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Le Zombie, v. 5, issue 4, whole no. 51, January 1943
Page b 7
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b7 In other words, fans today are very sophisticated, and don't condescend to wonder or talk about such things. This may or may not be a good thing, and the war may have caused it. I still insist that fans should not abjure stf. Even if they realize that the prozines are not the height of contemporary literature, there are books for them to collect, read, and talk about. After all, many people confess that their only pleasure in life is eating and drinking; but they don't spend every spare moment at that occupation. To live, they must show moderation. And so it goes: if one would remain in fandom, he must be wise enough to remain au courant with his literature, even if it does become a bit distasteful and he finds more pleasure talking sex and politics. I've listened the last few evenings at 5 'oclock to Madeline Carroll who is reading over the radio, CBS, James Hilton's "Lost Horizon". Aside from the stf. aspect, it's quite instructive to follow her reading with a copy of the novel, and learn about the tabus of radio. The epithets, for instance, are apparently very closely watched. "My God" is allowed; "I wish to God" was cut. In addition, perhaps 25% of the novel is not being read at all----the parts in which there is no action just aren't included in this radio version. (( And therefore much richness is lost, sad to say! -BT )) And speaking of tabus, I might save you a postage stamp, if you should try writing fiction for the syndicates. Don't send anything with a tinge of fantasy or stf. to the McClure Syndicate! I submitted a such story to them. Back it came in three days, with the customary rejection sheet, which has listed almost every conceivable reason for rejection, the proper one of which is to be checked. None was adequate. The editor had penciled in one word: "Fantastic!" (( Moron! -BT )) Things are heppening so fast in the NFFF that this may be out of date when it sees print. I'll take a chance, though, and state my reasons here for believing that liquidation of the organization is the only decent thing to do. The only objection to his move, as far as I can see, is its possible discouraging of fans after the war from beginning yet another attempt at a national fan organization. Such objection doesn't hold water. All the previous attempts at such clubs, like the ISA, New Fandom, and Science Fiction League, didn't keep the NFFF from getting fandom's support. Now, there are entirely too many fans in service, and too many others ready to be drafted or working long overtime hours, to support an organization like the NFFF; and I don't see any hope of getting anything accomplished, even if the NFFF could be continued despite all obstacles. Then too, there's the danger of its emerging from the war as a feud-ridden, clique-filled club that would prevent organization of a really swell federation after the war. The situation is different in England: their new organization doesn't aim to do what the NFFF was destined to, and British fandom is a far different thing today from what it was in 1939. The war hasn't changed fandom in this country yet, in ideas or personnel. COMMENT DEPT: LeZ is interested in learning what the other NFFF members among its readers think of the above suggestion-- to scrap the organization for the duration, or forever, depending upon postwar fandom to organize anew. The other side of the case argues as hotly: keep it flying! We're interested in hearing YOUR views on it. Please write!
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b7 In other words, fans today are very sophisticated, and don't condescend to wonder or talk about such things. This may or may not be a good thing, and the war may have caused it. I still insist that fans should not abjure stf. Even if they realize that the prozines are not the height of contemporary literature, there are books for them to collect, read, and talk about. After all, many people confess that their only pleasure in life is eating and drinking; but they don't spend every spare moment at that occupation. To live, they must show moderation. And so it goes: if one would remain in fandom, he must be wise enough to remain au courant with his literature, even if it does become a bit distasteful and he finds more pleasure talking sex and politics. I've listened the last few evenings at 5 'oclock to Madeline Carroll who is reading over the radio, CBS, James Hilton's "Lost Horizon". Aside from the stf. aspect, it's quite instructive to follow her reading with a copy of the novel, and learn about the tabus of radio. The epithets, for instance, are apparently very closely watched. "My God" is allowed; "I wish to God" was cut. In addition, perhaps 25% of the novel is not being read at all----the parts in which there is no action just aren't included in this radio version. (( And therefore much richness is lost, sad to say! -BT )) And speaking of tabus, I might save you a postage stamp, if you should try writing fiction for the syndicates. Don't send anything with a tinge of fantasy or stf. to the McClure Syndicate! I submitted a such story to them. Back it came in three days, with the customary rejection sheet, which has listed almost every conceivable reason for rejection, the proper one of which is to be checked. None was adequate. The editor had penciled in one word: "Fantastic!" (( Moron! -BT )) Things are heppening so fast in the NFFF that this may be out of date when it sees print. I'll take a chance, though, and state my reasons here for believing that liquidation of the organization is the only decent thing to do. The only objection to his move, as far as I can see, is its possible discouraging of fans after the war from beginning yet another attempt at a national fan organization. Such objection doesn't hold water. All the previous attempts at such clubs, like the ISA, New Fandom, and Science Fiction League, didn't keep the NFFF from getting fandom's support. Now, there are entirely too many fans in service, and too many others ready to be drafted or working long overtime hours, to support an organization like the NFFF; and I don't see any hope of getting anything accomplished, even if the NFFF could be continued despite all obstacles. Then too, there's the danger of its emerging from the war as a feud-ridden, clique-filled club that would prevent organization of a really swell federation after the war. The situation is different in England: their new organization doesn't aim to do what the NFFF was destined to, and British fandom is a far different thing today from what it was in 1939. The war hasn't changed fandom in this country yet, in ideas or personnel. COMMENT DEPT: LeZ is interested in learning what the other NFFF members among its readers think of the above suggestion-- to scrap the organization for the duration, or forever, depending upon postwar fandom to organize anew. The other side of the case argues as hotly: keep it flying! We're interested in hearing YOUR views on it. Please write!
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