Wide Open Spaces (multimedia zine)

Wide Open Spaces is a gen fanzine featuring Westerns. It was one of, if not the first, media western fiction zines published. 
From Datazine #2: "... a Western-Trek genzine. Art, poetry, stories, articles by leading fan talent. Trek-type characterizations in stories ... not just for the western fan." 
==Editor's Comments About the Series==
In 1986, Leah Rosenthal described the zine series in the tenth issue's editorial. She explained that going forward, the zine would accept material from all media sources. 
Despite this optimism, the next (and last) issue wasn't published for another eleven years.
==General Fan Comments==
==Issue 1==
Wide Open Spaces 1 was published in October 1978 and is 87 pages long. 
The art is by Leah Rosenthal and Bob Eggleton.
It was edited by Leah Rosenthal and Roberta Rogow.
From the editorial by Rosenthal: 
From the editorial by Rogow: 
* Editorials (1)
* Tombstone (“Death and Dollars”) by Leah Rosenthal (a play in script form, includes character sketches) (3)
* Killer of Death, poem by Leslie Sawyer (36)
* The Hardcase by Leah Rosenthal and Roberta Rogow (Man With No Name) (37)
* Plains Seranade: 1811 by Ellen Rowe (54)
* Two Pair and A Joker by Roberta Rogow (Man With No Name) (55)
* Four Guns for San Simon Part 1 by Roberta Rogow (Man With No Name) (67) 
File:Wideopen1-1.jpg|from issue #1
File:Wideopen1-2.jpg|from issue #1, Leah Rosenthal (photocopy)
File:Wideopen1-3.jpg|from issue #1, Leah Rosenthal (photocopy)
File:Wideopen1-6.jpg|from issue #1, Leah Rosenthal (photocopy)
File:Wideopen1-4.jpg|from issue #1, Leah Rosenthal (photocopy)
File:Wideopen1-5.jpg|from issue #1, Leah Rosenthal (photocopy)
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1==
 
==Issue 2==
Wide Open Spaces 2 was published in March 1979, and is 88 pages long. 
The art is by Leah Rosenthal, Caroline R. Hedge, Dawn Singer, Roberta Rogow, and A. Grossman.
From the editorial by Rogow: 
From the essay about "Easy Rider": 
* Editorials (2)
* Via Pony Express (LOCS) (5)
* Escape by Roberta Rogow (8)
* Prairie Fire and Lord Bison, two poems by E. Rowe (26)
* Cold Spell by Leah Rosenthal and K. Smithline (Man With No Name/She-Wolf) (28
* "And Now a Word from Our Sponsor" by Leah Rosenthal and the Fairlawn Gang (46, 48, 68)
* Excerpts from Cass's Receipt Book (47)
* It Is So by George Rowe (64)
*Kriteek... Easy Rider, essay by Anthony Citro (66)
* Western Crossword Puzzle (67)
* Four Guns For San Simon Part 2 by Roberta Rogow (Man With No Name) (69)
* Day In The Life (Man With No Name) (15 pages)
File:Wideopen2-1.jpg|from issue #2, Roberta Rogow and E
File:Wideopen2-2.jpg|from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal
File:Wideopen2-3.jpg|from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal
File:Wideopen2-4.jpg|from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal
File:Wideopen2-5.jpg|from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal
File:Wideopen2-6.jpg|from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal
File:Wideopen2-7.jpg|from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal
File:Wideopen2-8.jpg|from issue #2, Leah Rosenthal
==Issue 3==
 
 
Wide Open Spaces 3 was published in Fall 1979 and contains 76 pages. 
It was edited by Roberta Rogow and Leah Rosenthal.
The art is by Laura Virgil, Bob Eggleton, Shona Jackson, Dave McCoy, Anita Grossman, Phil Foglio, Gordon Carleton (back cover, "Spaghetti Encounters"), Leah Rosenthal, Caroline Hedge
Stories, articles and artwork based on Wanted, Dead or Alive, Alias Smith & Jones, The Man With No Name, Bad Company (Man with No Name based series) and more. 
