chuq@sun.uucp (Chuq Von Rospach) (11/21/85)
A while back, I posted a request to the net to see if there was interest in
starting up a fanzine as an alternative to sf-lovers. I got enough initial
response that I'm taking the project forward to see where it goes.
Welcome to Otherworlds!
Otherworlds is an attempt to merge a traditional fanzine style into an
electronic media. Unlike other lists on the net, Otherworlds is not
free-form like sf-lovers and is not moderated. It is edited, which I hope
will let us put together a readable and useful magazine.
What Otherworlds is:
Otherworlds is a place where you can take the time to cover a subject
right. The net currently makes it difficult to really deal with a subject
at length or in depth, and my hope is to build a forum where we can deal
with a subject and worry more about the article's content than whether it
is larger than 27 lines.
Otherworlds is also a place where a controlled discussion of previous
articles can take place. Instead of the current "jump on it until it dies"
form of responding to an article, I plan on setting up a letter column
that can be used to create a public dialog between an article's author and
his readers.
Initially, I'm looking for articles and reviews on SF and Fantasy. I'm not
going to guarantee publication, but the only real criterion I plan on using
right now is quality. My word (as editor) is final, but unlike the nogo/go
setup a moderator sets up, I'm interested in working with someone to
improve a marginal manuscript.
Initially, I'm planning Otherworlds to be a monthly magazine. The wonders
of the electronic medium means that I can publish more often if I have
enough material (and time...) but I don't think you can generate a real
dialog with your reader publishing less often than that because the letters
and columns aren't timely.
Speaking of columns, If you have an idea for a continuing column, drop me a
line. Contributing editors are welcome!
What Otherworlds isn't:
Otherworlds is not an ego-zine. I have no intention of writing all the
material. I don't want to force my viewpoint on the world. While I expect
to write a portion of Otherworlds, I hope to see the majority of the work
and the direction of the magazine get set by the readers and authors. I
also don't have any intention of publishing everything I get, be it
letters, columns, articles, or whatever. I'll publish the good stuff. My
real hope in this is to make us all better writers rather than published
writers.
Submitting to Otherworlds
Submissions to Otherworlds should be sent to "..!sun!plaid!fanzine".
Administrivia should go to "..!sun!plaid!fanzine-request" or to me
at "sun!plaid!chuq". The first issue will depend upon how much publishable
material I get and how quickly, so it's time to tune up those keyboard!.
Joining Otherworlds
Otherworlds is going to be published by mailing list. To get on the mailing
list, drop your address to "..!sun!plaid!fanzine-request" or "sun!chuq".
I don't know if this will work, but I'm interested in finding out!
chuq
--
:From catacombs of Castle Tarot: Chuq Von Rospach
sun!chuq@decwrl.DEC.COM {hplabs,ihnp4,nsc,pyramid}!sun!chuq
Let us now take the sacre oath. As of now, he is no longer an elephant!sas@leadsv.UUCP (Scott Stewart) (12/04/85)
A question for those on the net. Since this is a SF fanzine, could their be a problem calling it "Otherworlds" when Walden Books has their free SF book club called the "Otherworlds Club"? Could this be a copywright infringement? Speaking of the "Otherworlds Club", I suggest all readers check it out. You can join by simply filling out a membership form. You get a membership card that gives you a discount of 10% on a purchase of $5.00 - $15.00, 15% on a purchase of over $15.00, for paperbacks by most major publishers, including TSR, DelRay, Ace, Tor, etc. The best part of the membership is the free newsletter called "Xignals". This newsletter announces new releases from the publishers, has interviews and profiles with new and old writers, letters columns, reader's quizes, and announcement of rereleases. Occasionally, club members are offered special limited issue of some classic titles. For free, the club is worth it. Scott A. Stewart LMSC - Sunnyvale
dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady) (12/06/85)
In article <710@leadsv.UUCP> sas@leadsv.UUCP (Scott Stewart) writes: >A question for those on the net. Since this is a SF fanzine, could their >be a problem calling it "Otherworlds" when Walden Books has their free >SF book club called the "Otherworlds Club"? Could this be a copywright >infringement? Under US law you can't secure copyright on a name or title. (There are at least two books named _Final Cut_, both lambasting the film industry, and their are at least two novels named _The Devil's Advocate_, one if which really IS about a devil's advocate (in the Roman Catholic sense).) It is possible, though unlikely, that Dalton's could object on trademark grounds. And no, I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pedantic and that's just as good. -- D Gary Grady Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC 27706 (919) 684-3695 USENET: {seismo,decvax,ihnp4,akgua,etc.}!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary