Transcribe
Translate
Fan Slants, v. 1, issue 1, September 1943
Page 4
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
In Introduction- The nationwide group of individuals known as science fiction fandom today appears to be growing out of the fan stage. It no longer concerns itself primarily with the professional magazines. Fans have discovered through association with each other that they also think alike on a great many other things. Chief among these is their mutual interest in a better world of tomorrow In this I have not been unlike the rest. Although I did not enter actively into fandom until 1942, I have read science fiction since my grammar school days, starting with such old timers as H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. In high school I developed an interest in the social sciences. It was quite natural that I should again turn to science fiction for an idea of what the future might hold. As you might expect, I found the entire field very interesting, and it was not long until I was devouring all the science and fantasy fiction within reach. I followed the readers' columns with some interest, but gained the opinion that the writers were mere juvenile escapists whose only interest was reading this interplanetary variation on the horse opera. Not thinking it worthwhile to engage in similar self-inflation of my delicate little ego, I turned what little talent I possessed into other fields, in which I managed to accomplish just as little as it I had written to the pro mags. Oh well, I was not alone with my shattered hopes and illusions. I managed, at length, to discover fandom---and I now have company. My first knowledge of fandom came through reading some old VoMs, Spaceways, Fantasites and various other fan mags which were supplied by one Sid Dean. The aforesaid Dean had an organization in Portland which, to say the least, was going around in circles. (Cosmic, no doubt.) After meeting this particular psychological case, I consented to join his group and so became a member of the Stardust Society, which included artists and would-be writers as well as [mere?] fans. There was one, and only one, major difference between the SS and other fan clubs:We we interested in, and discussed, science fiction. Of course, like the elite societies, we also talked about sociology, music, economics...and women. There were many long discussions on "Has Science Fiction Contributed Anything to the Progress of Civilization?" After several meetings, we abandoned the debates upon finding that we were no nearer a solution than we had been six weeks before. It was not long after this that I decided to come to Los Angeles. Upon arriving I found myself riding in front of that transplanted avalanche better known as the LASFS. Here, to me, was an unending source of mystery. I knew from past reports that it was supposed to be a science fiction club---but where was the interest in science fiction? The only reasons for the presence of most members was either Bruce Yerke's hilarious minutes or the contents of the refreshment table. Science fiction was nowhere to be found. To be sure, there was photography, nudes, music, corn, and Walt Daugherty; but outside of that, there seemed to be little of interest. Then, to my surprise, I found that nearly all were interested in the same things that I was: good books, good music, the social and physical sciences, and a host of other things. There were long discussions with such fellows as Walt, Phil, Bruce, Paul, and Forry. Here, I discovered, was the real purpose of a fan organization. Nearly all had progressed far beyond the stage of being mere readers of stf. True, their viewpoints on most subjects differed, but most of them were good sound ideas, and not mere hackneyed panaceas on which little thought had been expended. Suddenly the bug bit me: I too must publish a mag like all the rest. Then began the struggle for material. It had been my original intent to publish a fiction fan mag, but after studying material submitted to me or appearing in other mags, I came to the only possible conclusion: most fan authored fiction bore the definite odor of eau de polecat. Therefore, I turned to my original intention and produced FAN SLANTS, a non fiction mag, devoted to articles of interest to fans. Material and ideas were plentiful. Never before has a prospective editor had so many intelligent fans willing to submit articles and help the neophyte along. It is their tolerance, suggestions and contributions that have made this first issue possible. I hope to be able to continue FAN SLANTS, on at least a quarterly basis, as long as suitable material is available. I shall endeavor to present the best available fan articles (Cont. Page 35)
Saving...
prev
next
In Introduction- The nationwide group of individuals known as science fiction fandom today appears to be growing out of the fan stage. It no longer concerns itself primarily with the professional magazines. Fans have discovered through association with each other that they also think alike on a great many other things. Chief among these is their mutual interest in a better world of tomorrow In this I have not been unlike the rest. Although I did not enter actively into fandom until 1942, I have read science fiction since my grammar school days, starting with such old timers as H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. In high school I developed an interest in the social sciences. It was quite natural that I should again turn to science fiction for an idea of what the future might hold. As you might expect, I found the entire field very interesting, and it was not long until I was devouring all the science and fantasy fiction within reach. I followed the readers' columns with some interest, but gained the opinion that the writers were mere juvenile escapists whose only interest was reading this interplanetary variation on the horse opera. Not thinking it worthwhile to engage in similar self-inflation of my delicate little ego, I turned what little talent I possessed into other fields, in which I managed to accomplish just as little as it I had written to the pro mags. Oh well, I was not alone with my shattered hopes and illusions. I managed, at length, to discover fandom---and I now have company. My first knowledge of fandom came through reading some old VoMs, Spaceways, Fantasites and various other fan mags which were supplied by one Sid Dean. The aforesaid Dean had an organization in Portland which, to say the least, was going around in circles. (Cosmic, no doubt.) After meeting this particular psychological case, I consented to join his group and so became a member of the Stardust Society, which included artists and would-be writers as well as [mere?] fans. There was one, and only one, major difference between the SS and other fan clubs:We we interested in, and discussed, science fiction. Of course, like the elite societies, we also talked about sociology, music, economics...and women. There were many long discussions on "Has Science Fiction Contributed Anything to the Progress of Civilization?" After several meetings, we abandoned the debates upon finding that we were no nearer a solution than we had been six weeks before. It was not long after this that I decided to come to Los Angeles. Upon arriving I found myself riding in front of that transplanted avalanche better known as the LASFS. Here, to me, was an unending source of mystery. I knew from past reports that it was supposed to be a science fiction club---but where was the interest in science fiction? The only reasons for the presence of most members was either Bruce Yerke's hilarious minutes or the contents of the refreshment table. Science fiction was nowhere to be found. To be sure, there was photography, nudes, music, corn, and Walt Daugherty; but outside of that, there seemed to be little of interest. Then, to my surprise, I found that nearly all were interested in the same things that I was: good books, good music, the social and physical sciences, and a host of other things. There were long discussions with such fellows as Walt, Phil, Bruce, Paul, and Forry. Here, I discovered, was the real purpose of a fan organization. Nearly all had progressed far beyond the stage of being mere readers of stf. True, their viewpoints on most subjects differed, but most of them were good sound ideas, and not mere hackneyed panaceas on which little thought had been expended. Suddenly the bug bit me: I too must publish a mag like all the rest. Then began the struggle for material. It had been my original intent to publish a fiction fan mag, but after studying material submitted to me or appearing in other mags, I came to the only possible conclusion: most fan authored fiction bore the definite odor of eau de polecat. Therefore, I turned to my original intention and produced FAN SLANTS, a non fiction mag, devoted to articles of interest to fans. Material and ideas were plentiful. Never before has a prospective editor had so many intelligent fans willing to submit articles and help the neophyte along. It is their tolerance, suggestions and contributions that have made this first issue possible. I hope to be able to continue FAN SLANTS, on at least a quarterly basis, as long as suitable material is available. I shall endeavor to present the best available fan articles (Cont. Page 35)
Hevelin Fanzines
sidebar