* Smoke Signals LoCs (5)
* No Name Meets November by Dave McCoy (9)
* He's Dead, Jim, cartoon by Phil Foglio (10)
* Last Warrior Song, poem by Dawn Singer (12)
* Borderline Case by Leah Rosenthal (Bad Company or The Man With No Name) (14)
* Don't Con a Con Mayn by P.J. Sinclair (Alias Smith & Jones) (32)
* Kriteek, review of the movie "Johnny Guitar" by Anthony Citro (37)
* Death Unto Me by Leslie Sawyer (Bad Company or The Man With No Name) (40)
* Last of the Seven, poem by Leah Rosenthal (41)
* Annie, poem by Jinni Delisa (41)
* The Reel West, article by Roberta Rogow (The Magnificent Seven film) (42)
* Just One of Those Days by Donna Chrisholm (Alias Smith & Jones) (44)
* The Great Quiz by Donna Chrisholm (47)
* On the Line by Miriam Rogow (Bad Company or The Man With No Name) (50)
* Four Guns for San Simon by Roberta Rogow (begins at chapter 13, Magnificent Seven film?) (58)
* Lullabye, poem by Leah Rosenthal (74)
* Answers to Crossword Puzzle from issue #2 (76)
 
File:Wideopenspacesart5.jpg|from issue #3, Roberta Rogow's comments on "Four Guns for San Simon"
File:Wideopenspacesart1.jpg|from issue #3, Bob Eggleton
File:Wideopenspacesart2.jpg|from issue #3, Phil Foglio
File:Wideopenspacesart4.jpg|from issue #3, Shona Jackson
File:Wideopenspacesart6.jpg|from issue #3, Dave McCoy (Bad Company/The Prisoner)
File:Wideopenspacesart7.jpg|from issue #3, Shona Jackson
File:Wideopenspacesart8.jpg|from issue #3, Leah Rosenthal
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3==
==Issue 4==
Wide Open Spaces 4 was published in February 1980 and contains 85 pages. Color cover (of Hannibal Heyes) by Leah Rosenthal.
* Editorial (2)
* LoCs (6)
* And Now a Word from Our Sponsors by Leah and the Fairlawn Gang (interspersed throughout)
* The Reel West by Roberta Rogow (11)
* Interlude in Austin by Miriam Rogow (12)
* TV West by Michele Rosenberg (16)
* Reunion in Cavrera by Roberta Rogow (21)
* I'm Hungry by Donna Chrisholm (32)
* My Brother Bret by Donna Chrisholm (Maverick) (38)
* Cass Haney's Cookbook (39)
* Legal Tender (42)
* The Ole English Cowboy Song by Michele Rosenberg (54)
* Our Little Cowgirl by Anonymous (56)
* Alias Smith & Jones Manuscripts by Laura Virgil (57)
* The Tragical History of Smith & Jones (translated by Ken Bourell) (59)
* Four Guns for San Simon by Roberta Rogow (66)
* Pow-Wow Drums by Ellen Rowe (79)
* Departure by Donna Chrisholm (81)
* The Last Long Trail, traditional (84)
* art by Teri Lipanovich, Diana Aaronson, Leah Rosenthal, Jinni Delisa (back cover), Bob Eggleton
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4==
==Issue 5==
Wide Open Spaces 5 was published in Summer 1980 and is 97 pages long. 
It contains art by Laura Virgil, Leah Rosenthal, Shona Jackson and perhaps others.
* Interview by Donna Chisholm (Laredo) (6 pages)
* Night Of The Glass Canteen by Catherine Schlein (Wild Wild West) (3 pages)
* Wilde Encounter by Roberta Rogow (Bad Company) (7 pages)
* Locking Horns by Leah Rosenthal (Bad Company) (20 pages)
* The Return by Melissa James (Bonanza) (16 pages)
* Reunited by Donna Chisholm (Alias Smith and Jones) (16 pages)
* Small Bounty by Bruce Melton (Bad Company) (4 pages)
* Guardian Angel, part 1 of 3 by Barbara Sharon Emily (Hanged Man) (14 pages)
==Issue 6==
Wide Open Spaces 6 was published in 1981 and contains 102 pages. 
