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Home , Boris Vallejo, Gahan Wilson, Hannes Bok, Sam Moskowitz

SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42

SCIENTIFICTION A publication of FIRST FANDOM, the Dinosaurs of New Series #42, 4th Quarter 2014

IN THIS ISSUE ORIGINAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT P. 1: First Fandom Awards, 2015 John L. Coker III and Jon D. Swartz P. 2: Original Member Spotlight are collaborating on a new series for P. 6: Necrology and Birthdays our newsletter about some of the P. 7: 49 – A Con Report original members of First Fandom P. 9: Recommended Reading who are still active today. For their P. 11: In Other STF News inaugural effort, they present a look P. 14: First Fandom Photo Gallery at the life and times of David A. Kyle. FIRST FANDOM AWARDS FOR 2015 NECROLOGY Nominations are now being accepted We sadly acknowledge the recent + First Fandom Hall of Fame Award passing of some friends: Kirby + Posthumous Hall of Fame Award Macauley, Roy Scarfo, George + Sam Moskowitz Archive Award Slusser, Edward Summer, Herbert Yellin. They will all be remembered. I have recently been in contact with a number of our original members, and BIRTHDAYS many of them have expressed an The list of January–March birthdays interest in acknowledging deserving in this issue is based on information fans who were never inducted into originally compiled by Andy Porter. the Hall of Fame during their lifetime. OUR NEWSLETTER: PDF VS. PAPER When sending your nominations for While not all of our members are this year’s awards, please give extra able to receive digital copies of consideration to identifying worthy SCIENTIFICTION via e-mail, there candidates for the First Fandom are still several dozen who can do Posthumous Hall of Fame Award. so. It would greatly help reduce our We will also continue to present the printing and postage expenses. Sam Moskowitz Archive Award to Please send us your email address recognize enthusiasts who have soon, in order to make that happen. amassed large collections and done CONTRIBUTIONS something significant with them. We are seeking letters, news items, Nominations should be sent prior to convention reports, photos, articles, February 15th for the 2015 First book reviews and more to publish in Fandom Awards via email to forthcoming issues of our newsletter! [email protected] or U.S. Mail to John Coker at 4813 Lighthouse Hope everyone had a happy holiday Road, Orlando, FL - 32808. Thanks! season! Be safe and stay in touch… - John L. Coker III

SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 2

ORIGINAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: the magazines of . DAVID A. KYLE The first one that he read was a (By John L. Coker III & Jon D. Swartz) second-hand copy of the very first issue of Science Wonder Stories. David A. Kyle was born on February 14, 1919 in upstate . As a In 1934, Dave began enthusiastically child, his principal source of reading writing letters to the magazines and was The Book of Knowledge, a corresponding with big name fans collection of twenty volumes. Dave such as Forry Ackerman and Bob enjoyed the adventures of Tom Swift Madle. That same year, he founded and the Hardy Boys. He was thrilled the Legion of Science Fiction by the imaginative stories of Roy Improvement. In 1935, he took the Rockwood, , Wonder Stories SF test and earned H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. a Bachelor of Science Fiction. He soon discovered a more popular In 1936, Dave published the first form of fiction that came about in comics fanzine, The World American Boy magazine, in the (three issues). He saw the film sophisticated stories written by Carl based on H.G. Wells’ The Shape of H. Claudy and Thomas Burgess. As Things to Come. After graduating a boy growing up in Monticello, NY, from Monticello High School, he Dave had a playhouse that he moved to and began converted to a little lending library. making friendships with other fans. He would rent out books for a nickel He attended a meeting of the a week, using the proceeds to buy International Scientific Association, another book to add to the collection. where he met Don Wollheim, Fred Pohl, Dick Wilson, John Michel, Robert W. Lowndes, Cyril Kornbluth.

