From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/8/1996 7:37:00 PM
|
Message 1 in thread
View this message only
|
The following information has just been released by Jim Lochett, coordinator for the OFFICIAL BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB. (Note to convention organizers: the address given below can now be used as a central clearing house for invitations to cast and crew.)
***
THE OFFICIAL BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB
Join today and you will receive the Official Membership Kit, including:
A Subscription to The Universe Today: The Official Newsletter of the B5FC filled with exclusive interviews, news about Babylon 5, and exciting merchandise offers. An 8x10 Cast Photo Full Color Babylon 5 Mini-Poster (13"x20") B5 Fan Club Button & Full Color Sticker Membership Certificate (Signed by the show's Executive Producers, J. Michael Straczynski and Douglas Netter) Membership ID Card granting you discounts on merchandise, conventions, etc., as well as access to the Members Only section of TheStation.com, the B5 Fan Club Web-site (to be up May 1996). Plus as a bonus, the first 100 people to join get: A Limited Collection Sticker of the alternate B5 Logo as designed by artist Peter Ledger. ================
To Give a Membership as a Gift, simply make a copy of the entry form, fill in the name of the person you wish to make a member, and send it off. (Don't forget to include your name on the Suggestions line, so that we can include a gift card.)
Each year the Renewal Kit will offer new and different goodies, savings, and of course another year's subscription to The Universe Today.
Remember, this is more than just your run of the mill fan club; the Babylon 5 fans time and time again have gone that extra step for the show, and the Babylon 5 Fan Club is our way of giving something back to those who've been so loyal to us.
--------------- CLIP OR COPY AND GIVE TO A FRIEND -----------------
YES! I want to join The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club. Please send my membership kit to:
Name: ______________________________________________________________
Age: __________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________ State: _________ ZIP: _________
Country: _____________
e-mail address: _______________________________________________________
Local Station you watch B5 on: ________________________________________
Suggestions: __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____ I am already on the mailing list.
_____ I got this form from a friend.
Enclosed is $12.95 for a U.S. membership; $14.95 for a Canadian membership; and $19.95 for Foreign memberships. Orders must be in U.S. funds. Send check or money order (DO NOT send cash) made payable to:
Babylonian Productions/Fan Club
Mail to: The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club PO Box 856 North Hollywood, CA 91603
Please allow 5-6 weeks for delivery. Foreign and Canadian orders are shipped surface, please allow additional time for shipping.
All returned checks are subject to a $15.00 service charge.
---------------- CUT HERE FOR THE END OF THE FORM ------------------- |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/9/1996 10:58:00 AM
|
Message 2 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post had no questions}
Thanks. Yeah, we could've gone for something more expensive, but our sense for now is to make it as accessible as possible, not to turn this into a big profit venture. This will about cover the expenses, after a certain number of memberships, or a little less. But that's okay.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/9/1996 10:58:00 AM
|
Message 3 in thread
View this message only
|
(blocked) asks: > Is the fan club going to have its own e-mail address?
Eventually we'll have our own web site, probably within the coming month, which will provide some rather nifty services....
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/9/1996 10:58:00 AM
|
Message 4 in thread
View this message only
|
(blocked) asks: > Is there any chance that the fan club will start accepting credit > cards?
Unfortunately, we're a small operation, and not yet set up for credit cards. With luck, we'll eventually be set up that way. (Once the web site is up and running, it's our hope to have it credit card ready, so you could perhaps wait for that if it's a burden for now. It should be up within about a month.)
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/9/1996 5:20:00 PM
|
Message 5 in thread
View this message only
|
Shane S. Shellenbarger <104305.3404@compuserve.com> asks: > Is there anything special being done for those of us who were > subscribers to the newsletter that Christy Marx edited?
Yes, those individuals will receive the newsletter free of charge even if they don't join the fan club, until such time as the remaining 2 issues are worked off.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/10/1996 9:13:00 AM
|
Message 6 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
If I can, I will....
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/10/1996 5:21:00 PM
|
Message 7 in thread
View this message only
|
SysOp Lee Whiteside <76711.2660@compuserve.com> asks: > Is that the original logo you put up way back when?
