Alnitah

Alnitah is a Star Trek: TOS gen fanzine from the UK which was published from 1975 to 1983. 
Alnitah was one of a handful of all-Trek fiction zines issued during Star Trek fandom's infancy in the UK. It was known for its high production and crisp appearance. From IDIC #1: "With the exception of Alnitah, fanzines were duplicated; there was simply no other practical way to reproduce the news and fan fiction cheaply." 
It was believed by some to be the only fanzine in England at the time, which was not the case, but Alnitah was the best known British zine. An American fan in 1977 called the zine series "thoroughgoingly, almost aggressively, English..." from Implosion #3
The zine series features back cover "Sehlat Sagas" cartoons, Kryptic Krosswords for Klingons, and short jokes scattered throughout.
This zine won a 1988 "Federation Class of Excellence" Surak Award.
There are fifteen issues and two collections called Omnibus. It has a number of sister zines. One is Alnitah Omnibus and the others are the nine Gropes.
==Title and Pronunciation==
"Alnitah" is the name of the star Zeta Orion, the far left star of Orion's belt.
From an American fan in 1982: "It took attending a British Con for the first time for me to learn I had been mispronouncing the title all these years. They call it AL-nit-ah, saying it is a Greek name." from Dixie G. Owens in The Clipper Trade Ship #39/40
==The K/S in "Alnitah"==
Some fans use the term K/S to describe stories in this zine series. 
In the early days of Star Trek fandom, the symbol, "/", (a virgule) between two character's names did not necessarily indicate a sexual relationship, but rather denoted a story that focused on an intensely described portrayal of a close friendship. In the late '70s-early '80s, many fans meant friendship when they spoke of "K/S". At this time, the symbol was seen on stories with and without descriptions of sexual intimacy. 
For more information about the history of the term "slash" and the / symbol see Slash Terminology.
==General Reactions and Reviews==
===1977===
==1982===
==Issue 1==
Alnitah 1 contains 42 pages, was published in November 1975, and edited by Ann Looker, Margaret Draper, and Joyce Cluett. Cover by Helen McCarthy; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" cartoon by Helen Sneddon. Other artwork by Margaret Austin and Beth Hallam.There was a second printing in March 1976.
* Incident in a City by Beth Hallam (3)
* Cold Snap by Margaret Draper [reprinted in Alnitah Omnibus #1] (7)
* Kryptic Krossword for Klingons by Beth Hallam (23)
* Nameless Enemy by Ann Looker [reprinted in Alnitah Omnibus #1] (24)
* Paternity Order by Beth Hallam. (30) (reprinted in Archives #2)
* Freedom is Her Name by Helen Sneddon (38)
File:Alnitah1.jpg| cover issue #1, front cover by Helen McCarthy
File:Back cover Alnitah 01.jpg |back cover issue #1, Helen Sneddon
File:alnitah1-1.jpg| from issue #1
File:alnitah1-2.jpg| from issue #1
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1===
==Issue 2==
Alnitah 2 was published in 1975, contains 44 pages, and edited by Ann Looker, Margaret Draper, and Joyce Cluett. On the cover: "Inside: A Study in Star Trek." Interior art by Anne Cockitt and back cover by Helen Sneddon.
* A Study in Star Trek by Margaret Draper [reprinted in Alnitah Omnibus #1] (A Star Trek/Sherlock Holmes/Dr. Who tale, a sort-of sequel to "Cold Snap.") (3)
* POEM: Know Any Jokes? by Helen Sneddon [Reprinted from Fizzbin] (19)
* A Kind of Caring by Helen McCarthy (reprinted in The Clean Zine) (20)
* A Spoonful of Sugar by Beth Hallam (reprinted in Archives #4) (31)
 
File:alnitah2-1.jpg| from issue #2, Anne Cockitt, Spock as Sherlock Holmes, also see Sherlock Holmes and Star Trek
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2===
==Issue 3==
Alnitah 3 contains 68 pages and was published in July 1976. Cover by Michael Eason; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. Additional interior art by Helen McCarthy. It was edited by Margaret Draper and Joyce Cluett.
