THE FANTASY FAN The Fans’ Own Magazine Editor: Charles D. Hornig Published (Managing Editor: Wonder Stories) io cents a copy Monthly $1.00 per year 137 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey Volume i 'October, ~i 93 3 Number z EDITORIAL we certainly will continue to give ab­ sorbing columns, articles and departments You will note -several improvements’in that will make each issue well worth a this issue of THE FANTASY "jFAN dime to you. You won’t want to miss over the first number. The most not­ ■the rest of Schwartz’s “How to Collect iceable oae, of course, is the fact that Fantasy Fiction,” or Ackerman’s story there are almost twice as many pages as of his A-1 collection, or the Club News in the September copy. But our im­ -or the Famous Fans department, or the provements do not end there—not by a -Boiling Point, or Science Fiction in En­ long shot. Not only has the circulation glish Magazines by Tucker, or the super- been doubled, but we have a new policy. excellent material we have on hand be­ Starting with this issue, we will present sides—dozens of articles of humor, satire, a story every month(maybe more than -information, absorbing interest—the type one) by Clark Ashton Smith, H. P. Love­ of article that only the science fiction fan craft, August W. Derleth, and other -can derive full enjoyment from. So, while top-notchers in the field of weird fiction. THE FANTASY FAN will lean toward You science-fiction fans are probably won­ the weird angle, it wili be worth th* while dering by the import of the last sentence of every science fiction fan to continue to why we will not print science-fiction. be a reader. Furthermore-through years Well, here’s the reason. In the SCI­ of experience (well, a month, anyway), ENCE FICTION DIGEST we have we have learned that a great many weird a fan magazine for those scientifictionally fans—we could almost say a majority—are inclined, which also presents gems of this also readers 'of science fiction and vice type story by Arthur J. Burks, Ray Pal­ versa. After all, both science fiction and mer, and others. We feel that the weird weird tales are fantastic, aren’t they? fans should also have a magazine for They both are based on the highly im­ themselves — hence THE FANTASY probable, and they both stimulate the FAN. But don’t get discouraged, you imagination. It is a rare fan that does science-fiction guzzlers, we have dozens not like both. The scientifically inclined of excellent articles composed just for reader may not like weird tales; those you. Although THE FANTASY FAN that only want to be horrified and ter­ will present no science-fiction stories, rorized may not like science fiction; but ’+ THE FANTASY FAN October, 1933 those who want their imaginations stim­ OUR READERS SAY ulated like both. Let us remind you again, and inform “I have read the first issue of ‘The the new readeri, that this is primarily a Fantasy Fan’ with much interest. Good magazine for the fan*, of the fans, and work! I like your departments, and hope by the fans—the fan, the whole fan, and you will be able to expand them, part­ nothing but the fan. (We hope that by icularly those devoted to information about thii time you realize that we publish a fantastic stories. FAN magazine). But all foolishness a- “ ‘The Boiling Point’ is going to be ride, we want you to run thejmagazine. a great department. I was interested by Tell us what you like and what you the article on ‘Science Fiction in English don’t like. As many letters as possible Magazines’ by Bob Tucker. I predict will be published in “Our Readers Say”, that ‘The Fantasy Fan’ will be a success. department. We will always abide by With all best wishes—Clark Ashton Smith” the wishes of the majority, and very oft­ “Vol. 1, No. 1, looks to me very en act upon the opinions of a single much what the younger science fiction reader—try out bis ideas to see how the devotee want. Later on it might be a rest of the readers like them. Make be­ good idea to use matter of interest to weird lieve that you are an associate editor— tales enthusiasts—articles on the classics of criticize us “to the hairy limit”—or tell of weird literature, and information con­ us how good you think we are (we are cerning weird magazines. H.P. Lovecraft” not modest). If you feel as though you We’ll wager Mr. Lovecraft is well sat­ have the ability to compose surtabie art. isfied with this issue. It includes every­ icles for