Short Circuit

Short Circuit is a Professionals slash and gen letterzine..
It was published by L.H. in England (#1), followed by Linda Terrell in the USA (#2-#10), then Joanne Keating in Australia (#11-#17). 
==Descriptions==
The editorial page of issue #1 states: 
From a 1992 ad in Zine Scene: 
From a 1993 flyer: 
==Awards==
Issue #12 won a 1994 Fan Q.
In 1997, "Short Circuit" tied with Cold Fish and Stale Chips for a Huggy Award for best Pros letterzine.
 
==Ending Date Clues==
"Short Circuit" was listed by Sandy Hereld on Virgule-L as "currently available" in December 1995. .
In January 1996, a fan wrote: 
==Other Professionals Letterzines==
For a list of similar fanworks, see List of 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)
==Discussion Topics and Controversies==
The letterzine's first issue was very benign. 
When it got passed to Linda Terrell (issues 2-10), things got hotter.
Some probable reasons:
* Terrell stated right away that the publication would not be actor-focused and did not welcome comments about the actors, yet she made some disparaging remarks about Lewis Collins right off the bat, something other fans called her on a few issues later. Terrell did not apologize, nor see the point of their arguments. 
* While all fans had to wait an issue to read comments and add their own responses, Terrell had the opportunity to read and respond right away. When a fan asked her to wait along with the rest of the fans as her often strident comments altered the nature of continuing discussion, Terrell said she would not, citing this privilege as a perk of having to do most of the work, and that other letterzine publishers had done the same thing.
* While this letterzine was a bit like an APA at first (in that fans' letters were not retyped but instead copied and pasted as is), Terrell was a accused by at least one fan of editing and/or censoring letters. She vehemently denied doing this, and as of issue #5, referred to herself as a collator/compiler, rather than editor.
* There was apparently a lot of angry letters and phone calls among fans regarding Terrell's tactics, motives, and this letterzine, something Terrell alludes to in issue #5's "editorial." In this editorial, Terrell reveals one of the complainer's legal name. It is unclear if this person's name is one of the readers who did not contribute, or if the name revealed is embedded in one of the zine's tribbers using a pseud. It is likely the latter.
* Terrell also revealed the legal name (first only, though fans would have made the connection immediately), in a casual reply to one of the letterzine's most prolific tribbers. While no one commented in the letterzine itself, this would have been considered an overstep.
* Some of the letters, as of issue #4, became quite strident and combative, something Terrell comments on in the fifth issue, saying she liked it like that. 
* Terrell herself was a continuous figure in fandom in the first place, due to her communication style, and for her role in The Blake's 7 War, the latter something many fans would have been quite aware of.
==Issue 1==
Short Circuit 1 was published in April 1990 and contains 34 pages. It was published by L.H. in England.
The TOTMs were "How did you get hooked on The Professionals?" and "What are your favorite episodes?" and "Did you see the slash in the show first and then in the fic, or the other way around?" and "What are your favorite five sexiest scenes for Bodie and for Doyle?"
Reviews of fanworks; this is the only issue that contains a stated "review section." -
* "Adiago in Blue" by Kathy Keegan, Cross My Heart #2
* "Luck of the Irish" by Lily Fulford. -- "A threesome story with lots and lots of sex - Bodie and Murph conspire to seduce Doyle, and the plot backfires when people start falling in love. If you like Murphy stories, this is for you! Not quite in Lewtan's class (what is?) but a jolly good romp."
* "Playing Possum" by Tigwinkle (5 pages). "For cat lovers everywhere! An unusual idea that's extremely well written. The best 'Pros become feline' since Cat Tales. Not slash, but read it anyway. The lady knows her subject."
* Starlight, Starbright by Fanny Adams, see that page
* "Breaking Point", author unknown. -- "The start of a love affair. Delicious stuff. Bodie's impossible dreams come true - and Ray isn't complaining either! Good balance between the guys, partnership nicely sketched before they get to grips with the notion of becoming lovers, and get on with the job is luscious detail. No slush, just loads of caring and concern becoming commitment."
This issue contains fiction: Interim 1 (Post Hunter/Hunted) by K. Morgan, Five Little Words by Cat Shannon.
This issue contains poetry: Before and After by [author unknown], Even the Losers Win by Cat Shannon, Bodie by Jude, Doyle by Jude.
There is one interior drawing of Doyle by KE.
Submission guidelines and ads: submission guidelines for Other Times and Places, ad for Professional Insight, ad for As Smooth as a Waltz.
===Issue 1: Excerpts from Comments===
 
