David writes I know a contact in New Zealand who is thinking of setting up a Lending Library of B7 Zines. He already has a handful of items to lend.
I don't know if anyone in Australia has done this but for the record, I'm interested. If no one knows of someone else setting up one here, is there anyone who'd be interested in working with me in such a project? FYI, I'm in Melbourne. ;)
Conventions are indeed a great way to get zines. Unfortunately, it's expensive to go to conventions in the USA or in England. Airfares from Australia are *substantial* and for those of us without much money, conventions are very out of reach. :( And there simply isn't many conventions in Australia and none that I've heard of a B7 contingent attending. *sigh* (If anyone knows otherwise, contradict me please! ;))
Commenting on other points rasing in this thread, I prefer to read fiction on paper. I too tend to print out stories from the mailing lists if they're long and I really want to read them. But the internet is cheap for me. Much cheaper than zines.
Meg. meg@xenonbase.net
I know a contact in New Zealand who is thinking of setting up a Lending Library of B7 Zines. He already has a handful of items to lend.
I don't know if anyone in Australia has done this but for the record, I'm interested. If no one knows of someone else setting up one here, is
It occurs to me that you might want to find a B7 fan who goes to MediaWest to act as buyer/shipper for you. It would probably make your zine buying funds go a lot further to have someone pick up a bunch 'used' zines and ship the lot of them at once rather than pay postage on a slew of zines one by one. And it's not like fanfic goes stale or out of style. ;-)
(I'd be happy to help you, except I don't go to MW anymore.)
Just my thoughts...
I read a lot of fanfic on the net and like the ease of acess and minimual expense. Judith's online library in particular is a great way to find stories. I've put a few pieces of my own fanfic on my website and the exposure and feedback that the web provides has been wonderful.
However there is something nice about curling up with a shiny new zine to read in front of the fire.
I also find I read a greater variety of fiction in zines - stuff I wouldn't have downloaded to read. Being a frentic reader if I've got it there I have to read it.
I think a good balance between print and web based fiction is best all round. I'd hate to see either medium neglected.
Leia