The Ring of Soshern (YES)
In 1987, a certain Star Trek fanzine called Alien Brothers was published, including the story “The Ring of Soshern”–the very first pon farr in a cave K/S story ever. The story “The Ring of Soshern” had been quietly passed around since 1968, due to its sensitive content. When it was published in 1987 in Alien Brothers, a few passionate fans banded together and tried to destroy every copy. Only a few pages and illustrations of the forty-page story survived.
Or so I thought.
Every once in a while, ever since I found out about it, I would check up on ksarchive to see if somehow it turned up. Nothing in four years, no information whatsoever. Monday I’m driving 15 hours roundtrip to finally meet Alien Brothers which was kindly donated to a university. Hopefully, I will be allowed to scan it or take photos. Worst case scenario, I type it up word-for-word, all of it.
I really can’t believe it. The fandom has mourned its loss for decades and now it’s back from the dead.
Any suggestions for where to host it? It isn’t my own work obviously so I’m not sure what to do.
Edit: I called ahead and they said they might be able to let me scan it. However, I will be able to take pictures so :)
hotel clerk, noticing the address on my license: what brings you to town?
me, sweating: um, a… rare *book*…. that only the university has.
clerk: …. that’s a new one. haha
me: haha
clerk: so, what book is it?
me: ……….
I put in a request to have the book scanned/duplicated and they gave a stern “We’ll see.” However, I have taken a picture of every single page, cover to cover. Please stand by.
I have created a PDF containing Alien Brothers #1, cover to cover, including the “The Ring of Soshern.” However, it does contain graphic sexual illustrations and stories. Click here for the PDF which I’m sharing out of my Dropbox.
This is a temporary solution until either the ksarchive or the OTW/ao3 responds to my emails about hosting the zine.
I never came here expecting a masterpiece; it was the history I was after. I am blown away! So far I have only had time to read “The Ring of Soshern,” but it’s really worth the read. Although it is quite edgy. Lots of violence and some gross parts, but it’s meant to be convincing. Personally, I love it.
By the way, if you would like to make the trip yourself, here is the information:
Alien Brothers #1 [Seabright Publishing: H. Seabright, ed., 1987]; Box #51 of the “Media Fanzine Collection - Fully Processed, 1967-2016″. Kelsey Reading Room (By appointment! See Rules here.) Cushing Memorial Library and Archives Texas A&M University, Main Campus
Thanks for all the nice words! As always, LLAP.
RIP, Jennifer Guttridge, who loved her story but never wanted “Ring” published. “I want to meet Nimoy,” she said, “but not in a court.”
Edit: Unfortunately, until I can find a worthy excuse such as a research project that somehow requires the zine scanned in its entirety, or if/until the OTW can intercede on my behalf, this is what we have to work with. However, the reading room offered to scan a maximum of 10 pages in 600 dpi. I chose my personal favorite art, especially if it was towards the back of the zine where it was challenging to get good photos due to the fragile binding. I have been advised that the request will take up to a month to process. I will update this thread when that happens. If anyone knows anyone with copyright law knowledge, please send them my way.
i am literally too overwhelmed by knowing i can read it to actually read it oh my god.
i’m in dallas, it’s not even a three hour drive from me, i could actually go hold this in my HANDS oh my GOD
by the way! there is also a copy at bowling green university in ohio! if anyone’s in the midwest and doesn’t want to go to dallas
HEY GOOD TO KNOW….
I just skimmed a bit through your pdf and I have to say… I’m blown away. Thank you so much for taking the time to photograph every single page in readable quality, for making that trip and uploading that pdf to make this document available for us. This is fandom history and it is so important for us younger fans to remember the ones who shaped and built this fandom before us!
Thank you for sharing this treasure!
