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FMS Digest, v. 1, issues 1-5, February - July 1941

v.1:no.3: Page 4

Page 4     F M Z DIGEST

MUSINGS ON THE PROS

By Donn Burton

Condensed from ECLIPSE
Volume I, Number 2

Pseudonyms are rather fascinating to consider. Some of them are well known, of course. Only one story has appeared bearing the signature of Anson MacDonald, but it is common knowledge that MacDonald is really Heinlein. That Lavond and Morley are both Pohl, and that Gordon is Wollheim, most fans are convinced.
What about Monroe, John E.  Harry, Sturgeon, von Rachen, and Maurice Hugi? Rumors have it that van Rachen is Hubbard. Hugi is a mystery. But we have concluded that Monroe is another name for Heinlein.
As for John E. Harry--well, if he isn't de Camp, somebody is the best imitator in the world.
Sturgeon is a mystery, too; but we think he previously used Stuart for a pseudonym. The stories by Sturgeon are all good, they all conform to the policy announced by Campbell. The variations in subject matter and style indicate that they are in the nature of trial balloons; and Campbell has been known to write trial stories before.

WE SALUTE YOU, MIKE

From FANTASY FICTION FIELD
April 19, 1941

We pause to salute a fellow fan who is being attacked by certain elements int he American fan field. The fan is the Britisher, J. Michel Rosenblum.
This is neither the time nor place to discuss the question of whether Mike's stand is right or wrong. It is not our place to enter such a discussion. We salute you, Mike, for your courage and indomitable will, for your character which has made you stand unyielding in the face of ever-increasing opposition.
It is an easy thing to be an idealist to the nth degree when everyone agrees with you. It is another thing to remain unshaken when everyone else is going in the opposite direction, and attacking you as a coward, traitor, foreign agent, attacking your race, your culture, and generally behaving like that against which they claim to be fighting.
American fandom is proud of you, Mike Rosenblum, regardless of what a few of the jingoists may say. We hope that, in our hour of trial, we may stand as firm in our convictions as you have in yours.

FORMULA FOR GENIUS

By Walter Earl Marconette
Condensed from VoM, April, 1941

The average fan is so intelligent there's no reason he shouldn't be a genius. In case you're interested in the formula, here it is: "First you find a dictionary, preferably a large one. This will enable you to use larger words than you are wont to do, and will make you sound more impressive. Now you sit down and compose a fan article. Somewhere in its lines you must let the prospective reader know that you're a genius. "Here you have a choice of methods: insert your self praise in a subtle manner or come right out and shout 'I'm a genius!' "Obviously, the next step is to get the article printed. If you publish a fan magazine your problem is solved, and if you don't (there must be at least one fan who doesn't edit a fan publication) you can always bribe some unsuspecting editor to take it. "Now sit down and write six or seven more articles -- each of these to be a rehash of the first. Make that phrase, 'I'm a genius!', ring in your reader's ears; don't let him lose sight of it for even one moment. "At long last your task is finished. And does fandom now accept you aty our word--does it truly believe that you are a genius? Of course not! But you do. And since you're a genius and are naturally the most brilliant person you know, your opinion is indisputable.

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Page 4 F M Z DIGEST MUSINGS ON THE PROS By Donn Burton Condensed from ECLIPSE Volume I, Number 2 Pseudonyms are rather fascinating to consider. Some of them are well known, of course. Only one story has appeared bearing the signature of Anson MacDonald, but it is common knowledge that MacDonald is really Heinlein. That Lavond and Morley are both Pohl, and that Gordon is Wollheim, most fans are convinced. What about Monroe, John E. Harry, Sturgeon, von Rachen, and Maurice Hugi? Rumors have it that van Rachen is Hubbard. Hugi is a mystery. But we have concluded that Monroe is another name for Heinlein. As for John E. Harry--well, if he isn't de Camp, somebody is the best imitator in the world. Sturgeon is a mystery, too; but we think he previously used Stuart for a pseudonym. The stories by Sturgeon are all good, they all conform to the policy announced by Campbell. The variations in subject matter and style indicate that they are in the nature of trial balloons; and Campbell has been known to write trial stories before. WE SALUTE YOU, MIKE From FANTASY FICTION FIELD April 19, 1941 We pause to salute a fellow fan who is being attacked by certain elements int he American fan field. The fan is the Britisher, J. Michel Rosenblum. This is neither the time nor place to discuss the question of whether Mike's stand is right or wrong. It is not our place to enter such a discussion. We salute you, Mike, for your courage and indomitable will, for your character which has made you stand unyielding in the face of ever-increasing opposition. It is an easy thing to be an idealist to the nth degree when everyone agrees with you. It is another thing to remain unshaken when everyone else is going in the opposite direction, and attacking you as a coward, traitor, foreign agent, attacking your race, your culture, and generally behaving like that against which they claim to be fighting. American fandom is proud of you, Mike Rosenblum, regardless of what a few of the jingoists may say. We hope that, in our hour of trial, we may stand as firm in our convictions as you have in yours. FORMULA FOR GENIUS By Walter Earl Marconette Condensed from VoM, April, 1941 The average fan is so intelligent there's no reason he shouldn't be a genius. In case you're interested in the formula, here it is: "First you find a dictionary, preferably a large one. This will enable you to use larger words than you are wont to do, and will make you sound more impressive. Now you sit down and compose a fan article. Somewhere in its lines you must let the prospective reader know that you're a genius. "Here you have a choice of methods: insert your self praise in a subtle manner or come right out and shout 'I'm a genius!' "Obviously, the next step is to get the article printed. If you publish a fan magazine your problem is solved, and if you don't (there must be at least one fan who doesn't edit a fan publication) you can always bribe some unsuspecting editor to take it. "Now sit down and write six or seven more articles -- each of these to be a rehash of the first. Make that phrase, 'I'm a genius!', ring in your reader's ears; don't let him lose sight of it for even one moment. "At long last your task is finished. And does fandom now accept you aty our word--does it truly believe that you are a genius? Of course not! But you do. And since you're a genius and are naturally the most brilliant person you know, your opinion is indisputable.