Kyle was a co-founder of Science Fiction League Chapter 5 in his His family lived a hundred miles from hometown. He went to the offices of New York City, and occasionally he Wonder Stories and met Hugo and his mother would take the train Gernsback and Frank R. Paul. Dave into the city. In New York, they was a charter member of the would go to the theater to see a Fantasy Amateur Press Association show. One of the shows that had and founder of the Phantasy Legion the biggest impact on him was and the Fantasy Guild. In October Dracula, with Bela Lugosi in the lead 1936, Dave attended the very first role. As a teen-ager during the SF convention, when a small group depression, Dave was interested in of fans took the train from New York radio and airplanes, and these things City and met for a day with their indirectly led him in 1933 to discover fellow fans in Philadelphia. SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 3

In February 1937, Kyle attended the In 1947, Kyle began selling his Second Eastern Science Fiction illustrations to magazines edited by Convention, held at Bohemian Hall in Fred Pohl, and writing stories for Astoria, Long Island. Dave also magazines edited by Doc Lowndes. witnessed the Hindenburg as it flew At Fred’s suggestion, they attended over the Flatiron Building in New Philcon. Dave was co-founder, along York on the way to its destruction. with Martin Greenberg, of one of the Later that year, he graduated from early small press specialty book the Commercial Illustration Studios, publishers, . Art Career School, in New York City. In 1938, Dave became a member of the . He attended the First National SF Convention in Newark, NJ (May, 1938) and went to the University of Alabama through the spring of 1939. In 1939, Dave belonged to the Association for L-R: Marty Greenberg and Dave Kyle Democracy in . He made numerous visits In those early days, Dave was to the NY World’s Fair, and attended involved in every aspect of the the first World SF Con (July 2-4). business. He created the dust jackets, wrote cover blurbs, and helped to edit manuscripts. They produced some of the finest examples of limited edition SF and fantasy books from that era. He was a co-founder and chairman of the Hydra Club. At the 1949 , Dave became the emcee of the first live television broadcast that discussed science fiction. Illustration by Dave Kyle Captain Kyle In 1950, Dave was co-chairman of In 1940, Dave became managing the NY Science Fiction Conference, editor of his family’s newspaper co-founder of Argonaut Books, and business. He arranged for Dirk co-founder of the NY Science Fiction Wylie to join him there as a reporter. Circle. He also established the SF The next year Dave published his book line at Bouregy & Curl, Inc. first SF story, “Golden Nemesis” in Stirring Science Stories. Kyle decided to go back to school, and in 1951, he graduated from After the outbreak of World War Columbia University with a Two, he joined the military, went to Bachelor’s Degree in English and OCS and in 1942 was commissioned Writing. Kyle founded the New York a second lieutenant. Then, in 1946 Science Fiction Council. During this Captain Kyle was discharged and he period, he formed a literary agency returned to the family newspaper. with Fred Pohl and Dirk Wylie. He SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 4 also began selling his sports and 1959, Dave joined First Fandom. detective stories to the pulp Two years later, he became a magazines. member of the Noble and Illustrious Order of St. Fantony. In 1966, Dave and his family visited Arthur C. Clarke in England on the movie set of 2001: A Space Odyssey. In 1968, Kyle was a Nebula Award nominee in the short story category. The following year, a dream came true for many of the long-time science fiction fans with Apollo 11. Dave was in attendance In 1954, Kyle and Sam Moskowitz at Cape Canaveral as a guest of co-chaired Metrocon, New York City. NASA, where he spent time with The following year, Dave was the Arthur C. Clarke and announced the founder and director of the World launch for his family’s radio station. Science Fiction Society, Inc. Along with Dick Wilson, he booked Living in England during the 1970s, passage on the Isle de France and Dave was president of the H.G. sailed to England. In 1956, Dave Wells Society, co-founder of the was the chairman of NyCon II, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Film 14th Worldcon. He arranged for Society, and member of the SFWA Arthur C. Clarke to be guest of honor and the Association of Science and to speak at the Fiction Artists. He received the Big banquet. Kyle was a founding Heart Award at the 1973 Worldcon. member and inaugural chairman of the Lunarians.

