Discovered In A Letterbox/Issues 01-05

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==Issue 1==
Discovered In A Letterbox 1 was published in 1997 and contains 42 pages.
* From the first editorial: 
* One fan comments in a zine review: 
* Letter Column: Topic: Why are we still fascinated with the show 20 years later?
* One fan writes that she likes both characters equally and there seems to be no limits on creating believable backgrounds for the characters. Another factor that appealed was that, unlike K/S fandom, Professionals fan fiction did not have a lot of slave stories. She also credits the informality of the circuit as being a major draw for many to the fandom. Newer writers were more willing to participate and write since, unlike fanzines, there was no possibility of their work being rejected.
* Another fan points to the show itself - the actors invested a lot of personality into their characters, pushing their onscreen relationship closer together and offering more intimate body language between the characters. The fan fiction also helped fill in the characters lifestyles and opinions.
* One fan is pleased that the letterzine is slash-focused and suggests that fans design a slash badge they can wear to help identify one another at gatherings.
* One writer likes fan fiction because fans can establish the character the way they want (in spite of how they're written onscreen) and then can keep them within that characterization.
* A writer says she was attracted by the characters but notes that the plots came in a poor second. She also thinks that Pros fan fiction is some of the best fan fiction being written because so many writers apprenticed in other fandoms first.
* A fan says she was drawn to the fandom by her perception of sexual tension between the characters, the actor's chemistry, the characters onscreen humour, and the completeness of each episode.
* Another fan also points to the actors who made the characters so believable. She also likes Bodie and Doyle's contrasting backgrounds and the physical attractiveness of the actors.
* A fan suggest a new topic for discussion: why do so many fans think that Bodie is a hard mercenary with a marshmallow interior? In keeping with the food metaphor she offers her opinion that Doyle is like an olive: pretty on the outside, but tart inside. She concludes by saying she prefers stories where the characters are hard all the way through, tough and more "like men."
* One fan wonders if the reason she was drawn to the show was because Bodie and Doyle are contemporaries and are British.
* A fan offers a detailed analysis of her favorite episode "Hunter/Hunted"
* The editor proposes a letter writing campaign to protest rumors that the character of Raymond Doyle might be killed off the "The New Professionals" a remake of the series
* Oyez, Oyez - Noticeboard
*Forthcoming zine publications are listed: Unprofessional Conduct #7, The Highwayman by O Yardley, A Beach to Walk On by E.T., Unprofessional Conduct #8, The Cook and the Warehouseman by Helen Raven, Sand Castle and Journey West.
*For Sale: K/S zines and free circuit stories
*A fan offers "Great Questions Of Our Time:" What do the characters yell when Doyle rips the bomb off Bodie in the "Fugitive?" And what was Cowley implying in "The Fall Girl" when he said that Doyle needs to get his house in order.
*A list of the Rainy Days series stories, in order
*Trivial pursuit questions
*A fan pens "A Proposition To Pros Fandom" asking fans to submit 10 of their favorite slash quotes from the series to be published in later issues.
* Convention report - Escapade 1997, see that page
* Flyers for currently published fanzines (mainly US publishers): Motet for New Voices in B and D, Variations on the Theme of B and D, Guilty Pleasures and Unprofessional Conduct # 7
* An Actor's life - news about the actors
* a review of Guilty Pleasures, see that page
* a sort of non-review of Paean to Priapus #6, see that page
* a review of Sand Castle, see that page
* review of Journey West, see that page
* reviews of Unprofessional Conduct #7, see that page
Stories:
* A Case of Mistaken Identity by Atropos - 4 pages
* Mrs Doyle's Bad Leg by H.B. Cavella - 3 pages
* Waiting by Buzz - 3 pages
Art:
* drawing by Evelyn of Bodie and Doyle
==Issue 2==
Discovered In A Letterbox 2 was published in June 1997 and contains 47 pages.
* A fan is somewhat puzzled as to why she enjoys this fandom: "Like several of you, I have difficulty working out what draws me to the show beyond the obvious, that is). I'm a feminist and a civil libertarian, for heaven's sake!"
* A fan laughs about her mum who also enjoys Pros: "She is such an innocent. When she was shown a sketch of Mr Spock in all his glory - and I do mean all - her only comment was, 'Oh, darling. Isn't he hairy?'"
* A fan comments on the Escapade con report in the previous issue: "Interesting to read the US con report but I don't think I could stand so many panels and what else was there to do, apart from the art?"
* This issue lists the order, along with summaries of the fifteen stories in Eva's "Emma Universe"
* A proposed fan activity: send in ten quotations (100 words or less) from Pros stories and fans will have to try to guess what stories from which they came
* fans write memorials about the death of Steve Adler, the actor who portrayed Murphy
* this issue has flyers with summaries and/or excerpts for Motet #1, Roses and Lavender #1, After the Battle, The Highwayman, and Alter Egos #1, Suffer Little Children, 
* a fan comments extensively on Journey West, see that page
* The editor writes of contributions and the size of the letterzine: 
* The editor suggests that the discussion topic for the next issue: 
* A fan comments: 
 
