Plak-Tow (Star Trek: TOS newsletter by Shirley Meech)

See also Plak Tow (disambiguation).
Plak-Tow is a gen very early Star Trek: TOS newsletter. 
Each issue contains extensive detailed descriptions of mentions of Star Trek in the media (newspapers, magazines, television) and what the actors were up to. The newsletter also provided fans with ongoing fan campaign information. Each issue also had a Garlic Press Update, something that informed fans about the then-ongoing publication schedule of Spockanalia. 
From an ebay seller: "This is the 1st Issue of a newszine that started in 1967 for all types of Star Trek news, character appearances, artwork, reports, lists of magazine and TV sightings, and gossip. It also featured art from various fan artists, notable was Kathy Bushman. Later issues fleshed out to include art from DEA. The fanzine ran 14 issues before folding when the editor moved from Delaware to California."
Many of these newsletters were read by TPTB, as stated in several issues.
Regarding its title: the editor wrote in issue #9: "'Plak-tow,' for those of you who asked, is Vulcan for 'blood fever.'"
 
For similar zines of this era, see List of Star Trek TOS Zines Published While the Show Was Still On the Air.
==About==
From the first issue: 
==General Reactions and Reviews==
==Issue 1==
Plak-Tow 1 was published December 13, 1967 and contains 8 pages.
From the editor: 
Acknowledgments: 
Garlic Press Update from Sherna Comerford, co-editor of SPOCKANALIA: 
Regarding audio tapes, as fans did not have the capability to to do visual tapes: 
 
The first of bibliographies of books, magazines, and newspapers that mention the show or the actors; regarding the moviezines: 
Image:plaktowoneback.jpg|back page of issue #1
Image:plak1inside1.jpg|inside issue #1
Image:plak1inside2.jpg|inside issue #1
==Issue 2==
Plak-Tow 2 was published January 9, 1968 and contains 12 pages. DEA is the front and back page artist. 
This issue contained "How to Write Effective Letters to Save Star Trek -- by Bjo Trimble" though this must have been a separate insert. It also contained the news zine Where No Fan Has Gone Before by Bjo Trimble. This must have also been a separate insert. 
From the editor: 
Report from Garlic Press from Sherna Comerford: 
TPTB received this issue: 
Acknowledgments: 
Fans, it's up to you: 
Things for sale and trade, questions about copyright: 
File:Plaktwoback.jpg|back page of issue #2, back cover by DEA
File:Plak2inside1.jpg|inside pages from issue #2, art by DEA
File:Plak2inside2.jpg|inside pages from issue #2
==Issue 3==
Plak-Tow 3 was published January 29, 1968 and contains 9 pages. 
Acknowledgments: 
More info about copyright and photos: 
Encouragement to write letters: 
Wanna talk: 
News from Garlic Press from Devra Langsam, all hail the heavy-duty stapler: 
The regular column, an extensive bibliography of Star Trek in magazines and newspapers: 
==Issue 4==
Plak-Tow 4 was published February 21, 1968 and contains 14 pages. Kathy Bushman is the front and back page artist.
The show is still up in the air: 
This newsletter is going to cost fans more money: 
Protest TV Guide: 
Protest in the streets: 
FunCon planning: 
Garlic Press Update by Devra Langsam and Sherna Comerford: 
How about getting the fans involved in writing the tie-in books? 
File:Plak4inside1.jpg|inside issue #4 art by DEA and unknown
File:Plak4inside2.jpg|inside issue #4
==Issue 5== 
Plak-Tow 5 was published March 15, 1968 and contains 14 pages. Kathy Bushman is the front page artist and DEA is the back page artist.
Good news!: 
"RUMOR DEPT. Old business": 
Garlic Press Update by Sherna Comerford: 
File:Plak5inside1.jpg|inside pages from issue #5, art by Kathy Bushman?
File:Plak5inside2.jpg|inside pages from issue #5 art by Kathy Bushman and DEA
==Issue 6== 
Plak-Tow 6 (archived here) was published April 8, 1968 and contains 16 pages. It has a cover featuring Spock and Diana Rigg from The Avengers. The back page artist is Kathy Bushman.
This issue contains "What's a St. Charles? or Who Needs LSD to Take a Trip?, a report by three Canadian fans (Alicia Austin, Maureen Bourns, and Rosemary Elliot) on the trip they took to see Leonard Nimoy at The Pheasant Run Playhouse for the play Visit to a Small Planet -- it mostly describes the trip, their interactions with Nimoy and family, but not the play itself.
Protest in the street: 
Audiotape Department: 
Garlic Press Update by Sherna Comerford: 
Write more letters: 
 
