Be Gentle With Us

Be Gentle With Us is a slash letterzine that was published in Northern Ireland and ran for twelve issues.
It came out four times a year: March, June, September, and December. 
See other Professional letterzines. Also see List of Letterzines.
==About==
===Submissions===
From "2.5" in issue #2: 
==Some Regular Features==
* the Topic of the Month
* "Telly Obbs" (the actors from The Professionals and their appearances in other shows
* "Actor Files" (clippings about the actors)
* Storyboard (some suggestions/short outlines about stories that could be written)
* transcripts of interviews
==The Editors==
These introductions are from the second issue. 
About 5.1: 
About 9.5: 
About 2.5: 
==The Reproduction Quality==
The zine's type was generally very readable, though some issues more than others. 
A fan in 1992 commented: 
==Issue 1==
Be Gentle With Us 1 was published in March 1991.
* Accidents Will Happen, fiction by Claire Dobbin
* Letters
* Storyboard
* other unknown content
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1===
 
==Issue 2==
Be Gentle With Us 2 was published in June 1991 and contains 48 pages.
The TOTM was "Did you watch The Professionals first time around?" "Why are we watching the show ten years later?" "Did you notice the relationship between Bodie and Doyle?"
* Editorial (1)
* Personel [sic] Files (2)
* An Actor's Dead, poem, not credited (about the passing of Gordon Jackson who portrayed George Cowley) (3)
* Letters (4)
* Doyle's Jeans - A Eulogy, fiction, not credited (16)
* Story Reviews (18)
** Meg Lewtan's "Hystericals" -- Bird in a Gilded Cage, Traitor's Fate, Luck of the Draw, Murder on the Moor
** Night Moves by Courtney Gray
** Unfinished Melody by Jane of Australia
** Air on the G-String by O. Yardley
** Professional Dreamer by Pamela Rose
** Reparations by Susan Douglass
** And Memories Die (part two) by Ellis Ward
** Ill Met By Moonlight by O. Yardley
* Actor File (22)
* Twice the Thought, poem by Jude (27)
* Storyboard, some suggestions/short outlines about stories that could be written: "Sins of the Father," "Up Periscope!," When in Rome..." (28)
* Change of Plane, fiction by Linda (this is a story based on a "storyboard" idea in issue #1) (28)
* Current Zine Listing (31)
* Martin Shaw Interview: Midweek, BBC Radio 4, September 1, 1991 (transcript) (32)
* Telly Obbs (35)
* Adverts (38)
* For Your Eyes Only, fiction by Sarina (43)
 
Image:begentle2-1.jpg|from issue #2
Image:begentle2-2.jpg|from issue #2
Image:begentle2-3.jpg|from issue #2
Image:begentle2-4.jpg|from issue #2
===Issue 2: Sample Fan Comments===
==Issue 3==
Be Gentle With Us 3 was published in September 1991.
The Discussion Topic was: "How do you deal, as a reader or as a writer, with Bodie's questionable past?"
* Nightmare, fiction by Cat Shannon
* You Only Live Twice, fiction by Sarina
* Letters
* two fans' descriptions of attending Writeshop '91
* art by Cat
* Thought for the Minute, fiction 
* other unknown content
==Issue 4==
Be Gentle With Us 4 was published in December 1991 and contains 48 pages.
The TOTM is "Should AIDS be used/written about in fanfiction?"
* Editorial (1)
* Bits 'n' Pieces (2)
* Letters (3)
* The Cuckoo Waltz, review (11)
* Martin Shaw Radio Interview, Radio 2, Gloria Hunniford, September 1983 (13)
* Zircon '91, a con report (16)
* Lewis Collins Interview (19)
* Story Reviews (21)
**The Rake's Progress by Jane of Australia
** £3 Note Series #1
** Army Games by Sebastian
** One Morning in May by PD
** Other Times and Places #2
** Clan of the White Fox by Jane of Australia
* Actor File (24)
* Telly Obbo (27)
* Limericks by Sarina (30)
* Adverts (31)
* Fiction Competition (33)
* Quiz (35)
* Fair Winds, fiction by Jude (37)
* And a Happy New Year by Barbara Thomas (41)
* Artwork by Anne-Marie (40)
* Aftermath, Expectations, two poems by Jude (48)
 
