Star Trek Action Group (newsletter)/Issues 021-040

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==Issue 21==
Star Trek Action Group 21 was published in January 1977 and contains 20 pages.
* there is news from Star Trektennial News #19 that the movie would start filming in summer 1977
* about the newly-cancelled Space:1999: "Those of you who were at Terracon will remember Nick Tate saying that if SPACE died the future of TV SF would be in danger. You may or may not agree with him but in either case I'm sure you will agree that we need more SF series on TV. We think that SPACE 1999 is a good SF series and well worth saving."
* a fan is selling a pair of "working communicators" which operate on batteries and have a short wave range of two miles -- it is noted that you need a license from the Post Office to operate short wave radio sets in Great Britain
* a fan, John Carrigan, includes a drawing of a phaser and the note: "Dear STAG, I am writing this letter and sending this drawing to you mainly because of the Starfleet Technical Manual. In the manual there is a diagram of a phaser pistol that in my opinion is wrong. I do not see how a book of so called authentic plans can be wrong but I know for sure that the picture of the phaser in the book is wrong. After years of studying phasers I have come up with what I think is a correct interpretation of a phaser pistol. Rather than let star Trek fans waste their time making a phaser model from the incorrect drawing in the manual, if they follow my drawing they can be sure that their phaser model will be correct."
* this issue has a translation of an article about the new space shuttle, Enterprise, from the German TV-magazine GONG, translated by Theo Krik
* "The Most Deadly Criticism" is an essay by a Finnish fan named [M H] and is about being a good leader and whether Kirk qualifies
* a fan comments on the idea of K/S: 
* a fan writes in a rebuttal to the con report of the Bi-Centennial Con in New York that was in the previous issue; points of disagreement -- the age of the con goers was older (not children), the dealer's room was fabulous, the crowd was not boisterous ("Everyone was so helpful, courteous and friendly that one just KNEW that love was present that weekend."), the art show was great...
* regrading the story contest: "There were four entries in the last competition, from T.W. Francis, Gloria Mitchell, Jackie Newey, and Valerie Piacentini. Judging was fairly close, but Valerie just had the edge. It's the first time that someone has won twice."
* this is the scenario for the next story contest: "The competition this time is for a story explaining the following situation. Spock has just beamed back up from a planet, wearing a grass skirt, a string of brightly coloured beads, with a flower stuck in his hair and carrying a small wooden trumpet. Why? The story can be funny or serious, but it must have a sensible, logical, credible reason for the way Spock is dressed, and I won't accept as a good reason that it's the way everyone on the planet dresses, that there was a fancy dress dance or that he was dressed that way to be sacrifliced to some pagan god." 
* a fan writes of his one experience with "seeing" a UFO, one that turned out to be a weather balloon, two other fans wrote of their experiences seeing a UFO
* this issue contains a story by Ingrid Emerton called "A Life Gone By"
==Issue 22==
Star Trek Action Group 22 was published in March 1977 and contains 18 pages.
* the club president apologizes for the lateness of the newsletter; she had Susan Sackett staying with her for a few days, and she had to arrange a visit to Elstree Film Studio with 50 British fans at Gene Roddenberry's request
* this issue has a warning via Sackett noting that an outfit in Houston, Texas called "Stardate 77" has been selling unauthorized super 8 and 16 mm films of all the Star Trek episodes: "This operation is NOT authorized by Paramount or Desilu, despite the group's statement to the contrary. They are running an ILLEGAL operation. There is considerable question whether or not they even have the films."
* there is some news about the ST film, along with the hint that it POSSIBLY might be filmed in Britain as the exchange rate is so favorable
* news about two pro books: "The Making of the 'Trek' Conventions or How to Throw a Party For 12,000 of your Most Intimate Friends". Doubleday has snapped up this new book by Joan Winston and they plan to publish it in hardback next fall, at a price of $6.95. It will feature 24 pages pf photos.... Gene Roddenberry's book THE GOD THING will be published by Bantam later this year. The book is based on Gene's rejected script for the ST MOVIE." (This second book was never published)
* the newsletter reprints this from Susan Sackett's Star Trektennial News #14: "The material contained in the "Star Fleet Tech. Manual" and "Star Trek Blueprints" was solely the inspiration of the author, Franz Joseph Schnaubelt. Gene Roddenberry agrees that there are some fine things done in these works; however, had he been consulted he would have had a great deal to add on his own (being the creator of STAR TREK.) No, they will not be followed in the movie STAR TREK II, and should not be taken as the final authority, especially when entering our contests. Sources for our contests will be: Gene Roddenberry, other people connected with the show, the Lincoln Enterprises booklet, "Fifty Most Asked Questions", and Bjo's "S.T. CONCORDANCE." The editor of STAG adds this comment: "While these two books are interesting, they are nothing more than fan speculation, and therefore no more accurate then any other fan writing. While Janet is only too happy to answer any questions about STAR TREK or S.T. fandom, she would prefer not to be asked questions regarding the development of technology, etc, arising from the speculation of other fans. There is no answer to these questions." a very interesting exchange, and one that illustrates TPTB's attempt to define canon in fanon sources, as well as the fine line regarding the relationship between some fans and the official creators; in other words, who owns what and how far does the leash extend? 