* Editorial (2)
* Smoke Signals (3)
* Book Listings (6)
* Them Words (6)
* Dedication (7)
* Night of the Ghost by Catherine Schlein (Wild, Wild West) (8)
* Eulogy by Dannell Lites (Frisco Kid) (24)
* Alias Smith & Jones (episode guide) by Donna Chrisholm (27)
* And Now a Word from Our Sponsor
* It Tolls for Thee by Leah Rosenthal (Bad Company) (32)
* Shoot'n the Breeze by Steve Herr (58)
* The Old West in the Old Country by Michele Rosenberg (71)
* Once in Tuscon by Joni Bourell (High Chapperal) (73)
* Kriteek by Anthony Citro (White Commanche) (79)
* Guardian Angel, part 2 by Sharon Emily (Hanged Man) (81)
* art by Laura Virgil (cover), Shona Jackson, Melody Rondeau, Leah Rosenthal, Teri Lipanovich, Amy Falkowitz, Dot Sasscer, Michael B. Smith
==Issue 7==
Wide Open Spaces 7 was published in 1982 and is 119 pages long. 
The art is by Jenn Bills, T.J. Burnside, Jerry Collins (back cover), Paulie Gilmore (front cover), Shona Jackson, Ruth Kurz, Gordon Carleton, Signe Landon, Judy Low, Gee Moaven, Melody Rondeau, Leah Rosenthal and Mike B. Smith.
* Guest Editorial (2)
*Smoke Signals (3)
* Bullet-in-Board (9)
* After-Image by Leah Rosenthal (Bad Company) (11)
* A Feastful of Dollars (14)
* Pleasant Dreams by Donna Chrisholm (Alias Smith and Jones) (17)
* Shooting the Breeze by Steve Herr (22)
* Gunslinger! by JeanAnn Berger (26)
* Acceptance by Lorraine Bartlett (Bonanza) (55)
* Them Words (57)
* The Karpathian Crown Jewels by Roberta Rogow (Bad Company) (61)
* Whey the Bells by Leslie Fish (Gunsmoke) (74)
* Wind Words, poem (77)
* Jenny, poem by Ruth Kurz (78)
* The Historical Bonanza by Rebecca Hoffman (79)
* How Old are You, Mr. Cartwright by Karen Fleming (85)
* The Unbound Book by Dave Gordon (Bonanaza) (87)
* The Reel West by Roberta Rogow (92)
* Guardian Angel: Conclusion by Sharon Emily (Hanged Man) by (117)
* Look Around, poem by Joe Denver (118)
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7==
==Issue 8==
Wide Open Spaces 8 was published in 1983 and contains 97 pages. 
* Editorial (1)
* Smoke Signals (4)
* At the Sound of the Tone by Rosnalen ("Just what the heck was that funny-looking box on their train...and why was it threatening to destroy itself?") (Wild, Wild West) (8)
*All That Glitters by Leah Rosenthal ("Noname and the She-Wolf find themselves on a bounty hunt that's actually a trap...one that's waited ten years to spring..") (Bad Company) (13)
* Receipts (27)
* The Real Story... by Sallijan Snyder (Alias Smith and Jones) (28)
* Joe, poem by Alice Robbins (30)
* Last Capture by Helen Woolverton (Bad Company) (31)
* Night of Too Many Wests by Cathy Schlein This was mistakenly credited to Lorraine Beatty, something the editor apologizes for in the next issue. ("Someone is accusing Jim West of a lot of terrible deeds...and they're all true. Can Artie stop him?") (Wild, Wild West) (33)
* And Now, a Word from our Sponsors (30)
* Archeological Notes from Devil's Hole by Michele Rosenberg ("A collection of authentic documents about a very strange dig in Wyoming...") (Alias Smith and Jones) (43)
* The Critter with the Tail, poem (49)
* Million Mile Reflections by Kelly Hill ("Tom Guthrie finds his new haven in Sweetwater haunted by images of his past.") (Bret Maverick) (51)
* Them Words, series song lyrics (53)
* To Watch for a Legend by Bruce Melton ("An original Western fantasy about a new variation on a myth.") (Fantasy) (56)
* Calvary Retreat by Leah Rosenthal (" Our intrepid bounty hunter finds him self helpless at the hands of Fort Courage's finest!") (F Troop/Bad Company) (61)
* Stallion, poem by Deborah Busse (68)
* The Carbine Trail by Christine Jeffords ("Who is the mysterious Johnnie Clayfield...and why does she look so much like the man she wants to see hang? Jim Crown and Angus MacGregor find out in this atmospheric action yarn.") (Cimmaron Strip) (70)
* art by Jerry Collins, Cheyl Fint, Shona Jackson, Ruth Kurz (back cover), Wanda Lybarger, Melody Rondeau, Irma Rosenthal, Leah Rosenthal, Dawna Synder, Mark Thorner (front cover)
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8==
==Issue 9==
Wide Open Spaces 9 was published in May 1985 and is 118 pages long. 
