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New Fandom, v. 2, issue 1, April 1940
Page 9
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NEW FANDOM Page Nine READERS VS FANS by Charles D. Hornig (From the editor of "Science Fiction" comes an intriguing reply to Harry Warner's "Whither Goest Thou?" All the more so because the author is not only an editor, but an active fan as well!) Sam asked me to write something in answer to Harry Warner's interesting article in the January, 1939 New Fandom. I-hope, in these few paragraphs, to set Harry straight on a couple of points. Now first I want to say that Harry and I are good friends, -although we have never met. We call each other "Harry" and "Charlie" in our correspondence, and I really consider Harry to be amongst the ten top tans in the world at the present time, His article proves that he has a deep concern for science fiction and its future. He writes in the greatest sincerity, and I respect his opinions and suggestions to the highest extent. Were I in Harry's place, I would certainly be proud of that article. It is so analytic, and logical, and convincing. As a matter of fact, it is so convincing that it almost convinced me of some things that I know to be otherwise. The errors that Harry makes in "Whither Goest Thou?" are due solely to lack of experience in the professional field. From the fan angle, ho is entirely correct one hundred percent. I know that Harry is one of the leading scientifictionists, is very broad~minded and tolerant, and will therefore not take offense at my disagreeing with him on a few matters. In tho opening of his article, Harry speaks of Koenig's disgust with the fan mags. Koenig is an intelligent, mature individual greatly to be respected, but I am afraid he doesn't understand the fan mag situation. It is true that many efforts are pitiable, worthless publications—but he should remember that the fans are ambitious and courageous enough to try to issue fan mags, even when their facilities almost forbid successful jobs. I do not scorn those failures, because I am glad that those would-be fan publishers have had enough interest in science fiction and enough ambition to make the attempt at all. Now to tear a couple of Harry's arguments to shredsi I had to cringe a little under his accusations, because I am one of the professional editors—and he seems to have it in for all of us! Harry doesn't seem to realise that, while the editor is a very important part of any magazine, there are other factions just as important~-to name two: publishing and writing—mostly writing. An editor can write hundreds of letters to the best authors asking for material. He will usually got it in droves. Much of it will be old stuff that the authors have been trying to sell for years. If the editor commissions the writer to compose a story especially for him, the author will be glad to do it. If he is a good author, he will invariably do a good job—especially if the price is right. But JOIN NEW FANDOM NOW!!! AND HELP PUT OVER THE CHICAGO STF CONVENTION!!
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NEW FANDOM Page Nine READERS VS FANS by Charles D. Hornig (From the editor of "Science Fiction" comes an intriguing reply to Harry Warner's "Whither Goest Thou?" All the more so because the author is not only an editor, but an active fan as well!) Sam asked me to write something in answer to Harry Warner's interesting article in the January, 1939 New Fandom. I-hope, in these few paragraphs, to set Harry straight on a couple of points. Now first I want to say that Harry and I are good friends, -although we have never met. We call each other "Harry" and "Charlie" in our correspondence, and I really consider Harry to be amongst the ten top tans in the world at the present time, His article proves that he has a deep concern for science fiction and its future. He writes in the greatest sincerity, and I respect his opinions and suggestions to the highest extent. Were I in Harry's place, I would certainly be proud of that article. It is so analytic, and logical, and convincing. As a matter of fact, it is so convincing that it almost convinced me of some things that I know to be otherwise. The errors that Harry makes in "Whither Goest Thou?" are due solely to lack of experience in the professional field. From the fan angle, ho is entirely correct one hundred percent. I know that Harry is one of the leading scientifictionists, is very broad~minded and tolerant, and will therefore not take offense at my disagreeing with him on a few matters. In tho opening of his article, Harry speaks of Koenig's disgust with the fan mags. Koenig is an intelligent, mature individual greatly to be respected, but I am afraid he doesn't understand the fan mag situation. It is true that many efforts are pitiable, worthless publications—but he should remember that the fans are ambitious and courageous enough to try to issue fan mags, even when their facilities almost forbid successful jobs. I do not scorn those failures, because I am glad that those would-be fan publishers have had enough interest in science fiction and enough ambition to make the attempt at all. Now to tear a couple of Harry's arguments to shredsi I had to cringe a little under his accusations, because I am one of the professional editors—and he seems to have it in for all of us! Harry doesn't seem to realise that, while the editor is a very important part of any magazine, there are other factions just as important~-to name two: publishing and writing—mostly writing. An editor can write hundreds of letters to the best authors asking for material. He will usually got it in droves. Much of it will be old stuff that the authors have been trying to sell for years. If the editor commissions the writer to compose a story especially for him, the author will be glad to do it. If he is a good author, he will invariably do a good job—especially if the price is right. But JOIN NEW FANDOM NOW!!! AND HELP PUT OVER THE CHICAGO STF CONVENTION!!
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