* there is much information and hype about Gene Roddenberry's project, "Spectre"
* there is information about the Letter Campaign to save Space:1999
* some fans write in about their belief in UFOs
* a fan writes that he got a letter from Paramount explaining that the Star Trek products he wanted to purchase are not available, and at the same time got a catalog from Lincoln Enterprises advertising those very goods for sale
* there are some reports of the fan gathering (51 people) and tour of the Elstree Film Studio in London; from one: 
* during the tour of Elstree, a fan asked Majel Barrett if she would appear in the new ST movie and, if she did, would it be as "a blonde": 
* a topic for discussion from a fan: "It occurred to me - 'The Omega Glory' seems to be thought of, by a lot of people, to be a very prejudiced episode, but wouldn't you say that 'Bread and Circuses' is too? It takes for granted that Christianity is right and true, which, as a Christian, I'm quite prepared to agree with, but I wonder how an atheist or a member of any other religion feels about it? What does anyone else think?" The editor asks readers: "Well, does anyone have any comments to make about whether episodes are prejudiced? What about Conscience of the King? The Galileo Seven? The Return of the Archons? A Taste of Armageddon? This Side of Paradise? The Apple? The Gamesters of Triskelion? even Space Seed?"
* regarding the story competition from the last issue: "There was an excellent response to the competition for a story in which Spock beams up wearing a grass skirt, string of beads and with a flower in his hair. Entries came from Laura Corney, T.W Francis, Janet Hall, G. Jones, Valerie Piacentini, Malcolm Plummer, Helen Sneddon, K. Stevenson, T.G.Z.C, (who as usual wishes to remain anonymous) Veronica WalIace and M. Wright. There was also one entry that we had to disqualify because it was sent in completely anonymously. We respect requests for anonymity, but we must know who the writer is for copyright reasons." The winner was Wallace, whose story was to appear in Log Entries #9; the story competition for next issue is "for a story in which Kirk gets clobbered, Spock and McCoy are there to be worried about him, ending happily in sickbay."
==Issue 23==
Star Trek Action Group 23 was published in May 1977 and contains 18 pages.
 
*a fan would like to UK fans to be able to have access to a circuit library operating in the US: "Is anyone interested in joining a "library" of ST stories? These will be manuscripts of unprinted stories written by U.S., and possibly British, writers. There will be an annual charge (so far unfixed) to cover the cost of copying the stories and getting them over from the States, from a group already operating over there. Each listed member, having read the story, sends it on to the next name on the list. We will only begin this if onough people are interested."
*there is some info about the progress of the movie from Star Trektennial News
*there is a write-up, and full synopsis (minus the end) of "Spectre," the new show by Gene Roddenberry -- an excerpt: "Originally Gene wrote this about four years ago along with a couple of other Science Fiction shows, and CBS ordered it done - and he wrote it, and sent it off, and it came back; too strong, it's too powerful; right after that came the Exorcist and The Omen. The story is about a demon called Asmodeus, the Prince of Lechery, who corrupts Humans through lust. Asmodeus has been sealed away for some 3000 years by three Druid priests, but some time recently he has been released. Originally the main characters were to be Sherlock Holmes and Watson, but Gene couldn't get permission to use those characters, so the investigators became Sebastian and Dr. Hamilton (Ham)."
* a fan writes a humorous guide for ST fans attending a SF con -- called "How to Infiltrate a Science Fiction Con, or My Personal Guide to the Wimpy Bars of Coventry" (see image) along with a con report for Eastercon at Coventry; it mentions that the next Eastercon will be at the Heathrow conference center, there will be a Novacon in Birmingham (organized by the Brum SF Group) on the first weekend in November, and Faircon in the summer of '78 in Glasgow (purely a media con, but hopes to explore SF and the media: Star Trek, Doctor Who, etc. Organizers are the Friends of Kilgore Trout or the Glasgow SF group)
*a fan comments on the character of Christine Chapel: 
*a fan writes in response to another fan's comparison of Starsky & Hutch to Kirk and Spock in Star Trek Lives! (Spock and Hutch have passionate coolness, reserve, and decorum while Starsky and Kirk have passionate warmth, openness and mischief): 
* a member of a local UFO Group called the Manchester Aerial Phenomenon Investigation Team writes in about his belief in the existence of UFOs, as do some other fans; one other fan writes in of his disbelief
*there is much fannish discussion about prejudice and the assumption of Christianity in Star Trek -- some sample comments: "Prejudice is lack of understanding. People who believe that of Star Trek have not looked deep enough. If things like Christianity and Star Spangled Banners have been used, it is because these are things that people can most easily relate to, especially in America; these are the outer evidences of the basic principles." And: "I surely don't need to tell anyone what Christian America, the land of the free (where's your Omega Glory now?) perpetrated until well into the nineteenth century. Christ's idea was good, but His so-called followers have racked up an appalling record of war, cruelty and the destruction of other cultures which could not possibly have been worsened by very many pagan cultures, and in fact compares rather unfavourably with Rome at her best." And "Another, and I suppose natural, prejudice is the pro-Human one. The notion that the Human culture is the best around is frequently perpetrated. Look at the scene in Day of the Dove when Spock is ahout to lay into Scotty. "You're half Human!" yells Kirk, hanging on to his arm. Since Spock is about to behave in a violent way as an emotional response to an insulting remark, he is in fact acting like a whole Human, and "You're half Vulcan" would have "been a more appropriate deterrent."