In 1975, Dave Kyle was honorary managing director and vice-chair of the British SF Association. In 1976, he published A Pictorial History of Science Fiction (Hamlyn Books) and Member of St. Fantony Launch of Apollo 11 was Fan Guest of Honor at Novacon Dave said that if London won the bid 6 in Birmingham, England. The for the 1957 Worldcon, he would following year, he published The charter a trans-Atlantic flight for fans Illustrated Book of Science Fiction to attend the convention. After he Ideas and Dreams (Hamlyn Books). and Ruth Evalin Landis were The British SF Association presented married, they (along with Dave’s him with a special award for his work parents and fifty science fiction fans) on these books, and he received an flew to London on KLM Airlines. In Outstanding Achievement Award SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 5 from the International Society of In 2001, he was the First Fandom Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy. Guest of Honor at Balticon 35. In 2004, asked Dave to become administrator of the Big Heart Award. In 2004, Dave was Guest of Honor at Odyssey, Fred Clarke’s convention in England, and was Fan Guest of Honor at Albacon in Schenectady, New York. Dave was officially recognized in 2005 as being the record-holder for attending the most since Dave was a long-time fan of the they were first held in 1939. In 2009, works of E.E. “Doc” Smith, and a the members of I-Con 28 celebrated friend of the Smith family. In the Dave’s 90th birthday with a big party. late-1970s he was invited by Bantam Books (Fred Pohl, editor) to continue For a number of years, Dave and the Lensman series. In 1980, Kyle Ruth made trips from New York published The Dragon Lensman. In during the winter months to spend 1982, he brought out Lensman from time with Ruth’s sister in Florida. Rigel. In 1983 the series concluded Ruth Kyle passed away on January with Z-Lensman. He was Fan Guest 5, 2011, and Dave eventually moved of Honor at the 1983 Worldcon. from his long-time residence at Skylee in Potsdam to live with his In 1985, Dave was named “One of daughter Kerry and her son Kyle in the 100 Most Important People in Mohegan Lake, where he maintains Science Fiction/Fantasy” by Starlog. his residence. Dave continues to In 1988, he was inducted by his attend conventions and serve as the peers into the First Fandom Science administrator of the Big Heart Award. Fiction Hall of Fame. The following year, Kyle was the Fan Guest of Dave is an award-winning artist, Honor at Lunacon. author, editor, publisher, printer, anthologist, collector, literary agent, In 1991, Dave was named a Fellow correspondent, historian, researcher, of the British Interplanetary Society, conventioneer, essayist, reviewer, and was Fan Guest of Honor at panelist, lecturer, photographer, Kanto-Con in Tokyo. Three years newspaper / radio / TV journalist, later, he was Fan Guest of Honor at archivist, cartographer, officer and a Arisia 5, in Boston. The following gentleman, world-traveler, honored year he founded the Hugo guest, “man in the red jacket” and Gernsback Society. In 1999, Dave long-time member of First Fandom. received the Sam Moskowitz Fan Award from I-Con. During this era, Across the span of nine decades, Dave arranged for Arthur C. Clarke trufan David Ackerman Kyle has to make several telephone calls from faithfully been in all of the right Sri Lanka to First Fandom reunions. places at all of the right times to fully He continued attending conventions experience and profoundly influence and being involved in SF fandom. the course of science fiction history. SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 6

