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Sun Spots, v. 4, issue 4, whole no. 16, March 1941

Page 8

March, 1941.  SUN SPOTS   Page 8.

Midnight" not bad at all -- although I can't agree with those who claim that this year of war is science fiction come true; this is merely 1914-1918 refined and improved, with nothing absolutly new, and most of the things just speeded up or in the case of the airplane in far greater number.  About "Samplings": I'd like to deny the charge that I founded the 1-10 system of ratings; S.C. Youd is responsible for that with the FANTAST and I'm definitely not to blame.  I was merely the first to take it up on this side of the ocean.  *** Keep up the good work on SUN SPOTS.

Henry Andrew Ackermann, 5200 Maple Ave, "Pimlico" Baltimore, Maryland.

Congratulations are in order, I believe!  The Anniversary Issue of SUN SPOTS was tops.  I'm really glad to see the emphasis placed on interplanetary stories at last in your magazine.  After all, they were the very first type of science fiction story to be written and I never have grown tired of them or never shall.  May you print more of them.  *** The first pate of "Weapon Needed" was nice.  It reminds me of the old days --- you know, "The Stone From the Moon-Universe Wreckers" - era.  *** One comment re the science quizz.  Have it next issue. *** Best story in the issue was Johnson and Davis's "Weapon Needed".  Worst was "The Greatest Adventure".  De la Ree did not surprise me one bit by his fine short-short "The Irony of It All".  I knew he had it in him.  (Don't forget Plotkin helped write it too, Eds)) After all, anyone who can edit such a fine magazine as SUN SPOTS must have the makings of a writer in him somewhere.  Some again, Gerry!  "History of a Foolish Age" was unusually interesting for an amateur.  And "Our Martian Obsercer Says" was worth reading.  Its idea of incorporating most of the famous charactors of science fiction and the pseudo-scientific comic stories was excellent.  Am eagerly awaiting the next episode of this "commentator."  *** A "Bewildered Fan in Philly" was the best article in the number, close followed by "The Way I See It," an "Interview With Manly Wade Wellman".  The latter held special interest as Mr. Wellman has been one of my favorites since way back in the Quarterly Days.  "Why Make An Issue of It?" rates next as it gives in-side imformation about our editors and staff.  "Art or Poster?" was good, too.  And last,  but not least was "The Trash Basket" by N.E.Body.  George Wetzel's "Way Back When" was old stuff and has been used much to often.  But he does speak the truth and I side with him... The rest of the issue was so-so.  

The first issue of WAVELENGTH and THE SCIENCE FICTION CONSCIENCE, it is my pleasure to announce, will appear about the tenth of February.

Earl Singleton, MIT Grad House Cambridge, Mass.
Dear Sun-Spotters:--

Thanks a lot for the Anniversary Issue of SUN SPOTS -- and thanks for the kind reviews of NEPENTHE and FANFARE.  No, I'm not the janitor, and I do go to school; but sometimes I get dark sick of it -- and I'd just about as soon be janitor.  So take my advice, and stay away from Tech!  On second thought, however, it might be a good idea for one of you fellows to go somewhere and study a couple weeks on just plain good, old fasioned grammer.  Though you are doing better than you were at first, some of your mistakes are still pretty bad.  I really enjoyed the second half of SSp -- wish you hadn' wasted the first twenty

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March, 1941. SUN SPOTS Page 8. Midnight" not bad at all -- although I can't agree with those who claim that this year of war is science fiction come true; this is merely 1914-1918 refined and improved, with nothing absolutly new, and most of the things just speeded up or in the case of the airplane in far greater number. About "Samplings": I'd like to deny the charge that I founded the 1-10 system of ratings; S.C. Youd is responsible for that with the FANTAST and I'm definitely not to blame. I was merely the first to take it up on this side of the ocean. *** Keep up the good work on SUN SPOTS. Henry Andrew Ackermann, 5200 Maple Ave, "Pimlico" Baltimore, Maryland. Congratulations are in order, I believe! The Anniversary Issue of SUN SPOTS was tops. I'm really glad to see the emphasis placed on interplanetary stories at last in your magazine. After all, they were the very first type of science fiction story to be written and I never have grown tired of them or never shall. May you print more of them. *** The first pate of "Weapon Needed" was nice. It reminds me of the old days --- you know, "The Stone From the Moon-Universe Wreckers" - era. *** One comment re the science quizz. Have it next issue. *** Best story in the issue was Johnson and Davis's "Weapon Needed". Worst was "The Greatest Adventure". De la Ree did not surprise me one bit by his fine short-short "The Irony of It All". I knew he had it in him. (Don't forget Plotkin helped write it too, Eds)) After all, anyone who can edit such a fine magazine as SUN SPOTS must have the makings of a writer in him somewhere. Some again, Gerry! "History of a Foolish Age" was unusually interesting for an amateur. And "Our Martian Obsercer Says" was worth reading. Its idea of incorporating most of the famous charactors of science fiction and the pseudo-scientific comic stories was excellent. Am eagerly awaiting the next episode of this "commentator." *** A "Bewildered Fan in Philly" was the best article in the number, close followed by "The Way I See It," an "Interview With Manly Wade Wellman". The latter held special interest as Mr. Wellman has been one of my favorites since way back in the Quarterly Days. "Why Make An Issue of It?" rates next as it gives in-side imformation about our editors and staff. "Art or Poster?" was good, too. And last, but not least was "The Trash Basket" by N.E.Body. George Wetzel's "Way Back When" was old stuff and has been used much to often. But he does speak the truth and I side with him... The rest of the issue was so-so. The first issue of WAVELENGTH and THE SCIENCE FICTION CONSCIENCE, it is my pleasure to announce, will appear about the tenth of February. Earl Singleton, MIT Grad House Cambridge, Mass. Dear Sun-Spotters:-- Thanks a lot for the Anniversary Issue of SUN SPOTS -- and thanks for the kind reviews of NEPENTHE and FANFARE. No, I'm not the janitor, and I do go to school; but sometimes I get dark sick of it -- and I'd just about as soon be janitor. So take my advice, and stay away from Tech! On second thought, however, it might be a good idea for one of you fellows to go somewhere and study a couple weeks on just plain good, old fasioned grammer. Though you are doing better than you were at first, some of your mistakes are still pretty bad. I really enjoyed the second half of SSp -- wish you hadn' wasted the first twenty