Yes, it's the keyhole logo.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/10/1996 5:21:00 PM
|
Message 8 in thread
View this message only
|
SysOp Dupa T Parrot <70040.104@compuserve.com> asks: > Are you guys planning to use the NetSrcape Commerce (or other) > secure web server?
No, I absolutely agree, which is why that won't be the only venue for such information. Anybody who's not comfortable with that will have other options.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/11/1996 11:48:00 AM
|
Message 9 in thread
View this message only
|
Trent K. Johnson <71020.1052@compuserve.com> asks: > This is probably a no-brainer, Joe, but if WB has access to the > numbers for the fan club, a good response would also help > convince them the interest is there for videos, etc.?
I don't know what it takes to get through on this issue, frankly....
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/15/1996 1:44:00 PM
|
Message 10 in thread
View this message only
|
Brian A. Thomas <75231.1122@compuserve.com> asks: > Before I send away and import the "Making of B5" from the UK, > will it be available from the club?
I don't believe the book will be made available via the fan club, no.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/22/1996 11:59:00 AM
|
Message 11 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
Thanks. Do you have the membership info? (If not, I should probably upload it to the library.)
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/23/1996 8:16:00 AM
|
Message 12 in thread
View this message only
|
Toby Johnson <104305.1442@compuserve.com> asks: > Have you any information on how many people have joined the fan > club so far?? Also what % is US and what % is outside the US? > Are the numbers what you expected higher/lower??
Right now, without any advertising of note, mainly word of mouth, we've got over 2,000 members so far. We're adding about 150 per day.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 4/24/1996 3:18:00 PM
|
Message 13 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
Shouldn't be long; we're still turning out some of the stuff for the club, like the posters; give us a bit.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 7/28/1996 1:58:00 AM
|
Message 14 in thread
View this message only
|
The following information has just been released by Jim Lochett, coordinator for the OFFICIAL BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB. (Note to convention organizers: the address given below can now be used as a central clearing house for invitations to cast and crew.)
***
THE OFFICIAL BABYLON 5 FAN CLUB
Join today and you will receive the Official Membership Kit, including:
A Subscription to The Universe Today: The Official Newsletter of the B5FC filled with exclusive interviews, news about Babylon 5, and exciting merchandise offers. An 8x10 Cast Photo Full Color Babylon 5 Mini-Poster (13"x20") B5 Fan Club Button & Full Color Sticker Membership Certificate (Signed by the show's Executive Producers, J. Michael Straczynski and Douglas Netter) Membership ID Card granting you discounts on merchandise, conventions, etc., as well as access to the Members Only section of TheStation.com, the B5 Fan Club Web-site (to be up May 1996). Plus as a bonus, the first 100 people to join get: A Limited Collection Sticker of the alternate B5 Logo as designed by artist Peter Ledger.
================
To Give a Membership as a Gift, simply make a copy of the entry form, fill in the name of the person you wish to make a member, and send it off. (Don't forget to include your name on the Suggestions line, so that we can include a gift card.)
Each year the Renewal Kit will offer new and different goodies, savings, and of course another year's subscription to The Universe Today.
Remember, this is more than just your run of the mill fan club; the Babylon 5 fans time and time again have gone that extra step for the show, and the Babylon 5 Fan Club is our way of giving something back to those who've been so loyal to us.
---------------- CLIP OR COPY AND GIVE TO A FRIEND -------------------
YES! I want to join The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club. Please send my membership kit to:
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Age: __________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________ State: ___________ ZIP: ________
Country: _____________
e-mail address: ________________________________________________________
Local Station you watch B5 on: _________________________________________
Suggestions: ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____ I am already on the mailing list.
_____ I got this form from a friend.
Enclosed is $12.95 for a U.S. membership; $14.95 for a Canadian membership; and $19.95 for Foreign memberships. Orders must be in U.S. funds. Send check or money order (DO NOT send cash) made payable to:
Babylonian Productions/Fan Club
Mail to: The Official Babylon 5 Fan Club PO Box 856 North Hollywood, CA 91603
Please allow 5-6 weeks for delivery. Foreign and Canadian orders are shipped surface, please allow additional time for shipping.
All returned checks are subject to a $15.00 service charge.
---------------- CUT HERE FOR THE END OF THE FORM ------------------ |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 7/29/1996 5:39:00 AM
|
Message 15 in thread
View this message only
|
Helene Northway <72370.1026@compuserve.com> asks: > Any word for those of us who sent checks/form in in April and > haven't received anything yet????