BIRTHDAYS NECROLOGY January Kirby Macauley (b.1948) 1 – Chesley Bonestell, Norman Saunders 2 – Isaac Asimov, Charles Beaumont “Agent Kirby Macauley died the last 3 – J.R.R. Tolkien, weekend of August. Macauley 6 – Eric Frank Russell, S. Fowler Wright represented George R. R. Martin, 8 – Dennis Wheatley, Boris Vallejo , , and 9 – Karel Capek, many other successful authors. In 10 – Elizabeth Anne Hull addition to working as an agent, he 11 – Jerome Bixby was an anthologist and won the 13 – , in 1981 for 15 – editing . In 1975, 19 – Edgar Allan Poe Macauley chaired the first World 20 – A. Merritt Fantasy Convention.” 21 – Judith Merril, Charles Eric Maine (Reprinted from SF Site News – September 3, 2014) 22 – Robert E. Howard, Katherine M. MacLean Roy Scarfo (b.1926) 24 – C.L. Moore 26 – Philip José Farmer “Roy Scarfo, a pioneer in space art, died December 8 at the age of 88. February 1 – He went to work for General Electric 4 – Ted White in 1957 and served as creative art 8 – Jules Verne, Ned Brooks director for GE’s Space Technology 9 – , Pat Sims Center for 16 years. His very first 11 – assignment was to illustrate every 12 – Juanita Coulson missile in the US Arsenal. The 14 – Dale Hart, David A. Kyle finished artwork was used 16 – , Rusty Hevelin throughout the missile and space 17 – , Margaret St. Clair industry. Scarfo received GE’s 18 – Gahan Wilson Space Award, usually reserved for 19 – Terry Carr engineers and scientists. 20 – 21 – P. Schuyler Miller, Ross Rocklynne While at GE he was a science and 24 – August Derleth, Richard Powers space art consultant for The New 26 – York Times, NASA, DOD, Voice of March America and the U.S. Senate. He 3 – Arthur Machen, James Doohan collaborated with notable scientists 6 – Marjii Ellers, William F. Nolan and authors such as Wernher von 9 – William F. Temple, Robin Johnson Braun, Isaac Asimov, and Willy Ley, 11 – Francis T. Laney, F.M. Busby and his work appeared in over 40 12 – Harry Harrison books including the collection of his 13 – L. Ron Hubbard artwork titled Beyond Tomorrow. 19 – Joseph L. Hensley Examples of his work are posted to 22 – Raymond Z. Gallun, William Shatner 24 – Andrew I. Porter his blog The Future In Space.” 27 – John Hertz (Summarized from a larger article by Andrew Porter and J.B. Post that was originally published in File 28 – A. Bertram Chandler 770 on December 20, 2014.) 30 – Chad Oliver SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 7

George Slusser (b.1938) Herbert Yellin (b.1935) “Archivist George Slusser died on “Small press publisher Herbert Yellin November 4. Slusser was a co- died June 13, 2014. Yellin founded founder and Curator Emeritus of The Lord John Press in 1978 to publish J. Lloyd Eaton Collection of Science signed limited editions of modern Fiction & Fantasy Literature. His authors. The Lord John name came own writing included Robert A. from the fact that so many modern Heinlein: Stranger in His Own Land, authors he wanted to work with had The Farthest Shores of Ursula K. Le the first name of John. Lord he Guin, and Nursery Realms: Children added “to marry Great Britain and in the Worlds of Science Fiction, America.” The science fiction and Fantasy and Horror among others. fantasy genre authors that Yellin In 1986, he was the recipient of the published included , Pilgrim Award from the Science Ursula K. Le Guin, Dan Simmons Fiction Research Association.” and Stephen King.” (Reprinted from SF Site News – November 4, 2014) (Summarized from File 770 – June 26, 2014)

