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Scientifictionist, v. 1, issue 4, April 1946

Page 15

FOR 'EM AND AGIN 'EM
[-] Wherein the Reader Speaks and the Editor Shrieks [-]
[] Kennedy's Komments []
It is now quite obvious that the mag has developed a slant of its own, which I cannot compare with anything else in the field today. The whole atmosphere of the contents is reminiscent of some of the late, great fanzines of yesteryear, when s-f was the main interest of fandom, and fantasy-weird almost religiously avoided. At any rate, the mag certainly has a field all its own -- it might be called a link with the past, yet you're by no means marking time.

The article about the American Rocket Society was of interest. EXPLAINING A, was, of course, exceptional stuff even tho I'd already read it once in VoM. If you have future reprints, it might be a good idea not to take them from such recent fan mags, for probably most of the readers already have seen the piece. [Future reprints will be from FAPAzines, older fuz., or non-fan sources. Inquiry before publication of the A article revealed most of Stfist's readers did not get VoM. --ed]  Bridges' column: excellent. I AM NOT A STF FAN seemed just a wee bit thin, and didn't particularly impress.

Coslet's column seemed the best thing in the issue. He continues to amaze me. The guy certainly must've religiously read hundreds of stf
magazines, to garner such a crop of information on stories of the same type. The idea of this column is very good, and should be able to supply enough material for a long time to come. Stuff of this sort is always fascinating; I was pleased to find that I was familiar with many of the tales mentioned, and the unfamiliar titles proved interesting, especially since Coslet did so painstaking a job of explaining the basis of the various plots. Orchids for this item.

Editorial too short this time.

THE ART OF THE SUN, too, was a very fine piece -- despite the numerous plugs for Technocracy. I've always held views similar to those set forth in the article, in pertaining to the bits about finding happiness in the small, everyday things about us -- if you'll pardon the trite phrase. Bertram's introduction was intelligent.

The addition of a letter section was a good idea. No fan mag should be without 'em. It being late, will cease the comments for now. Stfist is ,in my opinion, definitely one of the best mags around...it seems to be a genuine labor of love! -- Joe Kennedy, 84 Baker Ave., Dover, N.J.

[] An Old-Fashioned Brickbat []
Stadter's article was a plug for ARS, and should have been in the advertising section, for it had no interest whatsoever. As for EXPLAINING A, who really is in a position to explain it! As you said in a later article, it's the emotional impact that counts; thus no two persons would have the same idea and everyone yet who has explained it has given only his own personal viewpoint. That's the reason so many conflicting ideas have been presented. I'd suggest everyone forget it for a while. Incidently, null-d has almost supplanted Slan for the hue-and-cry of fandom.

POINT OF VIEW was an improvement over the issues preceeding. Tranek's mouthings had no business at all in the magazine, and editorial Ramblings was entirely too short. STF IDEA CORNER was good as usual, but eventually looking in the pros will wear out an something new will have to be added. The P-Z index was a good variation. As for Bertram's reprinted, rehashed contribution -- NUTS! This is twice in a row he has pulled off a boner. A change for the better would be fine, and also surprising.

The letter section is a good feature, and should not be discontinued for any reason. Best letters were by Carlson, Speer, and Kennedy. As for undercover inventions, I think Bertram popped off without enough steam to back up his

[page 15]

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FOR 'EM AND AGIN 'EM [-] Wherein the Reader Speaks and the Editor Shrieks [-] [] Kennedy's Komments [] It is now quite obvious that the mag has developed a slant of its own, which I cannot compare with anything else in the field today. The whole atmosphere of the contents is reminiscent of some of the late, great fanzines of yesteryear, when s-f was the main interest of fandom, and fantasy-weird almost religiously avoided. At any rate, the mag certainly has a field all its own -- it might be called a link with the past, yet you're by no means marking time. The article about the American Rocket Society was of interest. EXPLAINING A, was, of course, exceptional stuff even tho I'd already read it once in VoM. If you have future reprints, it might be a good idea not to take them from such recent fan mags, for probably most of the readers already have seen the piece. [Future reprints will be from FAPAzines, older fuz., or non-fan sources. Inquiry before publication of the A article revealed most of Stfist's readers did not get VoM. --ed] Bridges' column: excellent. I AM NOT A STF FAN seemed just a wee bit thin, and didn't particularly impress. Coslet's column seemed the best thing in the issue. He continues to amaze me. The guy certainly must've religiously read hundreds of stf magazines, to garner such a crop of information on stories of the same type. The idea of this column is very good, and should be able to supply enough material for a long time to come. Stuff of this sort is always fascinating; I was pleased to find that I was familiar with many of the tales mentioned, and the unfamiliar titles proved interesting, especially since Coslet did so painstaking a job of explaining the basis of the various plots. Orchids for this item. Editorial too short this time. THE ART OF THE SUN, too, was a very fine piece -- despite the numerous plugs for Technocracy. I've always held views similar to those set forth in the article, in pertaining to the bits about finding happiness in the small, everyday things about us -- if you'll pardon the trite phrase. Bertram's introduction was intelligent. The addition of a letter section was a good idea. No fan mag should be without 'em. It being late, will cease the comments for now. Stfist is ,in my opinion, definitely one of the best mags around...it seems to be a genuine labor of love! -- Joe Kennedy, 84 Baker Ave., Dover, N.J. [] An Old-Fashioned Brickbat [] Stadter's article was a plug for ARS, and should have been in the advertising section, for it had no interest whatsoever. As for EXPLAINING A, who really is in a position to explain it! As you said in a later article, it's the emotional impact that counts; thus no two persons would have the same idea and everyone yet who has explained it has given only his own personal viewpoint. That's the reason so many conflicting ideas have been presented. I'd suggest everyone forget it for a while. Incidently, null-d has almost supplanted Slan for the hue-and-cry of fandom. POINT OF VIEW was an improvement over the issues preceeding. Tranek's mouthings had no business at all in the magazine, and editorial Ramblings was entirely too short. STF IDEA CORNER was good as usual, but eventually looking in the pros will wear out an something new will have to be added. The P-Z index was a good variation. As for Bertram's reprinted, rehashed contribution -- NUTS! This is twice in a row he has pulled off a boner. A change for the better would be fine, and also surprising. The letter section is a good feature, and should not be discontinued for any reason. Best letters were by Carlson, Speer, and Kennedy. As for undercover inventions, I think Bertram popped off without enough steam to back up his [page 15]