There've been some problems with the post office; send a note to jplb5@aol.com to let him know your situation.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 7/29/1996 5:39:00 AM
|
Message 16 in thread
View this message only
|
(blocked) asks: > Nothing personal, Joe, but why are you soliciting membership in a > "fan club" when most of us who applied for membership and sent > money months ago haven't received anything?
No, it's not vapor. Many people *have* received their stuff. So it's there, and it's working, but there have been some glitches in the post office side that blindsided us. A "vapor club" is one where you sign up and get nothing, because nothing's made or delivered. Many people here and elsewhere *have* received their full packets, and newsletters, and the posters are going out shortly, now that WB has *finally* approved the design, which took longer than it should have.
If you haven't received the material, send email to jplb5@aol.com and let him know.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 7/29/1996 5:47:00 AM
|
Message 17 in thread
View this message only
|
(blocked) asks: > Nothing personal, Joe, but why are you soliciting membership in a > "fan club" when most of us who applied for membership and sent > money months ago haven't received anything?
PS...I just went down the hall to ask Jim Lockett about what the status of things was, and there was a huge pile of newsletters and packets on his desk ready to go out. I asked about yours in particular, and he had it right there, about ten down in the "to-mail" pile. So you should have the stuff shortly.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 7/29/1996 5:47:00 AM
|
Message 18 in thread
View this message only
|
(blocked) asks: > Why should Joe be soliciting members when he hasn't taken care of > the ones who sent in money months ago? What guarantee do new > applicants have that they won't be left in the lurch?
For starters, I didn't resolicit anyone, the fan club message gets popped up by the system. Second, new applicants have less of a chance of getting left in the lurch than the folks who dived in at the beginning when we were still putting all the pieces into position.
If you have *any* reservations, we will happily refund your money. Or you can give it a bit of time; we can't know who hasn't gotten their stuff until we hear from them, and/or the post office sends back the material, which has begun to happen. We're dealing with it as fast as possible.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/1/1996 1:39:00 PM
|
Message 19 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post had no questions}
We don't know who did or didn't receive stuff until we hear back; send email to jplb5@aol.com...he's sending out batches of stuff all this week to those whose deliveries got screwed up.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/2/1996 7:49:00 AM
|
Message 20 in thread
View this message only
|
(blocked) asks: > Have all the Membership kits been sent yet?
They're going out.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/9/1996 9:51:00 AM
|
Message 21 in thread
View this message only
|
Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks: > Any other suggestions for checking on the status of an order?
He's dancing as fast as he can, another 1,000 went out this week. We have 5,000 members now and just two people manning the club. We hope to expand that soon.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/9/1996 9:52:00 AM
|
Message 22 in thread
View this message only
|
Toby Johnson <104305.1442@compuserve.com> asks: > Any other suggestions for checking on the status of an order?
It's coming....
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/22/1996 1:31:00 PM
|
Message 23 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
Stuff is still going out; another 1500 zipped out the door today. It's coming....
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/23/1996 5:16:00 PM
|
Message 24 in thread
View this message only
|
Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks: > Just out of curiousity, how long ago did you get the newsletter? > last week receiving the kit?
Jim has sent a public response to the Usenet about the delay, and the Zocalo has also published a letter from him about it. In addition, I've gone at some length here about what's been going on. You may not have seen them, but there have been public replies. The email list is too hideously huge to reply to individually. But stacks and stacks are going out the door as fast as can be.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/24/1996 8:46:00 AM
|
Message 25 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
That's the question that's hard to answer, because stuff is going out the door as fast as possible. One batch of 1500 went out on Thursday. Was yours in there? I don't know. Part of the consistent problem we're having is the Post Office. They told us what the postage should be for each packet and newsletter, first class (we sent the first batches off bulk, and they got dumped, lost, delayed...never again, we'll just take the loss and deal with it). So we use that, and turn it in at the post office. Depending on which postal worker takes the parcels, it goes through, or they send them back for more. So now we're increasing the postage to make sure they don't do this to us again. It's making Jim crazy.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/24/1996 12:56:00 PM
|
Message 26 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
"Our great government efficiency at work again! Do you think THEY think it's coming FROM Babylon 5?!"