Edward Summer (b.1946) CONVENTION REPORT “Edward Summer, who passed away (BY JOE MARTINO) November 13, may not have thought Marcon 49 (May 9-11) of himself as a fan but he had many This regional convention is held friends in the SF and comics world annually in Columbus, Ohio. The and attended the occasional guests of honor this year included convention. He was best-known for Glen Cook, Heather Dale, Ben starting the first comic book store in Deschamps and Eric Flint. The New York, Supersipe, in 1971, theme was “technical difficulties.” through which he met, got to know Here are some weekend’s highlights. and went into business with for the accompanying comic Cooking Up Characters book art gallery. He also was a good Characters are the most important friend of Ray Bradbury. part of the story. They make the plot possible. A character must have his A writer, artist, and film historian, he or her own individuality. Dialog must founded the Buffalo International fit the character. The character will Film Festival. He wrote for Marvel change during the course of the Comics (1972-89) and DC Comics book, so the voice may change too. (1980-90). Summer was associate If you start with a plot, then you Conan the producer of the first create the kind of characters needed Barbarian film, and authored the for the plot. If you start with a original treatment and screenplay. character, they you need to find an Summer was a founding member of appropriate plot. The name should the New York Area Skeptics. He fit the character. Be careful that the also belonged to the International name is pronounceable, especially Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 12.” alien names. Nicknames can help (Thanks to Moshe Feder for providing the story. characterize the character. Summarized from File 770 – November 30, 2014) SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 8

Fairy Tales vs. Fantasy Rate of fire and accuracy of modern Fairy tales: folk tales with magic. weapons requires a significant Fantasy is more of a long story. Can change in tactics. The novels show we distinguish between oral folk a very rapid evolution in tactics and tales and modern written tales like technology. Opponents catch on to THE LITTLE MERMAID? Not all folk things like the uptimers using radio. tales have magic, but are part of an A central feature of the stories in the oral tradition. Some oral tales are 1632 universe is how introduction of cautionary tales, with a moral or new technology cascaded into other warning. Aesop’s Fables are things. teaching tales. All have a moral. Killing Characters Some of the “updates” of the original Much of epic fantasy ends with killing tales are because the society is the villain. The villain must be a different, and the original warning no well-rounded character if his death is longer applies. to be meaningful. Being a cardboard Weird Science cutout won’t do it. The reader won’t This panel was about weird research really care. As the protagonist goes actually published in the scientific through his journey, it must cost him literature. Examples: estimating drug something to destroy the antagonist. use by measuring the concentration The epic villain is the one causing the problem. Only their death will of metabolites in sewage; introducing beavers into an area by dropping solve the problem. No matter how breeding pairs by parachute; much sympathy we may have for the estimating effects of a woman villain, does he have the potential for smiling at a man in a bar on whether redemption? If not, he has to die to he responded by sitting at her table; get closure. No one would trust Darth Vader no matter how much he estimating stress from having someone stand near you by reformed. His good side was measuring time taken to start already dead. Luke Skywalker’s first urination, and duration of urination, kill is a nameless stormtrooper. depending on how close someone What gets a character to the point of else was standing to you at a urinal. killing, and what happens after that? Does that lead to a second killing? Military Technology The character of a person before This was about the series of novels they become a killer has an effect on that began with 1632, a modern what happens to them after they kill. American mining town transferred to The deaths of the red shirts on Star Europe in the year 1632, in the Trek are only to show “we’re in middle of the Thirty Years War. The danger.” There aren’t even any issue was how uptime technology memorials on the ship. Does a transferred downtime changes the killing up the ante? Does it make a way people conduct warfare. A difference in what happens next? breechloader means you don’t have There has to be motivation for the to stand up to reload. It also allows killing, both for the character and for troops to fire from behind cover. the writer. SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 9

Richard Matheson PRESIDENT’S RECOMMENDED READING I Am Legend was adapted three Hannes Bok – A Life in Illustration times for movies, and a comic book. (Edited by Joseph Wrzos) The story itself was the first scientific Somehow, I missed the notice that explanation of vampirism. It also was issued when this cornerstone created the idea of the book was announced two years ago. apocalypse. The novel is one of the I am now bringing it to your attention. best portrayals of loneliness. In the ending, the character recognizes that Here is the description of the book, the time of mankind has ended and as provided by Centipede Press: the only way the new society could “With over 450 pages, this collection develop was without him. This is the covers the entire artistic career of new reality, and the last human is Hannes Bok. Painstakingly edited really the . by Joseph Wrzos, with essays and A Stir of Echoes is basically a ghost memoirs on Bok by Ray Bradbury, story. A murdered girl wants her Stephen Fabian, and others, this body to be found, and not to be book features over 600 illustrations. forgotten. Button, Button raises a moral question about anonymous killing. Despite Matheson being a very prolific writer, with some of the most innovative stories of the era, he is little known to the public. Amongst the moviegoers, authors are very little known. Moviegoers tend to know the actors. Readers know the authors. However, moviegoers don’t know the number of remakes. Some critics say he wrote stories more than characters. However, the characters are supposed to be Everyman.