* Festive Spirit by Margaret Draper (p. 4-11)
* POEM: 'Twas Hogmany on the Starship by Helen Sneddon (p. 12)
* Alien by Helen McCarthy (p. 14-31)
* Captain Slog Helen Sneddon (p. 32)
* cartoon by Margaret Austin (p. 33)
* recipe by Jackie Wright (p. 34)
* Reconciled Among the Stars by Ann Looker (p. 35-44)
* Kryptic Krossword for Klingons by Beth Hallam (p. 45)
* poem by Joyce Deeming (p. 47)
* The Nebulous Crab by Sheila Clark (p. 48-64)
* McCoy's Bad Day (24) by Gareth Looker [reprinted in Alnitah Omnibus #1]
File:alnitah3art1.jpg| from issue #3, Helen McCarthy
File:alnitah3art2.jpg| from issue #3, Helen Sneddon
File:alnitah3art3.jpg| from issue #3, Mick Eason
File:alnitah3art4.jpg| from issue #3, Helen McCarthy
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 3===
==Issue 4==
Alnitah 4 contains 64 pages and was published in July 1976. Front and back cover by Robin Hill. Other cartoons by Joyce Deeming and other artwork by Helen Sneddon and Beth Hallam. It was edited by Margaret Draper and Joyce Cluett.
* Open House by Helen Sneddon (reprinted in Alnitah Omnibus #1) (3)
* The Human Computer by Matthew Brown (16)
* The Alternative Factors Department (28)
* Countdown by Robin Hill (31)
* Dilithium Crystals Are Forever by Robin Hill (Vignette: Kirk as 007.) (36)
* poem by Helen Sneddon (39)
* poem by Beth Hallam (40)
* Teeth of the Lynx by Sheila Clark (41) (also in Home to Roost #3)
* poem by Margaret Draper (63)
File:alnitah4-1.jpg| from issue #4, Beth Hallam
File:alnitah4-2.jpg| from issue #4, Helen Sneddon
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 4===
==Issue 5==
Alnitah 5 contains 50 pages and was published in January 1977. Cover by Michael Eason; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. Other art by Robin Hill. It was edited by Margaret Draper, Margaret Austin, Ann Looker, and Joyce Deeming.
From the editors: 
* The Six-Million Credit Space Trek by Margaret Austin (Michael Eason turned it into a comic strip) (2)
* A Friend Like That by Julia Felton (sequel is "Flight of the Red Hawk" in Alnitah 10. Kirk, grieving over the loss of Spock, permits a red-shirt to go after his partner, against orders.) (27)
* Border Incident by Margaret Draper (31) (first part of a trilogy)
* Sarek's Legacy, poem by Joyce Deeming (40)
* Menage a Trois by Matthew Brown (41) (reprinted in The Best of Pon Farr
* The Wreck of the Enterprise, poem by Margaret Draper
File:alnitah5-1.jpg| from issue #5, Mike Eason
File:alnitah5-2.jpg| from issue #5, Mike Eason
File:alnitah5-3.jpg| from issue #5, Mike Eason
File:alnitah5-4.jpg| from issue #5, sample text
File:alnitah5-5.jpg| from issue #5, poem
File:alnitah5-6.jpg| from issue #5, Robin Hill
File:alnitah5-7.jpg| from issue #5, Michael Eason
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5===
==Issue 6==
Alnitah 6 contains 44 pages and was published in June 1977. Cover by Michael/Mick Eason; Backover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. Other art by Mick Eason, Robin Hill, Sandy Sapatka, Beth Hallam, Helen McCarthy. It was edited by Margaret Draper, Margaret Austin, Joyce Deeming and Ann Looker.
