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Science Fiction Weekly, v. 2, issue 1, May 19, 1940

Page 3

THEIR OWN PETARD by H. C. KOENIG

FROM A LETTER BY JIM BLISH in Astonishing Stories, April, 1940.  "I hope that before you print another letter like "4E"s (whoever he may be), you will take steps to make it readable.  Illiteracy is pardonable, but such an obviously deliberate attempt at artificial illiteracy is in bad taste and ougt to be corrected rather carefully or not printed at all."

(Eureka!  I've found a recruit at last.  We must hold a convention sometime, Jim.  - - But, migawd, don't te ll me you don't know "4E".  I'll be "Little Forrie" swooned when he read your letter.

Confidentially, Jim, "4E" is one of the "big shots" out on the west coast.  Unfortunately, he is obsessed with a number of screwy ideas.  Among other things, he believes the future of the world depends on the universal adoption of Esperanto and, as a starter, considers himself science-fiction's Messiah of that language.  Also, aided and abetted by a few misguided souls, he believes he is science fiction's No 1 fan and migawd, how he tries to live up to it.  Letters and articles in every professional and fan magazine in the world, (including the Scandinavian).  They wouldn't be so awful, Jim, if written in ordinary English.  But, they're full of pig-Latin, Esperanto, pigeonenglish, trick words, and every conceiveable form of mis-used English.  Perhaps it's just as well that you don't know "4E", Jim.

But, to give the devil his due : Little Forrie is well able to write a readable article.  Read his short reviews of "The Invisible Man Returns" and "The Return of Dr X" in the April Astonishing, and his article in The Alchemist.  However, for the most part, even his sixteen-year-old effort in the first issue of Futuria Fantasia furnishes better reading than his mature (okay, Forrie?) raves of recent years.)

/_To keep records clear, it had best be noted that, while plugged as "fan #1" by some of his closest friends and associates, Ackerman has never made claims to being such, or acted as if he personally believed it.  Moreober, Jim, the editor of many a fan magazine can tell what "4E"s prompt financial support, plus item-contributions, has meant when their pet projects were struggling to make first headway.-/

From "The Manuscript Bureau" in New Fandom, Volume 2 No. 1:  "As this issue goes to press we have enough material left to aid two fan mags and we've four urgent requests on our desks.  We send out a frantic appeal for material.  IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE A BOUNTIFUL SUPPLY OF MATERIAL, AT LEAST FOUR AND POSSIBLY MORE NEW FAN MAGS WILL COLLAPSE WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS!"

(You are breaking my heart, Sam, simply breaking my heart.  I am so filled up with emotion that I just can not comment on that heart - rending plea - - it's two much for me.)

ADDENDA:  NANCY WARNER WRITES:  "I'd like to open fire on H. C. Koenig, if you don't mind.  His column has its points of interest, and no doubt a certain usefulness, but to read his writings, one would think that he was regularly tied to a chair and forced, at the point of a bayonet, to read every word of every professional and fan stf publication.

"Did it ever occur to the Unclever that perhaps some fans obtain enjoyment and inspiration from Esperanto whether it's practical or not?  That other fans see a great deal of connection bewtee n stf & the various phases of sociology whether he does or not?  That still other fans find a means of self-expression in their fan - publications whether Mr Koenig is pleased by them or not?  And that every fan has something to offer every other fan whether opinions coincide or not?

"Apparently, these things haven't.  Our Petard-Master has been so busy busting idols and showing up the muddy feet on some fans who seem to think they're Gawd Almighty, that he has come to consider himself Gawd Almighty.

"I read stf and sf fan mags because I can find almost everything in them.  Every type of person; every type ofmood from the ridiculous to the sublime.  But if Mr Koenig has his way they'd all be little Tweedledee Dums and Tweedledee Dumbers."

Saving...

THEIR OWN PETARD by H. C. KOENIG FROM A LETTER BY JIM BLISH in Astonishing Stories, April, 1940. "I hope that before you print another letter like "4E"s (whoever he may be), you will take steps to make it readable. Illiteracy is pardonable, but such an obviously deliberate attempt at artificial illiteracy is in bad taste and ougt to be corrected rather carefully or not printed at all." (Eureka! I've found a recruit at last. We must hold a convention sometime, Jim. - - But, migawd, don't te ll me you don't know "4E". I'll be "Little Forrie" swooned when he read your letter. Confidentially, Jim, "4E" is one of the "big shots" out on the west coast. Unfortunately, he is obsessed with a number of screwy ideas. Among other things, he believes the future of the world depends on the universal adoption of Esperanto and, as a starter, considers himself science-fiction's Messiah of that language. Also, aided and abetted by a few misguided souls, he believes he is science fiction's No 1 fan and migawd, how he tries to live up to it. Letters and articles in every professional and fan magazine in the world, (including the Scandinavian). They wouldn't be so awful, Jim, if written in ordinary English. But, they're full of pig-Latin, Esperanto, pigeonenglish, trick words, and every conceiveable form of mis-used English. Perhaps it's just as well that you don't know "4E", Jim. But, to give the devil his due : Little Forrie is well able to write a readable article. Read his short reviews of "The Invisible Man Returns" and "The Return of Dr X" in the April Astonishing, and his article in The Alchemist. However, for the most part, even his sixteen-year-old effort in the first issue of Futuria Fantasia furnishes better reading than his mature (okay, Forrie?) raves of recent years.) /_To keep records clear, it had best be noted that, while plugged as "fan #1" by some of his closest friends and associates, Ackerman has never made claims to being such, or acted as if he personally believed it. Moreober, Jim, the editor of many a fan magazine can tell what "4E"s prompt financial support, plus item-contributions, has meant when their pet projects were struggling to make first headway.-/ From "The Manuscript Bureau" in New Fandom, Volume 2 No. 1: "As this issue goes to press we have enough material left to aid two fan mags and we've four urgent requests on our desks. We send out a frantic appeal for material. IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE A BOUNTIFUL SUPPLY OF MATERIAL, AT LEAST FOUR AND POSSIBLY MORE NEW FAN MAGS WILL COLLAPSE WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS!" (You are breaking my heart, Sam, simply breaking my heart. I am so filled up with emotion that I just can not comment on that heart - rending plea - - it's two much for me.) ADDENDA: NANCY WARNER WRITES: "I'd like to open fire on H. C. Koenig, if you don't mind. His column has its points of interest, and no doubt a certain usefulness, but to read his writings, one would think that he was regularly tied to a chair and forced, at the point of a bayonet, to read every word of every professional and fan stf publication. "Did it ever occur to the Unclever that perhaps some fans obtain enjoyment and inspiration from Esperanto whether it's practical or not? That other fans see a great deal of connection bewtee n stf & the various phases of sociology whether he does or not? That still other fans find a means of self-expression in their fan - publications whether Mr Koenig is pleased by them or not? And that every fan has something to offer every other fan whether opinions coincide or not? "Apparently, these things haven't. Our Petard-Master has been so busy busting idols and showing up the muddy feet on some fans who seem to think they're Gawd Almighty, that he has come to consider himself Gawd Almighty. "I read stf and sf fan mags because I can find almost everything in them. Every type of person; every type ofmood from the ridiculous to the sublime. But if Mr Koenig has his way they'd all be little Tweedledee Dums and Tweedledee Dumbers."