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 -------------------

(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

(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

{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

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

{original post unavailable}

If I can, I will....

jms

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

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

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

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

{original post unavailable}

Thanks. Do you have the membership info? (If not, I should
probably upload it to the library.)

jms

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

{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

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 ------------------

(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

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

(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

(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

{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

(blocked) asks:
> Have all the Membership kits been sent yet?

They're going out.

jms

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

Toby Johnson <104305.1442@compuserve.com> asks:
> Any other suggestions for checking on the status of an order?

It's coming....

jms

{original post unavailable}

Stuff is still going out; another 1500 zipped out the door
today. It's coming....

jms

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

{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

{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

{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

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

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

Jonathan Kass <74130.443@compuserve.com> asks:
> Now what?

Now I go back to Jim and tell him to look again...thanks.

jms

{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

{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

{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

(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

{original post unavailable}

Will send this on to Jim personally.

jms

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

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

{original post had no questions}

They're all going out first class.

jms

{original post had no questions}

Posters only got approved recently, so they're lagging behind.

jms

{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