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Spaceways, v. 4, issue 2, January 1942
Page 18
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18 SPACEWAYS BEACON LIGHT by S F CYNIC So it's war. And the first reaction in the pulp field is a drop-page of sales as ye goode folk rush out for each edition of their favorite paper, instead of buying magazines. But after a while, publishers hope, aforementioned people will get used to the situation and start buying again. Then the sales should rise, and the stfantasy pulps show an increase. However, on the comic book side of the fence, things are not so rosy. The comics have long been under heavy fire from all sides: parent-teacher societies, religious and reform groups, and what not. And they use terrific amounts of paper. It's been reported in the papers that the government will soon crack down upon the comics, make them cut the number of copies printed, and very likely clamp down on any titles which cannot prove that their existence is an asset to civilian morale. For newsdealers, distributors, and many adults the comics have long been a pain. They won't be missed. And their disappearance (if they disappear) will help the general pulps greatly. Julie Unger's Nycon booklet (full title is Fantasy Fiction Field's Illustrated Nycon Review) is almost ready. Stencils are ready; pictures are done, ads are in, and mimeo work is about to get going. The first edition will be limited--we don't know how many copies, but Julie says "limited" in ominous tones--and will sell for 50c; this is almost completely subscribed now. Second edition will be $1. All in all, we're anxiously waiting to see it complete; it's something you will not want to toss aside, but keep among the very special items. Last time we made some comments upon the NFFF. We understand that they got results, that President Chauvenet girded his loins and batted out the third issue of Bonfire in record time. Good sign. Perhaps we should have spoken our lines sooner. At any rate, we aren't apologising, see. We call things as we see them. In some cases we'd be happier to find out that they weren't exactly as they looked, but that doesn't make any difference. And we repeat that the success of the NFFF is very largely dependent upon the regular appearance of its official organ. Otherwise members won't know what's happening and will care little. We are willing to bed that (except in cases where the individuals might have been broke) most members just yawned when they saw the call for taxes. We always suspected that Ross Rocklynne had a sense of humor, but we never suspected him of being a first-class practical joker as well. Referring to his writeup in the October, 1941, Writers Digest, we'd say offhand that it should have been titled: "How Not To Write Science Fiction". And here's what a certain stf editor has to say on the subject: "I'd been thinking now and then of doing an article for the Digest on things in general to avoid when writing for the science-fiction and fantasy market, but I see Rocklynne beat me to the draw. Maybe there's mentioned in his madness, though; if all the newcomers follow his advice, Ross won't have to worry about too much competition, because so far as I can make out, the system he outlines, if carefully followed, should guarantee pretty close to 100% rejection. I can spot a story written along those lines fairly well, and know just what to do when I think I find it." We've made a number of nasty cracks about Amazing in the past, and will probably do so in the future as well, so 'tis only just that we give a bit of credit where same is due. The January issue had three stories in it we enjoyed very much: "The Test Tube Girl", "Mystery of the Blue God", and "Outlaw of Mars". The first mentioned has a number of typical Palmer Amazing corny spots, but it is good nonetheless; the second struck us as being a fine bit of writing throughout, as with all of Bates' tales, and the third we just plain enjoyed. Pragnell always was good, and this Martian series is particularly entertaining. And are we waiting for the return of Hawk Carse with bate(s)d breath?: you bet! The Beacon flicks off as we trot out the old Clayton Astoundings for reminiscences.
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18 SPACEWAYS BEACON LIGHT by S F CYNIC So it's war. And the first reaction in the pulp field is a drop-page of sales as ye goode folk rush out for each edition of their favorite paper, instead of buying magazines. But after a while, publishers hope, aforementioned people will get used to the situation and start buying again. Then the sales should rise, and the stfantasy pulps show an increase. However, on the comic book side of the fence, things are not so rosy. The comics have long been under heavy fire from all sides: parent-teacher societies, religious and reform groups, and what not. And they use terrific amounts of paper. It's been reported in the papers that the government will soon crack down upon the comics, make them cut the number of copies printed, and very likely clamp down on any titles which cannot prove that their existence is an asset to civilian morale. For newsdealers, distributors, and many adults the comics have long been a pain. They won't be missed. And their disappearance (if they disappear) will help the general pulps greatly. Julie Unger's Nycon booklet (full title is Fantasy Fiction Field's Illustrated Nycon Review) is almost ready. Stencils are ready; pictures are done, ads are in, and mimeo work is about to get going. The first edition will be limited--we don't know how many copies, but Julie says "limited" in ominous tones--and will sell for 50c; this is almost completely subscribed now. Second edition will be $1. All in all, we're anxiously waiting to see it complete; it's something you will not want to toss aside, but keep among the very special items. Last time we made some comments upon the NFFF. We understand that they got results, that President Chauvenet girded his loins and batted out the third issue of Bonfire in record time. Good sign. Perhaps we should have spoken our lines sooner. At any rate, we aren't apologising, see. We call things as we see them. In some cases we'd be happier to find out that they weren't exactly as they looked, but that doesn't make any difference. And we repeat that the success of the NFFF is very largely dependent upon the regular appearance of its official organ. Otherwise members won't know what's happening and will care little. We are willing to bed that (except in cases where the individuals might have been broke) most members just yawned when they saw the call for taxes. We always suspected that Ross Rocklynne had a sense of humor, but we never suspected him of being a first-class practical joker as well. Referring to his writeup in the October, 1941, Writers Digest, we'd say offhand that it should have been titled: "How Not To Write Science Fiction". And here's what a certain stf editor has to say on the subject: "I'd been thinking now and then of doing an article for the Digest on things in general to avoid when writing for the science-fiction and fantasy market, but I see Rocklynne beat me to the draw. Maybe there's mentioned in his madness, though; if all the newcomers follow his advice, Ross won't have to worry about too much competition, because so far as I can make out, the system he outlines, if carefully followed, should guarantee pretty close to 100% rejection. I can spot a story written along those lines fairly well, and know just what to do when I think I find it." We've made a number of nasty cracks about Amazing in the past, and will probably do so in the future as well, so 'tis only just that we give a bit of credit where same is due. The January issue had three stories in it we enjoyed very much: "The Test Tube Girl", "Mystery of the Blue God", and "Outlaw of Mars". The first mentioned has a number of typical Palmer Amazing corny spots, but it is good nonetheless; the second struck us as being a fine bit of writing throughout, as with all of Bates' tales, and the third we just plain enjoyed. Pragnell always was good, and this Martian series is particularly entertaining. And are we waiting for the return of Hawk Carse with bate(s)d breath?: you bet! The Beacon flicks off as we trot out the old Clayton Astoundings for reminiscences.
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