* the editor writes that the response to the last fiction competition was "quite poor." There were four poems and two stories. Poems were from Gillian Catchpole, Janet Hall, TW Francis and Jackie Newey, all of which were of a very high standard. The winner was Catchpole. The stories were from TW Francis and John Tessyman and "while both ideas had merit, neither supplied what [we] were looking for, and so we decided that in this class there would be, on this occasion, be no winner."
* this issue contains a story by Nefertari called "Tomorrow Will Be My Yesterday..." (tells of Zarabeth and how she is sentenced to exile)
==Issue 24==
Star Trek Action Group 24 was published in August 1977 and contains 20 pages.
* a fan explains the origins of the zine Zap!: 
*this statement from the editors illustrates the slower-moving pace of information pre-internet and computer-age: "The problem about putting newsletters out every two months is that important news often comes in just after the newsletter goes out. I'm afraid there is no way we can put a newsletter out monthly and we really can't afford to send out 'Newsflashes' as the last one cost us nearly £40 to post, not to mention time addressing envelopes, etc."
* there is a report from Susan Sackett that the movie is on hold as the latest script has been rejected by Gene Roddenberry as "not being Star Trek"; fans have also received news that there would be a new TV series instead
*there is a progress report for Terracon
*there is more discussion about UFOs and some fans experiences with seeing them
*three fans write and defend Starsky & Hutch, saying it is more than just a cops 'n robbers show and the friendship between the characters is as intense as that of Kirk and Spock
*there were only two entrants for the writing competition (Ginette Jones and T.W. Francis); Francis' story was the winner and will be published in Log Entries #13
*the next writing contest subject concerns pre-series: 
*a fan, Linda Williams, tells of coming home from a con and talking to a woman on a train who worked in radio; this fan is now doing Star Trek book reviews for a radio show and is some stations' go-to person regarding fandom
* fiction: "Sacrifice" by Carole Fairman
==Issue 25==
Star Trek Action Group 25 was published in October 1977 and contains 22 pages.
 
*the editors ask that fans once again write in and ask for The Four Star Trek Banned Episodes
*there are two con reports for Terracon 1977, see that page
*there is a report of the STAG meeting, held on Saturday evening of Terracon; much business was discussed -- some topics: should the newsletter print zine reviews, should other shows be discussed, would STAG ever do a major con, could photos be included, could there be more information and material about other characters than The Big Three, do fans want a fee increase or a shorter newsletter if the postal fees go up...
*a fan writes a long and impassioned letter about her distress upon hearing the the "new series" will not have Spock in it. An excerpt: 
* Ann Looker writes an Open Letter to Trekfans called The Future of British Conventions, see that page
* two fans write about Star Trek as it compares to Starsky & Hutch: one prefers Star Trek: 
* several fans write letters about UFOs, there is a quiz by Jean Barron, and there is an essay called "The Curved Space Theory" by Theresa Clancy
*this issue's writing contest yielded eleven entries, most of a high standard -- entries came from Jean Barron, Peter Buckett, T.G.Z.C., Theresa Clancy, Lesley Coles, Robia Edmonds, Carole Fairman, T.W. Francis, Nancy Kippax, Dhyleas Macleod, and Helen Sneddon. The winner was a tie between Nancy Kippax and Jean Barron.
*the story competition for next issue is one that explains why the shuttlecraft was not used in "The Enemy Within" to rescue Sulu and the rest of the landing party
*regarding the story library that had been proposed: "At the moment, this is having to be left in abeyance. Not only are we 15-20 names short of the minimum number we need to make it an economically viable proposition, we've never heard again from the girl in the states who was to be supplying us with the stories."
* Fiction: "News Always Comes Late" by Carole Fairman
==Issue 26==
Star Trek Action Group 26 was published in December 1977 and contains 28 pages. 