The color section features all of Bok’s known dust jackets and the largest collection of Bok paintings ever published, including many works that have never before been printed. The book is housed in a printed cloth slipcase and is printed Marcon (Multiple Alternate Realities on heavy paper using stochastic Convention) will celebrate their 50th screening with five inks, resulting in Anniversary during the weekend of unparalleled clarity and color May 8-10, 2015. Visit: Marcon.org. reproduction.” SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 10

With the publication of Hannes Bok – the natural world all around me. A Life in Illustration, aficionados Sunsets, landscapes, the ocean, finally have a comprehensive edition clouds, animals and humans – all of which showcases the artwork of these began taking on a wonderous, Hannes Bok. In this massive book, fantastic colorful glow. I became Bok’s legacy truly receives the more aware of how Bok singularly dignity that it so richly deserves. achieved a perfect balance between The overall feel and appearance of the details of his subject and the light this hardcover is impressive. Great in which it is portrayed. attention has been given to the Within the pages of this book I was selection of production materials able to re-experience the sense of used for the edition, such as the type wonder that I first felt decades ago of paper, stitching and binding. when I discovered Bok’s artwork on Six hundred images in the book are the cover of a . And, I presented with a clarity that must be was reminded unequivocally that of very similar to the artist’s originals. all of the illustrators whose work I Colors appear natural and vibrant admire, Hannes Bok is my favorite. (not exaggerated) and the smallest I hope that everyone who reads this elements are even easily detected. review will be inspired to add a copy Hannes Bok – A Life in Illustration The book is organized in such a way of to their reading and reference library. that readers are able to enjoy the chronological unfolding of Bok’s career. The editor, Joseph Wrzos has taken great care to ensure that the full known spectrum of Bok’s lifetime of work is fully represented. Ray Bradbury offers a 4-page tribute to his long-time friend, Hannes Bok, a loving remembrance that sets the tone for the entire book. Subsequent chapters also feature memoirs of appreciation by such prominent artists as Stephen Fabian, Jill Bauman, Jason C. Eckhardt, Bob Eggleton and Stephen Hickman. When I began reading my copy of this book, it was so compelling that I found it difficult to put down. It took three 4-hour sessions for me to look ISBN 978-61347-000-8 (Hardcover) at every page with enough time to ISBN 978-61347-025-1(Trade PB) fully appreciate the contents. Centipede Press After being so thoroughly immersed 2565 Teller Court again in Hannes Bok’s artwork, I Lakewood, CO 80214 began seeing his interpretations in [email protected] SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 11

In Other STF News University of Iowa Libraries to Digitize Rusty Hevelin’s Fanzine Collection Antares Rocket Explodes on Pad “An Antares rocket exploded during launch at 6:22 EDT at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The unmanned rocket was meant to carry supplies to the International Space Station. Its launch was postponed from October 27 because a sailboat had entered the restricted area down range. Initial reports indicate that damage only occurred to the rocket and launchpad.” (Reprinted from SF Site News – October 28, 2014)

