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Science Fiction Echo, issue 1, June 1942

Page 2

2 - The STF ECHO

The proposed "History of Science Fiction Fandom" may have a predecessor in the "Introductory History of S-F Fandom", which Charles Tanner and Dale Tarr are prepared to produce. As reported by Joe Fortier in the May issue of Calif. Mercury: "This is a stop-gap measure pending inter preparation of the full history, a project shelved pending outcome of the Yearbook project undertaken by Columbia Camp." It would be published as a "highlight" pamphlet primarily for new fans. We hope this is a reliable report.

In the same number of CM is a report that Speer has submitted to the NFFF a formula for an "Encyclopedic Dictionary of Fandom."

You can see that the NFFF is accomplishing something. It is bringing about unity of a type that has rarely been seen before in Fandom. Fans can now plan for an entire organization-- instead of for themselves or their small group. It is now evident that the NFFF is worthwhile, and it has gained that classification by the efforts of the officers., The Planning Committee, etc.

So-- despite the War, STF Fandom seems to be doing quite all right. It is accomplishing as much or more than it ever has. We hope that all of the above mentioned projects are carried through to their successful conclusions. 

The "March of Ideas" was started by Bob Tucker with his YEAR BOOK, but it is only now, 1942, that everyone seems to be awakening to the possibilities of stf fan publishing. We notice in the first anniversary issue of the Fantasite that Carl Jacobi proposes another item of this type. The gist of it is this, if you are not already aware of it: Compile a HANDBOOK OF SCIENCE FICTION, containing "an accepted order of terminology and geography which in the future would govern all science-fiction. That is describe and list the number of imaginative cities on the various planets and to each an accepted name." It would give a general list of life on those planets, and number the various governmental positions, etc, found on the solar system.

When the publication is entirely completed and accepted by fandom, it would then be sent to the editors of all Promags and their writers with the underhanded warning that any publication which failed to accept it would be BOYCOTTED. Jacobi further states that he thinks such a book would be welcomed by all sane editors with open arms.

We have thought this over carefully, and have concluded that the proposal is silly in more than one. In the first place, the idea of a boycott by fandom would have not the slightest affect on an editor; he does not look for circulation. Then I think that after a while the same background would become utterly boring. Sort of like the way a lot of fans (myself NOT included) are getting to feel about ASTOUNDING. And we wonder what Palmer would say if someone shoved the book under his nose with the threat: "-- or else!" We think, friends, that a lot of people would tell a lot of other people to go straight to hell.

In conclusion, we might say that this Handbook would, in our opinion, serve a useful purpose if it would list the information outlined by Jacobi for the benefit of writers who wished to steer clear of material and ideas that had been used previously. That would just be the opposite of what CJ proposed, wouldn't it? Oh, well... (END)

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2 - The STF ECHO The proposed "History of Science Fiction Fandom" may have a predecessor in the "Introductory History of S-F Fandom", which Charles Tanner and Dale Tarr are prepared to produce. As reported by Joe Fortier in the May issue of Calif. Mercury: "This is a stop-gap measure pending inter preparation of the full history, a project shelved pending outcome of the Yearbook project undertaken by Columbia Camp." It would be published as a "highlight" pamphlet primarily for new fans. We hope this is a reliable report. In the same number of CM is a report that Speer has submitted to the NFFF a formula for an "Encyclopedic Dictionary of Fandom." You can see that the NFFF is accomplishing something. It is bringing about unity of a type that has rarely been seen before in Fandom. Fans can now plan for an entire organization-- instead of for themselves or their small group. It is now evident that the NFFF is worthwhile, and it has gained that classification by the efforts of the officers., The Planning Committee, etc. So-- despite the War, STF Fandom seems to be doing quite all right. It is accomplishing as much or more than it ever has. We hope that all of the above mentioned projects are carried through to their successful conclusions. The "March of Ideas" was started by Bob Tucker with his YEAR BOOK, but it is only now, 1942, that everyone seems to be awakening to the possibilities of stf fan publishing. We notice in the first anniversary issue of the Fantasite that Carl Jacobi proposes another item of this type. The gist of it is this, if you are not already aware of it: Compile a HANDBOOK OF SCIENCE FICTION, containing "an accepted order of terminology and geography which in the future would govern all science-fiction. That is describe and list the number of imaginative cities on the various planets and to each an accepted name." It would give a general list of life on those planets, and number the various governmental positions, etc, found on the solar system. When the publication is entirely completed and accepted by fandom, it would then be sent to the editors of all Promags and their writers with the underhanded warning that any publication which failed to accept it would be BOYCOTTED. Jacobi further states that he thinks such a book would be welcomed by all sane editors with open arms. We have thought this over carefully, and have concluded that the proposal is silly in more than one. In the first place, the idea of a boycott by fandom would have not the slightest affect on an editor; he does not look for circulation. Then I think that after a while the same background would become utterly boring. Sort of like the way a lot of fans (myself NOT included) are getting to feel about ASTOUNDING. And we wonder what Palmer would say if someone shoved the book under his nose with the threat: "-- or else!" We think, friends, that a lot of people would tell a lot of other people to go straight to hell. In conclusion, we might say that this Handbook would, in our opinion, serve a useful purpose if it would list the information outlined by Jacobi for the benefit of writers who wished to steer clear of material and ideas that had been used previously. That would just be the opposite of what CJ proposed, wouldn't it? Oh, well... (END)