* All in the Family by Beth Hallam (2)
* The Great Shirt by Margaret Draper (screen-play format spoof) (12)
* Spock's Daffodils, poem by Caroline Nixon (21)
* And Peace on the Haven, and Peace on the Sea by Helen McCarthy (reprinted in The Clean Zine) (24)
* Open Sesame! by Ann Looker (30)
* Totally Illogical by Sheila Clark (43)
File:alnitah6art1.jpg| from issue #6, Sandy Sapatka
File:alnitah6art2.jpg| from issue #6, Robin Hill, a Gorn models some spiffy duds
File:alnitah6art3.jpg| from issue #6, Mick Eason
File:alnitah6art4.jpg| from issue #6, Mick Eason
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6===
==Issue 7==
[[File:Alnitah7.jpg|thumb|front cover of issue #7 by Maggi Draper uses "Great Wave at Kanagawa" as inspiration, see Imitation for more examples|left]]
Alnitah 7 was published in January 1978 and is 44 pages long. The front cover is by Maggi Draper; back cover "Sehlat Sagas" 'toon by Helen Sneddon. Other art by Robin Hill, Bob Shaw, Mick Eason, Beth Hallam, and Alan Hunter.
* Soul Circuit by Robin Hill (2)
* Ear To Ear by Caroline Nixon (14)
* In Check by Margaret Draper (18)
* Whirr Click by Helen Sneddon (31)
* No Other Love by Helen Sneddon (37)
* Edith, poem by Joyce Deeming (44)
File:alnitah7-1.jpg| from issue #7, Mike Eason
File:alnitah7-2.jpg| from issue #7, Robin Hill, "Spirit of Enterprise"
File:alnitah7-3.jpg| from issue #7, Maggi Draper
File:alnitah7-4.jpg| from issue #7, Mike Eason
File:alnitah7-5.jpg| from issue #7, Alan Hunter
File:alnitah7-6.jpg| from issue #7, Mike Eason
File:alnitah7-7.jpg| from issue #7, sample poem
File:alnitah7-8.jpg| from issue #7, inside back cover by Alan Hunter
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7===
==Issue 8==
Alnitah 8 was published in August 1978 and contains 44 pages. Cover: Alan Hunter; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. It was edited by Margaret Draper and Joyce Cluett. Other art by Alan Hunter, Beth Hallam, Mick Eason, Maggi Draper, Gordon Carleton, Anne Cockitt, and Robin Hill.
*Home Run by Margaret Draper (p. 4-14) (second part of a trilogy)
*Policeman's Lot by Caroline Nixon (p. 15-17)
*POEM: The Trouble With Quibbles by Helen Sneddon (p. 19)
* The Axe by Anne Cockitt (p. 20-23)
*To Your Mind by Robin Hill (p. 24-28)
*POEMS: The New Voyagers by Margaret Draper (p. 28-29)
*Leila by Meg Wright. Spock meets Leila Kalomi. (p. 30-46)
File:alnitah8art1.jpg| from issue #8, Gordon Carleton
File:alnitah8art2.jpg| from issue #8, Mike Eason
File:alnitah8art3.jpg| from issue #8, Mike Eason
File:alnitah8art4.jpg| from issue #8, Maggi Draper
File:alnitah8art5.jpg| from issue #8, Mike Eason, from "Home Run," portrays the OC Var (possible fan casting using the Blake's 7 character Kerr Avon)
File:alnitah8art6.jpg| from issue #8, Mike Eason
File:alnitah8art7.jpg| from issue #8, Alan Hunter
File:Alnitah8insideback.jpg|inside back cover of issue #8, uncredited, tip of the hat to the newly-released Star Wars
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8===
==Issue 9==
Alnitah 9 was published in January 1979 and contains 40 pages. Cover: Mick Eason; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. Other art by Mick Eason, Beth Hallam, Robin Hill, Maggi Draper and Helen Sneddon. It was edited by Margaret Draper and Joyce Cluett.