Rusty Hevelin at a Boskone in the 1970s SpaceShipTwo Crashes (Photograph by Andrew Porter) “Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo “Over 10,000 fanzines in the Rusty crashed in the Mojave Desert after Hevelin collection will be scanned reporting an in-flight anomaly during and incorporated into the UI a test flight. Two pilots were on- Libraries’ DIY History interface. board and witnesses reported seeing Hevelin’s collection was donated to at least one parachute. One of the the University of Iowa Libraries after two pilots on board was killed and his death in 2011. the other injured. Virgin Galactic had Peter Balestrieri, curator of SF and hoped that SpaceShipTwo would popular culture collections, writes: have made its first extra-atmospheric flight by the end of the year.” We’re starting with the earliest from (Reprinted from SF Site News – October 31, 2014) the 1930s and going up to 1950. That gives us First Fandom and Comet Touchdown Golden Age plus post-war. We’re inviting a select group of fans (not “The Philae Lander has touched sure yet who’ll they’ll be) to help down on Comet 67P/Churyumov- transcribe the text of these fanzines Gerasimenko, marking the first in an apa-style working group. landing on a comet. The Philae was part of the Rosetta mission launched The transcription will enable the UI by the European Space Agency. Libraries to construct a full-text Philae took about seven hours to searchable fanzine resource, with cross from Rosetta to the comet links to authors, editors, and topics, before it touched down and launched while protecting privacy and harpoons into the comet’s head to copyright by limiting access to the anchor itself. Armed with ten full set of page images. To learn instruments, Philae will help more about the project, visit here.” scientists learn more about comets.” (Thanks to Jack Robins for providing the original newspaper article, which has also been reprinted (Reprinted from SF Site News – November 12, 2014) here from File 770 – October 17, 2014) SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 12

Orion Mission Successful The 2014 Medalist for Distinguished “The first flight of Orion successfully Contribution to American Letters launched, orbited, splashed down on “In recognition of her transformative December 5. Orion completed two impact on American literature, orbits of the Earth, including one at a Ursula K. Le Guin is the 2014 distance of 3600 miles, more than 15 recipient of the National Book times higher than the International Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Space Station orbits. Contribution to American Letters.” This is the first time a spaceship “Ursula K. Le Guin has had an designed for humans has traveled extraordinary impact on several that far from Earth since the Apollo generations of readers and, missions. Four hours after launch, particularly, writers in the United Orion splashed down safely in the States and around the world,” said Pacific Ocean.” the Foundation’s Executive Director, Harold Augenbraum. “Le Guin has Visit here For more information… shown how great writing will (Adapted from SF Site News – December 5, 2014) obliterate the antiquated—and never

really valid—line between popular Arthur Machen Collection at Risk and literary art. Her influence will be “The public library at Newport Gwent felt for decades to come.” houses the best public collection of (From the website of the National Book Foundation) Arthur Machen’s work in the UK. The library is now under threat of closure. To read her acceptance speech visit: The Friends of Arthur Machen www.ursulakleguin.com/UKL_info.ht literary society is very concerned ml. (Courtesy of Ansible 329 – December 2014) about this and is joining a campaign against the closure. Add your voice Goodreads Choice Awards, 2014 to those urging the local council to protect the library and the collection. Best Fantasy of 2014: The Book of Life Please consider following this link to by Deborah the Council’s online consultation Harkness document. Go to the second page Best Science Fiction of 2014: where you can leave comments. The Martian by Andy Weir Or, write courteously to Bob Bright Best Horror of 2014: (Leader of Newport City Council) Prince Lestat by via this electronic form (scroll down (Abridged from File 770 – December 2, 2014) to view).” (Adapted from Ansible 329 – December 2014) SF & Fantasy Translation Awards “The Science Fiction and Fantasy Munsey Award, 2014 Translation Awards: these, with the “The Munsey Award for promotional Association for the Recognition of and research work related to pulp Excellence in SF & F Translation, magazines and dime novels has are closing down owing to lack of been presented to J. Randolph Cox.” time and of volunteers. (30 October)” (Reprinted from Ansible 328 – November 2014) (Reprinted from Ansible 328 – November 2014) SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 13