*there is announcement of a "dock strike on the East coast of America that has severely curtailed surface mail"
*fiction: ""Romulan Rendezvous" by C. Abbott, "A Minute in Eternity" by Elizabeth Sharp, "Exam Nerves" by Meg Wright, "Symbol of Joining" (poem) by J. Felton.
*this issue has a review of Star Wars: it is not particularly positive, citing its plot holes, its lack of characterisation, poor script, bad casting, its dependence on portraying aliens in the cantina scene; the fan did like the special effects...
*a fan writes an essay called "Captain Kirk" -- the first sentence: "James T. Kirk is almost the perfect epitome of what a starship commander should be."
*there is some news of the movie from Susan Sackett, as well as information about the TV-series that never happened: "We also have all our scripts for the first 13 episodes of STAR TREK II, and the show will be aired some time in the Spring, although it might not be on until the 1978-1979 season." One comment by Gene Roddenberry concerned the role of women in the new series: "We can show more women aboard our ship, and we can show them in command situations as much as we care to, if it seems dramatic and desirable." The new series was to also answer a number of questions including: do uniforms get cleaned or regenerated, where are the toilets, do people take baths by water or shower by some sonic means, and is there still a need to shave or is "there a treatment to eliminate this?"
*fan comments on some of the reading she's done, both in pro books and in fanzines: 
*this issue has review of the William Shatner double album LP entitled "Live" as well as of the new publications, the Fotonovels
*there is an open letter from Gene Roddenberry to fans regarding the roles, or lack thereof, that Leonard Nimoy was going to play in the movie and/or the proposed second television series, see Open Letter to Spock-Nimoy Fans
*some response to the "Open Letter to Spock-Nimoy Fans," one that illustrates the nearly universal support for Gene Roddenberry from fans, but also shows that at least one fan feels a bit used in the process: 
*some more fan response to "Open Letter to Spock-Nimoy Fans" and the situation in general: 
*up until now, fans have had only one (or two, if one takes into account the animated series) source text, and the possibility of a new Star Trek series, and one without Spock, has made some fans apparently feel uneasy about what constitutes canon; a zine editor addresses this topic: 
* a fan is already trying to come to grips with the new series without Spock: "A James Kirk with Spock not at his side?? Fan fiction has started to develop the concept of Jim Kirk's latent telepathic powers. Perhaps if the captain cannot have Spock physically at his side, they can be in contact via some form of mind meld. Therefore, in times of crisis they can still have each other to fall back upon. This way, when either feels a need for comfort or companionship, there will be the mental contact to provide the necessary solace."
*the possibility of the new series also prompts the editor of STAG to write: 
*this issue has an open letter addressed "to all Star Trek fans" regarding Intercon '78 and "certain allegations [that] were made at Terracon '77 regarding the organisation and funding of next year's proposed convention at Slough." The letter defended the costs of the hotel room and other fees, and it assured fans that no profit would be made
*a number of fans write regarding the open letter, The Future of British Conventions: some excerpts are below:
 
==Issue 27==
Star Trek Action Group 27 was published in February 1978 and contains 20 pages.
*the editors say that the fan club has over 500 members
*the editors ask that club members be on the lookout for mentions of Star Trek in newspapers and magazines and to send those items, or a copy of them, to STAG as the newsletter is going to start incorporating clippings
*this issue has an ad for Zebra Three, a Starsky & Hutch zine
* about the rise of Star Wars and this newsletter: 
*a fan has this to say about Star Wars, and other "competition": 
*the editors address the issue of fiction for Log Entries, illustrating the patience sometimes fans had to have regarding how long it took for their fiction to be available: 
* there is a call for another letter campaign as Star Trek has not been broadcast in the UK for over eighteen months; STAG hopes that the Beeb will get 2000 to 3000 letters
*there is an announcement that fan Theo Krik has passed away; he was an active member of the club and did much translation
*this issue has a long update about the status of the movie and the proposed television series
*there is an announcement for the Empathy get-together on February 25 at the Crown Hotel in Halifax; there was to be a disco, City on the Edge of Forever shown, and there was to be a slide show] of the convention
*this issue has some reviews of two science fiction movies: "Silent Running" and "Dark Star"
*there is a long response by the author of the open letter, The Future of British Conventions in which she writes that Star Trek conventions aren't "X certificate affairs" but instead completely tame, that the profits from the bars at SF conventions go to the hotels, and that: 
*there is a long letter from a fan who compares Star Trek and Starsky & Hutch and the level of violence in each and comes to a conclusion that both are better than James Bond in that the violence happens to real, sympathetic characters as opposed to cartoonish characters: "I cannot believe anyone is helped, saved, whatever, by being able to laugh at Bond and stare in horror at Kirk. I would suggest that to stop staring in horror is the real horror. Aboard the USS Enterprise, courage, knowledge, acceptance of differences are part of life, and therefore some part of life's dark side has a place and a purpose. A real cop faces death, cruelty, a dozen lesser miseries every week, even in Britain; he will be a better human being if he also possesses in himself humour, kindness, gentleness and love for people."
