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Shangri-La, July 1941
Page 18
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- PAGE 18 SHANGRI-LA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STARCHART by TED CARNELL Quite by accident I recently learned that fan Don Brazier was endeavoring to whip up a private poll on the best and worst yarn in ASTOUNDING during 1939. I also gathered that he was experiencing the usual difficulties --, the lack of enthusiasm on the part of his brother fan to spend a little energy, and a couple of cents. Having been sadly disillusioned on this score myself, I still endeavour to help a colleague, be he three, or three thousand miles away from my seat of operations. In any case, anything appertaining to the Street and Smith twins is usually meat, drink and soul massage to myself, so a few moments checking wouldn't exactly cost me much sleep. Did I say a moment or so? My mistake -- I couldn't foresee just where my thoughts would lead me to, although I always endeavour to keep them clean. After a half hour's cursory deduction, with the emphasis very much on the curse, I had to admit that I'd picked a particularly tough proposition. Not because there were so many good or outstanding stories to compare, but because the top (and bottom) yarns as shown by my Star Chart all had a level rating. I had better explain this Chart before proceeding further. Like most members of the peculiar people, I index all the stories and authors, add peculiar markings to sweeten, stir well and boil for five hours. After which, I compare with the Analytical Laboratory, call Editor--Campbell a so-and-so, and start again. I think that I have developed the star system to perfection in rating the yarns -- some people prefer plums, or bouquets, bananas, brickbats, even bombs -- but for Science Fiction, stars are astronomically correct. Correct? Therefore, with the star buildup I have made since 1930, I can quite adequately draw up a comprehensive Star Chart at a given moment either for an author, issue or year. So can you. -- Or can you? A 5-star (*****) label indicates a "classic" yarn, and is only bestowed upon all-round perfection; ideas, plot, literary standard and general handling. Proof of just how hard it is for an author to be credited with a five star story can be seen immediately when I state that out of 463 complete stories in Street and Smith ASTOUNDING, there have only been fourteen such recordings on my chart -- and that is
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- PAGE 18 SHANGRI-LA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STARCHART by TED CARNELL Quite by accident I recently learned that fan Don Brazier was endeavoring to whip up a private poll on the best and worst yarn in ASTOUNDING during 1939. I also gathered that he was experiencing the usual difficulties --, the lack of enthusiasm on the part of his brother fan to spend a little energy, and a couple of cents. Having been sadly disillusioned on this score myself, I still endeavour to help a colleague, be he three, or three thousand miles away from my seat of operations. In any case, anything appertaining to the Street and Smith twins is usually meat, drink and soul massage to myself, so a few moments checking wouldn't exactly cost me much sleep. Did I say a moment or so? My mistake -- I couldn't foresee just where my thoughts would lead me to, although I always endeavour to keep them clean. After a half hour's cursory deduction, with the emphasis very much on the curse, I had to admit that I'd picked a particularly tough proposition. Not because there were so many good or outstanding stories to compare, but because the top (and bottom) yarns as shown by my Star Chart all had a level rating. I had better explain this Chart before proceeding further. Like most members of the peculiar people, I index all the stories and authors, add peculiar markings to sweeten, stir well and boil for five hours. After which, I compare with the Analytical Laboratory, call Editor--Campbell a so-and-so, and start again. I think that I have developed the star system to perfection in rating the yarns -- some people prefer plums, or bouquets, bananas, brickbats, even bombs -- but for Science Fiction, stars are astronomically correct. Correct? Therefore, with the star buildup I have made since 1930, I can quite adequately draw up a comprehensive Star Chart at a given moment either for an author, issue or year. So can you. -- Or can you? A 5-star (*****) label indicates a "classic" yarn, and is only bestowed upon all-round perfection; ideas, plot, literary standard and general handling. Proof of just how hard it is for an author to be credited with a five star story can be seen immediately when I state that out of 463 complete stories in Street and Smith ASTOUNDING, there have only been fourteen such recordings on my chart -- and that is
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