File:Plak6inside1.jpg|inside issue #6 art by Kathy Bushman and unknown
File:Plak6inside2.jpg|inside issue #6 art by Alicia Austin
==Issue 7==
Plak-Tow 7 was published May 1968 and contains 14 pages. DEA did the front and back covers.
In the loop with TPTB: 
Things for sale from Gene Roddenberry: 
Status of the current fan campaign and Star Trek; turns out Snoopy watches the show: 
Update from Garlic Press by Sherna Comerford: 
A report on seeing Nichelle Nichols perform: 
==Issue 8== 
Plak-Tow 8 was published June 30, 1968 and contains 14 pages.
This issue contains an essay with perhaps the very earliest use (at least in print) of the term trekkie.
About this issue: 
There is news about the upcoming Star Trek Concordance: 
Report from Garlic Press: Sherna Comerford: 
The graveyard spot: 
The Hugos: 
Regarding the cutting of episodes: 
A Mid-Spring's Night's Dream, or, Journey to Backstage by Ruth Berman and Dorothy Jones, illustrated by Alicia Austin, is a detailed description of a group of fans' (Bjo Trimble, John Trimble, Ruth Berman, Dorothy Jones, "the Andersons," others?) trip to see Mark Lenard (as "Oberon") in the Inner City Repertory Company's production of "A Midsummer's Night Dream" in Los Angeles on April 5, 1968. 
==Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8==
==Issue 9== 
Plak-Tow 9 was published in August 19, 1968 and contains 14 pages. Art is by Alicia Austin, Sherna Burley, Kathy Bushman, Mary Ann Cappa, Perri Gorrick, Daphne Hamilton, Terri Harris, Dale Kagan, Carol Lee, Connie Reich, and Terry Romine. This issue contains a short review of Inside Star Trek #1, and a con report for FunCon, see those pages. This issue also has an extensive description of the blooper reel.
From the editor: 
This issue has the usual extensive list of descriptions of Star Trek and its actors in appearances in newspapers, magazines, and other publications. Some examples: 
 
Protest!: 
There is lots of merchandising news for all sorts of fans: 
Some speculation: 
 