*the fiction competition had these entries (plus one late entry): Pam Baddeley, Lynda Chambers, T.W. Francis, Paula Greener and Valerie Harrison
*"This month's competition is for a story involving McCoy's early days on board the Enterprise. This is another subject that has been pretty badly neglected by fandom - offhand, I can think of only one early McCoy story, which I wrote for Janet some time ago. Nancy Kippax did rather a nice McCoy/Kirk story involving their first meeting, but it was years before the Enterprise (A Human Touch, in the US zine Galactic Discourse)."
*there is some fannish discussion about the pro books "Planet of Judgement" and "The Price of the Phoenix" -- an excerpt from one comment: 
* fiction in this issue: a poem called "Happy Birthday, Janet" by Jean Barron; an untitled story (winner of the competition from issue #25) by Jean Thompson; "Two for the Life of One" (poem) by Steven J. Green; "Perhaps There's Still Hope," story by Martin Kane; an untitled poem by Cindy Hilton; "Bones" (poem) by Carole Fairman; a quiz by Rod Summers
==Issue 28==
Star Trek Action Group 28 was published in April 1978 and contains 26 pages.
 
*the editor writes that they sent copies of the telegram from Gene Roddenberry (confirming that Spock would be in the movie) to those fans who'd had a SAE on file
*there are a number of official letters, telegrams, newspaper articles, and reprints from Starlog talking about the new upcoming movie
*in this issue, there is a fairly long section of letters from readers expressing their opinion about Blake's 7; most fans are initially skeptical but later very interested
*there is a review of Star Wars
*there are several reports, one for the Slough Mini-Con, and one for the Empathy Get-Together in Leeds
*from a section titled "Zines & Censorship": 
*a fan describes a recent Empathy Get-Together in Leeds: "I went to the Empathy get-together. It was the first ST occasion I had attended; I found it very interesting - and enjoyable. I believe some people were disappointed because they expected a mini convention, but the advert in the STAG newsletter clearly said 'get-together' so I don't know why they were misled. It was so long since I had seen 'City on the Edge of Forever' and seeing it on a bigger screen and in colour made it even more enjoyable."
*a fan describes another fan get-together in Slough: 
* many fans write in and comment on pro books, some of which are "Planet of Judgement," "The Price of the Phoenix," "Spock Messiah," Blish's series, and Star Trek: The New Voyages
*there is a long, detailed article called "Taking Photos from the TV Screen" -- an excerpt (keep in mind, you were taking photos of a show that you'd perhaps only seen once and may have had no opportunity to see again...): 
*there were only three entries for the "McCoy's early years on the Enterprise" writing competition: authors were Janet Balch, Kelly Mitchell, and Sally Syrjala; Mitchell's story was the "more gripping"; there was much art by Betty De Gabrielle, Ena Glogowska, Alex Kennedy, Karen MacGarvie, Christopher Mason (age 6), Mike Slawin and Barry Willmott; while the art was all excellent, the winner was Willmott; the next art competition was to design a cover for Log Entries "We have established a clip-board somewhere in the design as a feature of our zine, so this must be included. Don't include any lettering -- we'll add that ourselves to the successful entry -- but leave enough space for the title to be fitted in, and also the number of the zine..."
*the next story competition is for selections that focus on any member of the crew as a child, or at Starfleet Academy, or pre-series; the winner would receive a photo.
*fiction: "The Outsider" by Sally A. Syrjala, "Pets, Keep Out" by C.J. Cooper, "Oriental" poem by Meg Wright, "To Leonard Nimoy" poem by Meg Wright, "Sheer-Maal" by Christine Rowe, "Night and Morning" poem by Gillian Catchpole
==Issue 29==
Star Trek Action Group 29 was published in June 1978 and contains 24 pages.
 
*two fans organize a get-together at a pub; fans who would like to meet and discuss Star Trek should walk into the pub carrying a Star Trek book
* another fan gathering: 
*this issue has a long biography of Gene Roddenberry
*a fan comments on a previous fan's comments on several pro books: 
*there are a number of responses regarding a fan's comment in a previous issue about censorship of same sex/explicit material and its publication in STAG zines: 
*another comment: 
*and: 
*fiction: a short short by Theresa Holmes, "Not the Same as Wanting" by S. Meek (reprinted in Log Entries as it was the competition winner), "The Ultimate Test" by Wendy Walter, "T'Spen's Child" by Jenny Elson, "And What is Beautiful? (poem) by Gillian Catchpole
*the next fiction competition was for a story or poem that takes place in a shuttlecraft
*their were 8 art entries for the Log Entries cover, but none were deemed satisfactory
* the editors list 11 dates in July, each represents a fan gathering at a fan's home: 
==Issue 30==
Star Trek Action Group 30 was published in August 1978 and contains 20 pages.