Image:begentle4-1.jpg|from issue #4
Image:begentle4-2.jpg|from issue #4
 
===Issue 4: Sample Fan Comments===
==Issue 5==
Be Gentle With Us 5 was published in March 1992 and contain 48 pages.
* Editorial (1)
* Bits 'n' Pieces (2)
* Letters (5)
* Useful Addresses (12)
* Professionals at Play... Lewis Collins, The Rise and Fall of a Parachuting Professional (article reprinted from The Professionals Annual 1980) (13)
* Quiz Answers (19)
* Editor's Choice (the types of stories the editor doesn't like to read) (20)
* Martin Shaw Interview, BBC Radio 2, 1983 with Gloria Hunniford (transcript) (23)
* Actor File (mainstream reviews of the Pros actors in other roles and shows) (27)
* Telly Obbo (a listing of interviews and other appearances of the Pros (and other) actors in other shows) (30)
* Story Reviews (33)
**No Night So Dark by Elaine, see that page
** Emotionally Involved by L. Zip, see that page
** Brass in Pocket by Lainie Stone, see that page
** Super Grass by Meg Lewtan, see that page
** Danger by Lily Fulford, see that page
** Doctor on the Squad by Jane of Australia, see that page
** Bear Necessity/Necessary Evil by O. Yardley, see that page
** Fantasies/Realities by Fanny Adams, see that page
* Adverts (36)
* A Friend in Need..., fiction by Sarina (41)
* No Hiding Place, fiction by Barbara Thomas ("I know this was a silly story! It was written as a bit of fluff solely for my own enjoyment, and to fill what I perceived as a gap in B/D fan-fic -- the lack of Easter stories.") (42)
===Issue 5: Sample Fan Comments===
 
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 5===
==Issue 6==
Be Gentle With Us 6 was published in June 1992 and contains 48 pages.
* Editorial (1)
* Letters (2)
* illo by CAT (21)
* Martin Shaw Interview: Re "Are You Lonesome Tonight," Australia, 1986 (transcript) (22)
* Telly Obbo (26)
* Actor File (29)
* Story Reviews (32)
**CI5 Fairystories by Sisters Grinn, see that page
** Family Snaps by Jane of Australia, see that page
** London Games by Ellis Ward, see that page
** Dog in the Manger by Meg Lewtan, see that page
** Griffin by Courtney Gray, see that page
** Doctor on the Squad by Jane of Australia, see that page
** Starlight, Starbright by Fanny Adams, see that page
** A Summer's Outing by M. Fae Glasgow, see that page
** Own Goal by M. Fae Glasgow, see that page
** I Saw Three Ships by Gael X. Ile, see that page
** Scoring a Try by E.T., see that page
** Sticky Wickets by M. Fae Glasgow, see that page
** The Ball Was Good by Sebastion, see that page
** Honours Even by H.G., see that page
* Adverts (37)
* Untitled, fiction by Anonymous (40)
* Holding Out for a Hero by Claire Dobbin (41)
===Issue 6: Sample Fan Comments===
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 6===
==Issue 7==
Be Gentle With Us 7 was published in September 1992 and contains 42 pages.
The editorial: 
* Letters (1)
* Actor File (18)
* Story Reviews (22)
**Arabian Nights by Pamela Rose, see that page
** Masquerade by Chris Power, see that page
** Stir-Happy by O. Yardley, see that page
** As Night Closes In by ?, see that page
** Perfect Day by Sebastian, see that page
** Expenses Covered by Nansi, see that page
** Kind Hearts by O. Yardley, see that page
** The Flu Series by Sebastian and HG, see that page
*Telly Obbo (25)
* Bits 'n' Pieces (29)
* Adverts (31)
* Nobody Cries, fiction by Katy Deery 9330
* Not a Resigning Matter, fiction by Claire Dobbin (35)
===Sample Fan Comments: Issue 7===
 
