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Satellite, v. 1, issue 1, October 1938
Page 23
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23 that science fiction is suffering with a surfeit of authors who don't exist. Have vou in your possession an issue of "Astounding" with three atosires stories by John Russell Fearn? Don't you realize that every day you are probably landing yourself in an awkward situation? I got in one the other day by praising Schachner, and tossing off a few dirty cracks about Chan Corbett in the same breath. And, of course... Then, it has always worried me, trying to figure out how John W. Campbell could be so hectic (l always have to read the Fenton and Blake yarns twice to see what's going on, and who's saying what), while Don A. Stuart is such a logical, accomplished writer. There may be a certain amount of amusement to be obtained from trying to guess; who's who--but what if you are passing over several apparently innocent names that are really pseudonyms? John Taine was, of course, a pseudonym, but it was always used, and hid the identity of a well-known American professor of mathematics. His real name would probably not mean a thing to fantasy fans. Then again, what about Henry Kuttner in "Marvel Science Stories"? Three yarns, and all of them... you know what. Since no trouble seems to have been taken to hush the fact up, why have it at all unless the editor was ashamed to admit openly that he had to rely on a hack author to supply muck for the millions. Please, let's have a bit less. When you read a story by Dow Elstar, do you know who's story it really is? Or Polten Cross...or Robert Willey? What is the connection (if any) between Carl Jacobi and Arthur J. Burks. Before l close...who on earth was Epaminondas T. Snooks, D.T.G.?
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23 that science fiction is suffering with a surfeit of authors who don't exist. Have vou in your possession an issue of "Astounding" with three atosires stories by John Russell Fearn? Don't you realize that every day you are probably landing yourself in an awkward situation? I got in one the other day by praising Schachner, and tossing off a few dirty cracks about Chan Corbett in the same breath. And, of course... Then, it has always worried me, trying to figure out how John W. Campbell could be so hectic (l always have to read the Fenton and Blake yarns twice to see what's going on, and who's saying what), while Don A. Stuart is such a logical, accomplished writer. There may be a certain amount of amusement to be obtained from trying to guess; who's who--but what if you are passing over several apparently innocent names that are really pseudonyms? John Taine was, of course, a pseudonym, but it was always used, and hid the identity of a well-known American professor of mathematics. His real name would probably not mean a thing to fantasy fans. Then again, what about Henry Kuttner in "Marvel Science Stories"? Three yarns, and all of them... you know what. Since no trouble seems to have been taken to hush the fact up, why have it at all unless the editor was ashamed to admit openly that he had to rely on a hack author to supply muck for the millions. Please, let's have a bit less. When you read a story by Dow Elstar, do you know who's story it really is? Or Polten Cross...or Robert Willey? What is the connection (if any) between Carl Jacobi and Arthur J. Burks. Before l close...who on earth was Epaminondas T. Snooks, D.T.G.?
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