 
===Issue 1: Reactions and Reviews===
==Issue 2==
Short Circuit 2 was published in July 1990 and contains 28 pages. 
A new editor is at the helm: Linda Terrell.
The TOTMs were "In personal correspondence someone mentioned that they found the level of violence in the show to be almost unacceptable. Does anyone else feel this way?" and "Given a choice, which episode would you most like to see a follow-up to? And why? Confronting Cowley after Operation Susie, or a scene between our boys after Fall Girl? If they had brought the show back five years later, instead of giving us Saracen, who would things have changed?"
"Formal" reviews of fanworks:
* Coming Home, see that page
* A Pardon After Execution, see that page
* The Hunting, see that page
* Tainted Love, see that page
* "Interim 1," (from issue #1) see below
* "Five Little Words," (from issue #1) see below
* "Metamorphosis," (from issue #1) see below
 
Stories:
* A Time to Grieve by Susan Douglass - later expanded into the zine novel Shadows Over the Land by Nina Boal
Poetry:
* Reflective Response by Jude
* Three Small Words by Jude
Art:
* front cover illo of Bodie and Doyle by Caryl Sibbett
* interior illo of Bodie and Doyle by Kate Neurnberg (this is actually a photocopy of the front cover of Chalk and Cheese #5)
===Issue 2: Excerpts from Comments===
 
 
==Issue 3==
Short Circuit 3 was published in October 1990 and contains 45 pages. The editor was Linda Terrell (USA), and she notes that the letterzine now has 25 members.
It includes the stories: One Too Many Questions by Cat Shannon, CI5 Agent of Gor by Susan Douglass (a parody of the Gor stories), it was a dark and stormy night, vignette by Linda Terrell.
There are two illos, one of Bodie and one of Doyle, by KE.
 
=== Issue 3: Excerpts from Comments===
===Issue 3: Reactions and Reviews ===
==Issue 4==
Short Circuit 4 was published in January 1991 and contains 43 pages. It was published by Linda Terrell (USA).
It includes three poems. One by Jude: Before I Forget, and two by Linda Terrell: Of Unrefined Mercenaries, Rumpled Apollos. Both of Terrell's poems were reprinted in Backtrack #4.
===Issue 4: Excerpts from Comments===
==Issue 5==
Short Circuit 5 was published April 1991 and contains 28 pages. It was published by Linda Terrell (USA).
 
It includes three poems by Jude: Overture, Thoughts on Doyle, Thoughts on Bodie. 
There is a random single sentence in this issue, not attributed to anyone's LOC, so assumably added by the editor: "NUT HATCH PRESS has made a formal request that it be noted that "Jane" is NOT "Keegan." So Noted."
 
===Issue 5: Excerpts from Comments===
==Issue 6==
Short Circuit 6 was published in July 1991. It was published by Linda Terrell (USA).
 
==Issue 7==
Short Circuit 7 was published in October 1991. It was published by Linda Terrell (USA).
 
==Issue 8==
Short Circuit 8 was published in January 1992. It was published by Linda Terrell (USA).
 
==Issue 9==
Short Circuit 9 was published in April 1992. It was published by Linda Terrell (USA).
 
==Issue 10==
Short Circuit 10 was published in July 1992. It was published by Linda Terrell (USA).
==Issue 11==
Short Circuit 11 was published in December 1992 and contains 28 pages. It was published by Joanne Keating (Australia).
 
It contains the story: Alley Cat by Stew (fic also on AO3).
 
===Issue 11: Excerpts from Comments===
 
===Issue 11: Reactions and Reviews ===
==Issue 12==
Short Circuit 12 was published in April 1993. It was published by Joanne Keating (Australia).
The TOTNI is "Do you have a favourite and least favourite episode, and why? What are some of your favourite scenes? And going on from there, which episodes do you think best indicates a slash relationship."
==Issue 13==
Short Circuit 13 was published July 1993 and contains 28 pages. It was published by Joanne Keating (Australia).
The TOTNI: Who in your family knows about your interest in slash? What was the first hatstand you read?
It contains the story: Foiled Again by HG (also in HG Collected #1).
 
===Issue 13: Excerpts from Comments===
==Issue 14==
Short Circuit 14 was published in September 1993. It was published by Joanne Keating (Australia).
"(1) Why is there such a trend towards a/u stories, historicals, stories where not even the names are the same; witchcraft, etc ... Do you like them or not, and why. (2) Is it still generally agreed that Endgame is the best Proffs story written. If not, what do you suggest. (For those of you who haven't read it, you are really missing out on something.)"
==Issue 15==
Short Circuit 15 was published December 1993 and contains 32 pages. It was published by Joanne Keating (Australia).
It contains the story: Wag-Weed by April Pentland.
 
===Issue 15: Excerpts from Comments===
 
 
==Issue 16==
Short Circuit 16 was published in March 1994. It was published by Joanne Keating (Australia).
The TOTM: "Why do some writers think that rape is romantic, either as a means of starting a relationship, or as a component of an on-going relationship between Bodie and Doyle; or in fact any partnership. Do you enjoy reading or writing rape in B/D stories, or how do you feel when you read such a story."
==Issue 17==
Short Circuit 17 was published in June 1994. It was published by Joanne Keating (Australia).
* Publisher: Joanne Keating (Australia)
 
==References==
Category:The Professionals Gen Zines
Category:1990s