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Tellus, issue 2, November 1941
Page 4
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TELLUS able to think and write in a manner closely approaching the professional magazines. As a matter of fact, the number of fans who have turned professional, and the steady procession of them breaking constantly into printed pages at so much per word is a source of constant amazement to me. I listen with wonder to tales of young genius such as Kornbluth or gape in astonishment when local fans not yet out of school glibly tell of "their agents in the east," or of their latest story that is being accepted by Palmer, etc. . . . . And through it all I see that steady thread of improvement forging ever ahead. There is no denying the fact that there is some really fine talent being uncovered in the fan field, and I feel sure that it can all trace its inception to the fanzines. Through them the beginning author has a chance afforded nowhere else to turn his writing over to a severely critical if not always appreciative audience. And because fan magazines are continually crying for material--good material, that is--the fan writer can place and see published every word he can possibly write. That policy, in some instances, may lead to "fan-hacks." That is, too much gross wordage with too little care taken in its production. I think of several fan writers in mentioning this. Most of them I do not know personally, so I think it best to reserve judgement until a later date. But one of the stellar sinners in the matter of hacking is that prolific bird from Oakland, editor, writer, convention-goer and beer-buster, Joe Fortier. Under a score of pen-names in as many different fan magazines, Joe turns out enough material to swamp H. Bedford-Jones. Now, Joe is capable of turning out some pretty nice work. He does it quite often. But the monstrous wordage total he strives for each month necessitates an endless amount of pure hack-stuff. And those pen-names. Ye Gods and little fanmags! If he must use a minimum of ninety-nine different pseudonyms for the stuff he writes, then why not solve the whole matter by writing longer articles and stories? We'd occasionally like to know who is writing what particular bit of hokum. But let's forget all that. You can go to church almost any Sunday and hear a much better sermon. Concerning TELLUS. We think this issue begins to show signs of improvement. As we stated in the first issue, that was purely an experiment. We found out what we wanted to know, and from now on in I think we can promise better things. These cartoons, for instance. How do you like Wyers? We think his piece on this issue's back cover is really something to talk about. A weenie-roast in space! Someone should tell him. . . . We have a special announcement for all fans. You'll find it on the inside back cover. We especially call the attention of any of you who may live in the country, or in smaller cities where large bookstores or second-hand magazine establishments are not to be found. Look that back cover up. It's darned interesting. Selah!
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TELLUS able to think and write in a manner closely approaching the professional magazines. As a matter of fact, the number of fans who have turned professional, and the steady procession of them breaking constantly into printed pages at so much per word is a source of constant amazement to me. I listen with wonder to tales of young genius such as Kornbluth or gape in astonishment when local fans not yet out of school glibly tell of "their agents in the east," or of their latest story that is being accepted by Palmer, etc. . . . . And through it all I see that steady thread of improvement forging ever ahead. There is no denying the fact that there is some really fine talent being uncovered in the fan field, and I feel sure that it can all trace its inception to the fanzines. Through them the beginning author has a chance afforded nowhere else to turn his writing over to a severely critical if not always appreciative audience. And because fan magazines are continually crying for material--good material, that is--the fan writer can place and see published every word he can possibly write. That policy, in some instances, may lead to "fan-hacks." That is, too much gross wordage with too little care taken in its production. I think of several fan writers in mentioning this. Most of them I do not know personally, so I think it best to reserve judgement until a later date. But one of the stellar sinners in the matter of hacking is that prolific bird from Oakland, editor, writer, convention-goer and beer-buster, Joe Fortier. Under a score of pen-names in as many different fan magazines, Joe turns out enough material to swamp H. Bedford-Jones. Now, Joe is capable of turning out some pretty nice work. He does it quite often. But the monstrous wordage total he strives for each month necessitates an endless amount of pure hack-stuff. And those pen-names. Ye Gods and little fanmags! If he must use a minimum of ninety-nine different pseudonyms for the stuff he writes, then why not solve the whole matter by writing longer articles and stories? We'd occasionally like to know who is writing what particular bit of hokum. But let's forget all that. You can go to church almost any Sunday and hear a much better sermon. Concerning TELLUS. We think this issue begins to show signs of improvement. As we stated in the first issue, that was purely an experiment. We found out what we wanted to know, and from now on in I think we can promise better things. These cartoons, for instance. How do you like Wyers? We think his piece on this issue's back cover is really something to talk about. A weenie-roast in space! Someone should tell him. . . . We have a special announcement for all fans. You'll find it on the inside back cover. We especially call the attention of any of you who may live in the country, or in smaller cities where large bookstores or second-hand magazine establishments are not to be found. Look that back cover up. It's darned interesting. Selah!
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