DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Scientifictionist, issue 2, 1945

Transcribe
Translate

Scientifictionist, issue 2, 1945

Page 4

[maga]zines, and make other manifestations of down to earth realism likewise inacceptable. Artificiality is the keynote.
    A book writer, on the other hand, is limited scarcely  at all. natural sex actions appear in many books; the sex is not emphasized by being deliberately sidestepped, but is touched upon without fanfare -- one scarcely realizes there has been such an incident, since it fits into the story so naturally. The book writer need not follow any formulae; he has the freedom to build up lifelike characters engaged in realistic activities unhampered by the exigencies of moronic plot-limitations. Writing for an intelligent, adult public, he is able to present intelligent, adult thoughts in an intelligent, adult fashion. All these and many other related factors make most book writing of extremely high quality (at least as compared with the magazines). Couple this fine writing with the dynamite inherent in Stefnal themes, and the result is usually something to read, reread, and cherish.
     The fan who has been swaddling his mind with pulp for too long many at first find difficulty in reading books. For such, an approach through Cummings or England or Haggard or Balmer-Wylie might be in order. Most readers will relegate magazines to the background on encountering such titans as Huxley,   Wright or Stapledon. 
      Why don't you give the magazines a rest for a while, and concentrate on books!
--------------------------------------
      EDITORIAL RAMBLINGS

First off, here are the ratings on last issue's material. Ratings were computed in exactly the same manners as Campbell's ANALYTICAL LAB.

Place       Article                Points
1  Scientifiction Idea Corner -- Walter Coslet                      2.25
2 Who Read Scientifiction! -- Thomas Gardner                 2.66
3  A Word About the Pros -- Slanry                                  3.25
4  Among the Classics -- Norman Stanley                  3.87
5  Thoughts on Imaginism -- Lynn Bridges                       4.00
6  Ramblings -- Editor        4.28
7  Stf commentary              4.71
8  Handy Letter-Answer -- Tucker                                  6.00
9  Those '34 Wonders -- Lynn Bridges                                6.50

     Several things in the above tabulations greatly surprised me, but then that first issue was really an experiment anyway. Next time I'd like to have more of you send in your ratings-- especially the older fans. I like to see which articles you like best, as this helps in shaping my editorial policy.
      Thanks for the many thoughtful comments you've sent me. Though as yet I haven't gotten around to answering all your letters, I appreciate all of them. Keep 'em coming!
     Walter's colum is sort of an experiment to see if you readers like this sort of thing. The next installment will be on the same order as #1. This was originally intended to be an off0trial issue, so Walter's article is a little different than usual this time.
      I'm sorry I didn't have space to print some of the letters and comments on the last Commentary, but I thought that good material would be enjoyed more than letters. I want to hold the mag down to 15 pages, as I've neither time nor money to enlarge it.
      Now for the Ramblings:
      Boff Perry reports rumor that AMAZING's circulation has gone up 40,000 since introduction of Shaver's Lemuria --- Lemurians now have their own 30 page
      [Continued on page 10]
page 4

Saving...

[maga]zines, and make other manifestations of down to earth realism likewise inacceptable. Artificiality is the keynote. A book writer, on the other hand, is limited scarcely at all. natural sex actions appear in many books; the sex is not emphasized by being deliberately sidestepped, but is touched upon without fanfare -- one scarcely realizes there has been such an incident, since it fits into the story so naturally. The book writer need not follow any formulae; he has the freedom to build up lifelike characters engaged in realistic activities unhampered by the exigencies of moronic plot-limitations. Writing for an intelligent, adult public, he is able to present intelligent, adult thoughts in an intelligent, adult fashion. All these and many other related factors make most book writing of extremely high quality (at least as compared with the magazines). Couple this fine writing with the dynamite inherent in Stefnal themes, and the result is usually something to read, reread, and cherish. The fan who has been swaddling his mind with pulp for too long many at first find difficulty in reading books. For such, an approach through Cummings or England or Haggard or Balmer-Wylie might be in order. Most readers will relegate magazines to the background on encountering such titans as Huxley, Wright or Stapledon. Why don't you give the magazines a rest for a while, and concentrate on books! -------------------------------------- EDITORIAL RAMBLINGS First off, here are the ratings on last issue's material. Ratings were computed in exactly the same manners as Campbell's ANALYTICAL LAB. Place Article Points 1 Scientifiction Idea Corner -- Walter Coslet 2.25 2 Who Read Scientifiction! -- Thomas Gardner 2.66 3 A Word About the Pros -- Slanry 3.25 4 Among the Classics -- Norman Stanley 3.87 5 Thoughts on Imaginism -- Lynn Bridges 4.00 6 Ramblings -- Editor 4.28 7 Stf commentary 4.71 8 Handy Letter-Answer -- Tucker 6.00 9 Those '34 Wonders -- Lynn Bridges 6.50 Several things in the above tabulations greatly surprised me, but then that first issue was really an experiment anyway. Next time I'd like to have more of you send in your ratings-- especially the older fans. I like to see which articles you like best, as this helps in shaping my editorial policy. Thanks for the many thoughtful comments you've sent me. Though as yet I haven't gotten around to answering all your letters, I appreciate all of them. Keep 'em coming! Walter's colum is sort of an experiment to see if you readers like this sort of thing. The next installment will be on the same order as #1. This was originally intended to be an off0trial issue, so Walter's article is a little different than usual this time. I'm sorry I didn't have space to print some of the letters and comments on the last Commentary, but I thought that good material would be enjoyed more than letters. I want to hold the mag down to 15 pages, as I've neither time nor money to enlarge it. Now for the Ramblings: Boff Perry reports rumor that AMAZING's circulation has gone up 40,000 since introduction of Shaver's Lemuria --- Lemurians now have their own 30 page [Continued on page 10] page 4