publication in THE FANTASY thing he asked for and then some. It is FAN, send them in for our considera­ no longer for the “younger science fiction tion, and if we find them acceptable, enthusiast,” but for all lovers of the you will be paid for them in copies of fantastic. THE FANTASY FAN—in cash as soon “I received the first issue of ‘The as possible. THE FANTASY FAN it Fantasy Fan’ this morning and was in­ still running on a deficit. Subscribe now, deed pleased with it. August W. Derleth” if you have not already done so, and “I recently received the first issue of insure yourself of a bigger and better ‘The Fantasy Fan’ and I want to con­ magazine in the future. gratulate you on your initial number. If The following departments: “This future issues live up to the promise of the Month’s Cash Contest”—“Penpals Want­ first one, you have nothing to fear. Your ed”—and the Questionnaire have been venture should be a successful one. discontinued because of lack of support “Being essentially a collector, I enjoy­ and enthusiasm on the part of our read­ ed the articles ‘How to Collect Fantasy ers. The “Cofcglamitorial,” and “A- Fiction’ and ‘Science Fiction in English bout Authors” and similar departments Magazines.’ I hope Mr. Tucker will be may be left out once in awhile to make a more ®r less constant contributor to place for material of greater merit. ‘The Fantasy Fan’ with information re­ (continued on page 31) garding stories in the English magazines. October, 1933 THE FANTASY FAN *5 “I have only one fault to find with what happens from N to Z. Also, I the first number of ‘The Fantasy greatly enjoyed his ‘Earthling Spurns Fan’ and that's Forrest J. Ackerman. Martian,’ newspaper-of-the-future account Can’t you get along without him? Isn’t —but Efjay Akkamin for the terrestrial! it bad enough to find his letters appear­ From Ockermann to McKerman misspell­ ing in all of the other magazines without ings have ranged (and, yes, someone even having to endure more of him in ‘The addressed me Mr. Staples, once), but Fantasy Fan?’ Maybe he is the really—” Forrest J. Ackerman most active science fiction fan, but I wish “I enjoyed the first issue of ‘The Fan­ he would confine his activities to Calif­ tasy Fan’ very much, your features and ornia. If you simply have to have him, news items were well chosen and well please keep his outbursts to a minimum. written. There is little room for improve­ I wonder if the ‘World’s most, active ment, just more pages, better paper, and science fiction fan;’ ‘The demon letter stories, which will come in time.” writer’ realizes how tiresome and boring Philip Bridges his continual out-pourings may become. Mr. Bridges wishes have’also come true. “Once more permit me to congratulate "Just what I think of TFF:- every you on your efforts. I am looking for­ single word in it is GOOD—I can’t find ward with considerable interest to future a solitary thing to kick about. Its per­ issues. With best luck. H. Koenig.” fect. Superb. I’m sure glad I’m a You will be pleased to hear that Mr. subscriber.” Ted Lutwin Tucker has promised us a column on Eng­ No, readers, this is not a paid testi­ lish science fiction every month. The monial. Of course, we know the mag­ second in the series appear in this issue. azine is far from perfect or superb, but Of course, we cannot take sides with we are pleased to see that the greater you as to whether Mr. Ackerman’s ‘out­ part of our readers were not disappoint­ bursts’ are boring. That is for the read­ ed in it. ers to decide. Yours is the first unfav­ “Congrats on the first of the ‘Fan,’ orable comment we have had upon Mr. it’s darn good. The stf alphabet is sweil. Ackerman’s efforts, and we feel that the Tucker’s article and ‘Club News’ are majority of the readers enjoy his articles. good as are the columns. Am eagerly “Your first issue certainly satisfies! awaiting No. 2 issue. ‘The Fantasy Like Chesterfields, huh? Of course, I Fan’ is filling a long-felt need and I ex­ don’t know—I don’t smoke. But I’ve pect it to grow and prosper. Bon voy­ just read TFF thru, and it’s a dandy age.” Daniel McPhail first number. “Got my first issue of TFF other day. “A real good idea, that, of reprinting Best articles were ‘Science Fiction Alph­ the article about author Kostkos from the abet,’ ‘About Authors,’ and ‘Conglami- paper. He sounds a real stf’ist. torial.’ I thought the whole magazine "If you want to know, I think that was excellent.” J.