I’m Germaine Swanson. I used to be known as Germaine Best during my years in New York Star Trek and Science Fiction Fandom. I wrote, edited, and published fanzines and stories, organized and ran clubs, and worked at conventions. A member of the group known as the Spanish Inquisition (no one ever expected us), I was known for wearing convention name tags that announced I was “Not Allyson”, I was “The Other One” or “The Captain of the Liver”. I also, occasionally appeared in the guise of Cardinal Fang when that persona wasn’t in use.

This life choice began when a guy in my freshman speech class chose the topic of Star Trek and the upcoming and history-making first Star Trek Convention for his presentation. A lifelong science fiction lover, I coerced him into giving me information about it so I could attend. To my surprise, I actually went. It felt like I finally came home

Near the end, the organizers (the Committee) put out a call for bodies with brains and hands to help them (Gofors), I did. That’s how I landed in fandom. The moral of the story might be, always stay awake in speech class.

Back at home after the convention, I felt enervated and motivated to do something to keep the memory of the good feelings alive and to promote Science Fiction and Star Trek fandom. Many of the members of the organizing committee were graduates of Brooklyn College where I was a student. I must have figured the college would have many more people who were as quirky and unique as those I met that weekend.

They told me they had run a Science Fiction Cub on campus which disbanded after they graduated. I decided to bring it back and posted information about it on campus. Since I didn’t know I needed the Dean’s approval, the club was neither sanctioned nor official.

The best thing that came out of that club was meeting Fara (who was somebody named Anji at the time). We collaborated on a lot of projects including TETRUMBRIANT and Monkey of the Inkpot. She gave me courage, insanity, and practice editing. She’s one of my best and closest friends.

After lots of education, several careers, marriage, and four adults who claim I’m their mother, I’ve stopped gafiating. I’m so glad we reconnected after decades apart. She’s responsible for bringing me back home to fandom and reminding me that I was never really a Mundane. I just played one to stay employed.

Fara Shimbo, Computer Wrangler

I got into fandom after responding to a flier Germaine posted at Brooklyn College, and has had a long and checkered fannish career since then, both in Trek and general SF fandom. I claim the distinction of being "The Only 'Fara Shimbo' On The Internet."