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Fantascience Digest, v. 2, issue 1, Novermber-December 1938
Page 9
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FANTASCIENCE DIGEST Page 9 WHO SAYS IT'S NOT WORTHWHILE? by Robert A. Madle Perhaps you have often been told by some person that there is nothing to be gained from science fiction; that it is merely a waste of time, and that you are foolish for devoting the majority of your time to this stupid activity. I know that I have heard such statements, and others similar to them. Although some narrow-minded fans believe this to be true, the majority of the "sages" are mere pedants, knowing nothing whatsoever of what they speak. It is the purpose of this article to dispel such ill-founded beliefs by stating facts that cannot be refuted. Active participation in the science fiction fan field provides one with the opportunity to express oneself. The various and numerous fan periodicals are devoted primarily to just that. By being able to give voice to their contentions and ideas, the s-f fans are encouraged to go on to greater heights. Naturally, if a person sees him material in print in an amateur magazine, he adopts the idea that it is not too improbable that he will someday be receiving checks with some regularity from the professional magazines. Among the many present-day fans and fans of years ago who have received acceptances from professional magazines are Forrest J. Ackerman, Donald A. Wollheim, Frederik Pohl, Chester D. Cuthbert, David A. Kyle, Duane W. Rimel, Henry Hasse, Henry Kuttner, and many others. Probably all of those mentioned will tell you that it was through active reading or fan writing that prompted them to submit material to professional magazines. Two of the aforementioned show promise of becoming two of the greatest writers of modern fantastic literature. I am referring of course to Henry Kuttner and Henry Hasse. Who can deny that their fiction is good? David R. Daniels showed promise of becoming one of the masters of science fiction, but his untimely death shattered all illusions. And Daniels' first story was printed in Fantasy Magazine! Inspired by this, Daniels devoted much of his time to writing with gratifying results. J. Francis Hatch, who also had his first story printed in Fantasy Magazine, has received checks from various magazines. As a writer of fantasy, he is comparable to many of the accepted professionals. Merely read his poem "The Road and the Vampire," or his lovely word picture, "The Final Vision," both of which appeared in recent issues of Amateur Correspondent. No one can honestly deny that he has definite writing ability. A good retaliation to the statement that s-f fans never get anywhere would be to refer the "know-it-all" to the editorial staffs of the various professional s-f publications. Mortimer Weisinger, formerly a fan columnist for the Time Traveler and Science Fiction Digest, now acts in the capacity of editor of Thrilling Wonder Stories. Of course, Leo Margulise is supposed to be editor, but he probably has so many other magazines to attend to that he permits Weisinger to have practically all of the say as to TWS. Charles D. Hornig, previous Managing Editor of Wonder Stories, was also an active fan. Unfortunately, he permitted himself to be pulled into quibblings with the ISA fellows, and in this way lost his popularity. When Wonder was sold, he lost his position. Raymond A. Palmer, new editor of Amazing Stories, has been a fan for years. Although he did have one story published before en-
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FANTASCIENCE DIGEST Page 9 WHO SAYS IT'S NOT WORTHWHILE? by Robert A. Madle Perhaps you have often been told by some person that there is nothing to be gained from science fiction; that it is merely a waste of time, and that you are foolish for devoting the majority of your time to this stupid activity. I know that I have heard such statements, and others similar to them. Although some narrow-minded fans believe this to be true, the majority of the "sages" are mere pedants, knowing nothing whatsoever of what they speak. It is the purpose of this article to dispel such ill-founded beliefs by stating facts that cannot be refuted. Active participation in the science fiction fan field provides one with the opportunity to express oneself. The various and numerous fan periodicals are devoted primarily to just that. By being able to give voice to their contentions and ideas, the s-f fans are encouraged to go on to greater heights. Naturally, if a person sees him material in print in an amateur magazine, he adopts the idea that it is not too improbable that he will someday be receiving checks with some regularity from the professional magazines. Among the many present-day fans and fans of years ago who have received acceptances from professional magazines are Forrest J. Ackerman, Donald A. Wollheim, Frederik Pohl, Chester D. Cuthbert, David A. Kyle, Duane W. Rimel, Henry Hasse, Henry Kuttner, and many others. Probably all of those mentioned will tell you that it was through active reading or fan writing that prompted them to submit material to professional magazines. Two of the aforementioned show promise of becoming two of the greatest writers of modern fantastic literature. I am referring of course to Henry Kuttner and Henry Hasse. Who can deny that their fiction is good? David R. Daniels showed promise of becoming one of the masters of science fiction, but his untimely death shattered all illusions. And Daniels' first story was printed in Fantasy Magazine! Inspired by this, Daniels devoted much of his time to writing with gratifying results. J. Francis Hatch, who also had his first story printed in Fantasy Magazine, has received checks from various magazines. As a writer of fantasy, he is comparable to many of the accepted professionals. Merely read his poem "The Road and the Vampire," or his lovely word picture, "The Final Vision," both of which appeared in recent issues of Amateur Correspondent. No one can honestly deny that he has definite writing ability. A good retaliation to the statement that s-f fans never get anywhere would be to refer the "know-it-all" to the editorial staffs of the various professional s-f publications. Mortimer Weisinger, formerly a fan columnist for the Time Traveler and Science Fiction Digest, now acts in the capacity of editor of Thrilling Wonder Stories. Of course, Leo Margulise is supposed to be editor, but he probably has so many other magazines to attend to that he permits Weisinger to have practically all of the say as to TWS. Charles D. Hornig, previous Managing Editor of Wonder Stories, was also an active fan. Unfortunately, he permitted himself to be pulled into quibblings with the ISA fellows, and in this way lost his popularity. When Wonder was sold, he lost his position. Raymond A. Palmer, new editor of Amazing Stories, has been a fan for years. Although he did have one story published before en-
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