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Ad Astra, v. 1, issue 2, July 1939
Page 9
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AD ASTRA PAGE #9 ** "They Dared to Dream" ** by W. Lawrence Hamling Science fiction is one of the most unusual types of literature in existence. It is a type specified for a select group of fearless people. This can be readily understood upon reflection of its past history. Science fiction was not founded as an accident. Rather, by a group of men who were aware that they were creating a new field of literature. Edgar Allen Poe wrote fantasy and science fiction not in catering to popular demand, nor in a sense of public achievement, but motivated by some mysterious, inner emotion. There was some subtle force that probed his mind, encouraging him to accomplish what others studiously avoided. Urging him to delve into the mysteries as no one had dared to do before. Some called it the product of a demented brain, others actually realized what this man had begun, but, they feared to accept it. Poe was not alone in those early days. He was one of the Immortal four who felt that strange urge —- that urge to write of the universe — of life -- of death -- of the past, future — of dark probability. Yes, there were others, such as A.Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, H.G.Wells. These men were not afraid to face ridicule and laughter. They knew they were right; they dared to dream! Priviliged [sic] indeed Are they who possess the ability to read it! Priviliged indeed are they who understand it! Priviliged indeed are they who realize its value! Have Fan Magazines A Use? ** by ** Harry Warner, Jr. This is a question often as- Iced, and often answered. Fan writers have gone into it in great detail, and much blood has been shed over the subject. When all is sunned up, I think that the answer will be found to be: YES! Not that science fiction cannot exist without these little efforts — that's silly, it's not a question of which came first —- the fans or the authors. The fans were always there I suppose, but they weren't fans until there were authors to make them fans. Thus, science fiction existed in magazine form for a number of years before a fan magazine was begun. It get along very well during that length of time, and if all fan mags would suddenly fold up, I don't think that you would find the pro magazines gasping for breath. But that's not the point. Granted that fan magazines aren't essential; nevertheless, they do have a function, and a very vital one at that. There can be no stronger link in fantasy than that between author-editor-reader as John W. Campbell Jr. has said to me. And I believe that, over a period of time, an author can find the best reaction to his work in fan magazines. Better than what the editor can tell him surely---the editor's job is to make money, and can only pick out the stories that will make his magazine sell. Ofentimes [sic], these are not the best. And while letters in the readers' sections of pro magazines are an aid. perhaps in one issue only four or five will comment on the one particular story. (( Continued on page 12))
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AD ASTRA PAGE #9 ** "They Dared to Dream" ** by W. Lawrence Hamling Science fiction is one of the most unusual types of literature in existence. It is a type specified for a select group of fearless people. This can be readily understood upon reflection of its past history. Science fiction was not founded as an accident. Rather, by a group of men who were aware that they were creating a new field of literature. Edgar Allen Poe wrote fantasy and science fiction not in catering to popular demand, nor in a sense of public achievement, but motivated by some mysterious, inner emotion. There was some subtle force that probed his mind, encouraging him to accomplish what others studiously avoided. Urging him to delve into the mysteries as no one had dared to do before. Some called it the product of a demented brain, others actually realized what this man had begun, but, they feared to accept it. Poe was not alone in those early days. He was one of the Immortal four who felt that strange urge —- that urge to write of the universe — of life -- of death -- of the past, future — of dark probability. Yes, there were others, such as A.Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, H.G.Wells. These men were not afraid to face ridicule and laughter. They knew they were right; they dared to dream! Priviliged [sic] indeed Are they who possess the ability to read it! Priviliged indeed are they who understand it! Priviliged indeed are they who realize its value! Have Fan Magazines A Use? ** by ** Harry Warner, Jr. This is a question often as- Iced, and often answered. Fan writers have gone into it in great detail, and much blood has been shed over the subject. When all is sunned up, I think that the answer will be found to be: YES! Not that science fiction cannot exist without these little efforts — that's silly, it's not a question of which came first —- the fans or the authors. The fans were always there I suppose, but they weren't fans until there were authors to make them fans. Thus, science fiction existed in magazine form for a number of years before a fan magazine was begun. It get along very well during that length of time, and if all fan mags would suddenly fold up, I don't think that you would find the pro magazines gasping for breath. But that's not the point. Granted that fan magazines aren't essential; nevertheless, they do have a function, and a very vital one at that. There can be no stronger link in fantasy than that between author-editor-reader as John W. Campbell Jr. has said to me. And I believe that, over a period of time, an author can find the best reaction to his work in fan magazines. Better than what the editor can tell him surely---the editor's job is to make money, and can only pick out the stories that will make his magazine sell. Ofentimes [sic], these are not the best. And while letters in the readers' sections of pro magazines are an aid. perhaps in one issue only four or five will comment on the one particular story. (( Continued on page 12))
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