* A fan comments on the differences between American and British Pros writers: 
* A fan is very happy with this letterzine: 
* On tolerance: 
* A fan comments that the source material sometimes becomes secondary to fan creations: 
* A fan explains her fannish trajectory: 
* A fan explains her fiction preferences: 
* Fans discuss the recent negative comments Martin Shaw made about the show: 
* This issue has an essay called A Bodie By Any Other Name... by [J C] -- an excerpt: 
Stories:
* Neither Heat Nor Cold by Atropos - 2 pages
* Defence Manoeuvre by Gene - 3 pages
* When in Rome by Hestia - 4 pages
Art:
* drawing by Evelyn of Bodie as a North American Indian
==Issue 3==
Discovered In A Letterbox 3 was published in Sept 1997 and contains 58 pages.
* The editor suggests the discussion topic: "The Story I'd Most Like to Read a Sequel To" 
* The editor explains the Huggy Awards and offers to send a copy of the ballot to any fan that asks for one
* A fan writes of her love for fanfic: 
* A fan comments on the prevalence of the fragile Doyle: 
* A fan explains her fannish tastes and trajectory: 
* About AUs: 
 
* The article, "The Art of the Plagiarist" by [J C], tells of how she is haunted be a story she wanted to write, one that she'd have to borrow from another author. She tells of contacting the author and the author's blunt refusal. Excerpt: 
* flyers for Sex, Lies and U.N.C.L.E., Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, A Beach to Walk On, Alter Egos #2, Forever True
* a review for Chalk and Cheese #16 and #17, see those pages
* a review for Aliens Ate My Zine, see that page
* a review for Roses and Lavender, see that page
* a review for Guilty Pleasures, see that page
* a review for Motet, see that page
Stories:
* Serendipity by Linda - 5 pages
* 'Airy-Fairy' Dreams by Gene - 3 pages
* Discovered in a Flat by Cherilyn - 2 pages
Art:
* drawing by Evelyn of an older Doyle
==Issue 4==
Discovered In A Letterbox 4 was published in December 1997 and contains 52 pages.
* A fan encourages others to do as they please: 
* A fan comments on an essay in the previous issue: 
* A fan imagines some crossovers: 
* The editor mentions a circuit story: 
* A fan writes a long con report for ZebraCon called "How to Survive ZebraCon Without Too Many Debts or Too Big a Hernia": one highlight was the Fancy Dress and the art auction: 
* two fans send in reviews of the play, "The Ideal Husband" with Martin Shaw
* there are no zine reviews in this issue
Stories:
* Christmas Trimmings by Fiona Murray - 7 pages
* Equilibrium by Felicity M. Parkinson - 2 pages
* Kiss and Wake Up by Kitty Berman - 2 pages
* Making a Statement by Cherilyn - 2 pages
* Morning Glory by Jenny Parkinson - 2 pages
* Suck It and See by Mo - 2 pages
* Thank You, Endeavour by Ginny - 2 pages
* That's What Friends are For by Olympian Heights - 3 pages
* Two Sacked Santas? by Gene - 3 pages
* When I Consider How My Light is Spent by Skuld - 2 pages
Poetry:
* A Visit from St Nicholas by Joan
* Panto Pants by Jude
* The CI5 Christmas Songbook by Joan
Art:
* drawing by Evelyn of Bodie and Doyle
==Issue 5==
Discovered In A Letterbox 5 was published in March 1998 and contains 38 pages.
* Several fans comment that only Starsky & Hutch can get away with using "babe" as an endearment, and that only cop shows seem to have characters using this endearment. 
* A fan comments on an article by [J C] in issue #3: 
* About the feminization of characters: 
* A fan is a little disappointed in the tone of the Christmas stories in the last issue: 
* A fan has to explain an earlier comment in which she appeared to be horrified at the idea of a naked Cowley: 
 
* a fan asks if anyone has "read Mel Keegan's new book, 'White Rose of Night'?"
* a fan writes an essay entitled: "Confessions of a Doyle Devotee" about her conversion to being a Bodie fan as well
* there are two reviews of the panto, "Beauty and the Beast" which starred Martin Shaw
* two reviews of No Holds Barred #16, see that page
* a review of Tea for Two, see that page
* a review of Roses and Lavender #1, see that page
* a review of Tea for Two, see that page
Stories:
* Out of the Frying Pan by Hestia - 2 pages
* Famous CI5: Chapter 2 by Joan - 2 pages
* Medusa's Curse by Gene - 5 pages
Art:
* drawing by Evelyn of MS as "Lord Goring"
==References==
Category:The Professionals Slash ZinesCategory:1997Category:1998