The art is by Jerry Collins, Shona Jackson, Ruth Kurz, J. Collins, Wanda Lybarger, Gee Moaven, Mary Otten, Melody Rondeau, Leah Rosenthal, Michael B. Smith, Catherine Schlein, Laura Virgil, and Martynn Walter. 
This issue was dedicated to Beth Nugteren, "who supported us when it all started, and who will be missed by all whose lives she touched."
From the editorial: 
* Dedication (3)
* Editorial (3)
* Smoke Signals, LoCs (4)
* Tommy Lillard and The Holy Book by Beth Lantz (Frisco Kid/Maverick/Alias Smith and Jones/Bonanza) (10)
* Maverick's Pappyisms (29)
* The Night They Made Me An Offer by Lorraine Beatty (Wild Wild West) (30)
* Make Me a Cowboy Again, poem by non-credited author (not fannish) (34)
* The Ember by Leah Rosenthal and Helen Woolverton (Bad Company) (37)
* Brothers Maverick, poem by Sherry McGee (51)
* We are the Champions, poem by Jean Chabot (52)
* Forwarding Address by Michele Rosenberg (Wildside) (53)
* Fresh Out of Aces by Cindy Dye (Alias Smith and Jones) (57)
* Unvanishing Race, poem by Dawn Singer (67)
* Interview for Wide Open Spaces with Charles H. Gray of Rawhide (68)
* Christmas at Devil's Hole (Alias Smith and Jones) (71)
* The Frameup by Christine Jeffords (Frisco Kid/Lawman) (75)
* Them Words (99)
* Night of the Flight by Leslie Fish, Roberta Rogow and B. Klaus (Wild Wild West/Bad Company) (101)
File:Wideopen9-1.jpg|from issue #9, Wanda Lybarger (Frisco Kid/Maverick/Alias Smith and Jones/Bonanza)
File:Wideopen9-2.jpg|from issue #9, Melody Rondeau (Man With No Name)
File:Wideopen9-3.jpg|from issue #9, Ruth Kurz (Bad Company?)
File:Wideopen9-4.jpg|from issue #9, Leah Rosenthal (Bad Company)
File:Wideopen9-5.jpg|from issue #9, Ruth Kurz (Bad Company?)
File:Wideopen9-6.jpg|from issue #9, Catherine Schlein (Alias Smith and Jones)
File:Wideopen9-7.jpg|from issue #9, Shona Jackson (Native American commentary)
File:Wideopen9-8.jpg|from issue #9, Gee Moaven (Rawhide)
File:Wideopen9-9.jpg|from issue #9, Ruth Kurz (Alias Smith and Jones?)
File:Wideopen9-10.jpg|from issue #9, Martynn (Frisco Kid/Lawman)
File:Wideopen9-11.jpg|from issue #9, Mary Otten (Wild Wild West/Bad Company)
File:Wideopen9-12.jpg|from issue #9, Leah Rosenthal (Pale Rider)
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9==
 
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9==
==Issue 10==
Wide Open Spaces 10 was published in May 1986 and contains 100 pages.
The art is by Guy Brownlee, Ginny Daye, Bob Eggleton, Wanda Lybarger, Mary Otten, Melody Rondeau, Leah Rosenthal, Cathy Schlein, Virginia Lee Smith and Laura Virgil.
It was edited by Leah Rosenthal and proofread by Linda Deneroff.
