The name comes from a small magazine I used to produce in the 50s and 60s, as part of what was then science fiction fandom. Some issues of paraFANalia were distributed in OMPA (the Off-Trails Magazine Publishing Association), but the 'zine always remained a personal publication. Some of the content of the early issues will appear on this site as I get around to scanning the material onto these pages.
The early issues of paraFANalia were produced in Wellington, New Zealand, but I continued producing issues a few years later when living in London, England, the two places being about as far apart as one can get and stay on Earth!
The intention of the fanzine was encapsulated by its name: 'para', meaning writings about the day to day life of myself and others, and reflections of the events I observed and the people I met. 'FAN', confirming my heavy involvement with sf fandom. 'alia', indicating that other people might from time to time contribute to the 'zine, and also that there would be a continuing letter column.
The name was a whimsical reflection of my view of life, even when so young: that it is full of colossal variation. paraFANalia. A bit like the Internet, really.
It would be as well to give some credit here, too. I could not have produced the early issues of -FAN- without the tremendous artistic help of Lynette Mills (as she was then) and the man she married, Toni Vondruska. Bear in mind that the only publishing medium available to us was an old manual Gestetner stencil and ink machine. A waxed paper was typed upon, and this action removed wax from the area of typing impact which allowed ink to flow through during the printing process. Similarly, an artist would scrape wax away (with anything from a ball-point pen to a special stylus) and their work could then be printed. A photographic process of producing such stencils was available, but far too expensive for young sf fans! Modern photocopying hadn't been invented!
So, this site might be seen as a memorial - or at least a repository - of material produced as a labour of love from almost half a century ago. That is, when I can get into the scanning of that material. Meanwhile, there'll be a story or two for you to read, and some photos. There will be a mixture of pictures, old and new, and I'll try to remember to indicate in the site map where each distinct category is.
THIS SITE IS BEING CONSTRUCTED, BUT DON'T SIT THERE HOLDING YOUR BREATH! UPDATED SO FAR TO 25-7-00
