For 35 years an intrepid band of mystery fans contributed to an amateur press association (aka, apa) known as DAPA-EM. Every other month, the members would duplicate their zines and mail their copies to the Official Editor. For most of those years, that Official Editor was Art Scott. And, in all those years, Art never missed an issue. With the January 2011 issue that just arrived at my home, DAPA-EM ends. Over the years I’ve learned about mysteries (and a lot of other things) from John Nieminski, Ellen Nehr, Barry Gardner, Marv Lachman, Bill Crider, Jeff Meyerson, Dan Stumpf, Beth Fedyn, Bob Briney, Len and June Moffatt, Steve Stilwell, Bruce Taylor, Dave Lewis, Rick Robinson, Bob Napier, Steve Lewis, Tina Karelson, Walter Albert, Maggie Mason, and dozens of other knowledgeable fans who were members of DAPA-EM at one time or another. Yes, some of these folks will transfer their energies to blogs, but it won’t Be The Same. This is a sad day.
Very true! But you forgot to mention the consistent high-quality entries from one George Kelley, whose readable reviews fattened my to-be-read shelf beyond reason!
Thank you for your kind words, Dan. Your zine, with marvelous movie reviews and, of course, Hamlet references never failed to enlighten and amuse. I’m missing it already.
Everything ends, but this was one thing I hoped would last even longer.
Exactly, Bill! For 35 years I’ve looked forward every January, March, May, July, September, and November for DAPA-EM to arrive. Your MACAVITY was a highlight of every issue. And, like Art, you never missed an issue!
What the world needs now is The Black Lizard Big Book of DAPA-EM Ephemera.
I think the Robert L. Fish Award winner would be the perfect author for THE BLACK LIZARD BIG BOOK OF DAPA-EM EPHEMERA, Evan.
Amen, George. Paging through the mailing has really brought it home. After all, some of us have spent over half our lives in the group and it’s hard to beleve it’s really over.
As more than one person said, some of our best friends in the world came from the apa and at least that won’t change.
Fortunately, many of the DAPA-EMers have blogs now, Jeff. Or comment frequently. But it’s not the same thing as having a wonderful fanzine collection arriving at your house every other month.
I got a little misty several times while going thru the last issue.
The very fact that so many people were willing to commit to the bimonthly mailing – no matter how much we groaned about it – says a lot for the DAPA-EM dedication to mystery and friendship.
I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
LOOSE WHEELS brought a lot of joy and emotion into my life, Beth. Your comments here help to fill the void.
Well I am sad and was not even a part of it. No way to keep it going online? Set up a site or blog for it and send your pieces there. You might even get new members.
There’s a Yahoo group option, Patti. But I think many members will just stick with their blogs and comments. DAPA-EM was a part of a print ethos that’s fading away.
I posted my similar reaction just a few minutes ago, but everyone seems to have already been here to comment. I am indeed sad, had tears in my eyes several times in reading just he first half of the mailing. Had to stop. I’ll get back to it later. This blog, and several others, will have to suffice, but they just aren’t the same. Your post and comments here are spot on, George.
My eyes were misty, too, Rick. The end of an era…
Jeez, guys, do I have to send you all some Bob & Ray bits to cheer you up? It’s not the end of the world, just the end of civilization as we know it. And all my fault, too! Seriously, I’m sad too, but it was Time.
Many of us are in mourning for DAPA-EM, Art. I’m not even sure Bob & Ray could lighten the mood. You’re right: it was Time. But it’s still a sad day…
Yes, it was time, you’re right, Art. But it’s like quitting smoking: you know it was right to quit, but that doesn’t keep you from wanting just one more. I’ll just resolve to make my blog better than ever.
I don’t want to wallow in nostalgia, Rick, but after looking through the last DAPA-EM issue again, I was reminded about what we’ve lost.
Maybe we should do top 10 lists of DAPA-EM moments we won’t soon forget, like Martin Morse Wooster’s ice cream suit (which he seemed to be bursting out of) or Ellen demanding separate checks for a party of 31.
I’ll never forget the Ellen Nehr/Guy Townsend imbroglio, Jeff.
Perhaps an e-book or e-anthology published once or twice a year?
Your idea has potential, BV. Let’s hear what the other DAPA-EMers think of it.
I’m glad I was so memorable in DAPA-Em, even though I dropped out in 1983! Still, I’m sorry to see it go. It was a lot of fun.
You’re a Legend, Martin!
Cheers to the old days George!
Roy (Just Around the Coroner)
Good to hear from you, Roy!