 
*there is a reprint of a long letter from Gene Roddenberry
*this issue has a biography of William Shatner that was issued by Paramount
*there is a con report for Trek Party in Montreal
* there is a con report for Intercon, see that page
*a fan (Greg Allshorn) proposes a UFO zine, but it goes nowhere
*there are some fan comments on Quark, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Logan's Run
*the fan gatherings in homes in July was determined to be of mixed success: 
*there is a short article about "communicators" and amateur radio transmissions and licenses
*fiction: "Ode to Janet" (poem) by S. Meek, "A Life on the Ocean Wave" by Janet Hall, "I Am What I Am" (poem) by Ann Neilson. 
*the fiction competition for next issue is to be based on a "miscommunication"
*the fan who wrote the original letter about the "censorship" regarding her Star Trek story responds: 
*more about the censorship/adult debate: 
*another fan responds: 
*more on explicit sex and STAG publications: 
*a fan has these comments about what he's read about the planned Star Trek movie: 
* the editor brings up the subject of a cover for this newsletter: 
==Issue 31==
Star Trek Action Group 31 was published in October 1978 and contains 30 pages.
*this issue has quite a bit of detailed information about the movie plans, Star Trek in the news, and a bio of Leonard Nimoy
*a fan asks: "Has anybody a recording of the Apollo 16 Moonshot that they can copy on a cassette for me? "
* The editor writes that they have a new duplicator:
*some fans have commented on Intercon: 
*an announcement: 
*there is a con report for Intercon, see that page
*a fan reports on August Party, see that page
*there is a con report for Astrex Minicon
*very short fiction: "Rebirth" by Beryl Turton, "Who Mourns for Galileo" by Janet Bulch, "The Excursion" by Sally A. Syrjala, "Hell Driver" by Chrissie Farr
==Issue 32==
Star Trek Action Group 32 was published in December 1978 and contains 30 pages.
*"Gene Roddenberry kindly sent us a tape to be played at the Manchester convention. We wanted to share it with everyone. He said": [long, long chatty report about the upcoming movie]
*this issue has an excerpt by Susan Sackett from Starlog #18
*this issue has a biography of DeForest Kelley and some reports of Star Trek in various newspapers
*there are three con reports for Empathy Midi-Con, see that page
*a fan writes about Star Trek in Germany
*a fan comments on The Four Banned Star Trek Episodes
*a fan writes a article about the career of Alan Dean Foster
*a fan writes about Kraith Affirmation Ceremonies in an article called "What's an Affirmation?": 
*regarding the newsletter fiction and art competition: 
*Fiction: "The 12 Days for Christmas on the Enterprise" by Angela Sigley, "A Tale of Christmas Future," by Rod Summers, "On the Way to Babel" by S. Meek
==Issue 33==
Star Trek Action Group 33 was published in February 1979 and contains 33 pages.
 
*this issue has a bio of James Doohan and some reprints of articles from Starlog
*there is a reprint of info from Interstat #13 which announces that "STAR TREK fans are in the movie!" The list is made up of various insiders and BNFs: 
*STAG is thinking of bulk ordering some American zines to facilitate UK fans: they are enquiring about getting a bunch of Stardate Unknown #5
*there are some pro book and merchandise reviews
*the editor notes that Star Trek isn't being shown on television anywhere in the UK right now
*a fan writes a long, chatty report about her trip to the US, meeting many fans there, touring Paramount, meeting the stars, and being shown around by Richard Arnold
*this issue has an article by a fan called "A Probable Outline of the Career of Captain James T. Kirk"
*fiction section: "The Challenge" by Rita Oliver and four poems
==Issue 34==
Star Trek Action Group 34 was published in April 1979 and contains 42 pages. This issue had a 750 print run (33,000 pages), and the editors hauled four boxes of the zine to the post office for mailing. 
*there is an announcement that there have been some staffing changes regarding the upcoming movie, but that "we don't need to worry, we know we can trust Gene to insist on the best."
*a noise complaint: 
*there is a transcript of a tape by Susan Sackett because: 
* this issue has a number of reprints from Starlog
*this issue has a bio of George Takei
*this issue has the common "Star Trek in the News," which reprints mentions of the show in newspapers and magazines
*regarding a fan's question of whether this newsletter could become a monthly issue: 
*there are several con reports for STAG and Empathy Star Trek Midi-Con, see that page
*the con competition winners for Fancy Dress, Fashion Show, Poetry, Fiction, Art, Trivia and the Grand Tribble Show from STAG and Empathy Star Trek Midi-Con are listed
*there is a con report for AussieTrek, see that page
*there is "An Outline of the Probable Life of Commander Spock" by Sheila Clark and Valerie Piacentini
*there is a review of the pro book "Spock Must Die!"