File:Plaktow9back.jpg|back cover of issue #9, Kathy Bushman
File:Plaktow9interior1.jpg|inside page of issue #9
File:Plaktow9interior2.jpg|inside page of issue #9, art by Perri Gorrick and Carol Lee
==Issue 10==
Plak-Tow 10 was published October 28, 1968 and contains 14 pages. Art credits this issue: Alicia Austin, 2 and 3; Sherna Burley, 11; Bush, 4, 5, 10 and back cover; Perri Corrick, 6; DEA, front cover, titled "Be My Guest, Mr. Spock"; Sara Pensterer, 12; Daphne Hamilton, 9; Terri Harris, 8; Connie Reich, 7; Terry Romine, 1; and Jari Wood, 13. This issue has a con report for Baycon that emphasizes the Star Trek presence, see that page.
The editorial: 
More letter writing is encouraged: 
Fans are encouraged to purchase The Making of Star Trek: 
There are so many things to buy!: 
"Notes on Building the New Model of the Enterprise," an article by Rick Norwood: 
So far, no refund from Voice: 
When Spockanalia ceases: 
File:Plaktow10-1.jpg|inside page from issue #10, Alicia Austin
File:Plaktow10-2.jpg|inside page from issue #10, artist is Connie Reich
==Issue 11== 
Plak-Tow 11 was published December 9, 1968 and contains 14 pages.
* Hailing Frequencies Open by S. Meech (article)
* Leonard Nimoy News by S. Meech (2)
* Still More Bloopers by S. Meech (article)
* News of Other Star Trek Regulars by S. Meech (article)
* Mensa Party by S. Meech (article, "On November 23, the Los Angeles Mensa (high-IQ) group held held a science fiction party, which might become an annual event. About 1,000 attended, including Leonard and Sandi Nimoy, James and Anita Doohan, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, and Rick and Sherry Carter. Also attending was Theodore Sturgeon, scripter of "Amok Time" and "Shore Leave". Entertainment included a satirical skit on ST called "Sidetrack", dancing, and a breakfast "for the survivors".") (3)
* News From Clubs by S. Meech (article) (4)
* ST Zines (5)
* TV Sightings by S. Meech (article) (6)
* Bibliography, ST in the News (6)
File:Plaktwo11back.jpg|back cover of issue #11, art by DEA
File:Plaktwo11interior1.jpg|inside page of issue #11
File:Plaktwo11interior2.jpg|inside page of issue #11 art by Kathy Bushman
==Issue 12== 
Plak-Tow 12 was published January 16, 1969 and contains 12 pages.
Art credits this ish - Bush, 2-3; Perri Corrick, back cover; DEA, 10; Daphne Hamilton, 8-9; Vera Heminger, 6-7; Allene Nims, 11; Connie Reich, 4-5; Terry Romine, 1; front cover by Bush.
The editor give some news she's heard or read: 
Emmy rule changes not final: 
A rising new songwriter: 
Some early speculation on the Romulan Commander's first name: 
File:Plaktow12interior1.jpg|inside page of issue #12, art by Kathy Bushman
File:Plaktow12interior2.jpg|inside page of issue #12, art by Connie Reich
==Issue 13==
Plak-Tow 13 was published March 17, 1969 and contains 14 pages.
Art credits this ish — Bush, cover, pages 2-3; Juanita Coulson, bacover; Perri Corrick, 8-9; DEA, 4-5; Dale Kagan, 12; Claire Mason, 11; Allene Nims, 13; Connie Reich, 6; Chuck Rein, 2, 7; Terry Romine, 1; and Louise Stange, 10.
 
From the editor: 
Well, at least some good news about the Emmys: 
Nimoy starts a record company: 
Contact your radio deejay: 
There is a con report for the very, very, very first Star Trek convention: 
That's quite a gathering: 
The Romulan Commander's name: 
"News Flash Just Received": 
File:Plak13inside1.jpg|inside issue #13, DEA
File:Plak13inside2.jpg|inside issue #13, Connie Faddis
==Issue 14==
Plak-Tow 14 was published June 9, 1969 and contains 16 pages.
Art credits this ish; Bush, 6 and bacover. Perri Corrick, 9. Juanita Coulson, 1 and 3. DEA, 2. Lenore Erabree, 8, Craig Highberger, 7, Claire Mason, 11. Chuck Rein - front cover, 4, 5 and 10; Terry Romine.
From the editor who is moving on: 
Includes Includes comments by Leonard Nimoy (who quotes Gene Roddenberry in a letter) to LNAF Bulletin (May 1969 issue) on the final cancelation of the show: 
File:Plaktow14-1.jpg|from issue #14, Juanita Coulson
File:Plaktow14-2.jpg|from issue #14, Kathy Bushman
File:Plaktow14-3.jpg|from issue #14, Juanita Coulson
==References==
Category:Star Trek TOS Non-fiction Zines
Category:1967 Zines
Category:1960s Zines