*A Few Curves by Johanna Cantor (3) (reprinted in R & R #10)
* A Lasting Request by Mick (Michael) Eason (17)
*Queen of the May by Helen Sneddon (21)
*Island by S. Meek (30)
*Of Things to Come by Tina Pole (33)
*FILK: Federation Wassail Song by Roberta Rogow (36)
*Auld Lang Syne by Margaret Draper (40)
File:alnitah9art1.jpg| back cover, issue #9, Maggi
File:alnitah9art2.jpg|from issue #9, Mick Eason
File:alnitah9art3.jpg|from issue #9, Mick Eason
File:alnitah9art4.jpg|from issue #9
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 9===
==Issue 10==
Alnitah 10 was published in March 1979 and contains 40 pages. Cover: Maggi Draper; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. It was edited by Margaret Draper and Joyce Cluett. The art is by Maggi, Mick Eason, Jake Grigg, Helen Sneddon, and Alan Hunter.
*Expose by Leslye Lilker (2)
* A Cup of Cold Water by Margaret Draper (6)
*Flight of the Red Hawk by Julia Felton (27)
*Autumn Is the Dying Time by Karen Maund (32)
*Operation Goldilocks by Helen Sneddon (40)
*POEM: Fallen Star by Margaret Draper (inside back cover)
File:Alnitah10art1.jpg| from issue #10
File:alnitah10art2.jpg| from issue #10
File:alnitah10art3.jpg| from issue #10, "Fallen Star" is a poem interpretation the cover—shows an astronaut with cracked face helmet and curious aliens checking him out.
File:alnitah10art4.jpg| from issue #10
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 10===
==Issue 11==
Alnitah 11 was published in July 1980 and contains 42 pages. Cover by Glyn Probert & Lynda Probert; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. Other art by Alan Hunter, Mick Eason, Maggi Draper, Helen McCarthy, Gill Draper, Gordon Carleton, and Steve Mackey. It was edited by Margaret Draper and Joyce Cluett.
*First Year (p. 4-14) by Jackie Stone (it has a sequel in Alnitah #1, also in Academy Days)
*If Only I Were the Daughter (of the High Ambassador of a Desirable Shore Leave Planet...) by Teresa Hewitt (p. 15-17)
* The Moon Was Yellow by Helen Sneddon (p. 18-21)
*No Credit, All Credit by Tina Pole. (p. 23-28)
*Reflections on Damocles by Valerie Mackney. (p. 29-42)
*POEM: One Star Too Many (cover) by Helen Sneddon. With illo.
File:alnitah11art 1.jpg|from issue #11, Gordon Carleton
File:alnitah11art 2.jpg|from issue #11
File:alnitah11art 3.jpg|from issue #11
File:alnitah11art 4.jpg|from issue #11
File:alnitah11insidebackcover.jpg|inside back cover, the illo is not credited
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 11===
==Issue 12==
Alnitah 12 was published in December 1980 and contains 42 pages. Cover: Mike Eason; Back cover "Sehlat Sagas" toon by Helen Sneddon. Other art by Alan Hunger, Mike Eason, Gordon Carleton, A.R. Gill and Gill Draper. It was edited by Margaret Draper, Ann Looker, and Joyce Cluett.
It had an original print run of 1000 copies. The demand for back issues led the editors to publish the first Alnitah Omnibus which contained stories from Alnitah issues #1-4.
*The Things I Do for the Federation by Audrey Baker (p. 4-14)
*Ka-Ree-Ah by Sue Bursztynski & Jan McDonnell (p. 15-22)
*Circles, poem by S. Meek (p. 22)
*Double or Quits by Margaret Draper. Part of the "Var" series, sequel to "Border Incident," Alnitah 5, and "Home Run," Alnitah 8. (p. 23-40)
*A Man Will Tell His Bartender by Meg Wright (41)
File:alnitah12art1.jpg| back cover issue #12, Gordon Carleton
File:alnitah12art2.jpg|from issue #12, Alan Hunter
File:alnitah12art3.jpg|from issue #12
File:alnitah12art4.jpg|from issue #12
File:alnitah12art5.jpg|from issue #12, art by A.R. Gill for "The Things I Do for the Federation"
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 12===
 
==Issue 13==
Alnitah 13 was published in July 1981 and contains 40 pages. The cover is by Alan Hunter. It was edited by Margaret Draper and Joyce Cluett. Art is by Alan Hunter, Robin Hill, Gill Draper, Bob Shaw, Joan Thomson, A.R. Gill, and Helen Sneddon.