*fiction and much poetry: "To Kevin Reilly" by Denise Whalen, "The Convention" by Jackie Newey, "The Fan" by Martina O'Hagan, "Do-WHAT??" (Star Trek RPF) by Jenny Elson, "Mother of Her Race" by Janet Balch, "Beaches" by S. Meek, "The Dreamtime" by Sandie Cowden, "Command Decision" by S. Meek, "Born to Lead" by Linda Hughes
==Issue 35==
Star Trek Action Group 35 was published in June 1979.
*there are major issues with the duplicating machine; despite this, the editors hope to send out 800 copies of this issue
*there are the usual reprints of Star Trek articles from Starlog and such, as well as some movie updates
*this issue has a bio of Nichelle Nichols
*a fan reviews the pro book, "Fate of the Phoenix": 
*a fan announces a party at her house on July 7: "Everyone is welcome, if you would like to stay the night you can take a sleeping bag."
*this issue has ads for, among others, Copkiller and Naked Times #2 -- the later has this note: "An age statement is required as this zine contains material which may be offensive to some."
*there is a con report for Karlshure Science Fiction Show held by an Army Service Club on May 5 and 6th: 
*there are some con reports for STAG and Empathy Star Trek Midi-Con: one fan writes: 
*there is an open letter by Roger N (also printed in an issue of Starship Excalibur's newsletter) -- (see IDIC -- Fact or Fiction? for the entire letter): 
*there is a fan-written essay called "Sarek and Pon Farr"
* this issue has a reprint of a review from Publisher's Weekly for The Making of Star Trek
*a number of fans comment on the movie uniforms
*fiction and poetry: "Deathscream" by S. Meek, "I-Chaya" by Liz Newton, "Kirk... To Edith's Memory" and "Hybrid Birth" by Gladys Oliver, "The Shadow" by Sandie Cowden, "Great Things from (Extremely) Small Beginnings Grow" by Karen Maund.
==Issue 36==
Star Trek Action Group 36 was published in August 1979 and contains 46 pages.
 
*the editor writes of a change in hardware: 
* this issue has a letter from Rupert Evans and a letter from Sonni Cooper
*news about the movie and the stars reprinted from clippings from magazines and newspapers
* this issue has a bios of Majel Barrett, Grace Lee Whitney, DeForest Kelley
*three fans reported receiving letters from the BBC in response to their inquiries about The Four Banned Star Trek Episodes An excerpt from the BBC's response: 
*this issue has a complete listing of what episodes were rerun and when
*a fan writes a long report of trying to meet Sonni Cooper during a two-hour airport layover; its focus is mainly the details of the difficulties of finding her at the airport
* this issue has con reports for Faircon '79
* two fans write in about how much they like the new uniforms they've seen in pre-movie photos
*some fans write in about what Star Trek means to them
*there is a technical drawing done by a fan
* a fan reviews "Where No Man Has Gone Before," the first episode; another fan reviews "Spectre" by Gene Roddenberry
* there are some pro book reviews
* two fans write an article titled "An Alternate Reality"
*fiction and poetry: "As New Wind" by S. Meek, "A Day to Remember" by Sylvia Billings, "His World" by Catherine Moorhouse, "Acceptance" by Cilla Futcher.
== Issue 37==
Star Trek Action Group 37 was published in October 1979 and contains 32 pages.
*this issue has a bio of Stephen Collins ("Willard Decker") and of Persis Khambatta ("Ilea")
*there are some con reports for Mediacon, see that page
*there is more talk on censorship and the episode "Arena": 
* there is much fannish discussion about an article printed August 23 in The Glasgow Evening Times called "Let's Show Some Enterprise -- And Kick Out Kirk"." the article featured a short comments/interviews with Valerie Piacentini, Lori Chapek-Carleton, David Coote, Christine Jones and is reprinted here
*this issue has several con reports for Seacon
*there is a con report for the Star Trek America convention at the Statler-Hilton, 1st to 3rd September
* there is a report of the S.T.U.K. Party: 
*there are some short reviews of the movie Alien and some ST pro books
*a fan writes an technical article about phasers
*fiction and poetry: "Nightmare" by Josie Rutherford, "For Charlie" by Wendy Walter
==Issue 38==
Star Trek Action Group 38 was published in December 1979 and contains 32 pages. There were 900 issues printed.
