ghost Ship by Diana Winslow (103)
* Red Planet Blues by Lynn Mims (117)
*No Direction Home by Michael J. Heyes (124)
* A Moment of Courage by Michael J. Heyes (155)
File:Moonbeam5-6flyer.jpg|flyer for #5-6
File:Moonbeam5-6flyerdetail.jpg|detail from flyer, click to read
File:Moonbeam506-2.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Deborah M. Walsh
File:Moonbeam506-3.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, a Tunnel Times
File:Moonbeam506-4.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Laura Osgood
File:Moonbeam506-5.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Laura Osgood
File:Moonbeam506-6.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Mary D. Bloemker
File:Moonbeam506-7.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Deborah M. Walsh, Parker Stevenson is fancasted
File:Moonbeam506-8.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Alice Newsom
File:Moonbeam506-9.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Evallou Richardson
File:Moonbeam506-10.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Judy Moore
File:Moonbeam506-11.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Deborah M. Walsh
File:Moonbeam506-12.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Evallou Richardson
File:Moonbeam506-13.jpg|inside page from issue #5/6, Beckey Aulenbach
===Issue 5/6: Publishing Difficulties===
A fan in July 1978's issue of ComLoC was anxious for this issue to be published, hoping for more of the fiction in The Loner series. He wrote: 
An announcement by the editor in the fall of 1978 illustrates the rough start this issue had: 
The editor notes in the Jan/Feb 1979 issue of Command Center that she has 150 pre-orders for this zine and will print 200 in late February.
In the May/June 1979 issue of Command Center, the editor had a personal statement: 
In July/August 1979, the editor had an ad in Command Center which said: 
==Issue 7==
Moonbeam 7 was first proposed in the summer of 1979. The submission request in Command Center (July/August 1979) read: "Moonbeam #7 is in the works. The scheduled release date is being discussed among those involved in the project, and the contents are being kept a loosely-guarded secret. Artists are needed for what looks to be a monster-sized zine. No stories are needed, nor will be considered. Artists interested in illustrating part of this zine should send a sample of your work, a note explaining your preferences in illustrating and a SASE to [address redacted]."
 
In the end, Moonbeam 7 was published in 2012 and contains 154 pages of 11 point Garamond 2 column, portfolios on parchment paper, covers by Joni Wagner and Cheryl Newsome.
This zine was nominated for a FanQ.
Contents include Star Trek: TOS, Space: 1999, Man from Atlantis, Fantastic Journey, Star Wars, and The Questor Tapes, with art portfolios by Joni Wagner, Mary D. Bloemker, Monica Miller, Gordon Carleton, Laura Quiles, Romanse, Leah Rosenthal, and Deb Walsh.
* Off Limits - Space: 1999 short story by Sheila Paulson (20,000 words) An illness grounds the Eagle pilots at the same time a promising planet comes in range. Does Alpha risk it all in the hopes of a permanent home?
* Temblor - Man from Atlantis short story by Deb Walsh (20,000 words) When unexplained vibrations rock the Antarctic scientific base, the Navy calls in the Cetacean and their resident underwater expert, Mark Harris. But who can they call on when Mark is trapped inside the glacier, with something unfriendly on its way?
* Shards - Star Trek TOS short story by Deb Walsh (12,000 words) The annual Saavadrin wind race is a right of passage for Vulcan males, but what happens when a Vulcan-human hybrid takes to the water in a one-manned craft with unVulcanly origins?
* Duet - Star Trek TOS short story by Deb Walsh (2,000 words) Ambassador Soval entertains an unexpected guest at Starfleet Academy - but can his old friend get past his own pain to reach out to his son?
* Coda - Star Trek TOS short story by Deb Walsh (3,000 words) In his first year at Starfleet Academy, Spock of Vulcan finds he doesn't fit in on Earth any more than he fit in on Vulcan. But when his resident advisor proposes a novel solution, has he struck the right note?
* Finding Hope - Star Wars: A New Hope short story by KatBear (9,000 words) Can Ben Kenobi guide the hot-headed Luke Skywalker along the right path, or is he doomed to repeat the failure of Anakin Skywalker?
* Gloom - Fantastic Journey short story by Deb Walsh (23,000 words) The travelers find themselves in a zone where everything is dead or dying, but when two of their party are taken captive, can they get everyone out of the zone before the zone claims more lives?
* Connection - The Questor Tapes short story by Deb Walsh (3,000 words) When the end of his mission appears to be on the horizon, how will Questor break the news to his old friend Jerry Robinson?
* Portfolios for Star Wars, Man from Atlantis, Space: 1999, Man from U.N.C.L.E. and other fandoms popular in the '70s, with art by Joni Wagner (cover), Leah Rosenthal, Gordon Carleton, Cheryl Frasure, Monica Miller, Laura Quiles, Romanse, Mary Bloemker, and Deb Walsh.
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7===
==References==
Category:Multimedia Gen and Het Zines
Category:1977 Zines
Category:1978 Zines
Category:1979 Zines
Category:2011 Zines