Nostalgia Packs “New” Asimov Essay Amazon is offering something new “The MIT Technology Review has for Kindle: so-called Megapacks. published a previously un-published These are collections of stories, essay written by Isaac Asimov from usually single-author collections. 1959 in which Asimov discusses Some of those available include creativity. The essay was originally collections of stories by Philip K. published when Asimov was briefly Dick, Harry Harrison, Frederic working on an ARPA project, but left Brown, H. Beam Piper, Clifford because he didn’t want to have Simak, Andre Norton, Robert access to confidential material.” Sheckley, and many others. More information: Read the essay… In addition, there are “theme” (Reprinted from SF Site News – October 22, 2014) megapacks including time travel, space opera, and “golden age” A Message from Mars science fiction. If you’d like to “The British Film Institute and the complete your collection of stories by BBC have worked together to restore your favorite authors or of things you the 1913 silent film A Message from missed when they first came out, Mars, a 68-minute film believed to be here’s your chance the first science fiction film made in Of course, you need a Kindle to read Britain and to include the first them, but you can download them to depiction of Martians in a British film. your computer and read them using The movie is a version of Charles a conversion program. You may Dickens’s novel A Christmas Carol, also be able to read them on your with a Martian taking the place of the smartphone, or on a tablet. I get Christmas ghosts. The movie them on an Android tablet as well as starred Charles Hawtrey and was on my Kindle. remade in 1921.” (Thanks to Joe Martino for this technical update) (Reprinted from SF Site News – December 14, 2014)

Lunacon Hiatus 73rd World Science Fiction Convention “The Lunacon Board of Directors has decided that the venerable con will take a year’s hiatus. Individuals who have purchased memberships for the 2015 Lunacon will be contacted and offered the option of receiving a refund or transferring memberships to Lunacon 2016 the weekend of March 18-20. Although the current Progress Report #1 (May 2014) plan is to return to their traditional Progress Report #2 (Aug 2014 hotel, the venue may be changed. Lunacon was founded in 1957. MARCH 2015 ISSUE For information: [email protected].” Our next Original Member Spotlight (Repinted from SF Site News – November 10, 2014) will profile artist ! SCIENTIFICTION New Series #42, page 14

FIRST FANDOM PHOTO GALLERY (1939) FIRST FANDOM President Emeritus and Founder Robert A. Madle - 4406 Bestor Drive, Rockville, MD 20853 Tel: (301) 460-4712 President John L. Coker III - 4813 Lighthouse Road, Orlando, FL 32808 Tel: (407) 532-7555, [email protected] National Vice President Erle M. Korshak - Shasta/Phoenix Publishers, 950 South Winter Park Drive, Suite 320, Orlando, FL 32707 L-R: Russ Hodgkins and Walt Daugherty (, CA – September 1939) East Coast Vice President (From the Collection of Walter J. Daugherty) David A. Kyle - 3099 Maqua Place, Mohegan Lake, NY 10547 West Coast Vice President Art Widner - P.O. Box 998, Gualala, CA 95445 Tel: (707) 367-7117 [email protected] Secretary-Treasurer Keith W. Stokes - 14305 West 83rd Place, Lenexa, KS 66215 [email protected] EDITORIAL STAFF, SCIENTIFICTION Editor Joseph P. Martino - 905 S. Main Avenue, Sidney, OH 45365-3212, [email protected] Associate Editor John L. Coker III Special Features Editor Jon D. Swartz - 12115 Missel Thrush Court, Catherine and L. Sprague de Camp Austin, TX 78750-2101 (Honeymoon, 1939) [email protected] (From the Collection of Forrest J Ackerman)

SCIENTIFICTION is published quarterly by First L-R: William L. Crawford, Paul Freehafer, Fandom. The name First Fandom, the slogan “The Dinosaurs of Science Fiction,” and the First Fandom Myrtle R. Douglas and Mary Corrine Patti logo are all trademarks of First Fandom, and may not Gray. Los Angeles, CA (November 1939). be used without the expressed permission of First (Photograph by Charles D. Hornig, notations by Fandom. Copyright © 2013 by First Fandom and the Forrest J Ackerman. Provided by John L. Coker III) individual contributors.