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Spacewarp, v. 5, issue 2, whole no. 26, May 1949
Page 20
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DEART: AprWARP received. The issue is weakened, I am afraid, by the absence of File 13, that top-notch column. Random idea (to be ignored of course): Next roundrobin story you run y'oughta have each writer attempt to write in the style of his favorite author. Anybody note part of my installment was van Vogtish? I think Conner wrote Part IV. Eh? ((another letter:)) The presence of two similar articles, both of which are slightly tinged with hokum, was a mistake, I feel, though I enjoyed "Dimensional Gateway". Stf Broadcast was damn good. This series is 100% better than the first so far -- well written and full of neat twists and suspense-building tricks. Ed Cox gave a nice twist to an old subject himself, in his fanzine-writing article. I am afraid T.E. Watkins is off his trolly. Popular pulps sold over 2 1/2 million copies in 1947-48 (year ending 30 June 48) and the Thrilling pulps sold over a million. See the A.B.C. listings. Actually, I think, the pulps are stronger and better than ever, except perhaps in the Street & Smith-Munsey heyday. I'm not worried about the pulps just because S & S has gone high-hat. How does T.E. explain S & S dropping Pic last fall? In re his statement that the pocket-books will dip "into the vast and almost forgotten reservoir of pulp stories" and publish stf books: I has similar hopes myself, once, but now I'm convinced that such a reservoir is mythical. Sure, there are many good stories left in the old mags -- many that fans will eat up, and even some that the "average" reader would like. But the way the limited-editions presses and the anthropologists are working, that supply is being rapidly reduced. Two more anthologies of the Conklin or Healy-McComas type and the "reservoir" will be utterly exhausted. Of course, pocket books could reprint the "limited editions", but honestly -- despite their popularity with true fans -- how many of the Fantasy Press/Shasta/Prime Press/Arkham books would make suitable pocketbook selections? There were about 36 books produced by the semi-pros in 1948, and I doubt if more than three or four would ever become popular with any public lacking the fan's background in imaginative literature. Final Blackout, Who Goes There?, ...And Some Were Human, and perhaps Darker Than You Think -- these might make it. But I challenge T.E. to list a few of the stories from that unplumbed reservoir he mentions that are certain to sell as fabulously as a pocketbook must in these days of heavy competition. Oh yes, a special pat on the back to Bill Warren for "Archie" -- that was a clever and effective bit of work. And finally, the cover was excellent. At last you've really taken advantages of a hecto's colors. Sincerely, REDD BOGGS ----------------------------------- Dear Art? Quite an issue, this April one. Re "Dimensional Gate", the same effect can be obtained by taking from ten to twenty deep breathes, sticking your finger in your mouth, and blowing. In both cases your natural equilibrium is upset, in one by the electric current, in the other by a sudden removal of carbon wastes, and you feel light-headed as a result. Once unconscious the upset system works its way back to normal - causing dreams which are sometimes exquisite -- and leaving you often with a splitting headache when it's all over. As for "Mind Over Matter", it isn't any form of paraphysics. It's merely involuntary muscle movement. The old time Ouiji boards used to work on that principle. A person who desires to do something is bad enough, or concentrates hard enough, subconsciously moves his muscles to fulfill the desire. Usually the person is unaware that he has moved. Sincerely, EVAN H. APPELMAN 20
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DEART: AprWARP received. The issue is weakened, I am afraid, by the absence of File 13, that top-notch column. Random idea (to be ignored of course): Next roundrobin story you run y'oughta have each writer attempt to write in the style of his favorite author. Anybody note part of my installment was van Vogtish? I think Conner wrote Part IV. Eh? ((another letter:)) The presence of two similar articles, both of which are slightly tinged with hokum, was a mistake, I feel, though I enjoyed "Dimensional Gateway". Stf Broadcast was damn good. This series is 100% better than the first so far -- well written and full of neat twists and suspense-building tricks. Ed Cox gave a nice twist to an old subject himself, in his fanzine-writing article. I am afraid T.E. Watkins is off his trolly. Popular pulps sold over 2 1/2 million copies in 1947-48 (year ending 30 June 48) and the Thrilling pulps sold over a million. See the A.B.C. listings. Actually, I think, the pulps are stronger and better than ever, except perhaps in the Street & Smith-Munsey heyday. I'm not worried about the pulps just because S & S has gone high-hat. How does T.E. explain S & S dropping Pic last fall? In re his statement that the pocket-books will dip "into the vast and almost forgotten reservoir of pulp stories" and publish stf books: I has similar hopes myself, once, but now I'm convinced that such a reservoir is mythical. Sure, there are many good stories left in the old mags -- many that fans will eat up, and even some that the "average" reader would like. But the way the limited-editions presses and the anthropologists are working, that supply is being rapidly reduced. Two more anthologies of the Conklin or Healy-McComas type and the "reservoir" will be utterly exhausted. Of course, pocket books could reprint the "limited editions", but honestly -- despite their popularity with true fans -- how many of the Fantasy Press/Shasta/Prime Press/Arkham books would make suitable pocketbook selections? There were about 36 books produced by the semi-pros in 1948, and I doubt if more than three or four would ever become popular with any public lacking the fan's background in imaginative literature. Final Blackout, Who Goes There?, ...And Some Were Human, and perhaps Darker Than You Think -- these might make it. But I challenge T.E. to list a few of the stories from that unplumbed reservoir he mentions that are certain to sell as fabulously as a pocketbook must in these days of heavy competition. Oh yes, a special pat on the back to Bill Warren for "Archie" -- that was a clever and effective bit of work. And finally, the cover was excellent. At last you've really taken advantages of a hecto's colors. Sincerely, REDD BOGGS ----------------------------------- Dear Art? Quite an issue, this April one. Re "Dimensional Gate", the same effect can be obtained by taking from ten to twenty deep breathes, sticking your finger in your mouth, and blowing. In both cases your natural equilibrium is upset, in one by the electric current, in the other by a sudden removal of carbon wastes, and you feel light-headed as a result. Once unconscious the upset system works its way back to normal - causing dreams which are sometimes exquisite -- and leaving you often with a splitting headache when it's all over. As for "Mind Over Matter", it isn't any form of paraphysics. It's merely involuntary muscle movement. The old time Ouiji boards used to work on that principle. A person who desires to do something is bad enough, or concentrates hard enough, subconsciously moves his muscles to fulfill the desire. Usually the person is unaware that he has moved. Sincerely, EVAN H. APPELMAN 20
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