The editorial: 
* And Where Shall I Lay My Bones by Beth Hallam (4)
*poem by Margaret Richardson (8)
* Not to Reason Why by Audrey Baker (9)
*poem by Meg Wright (18)
*R.H.I.P. by Margaret Draper (19)
*Better the Devil by Tina Pole (22)
*Mother Kaeli's Doorstep by Helen Sneddon (31)
File:alnitah13art1.jpg| from issue #13
File:alnitah13art2.jpg| from issue #13
File:alnitah13art3.jpg| from issue #13
File:alnitah13art4.jpg| from issue #13
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 13===
==Issue 14==
Alnitah 14 was published in November 1982 and contains 38 pages. It was edited by Margaret Draper, Beth Hallam, Ann Looker, and Joyce Cluett.
The art is by Maggi Draper, Alan Hunter, Joanne Hughes, Mike Eason, and Helen Sneddon.
The editorial: 
* The Ways Converge by Sue Bursztynski (4)
*Second Year by Jackie Stone (9) (about Spock's second year at Starfleet Academy, sequel to "First Year" in issue 11) (also in Academy Days)
* The Ambassador by Margaret Draper (31)
*poem by Margaret Draper (39)
* art by Maggi Draper (front cover), Alan Hunter, Joanne Hughes, Mike Eason, Helen Sneddon (back cover)
File:alt14-1.jpg| from issue #14, Alan Hunter
File:alt14-2.jpg| from issue #14, Joanne Hughes
File:alt14-3.jpg| from issue #14, Mike Easton
File:alt14-4.jpg| from issue #14, Alan Hunter
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 14===
==Issue 15==
Alnitah 15 contains 48 pages and was published in August 1983. Covers: Alan Hunter. Other artwork by Joanne Hughes, Mike Eason, Bert Gill, Bob Shaw, Beth Hallam, Helen Sneddon and C. Sibbett. It was edited by Margaret Draper, Beth Hallam, Ann Looker, and Joyce Cluett. It was the final issue.
From the editorial: 
*Finnegan's Wake by Helen Sneddon (p. 4-13)
*poem by Therese Holmes (p. 14)
* A Word of Four Letters by Glen David (p. 15-29)
*The Ultimate Nightmare by Tina Pole (p. 30-33)
*When in Rome by Helen Sneddon (p. 34-42)
*Turn Around, poem by Helen Sneddon (p. 42)
*More Than a Touch of the Blarney by Cilla Futcher (p. 43-47)
File:alnitah15art1.jpg| from issue #15, Joanne Hughes
File:alnitah15art2.jpg| from issue #15, Mike Eason, illustrating "Finnegan's Wake". This story "involves Kirk's nemesis from his academy days, and in which Uhura has to perform a rather exotic dance in order to save the day. The things a girl has to do!" from Truffles
File:alnitah15art3.jpg| from issue #15, Bert Gill
File:alnitah15art4.jpg| from issue #15, Bob Shaw
File:alnitah15art5.jpg| from issue #15, Helen Sneddon
File:alnitah15art6.jpg| from issue #15, C. Sibbett
File:alnitah15art7.jpg| from issue #15, Beth Hallam
File:alnitah15art8.jpg| from issue #15, Bert Gill
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 15===
==References==
Category:Star Trek TOS Gen and Het Anthology Zines
Category:1975 Zines
Category:1970s Zines
Category:1980s Zines
Category:2022 Featured Articles