This was an issue focusing on SF/Horror/supernatural crossovers with Western TV universes.
It was also the last issue to have a totally-Westerns focus, and would accept material from any fannish media source. See some of Leah's editorial
* Editorial ("Back again? Boy, are you folks gluttons for punishment. All right, gather 'round and we'll tell you a few stories...a few really weird stories. All the contributors really outdid themselves on a very difficult series of projects, and here it all is in one volume (you lucky reader, you!) Here what is? Heck, don't ask me... I'm a zine editor, not Carl Sagan.") (2)
*Sutton and Brodie, poem by Jill S. Wells (15)
* A Town Called Silverado, filk by Roberta Rogow (25)
* Once A Spy by Jane Leavell (Wild Wild West) (4)
* The Phoenix of Phoenix by Carol S. Jenkins (Alias Smith & Jones) (11)
* Going Home by L.A. Carr (Wildside) (14)
* Sutton and Brody, poem by Jill S. Wells (Wildside) (15)
* Miller by Lori Paige (Catlow) (17)
* A Town Called Silverado, filk by Roberta Rogow, to the tune of "Seven Spanish Angels" (Silverado) (25)
* A Fistful of Jellybabies by John Olson (Bad Company) (26)
* Saul Brekett's Version by Charles Garofalo (Bonanza) (36)
* Alien, Smith & Jones by Michele Rosenberg (Laredo/Bad Company/Alias Smith & Jones/Blake's 7/Floating Outfit) (39)
* Night of the Flaming Sword by Ann Wortham (Wild Wild West) (64)
* A Whisper in the Desert by Ken Bourell (The High Chaparral) (66)
* Renegade by Cindy Dye (Alias Smith & Jones) (69)
* Riders in the Sky by Christine Jeffords (The Frisco Kid) (73)
* Encounter by Melody Rondeau (Laredo/Bad Company) (100)
* Smoke Signals, letters of comment (101)
Image:wide10-1.jpg|from issue #10, Wanda Lybarger (Frisco Kid fusion with Star Wars)
Image:wide10-2.jpg|from issue #10, Cathy Schlein (Wild Wild West)
Image:wide10-3.jpg|from issue #10, Mary Otten (Alias Smith and Jones)
Image:wide10-4.jpg|from issue #10, Virginia Lee Smith (Catlow)
Image:wide10-5.jpg|from issue #10, Guy Brownlee (Doctor Who fusion with Bad Company)
Image:wide10-6.jpg|from issue #10, Leah Rosenthal (Bad Company/Blake's 7)
Image:wide10-7.jpg|from issue #10, Ginny Daye (The High Chaparral) 
Image:wide10-8.jpg|from issue #10, Wanda Lybarger (Frisco Kid)
 
==Issue 11==
Wide Open Spaces 11 is 86 pages long. It was published in 1997, many years after the previous issue. The artwork is by Leah Rosenthal (Lonesome Dove), Kelly Taylor (ASJ) and Laura Virgil (ASJ).
* Roswell by Catherine Siemann ("Yeah, that Snarkathon woman again ;-) -- a "sort of" Alias Smith and Jones/X-Files crossover ("Heyes and Curry have found steady work in a nice, peaceful New Mexico town until two federal agents involve them in the investigation of some unearthly phenomena.")
* One Good Turn by Irene Shafer ("The guys encounter an old friend, in more than one sense of the word, in this charming tale") (Alias Smith and Jones)
* High Stakes by Paula Smus (Young Riders) ("Lou uses her newly learned poker skills to get herself and the Kid out of a bad situation.") 
 
* Hushabye by Roberta Stuemke (Lonesome Dove -- The Outlaw Years)
* The Choice by Roberta Stuemke (Lonesome Dove -- The Outlaw Years)
* The Man Who Needed Hanging by Debbie Vega (Lonesome Dove -- The Outlaw Years)
* Blood Brothers by Debbie Vega (Lonesome Dove -- The Outlaw Years)
==References==
 
Category:Multimedia Gen and Het Zines
Category:1978 Zines
Category:1970s Zines
Category:1980s Zines
Category:1997 Zines