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Sun Spots, v. 3, issue 3, whole no. 11, October 5, 1940

Page 13

Oct. 5, 1940     SUN SPOTS  Page 13

F̲A̲N̲T̲A̲S̲Y̲ ̲M̲A̲Y̲ ̲C̲O̲M̲E̲ ̲A̲N̲D̲ ̲F̲A̲N̲T̲A̲S̲Y̲ ̲M̲A̲Y̲ ̲G̲O̲ (Concluded)

"Super Science Stories" and "Astonishing Stories", would be one of the frist two swept away in the event of a science-fiction lull. That is, eliminating the possibility that they build up a group of readers of their own, which is possible but not any too probable. Both of these fellows impress me as being Popular's attempt to make a few dollars out of the fantasy field while there are a few dollars to be made. Of the two, "Super Science Stories" and "Astonishing Stories", I would give the latter preference in the fight for survival.
     "Planet Stories" is supposed to be operating on a slender margin of
profit, but Fiction House has a reputation for holding on to their magazines. Common sense tells you that a lull would be disastrous for P.S. but Fiction House policies give it a fair chance for survival.
     "Fantastic Adventures" providing the science-fantasy field did not
enjoy a sudden splurge of popularity, would go fast.
     If "Unknown" has been able to build up the clientele she has been aiming for, she would last. If her audience is of the fair weather nature, however, the hatchet would descend drastically here.
     Weird Tales" has been around through quite a few depressions. The worst that could happen here would be to sail to a new publisher—any publisher would keep her coming through—at least on a bi-monthly basis.
     "Marvel Tales" wouldn't stick at all. Here, Lackadaisical editorial
policies would condemn it from the start.
     Also in the event that stf. should become unpopular again, you would find Argosy deserting her traditional fantasy policy, and Famous Fantastic Mysteries and Fantastic Novels, if they aren't doing exceptionally well now, could hardly be expected to do any better during a lull in fantasy.
     A dearth of science-fiction would be a boon to collectors, who know
assured that the two or three yeared popularity of science-fiction was
not permanent, would quickly go to work to fill all the gaps in their collections with the knowledge that their resources would not be stretched so badly during the next ten years as they had been from late 1936 until ????
     A̲D̲D̲E̲N̲D̲A̲. Since this article was written, the revived Marvel Stories
has appeared and the Amazing Stories Quarterly has come to light. The
less said about the latter the better. A review of mine scheduled for Fantasy News should adequately express my opinions on that score.
     Also Orlin Tremaine's now an editor of a science-fiction magazine, whose name I know but am saving for a scoop in Fantasy News.This is one more indication that at least the science-fiction field is nowheres near collapse, yet! Fantastic Adventures (which is rumored to have one more issue to go) (See page 16.Ed), Unknown, Strange Stories, Weird Tales must be classed in the fantasy field—not the s̲c̲i̲e̲n̲c̲e̲-̲̲f̲i̲c̲t̲i̲o̲n̲ field--and there is not the slightest indication that the fantasy field is doing much better than battling for a living.

THE END.

SAY. Did you see the lovely picture of Old Black Joe, alias Sam Moskowitz, in the latest (November) issue of STARTLING STORIES?

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Oct. 5, 1940 SUN SPOTS Page 13 F̲A̲N̲T̲A̲S̲Y̲ ̲M̲A̲Y̲ ̲C̲O̲M̲E̲ ̲A̲N̲D̲ ̲F̲A̲N̲T̲A̲S̲Y̲ ̲M̲A̲Y̲ ̲G̲O̲ (Concluded) "Super Science Stories" and "Astonishing Stories", would be one of the frist two swept away in the event of a science-fiction lull. That is, eliminating the possibility that they build up a group of readers of their own, which is possible but not any too probable. Both of these fellows impress me as being Popular's attempt to make a few dollars out of the fantasy field while there are a few dollars to be made. Of the two, "Super Science Stories" and "Astonishing Stories", I would give the latter preference in the fight for survival. "Planet Stories" is supposed to be operating on a slender margin of profit, but Fiction House has a reputation for holding on to their magazines. Common sense tells you that a lull would be disastrous for P.S. but Fiction House policies give it a fair chance for survival. "Fantastic Adventures" providing the science-fantasy field did not enjoy a sudden splurge of popularity, would go fast. If "Unknown" has been able to build up the clientele she has been aiming for, she would last. If her audience is of the fair weather nature, however, the hatchet would descend drastically here. Weird Tales" has been around through quite a few depressions. The worst that could happen here would be to sail to a new publisher—any publisher would keep her coming through—at least on a bi-monthly basis. "Marvel Tales" wouldn't stick at all. Here, Lackadaisical editorial policies would condemn it from the start. Also in the event that stf. should become unpopular again, you would find Argosy deserting her traditional fantasy policy, and Famous Fantastic Mysteries and Fantastic Novels, if they aren't doing exceptionally well now, could hardly be expected to do any better during a lull in fantasy. A dearth of science-fiction would be a boon to collectors, who know assured that the two or three yeared popularity of science-fiction was not permanent, would quickly go to work to fill all the gaps in their collections with the knowledge that their resources would not be stretched so badly during the next ten years as they had been from late 1936 until ???? A̲D̲D̲E̲N̲D̲A̲. Since this article was written, the revived Marvel Stories has appeared and the Amazing Stories Quarterly has come to light. The less said about the latter the better. A review of mine scheduled for Fantasy News should adequately express my opinions on that score. Also Orlin Tremaine's now an editor of a science-fiction magazine, whose name I know but am saving for a scoop in Fantasy News.This is one more indication that at least the science-fiction field is nowheres near collapse, yet! Fantastic Adventures (which is rumored to have one more issue to go) (See page 16.Ed), Unknown, Strange Stories, Weird Tales must be classed in the fantasy field—not the s̲c̲i̲e̲n̲c̲e̲-̲̲f̲i̲c̲t̲i̲o̲n̲ field--and there is not the slightest indication that the fantasy field is doing much better than battling for a living. THE END. SAY. Did you see the lovely picture of Old Black Joe, alias Sam Moskowitz, in the latest (November) issue of STARTLING STORIES?