Dunno about that...but it sure looks to me like the Post Office is being run by the Shadows.
(Hmm...I wonder if they saw "Avalon" and are still smarting over the Post Office humor...?)
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/25/1996 8:36:00 AM
|
Message 27 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
We figured we'd get an initial membership of about 1,000-1,500, and staffed accordingly. We got about 6,000, so all our planning has gone straight to hell in that regard. Last I heard from Jim, the last batches of stuff should be out by mid-week.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/26/1996 10:20:00 AM
|
Message 28 in thread
View this message only
|
Rebecca Eschliman <76072.2345@compuserve.com> asks: > Do fan club applications still continue trickle in, flow in or > downpour in?
The flow of applications have slowed a little, in large measure because we've stopped putting the information out there until we get caught up on what we've got. Once we've caught up -- and I think virtually everything has either gone out last week or will be out this week -- then we'll go out and start beating the drum again.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/26/1996 10:21:00 AM
|
Message 29 in thread
View this message only
|
Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks: > once the email address was published, someone should have been > ready to respond (why else publish it?
Lemme ask you a question...did your check get cashed? Because I just went down the hall and asked Jim what the status was on Jonathan Kass' membership, and it wasn't in any of the files, so what I'm wondering is if it just never got to us.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/27/1996 7:57:00 AM
|
Message 30 in thread
View this message only
|
Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks: > Now what?
Now I go back to Jim and tell him to look again...thanks.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/27/1996 2:51:00 PM
|
Message 31 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post had no questions}
I went to Jim's office again after your last note, and had him check the database again by hand; it's definitely not there. So I've copied your email to him, and he should be in touch soon, or he'll go ahead and add it to the list. It's conceivable that if your check got caught up in a bundle it might've missed being processed by us. As far a I know this is the only time it's happened; but we never know about it until and unless someone tells us about it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 8/28/1996 4:58:00 AM
|
Message 32 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
Jim's just done a hand-search of applications, and still can't find anything on your membership. He's asked if you could send a xerox copy of your canceled check (both sides) to him at the fan club address. Once we have that in hand, we'll zip everything out the door.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/2/1996 12:51:00 PM
|
Message 33 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
They're going out in clumps, batches of newsletters, then batches of kits, and so on until they're caught up. Apparently almost all of the stuff should be out within the next week or so.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/6/1996 5:42:00 AM
|
Message 34 in thread
View this message only
|
(blocked) asks: > Can you suggest my next course of action? > And, could you let me know--if I am to send a cc of the check--to > whom and what address???
Drop a line to Jim Lockett at jplb5@aol.com and let him know. Again, there were some initial problems with the post office, and we have no way of knowing who didn't receive one of the mailed items until we hear from them.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/7/1996 3:36:00 PM
|
Message 35 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
Will send this on to Jim personally.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/11/1996 4:51:00 AM
|
Message 36 in thread
View this message only
|
Tom General <102233.2410@compuserve.com> asks: > Can you come up with a way of getting to him in person? > Are the major mailings over now? > What about the rest of us?
No, the major mailings aren't over, they're still going out. Everyone who signed on will get/is getting their stuff. He's had a lot of email to contend with, but I do know that a lot of folks are a) getting their stuff, and b) getting email replies. He's getting to it.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/11/1996 10:49:00 AM
|
Message 37 in thread
View this message only
|
Tom General <102233.2410@compuserve.com> asks: > Could you let us know when the major mailings are over, or when > to contact him? So, what do I do? > How long should I wait? > Come on, how much longer?
I walked down the hall to Jim's office, and asked. Your stuff went out this morning, several hours ago.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/12/1996 11:42:00 AM
|
Message 38 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post had no questions}
Posters only got approved recently, so they're lagging behind.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/12/1996 11:42:00 AM
|
Message 39 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post had no questions}
They're all going out first class.
jms |
|
From: J. Michael Straczynski <71016.1644@compuserve.com>
Subject: B5 FAN CLUB INFO!
To: CIS
Date: 9/13/1996 2:44:00 PM
|
Message 40 in thread
View this message only
|
{original post unavailable}
Yes, the poster was only approved (finally) by WB about 2-3 weeks ago, at which point we began to produce them and mail them out.
jms |
|