*the front cover and back page consist of a montage of black and white photos of ST actors and the movie set
*every issue lists the honorary club members -- for this issue, the stable is: Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett, William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Susan Sackett, Grace Lee Whitney, Rupert Evans, Sonni Cooper, Anne McCaffrey, Anne Page
*the editor writes that four tickets for the upcoming Trek movie were raffled/auctioned at Mediacon, bringing the needy fan £200 towards the purchase of an electric wheelchair; one of the winners immediately said he wanted said needy fan to have his ticket
* the editor asks for volunteers to hand out flyers for the Welcommittee at cinemas showing the upcoming film
*regarding the movie: "We can now give you confirmation that ST-TMP will be released [in the UK] at the Empire Theatre Leicester Square on Saturday December 15th; performances are at 12.30pm, 3.00pm, 5.45pm and 8.30pm. The movie will be released across the country from the 20th.""
*this issue has a bio of Robert Wise
*the newsletters have been printing an increasing number of ads and descriptions for official merchandise; this issue has more than four pages of them
*there is a rare Personal statements were fairly common, even ones as blunt as this one, but the STAG newsletter did not publisher them. personal statement: 
*a fan is planning a mini-con: 
*the fan who wrote the technical article on phasers in the last issue comments, before another long speculative article on future technology: 
*a Swedish fan named Hans Siden (also a friend of Forrest J. Ackerman) wrote of meeting Harlan Ellison at a Los Angeles party celebrating the magazine, "Omni"'s first year; he calls his letter to "STAG" -- "Is it True What They Say About Harlan? Definitely No..." An excerpt: 
*one of the two founders of a Star Trek club in Switzerland writes a long account of meeting James Doohan while she was in California
*this issue has a con report for Terracon, see that page
*there are several fan-written reviews of some pro books: The World of Star Trek and "Vulcan Sky"
*the editor writes that she would welcome zine reviews in the letterzine, and she admits the LoCs they get for STAG zines are usually not very specific which isn't helpful
* a fan describes a Star Trek computer game but - other than 'Star Trek' - doesn't say what its name is
*two fans write of why they are Star Trek fans
* fiction and poetry: "Why Knit... Why Knot" by Meg Wright, "Ann" by B.I. Walton, "Uneasy Phantoms" by Ceri Murphy
== Issue 39==
Star Trek Action Group 39 was published in February 1980 and contains 20 pages. There were 1000 copies printed.
*a new club member: 
* the editor notes that the club has had about 250 enquiries and over 100 new members since December; sometimes one of the club presidents gets 30 letters a day
* regarding the long-awaited movie: 
*about the movie's premiere in the United States: 
*new technology starts to hint at a new freedom: 
*a fan comments on the movie, one of many: 
* a fan comments on the movie: 
* a fan comments on the movie: 
*a fan comments on the movie: 
* a fan comments about the movie: 
*a fan comments about the movie: 
*there were many more comments and fan reviews of the movie, many unhappy, some satisfied, most mixed
== Issue 40==
Star Trek Action Group 40 was published in April 1980 and contains 48 pages. There were 1050 copies printed.
*the editor writes that the club has received 440 questionnaire responses from members; the questions are about the new movie, but also general Star Trek opinions, including that of this newsletter; the editors print many extracts of these responses
*there are many reprints of articles about Star Trek in the news
*a fan is selling audio cassettes of some television episodes of Starsky & Hutch, The Prisoner, Planet of the Apes -- cost is £3 each; also cassette tapes of movies: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Dark Star and Superman -- £5 each; this issue has, for the first time, a fairly extensive listing of videotapes of Star Trek and other television episode shows for sale by what appears to be independent fans, rather than companies. Most of these appear to be not a fan-to-fan offers but more "wholesale," and as a result, are questionable legal endeavors regarding intent and profit. 
*"A Dream Come True" by Kay Johnson is a detailed account of going to the movie premiere in the U.S. It focuses almost entirely on the parties, receptions, and travel details. The opening paragraph: 
* two fans write separately of their visits to the U.S. to see the movie, their stay with Bjo Trimble and family, their tour of Paramount studios, and meeting the stars -- one comment: 
* there are some fan-written essays about the importance of the "space program"
*a fan reviews the pro book: the movie novelization by Roddenberry
* another fan reviews "Shatner: Where No Man" by Sondra Marshak and Myrna Culbreath, giving it an extremely poor review: 
*there is a review of As New Wine, see that page
*there is a review of Vice Versa #1, see that page
* there are many, many fan responses (pages and pages!) to the movie -- some were very disappointed citing the lack of relationship interactions among the characters, the acting, the story line, the special effects, and the uniforms; fans did seem to like the music; some fans liked the movie a lot; others said they liked the movie but then proceeded to say everything they disliked about it; there is a distinct feel and evidence in fans' negative comments that despite the poor movie, they were still staunch Star Trek fans
*some fans write that they are aware that the movie shown in the UK has been cut by 20 minutes
*fiction and poetry: "Amok Time Aftermath" by Judy Miller and "A Question" by Vicki Carleton
==References==
Category:Star Trek TOS Zines
Category:1977 Zines
Category:1978 Zines
Category:1979 Zines
Category:1980 Zines