DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Fan-Atic, v. 2, issue 2, whole no. 5, September 1941

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Fan-Atic, v. 2, issue 2, whole no. 5, September 1941

Page 5

THE LIFE OF A SUN SFOT
by Roderick Gaetz.

Chapter 1. The Beginning and early Childhood of SUN SPOTS.

Way, way back in the dim past when I didn't even know what a fan was, much less a fanzine, (as a matter of fact, I was a little dubious about the true meaning of stf) I was inducted into the Solaroids. Things were happening at a merry rate. Dues, fines, taxes, but of course very little stf.

About that time, de la Ree must have gotten hold of a fanzine 'cause he suggested that we print a monthly paper of club news. I think I was to be editor and Plotkin and de la Ree co-editors. But for some strange reason the minutes of that meeting are missing, and with the next issue of the paper it was de la Ree editor, and Plotkin and Gaetz co-editors (de la Ree was Sec'y then). Of course, the paper didn't say just who the subordinates are, but you can bet your bottom dollar that no matter where de la Ree is, unless there is an awfully smart or tough person around, de la Ree will be on top.
Anyway, to get on with the story; the first two issues were rather crude affairs and we had absolutely no idea of sendind them out to other people, so a very limited amount were typed. Yes, I said 'typed'. The first two were typed three at a time with the aid of carbon paper by the three editors. Anyone wanting one of these valuable antiques, just send a dollar to either de la Ree or myself.
By the third issue, SUN SPOTS was toddling out of its infancy. We had persuaded the Principal of a local school to do the job for us on their hekto machine. It was after this issue came out that we got out first idea of what being a fanzine editor was like. We received our first trade, and that was with the PSFS NEWS which was run by John V. Baltadonis. 
For the next three issues business steadily increased. Mr. Smith (the Principal) was busy turning out SUN SPOTS, and our circulation had reached the enormous amount of 20. Then came the summer. No school. What to do? The first suggestion came from the great de la Ree. His idea was to have it printed. Plotkin thought that was swell. But, being a Scotchman, and thinking of the cost, I didn't like the idea very much. As a matter of fact, after the printing cost of a four page pamphlet, & mailing costs and so on were addep up, the cost was around $12.00.

Chapter 2. The Adolescence of SUN SPOTS.

We sent out a lot of post-cards and letters telling people that we were going to have a printed mag, and asking if they would subscribe; editors of other fanzines were asked to take ads. In answer to out plea, we received two ads and a coupla 'maybes'. And, after prevailing upon my kid sister for some dough (she always has money), it all added up to $2.00. Whereupon, we dove into the nearest Sears, Roebuck catalogue, to find that the down payment on the cheapest mimeo was $2.00. My, my, sucha coincidance.
Then followed the natural sequence of events. Trips to Sears, getting co-signers, the down payment, and then the hallowed day. Our mimeograph arrived (plus carrying charges). We hastily put the parts together, and in a short time the first mimeoed issue was under construction. It came out with a super cover by de la Ree (which, in my opinion, is as good as anything he has drawn since, mainly because it has no people in it) and other stuff, including an editorial by d1R.
SUN SPOTS toddled on for quite a while with de la Ree's work, until finally I drew an "Uncle John" on another planet ((Part of the 'Death on Other Planets" series, which ran for quite a while on SSp))) and insisted that it be put in. I admit that it wasn't as good as de la Ree's work, but then I had school work to do and couldn't spend my time practicing art. Anyway, I stencilled it much too lightly.
        ((((Continued on next page.))))

Saving...

THE LIFE OF A SUN SFOT by Roderick Gaetz. Chapter 1. The Beginning and early Childhood of SUN SPOTS. Way, way back in the dim past when I didn't even know what a fan was, much less a fanzine, (as a matter of fact, I was a little dubious about the true meaning of stf) I was inducted into the Solaroids. Things were happening at a merry rate. Dues, fines, taxes, but of course very little stf. About that time, de la Ree must have gotten hold of a fanzine 'cause he suggested that we print a monthly paper of club news. I think I was to be editor and Plotkin and de la Ree co-editors. But for some strange reason the minutes of that meeting are missing, and with the next issue of the paper it was de la Ree editor, and Plotkin and Gaetz co-editors (de la Ree was Sec'y then). Of course, the paper didn't say just who the subordinates are, but you can bet your bottom dollar that no matter where de la Ree is, unless there is an awfully smart or tough person around, de la Ree will be on top. Anyway, to get on with the story; the first two issues were rather crude affairs and we had absolutely no idea of sendind them out to other people, so a very limited amount were typed. Yes, I said 'typed'. The first two were typed three at a time with the aid of carbon paper by the three editors. Anyone wanting one of these valuable antiques, just send a dollar to either de la Ree or myself. By the third issue, SUN SPOTS was toddling out of its infancy. We had persuaded the Principal of a local school to do the job for us on their hekto machine. It was after this issue came out that we got out first idea of what being a fanzine editor was like. We received our first trade, and that was with the PSFS NEWS which was run by John V. Baltadonis. For the next three issues business steadily increased. Mr. Smith (the Principal) was busy turning out SUN SPOTS, and our circulation had reached the enormous amount of 20. Then came the summer. No school. What to do? The first suggestion came from the great de la Ree. His idea was to have it printed. Plotkin thought that was swell. But, being a Scotchman, and thinking of the cost, I didn't like the idea very much. As a matter of fact, after the printing cost of a four page pamphlet, & mailing costs and so on were addep up, the cost was around $12.00. Chapter 2. The Adolescence of SUN SPOTS. We sent out a lot of post-cards and letters telling people that we were going to have a printed mag, and asking if they would subscribe; editors of other fanzines were asked to take ads. In answer to out plea, we received two ads and a coupla 'maybes'. And, after prevailing upon my kid sister for some dough (she always has money), it all added up to $2.00. Whereupon, we dove into the nearest Sears, Roebuck catalogue, to find that the down payment on the cheapest mimeo was $2.00. My, my, sucha coincidance. Then followed the natural sequence of events. Trips to Sears, getting co-signers, the down payment, and then the hallowed day. Our mimeograph arrived (plus carrying charges). We hastily put the parts together, and in a short time the first mimeoed issue was under construction. It came out with a super cover by de la Ree (which, in my opinion, is as good as anything he has drawn since, mainly because it has no people in it) and other stuff, including an editorial by d1R. SUN SPOTS toddled on for quite a while with de la Ree's work, until finally I drew an "Uncle John" on another planet ((Part of the 'Death on Other Planets" series, which ran for quite a while on SSp))) and insisted that it be put in. I admit that it wasn't as good as de la Ree's work, but then I had school work to do and couldn't spend my time practicing art. Anyway, I stencilled it much too lightly. ((((Continued on next page.))))