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 7===
==Issue 8==
Be Gentle With Us 8 was published in December 1992 and contains 45 pages.
* Letters (1)
* Telly Obbo (16)
* Reviews (17)I can't explain to you why I enjoy reading stories of disastrous or heading-for-disaster relationships, because it's obviously not a taste you share at all. But I loved 'Velvet Underground', and the 'Adagio' sequence. You may not personally approve of people screwing around after they've made a commitment to a partner, but when you write do your characters always have to behave in a manner you would approve? Mine certainly don't.velv
** Christmas by ?, see that page
** Christmas of '83 by ?, see that page
** The Christmas Fairy by Sharon F, see that page
** Christmas in London by Sharon F, see that page
** Christmas Pantomime by E.T., see that page
** 'Tis the Season by Courtney Gray, see that page
** God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Lainie Stone, see that page
** Christmas Spirit by ?, see that page
** Oh Come All Ye Faithful by SS2, see that page
** Stir-Happy by O. Yardley, see that page
* Martin Shaw Interview, Pebble Mill, BB1 with Judy Spiers, May 19, 1992 (transcript, some topics are the play "Sienna Red," V.I. Warshawski, The Chief You can watch it here. ) (21)
* Can This Be Middle-Age?, essay by 5.1 (the editor) (the topic: The Professionals and Inspector Morse) (25)
* Authors Questionnaire: Be Gentle With Us Interview: Katy Deery (26)
* Authors Questionnaire: Be Gentle With Us Interview: Cath Sprale (28)
* Actor File (30)
* review by Amelia of the play "An Ideal Husband" starring Martin Shaw (32)
* Bits 'n' Pieces (many mainstream press articles about Martin Shaw) (35)
* Advert (42)
* A Man Who Trusts..., fiction by Nicole Craig (43)
===Sample Fan Comments: Issue 8===
===Reactions and Reviews: Issue 8===
==Issue 9==
Be Gentle With Us 9 was published in March 1993.
* Duty Roster, fiction by Atropos
* Eye of the Beholder, fiction by Barbara Thomas
* Fishcake, fiction by Jane Carnall and Atropos
* May a Friend Wake for You, fiction by 5.1
* Letters
* Authors Questionnaire: Be Gentle With Us Interview: Sebastian
* three other "Authors Questionnaire" responses
* other unknown content
==Issue 10==
Be Gentle With Us 10 was published in June 1993 and contains 46 pages.
From the editor: 
* Letters (1)
* Cowley, art by CAT (17)
* Author's Questionnaires (18)
** Be Gentle With Us Interview: India
** Be Gentle With Us Interview: Ellis Ward
** Be Gentle With Us Interview: Felicity M. Parkinson
** Be Gentle With Us Interview: Tish
* Advert (27)
* Reviews (28)
** Rainbow Chasers by HG
** The Peerless Pair by HG
** Driven to Distraction by ?
** Head and Heart by Merlyn
* Bits 'N' Pieces (30)
* Actor File (31)
* Martin Shaw Interview (36)
* Review of "Aladdin" (40)
* The Final Variation, fiction by Doyle-e-Carte (42)
===Sample Fan Comments: Issue 10===
==Issue 11==
Be Gentle With Us 11 was published in September 1993.
* The Black Capri, fiction by Jane Carnall and Atropos
* The Bottom of the Matter, fiction by Airelle (reprinted in Blind Run #2) 
* Letters
* other unknown content
==Issue 12==
Be Gentle With Us 12 was published in December 1993.
* About Time, fiction by Ginny
* Afterwards, fiction by Jane Carnall
* Conspiracy Theory, fiction by Atropos
* Dear Bodie, fiction by Ginny
* Domestic Warfare, fiction by Katy Deery
* Home, fiction by Ginny
* It was Christmas Day in the Workhouse, fiction by Jane Carnall and Atropos
* It's a Gift, fiction by Jane Carnall and Atropos
* Letters
* other unknown content
==Other Professionals Letterzines==
* Mixed Doubles (gen and slash, Pros and Starsky & Hutch) (1984-June 1989) 
* The Hatstand Express (slash) (1984-1991)
* On the Double (heavy on slash, Pros and K/S) (November 1986- January 1996) 
* Cold Fish and Stale Chips (gen and slash) (1989-early 1990)
* Short Circuit (gen and slash) (1990-1994)
* Be Gentle With Us (slash) (March 1991-December 1993)
* Discovered In A Letterbox (slash) (1997-2002)
==References==
Category:Anthology Zines
Category:The Professionals Zines
Category:1990s