• THE INSCRUTABLE AMERICAN ANGLE by Sam Moskowitz
• THE INSCRUTABLE BRITISH ANGLE by John F. Burke
• THE SMITH BUBBLE by Harry Kay
• NEWS EMPORIUM RENDEZVOUS
  • Jimmy Taurasi
  • Arnold Wood
  • Ted Carnell

Also published by the SFA this month:

• THE SCIENCE FICTION GAZETTE #9 (New Series 3) - front page only

• THE SATELLITE #10 (Vol.2 No.7)
  
• THE PURPOSE OF SCIENCE FICTION (2nd Edition)
  No date known for first edition.

THERE HAS BEEN A NEED of an article of this sort for some time - an article which would show the British fans just how they stand in relation to the American fan. In pioneering such an effort, I may eventually find myself consigned to the dubious honor of becoming a martyr, but Lindbergh wasn't afraid, so why should I be?

In perfect frankness, existing conditions between the British and American fan today are none so good, stretching a point I might even say none so fair - however, I believe my meaning is clear.

Years ago, in those dim, dead days that some British fans must recall, a peculiar set of conditions existed in the scientifiction world. Dealing in fans exclusively, I state that there were two important groups. 1. Those silver- spooned youngsters who were born in America close to the source of supply, and 2. Those unfortunate innocents, plagued with a love of fantasy and born on the other side of the tracks, or is pond more applicable? There is no need to go into a description of the hell-created torture experienced by those early science-fiction-starved Englishmen. Time has not had sufficient opportunity to smother the memory of it.

Those were the days when editors filled half their columns with letters from English readers, using it as a prod to keep dissatisfied American readers in hand by subtly reminding them that they might have been born in England. How clearly I remember the manner in which I suffered along with my English brethren. Bursting into tears as I read each new foreign letter pledging ever and again Britain's great love of science-fiction and her dispicable plight. Them were the days. The British fans today are comparative sissies. They don't have to battle for fantasy fare, it's handed to them on a silver platter. Ask Grand-pop Gillings. He can tell you plenty.

Happily, this set of conditions does not apply today. Britain is virtually on her way to becoming self-sufficient, as far as science-fiction and fantasy is concerned, but there still remains a deplorable aftermath: of those earlier rougher years. This is where the inscrutable American angle comes in, and here also is the point where I will not attempt to convey a merely personal opinion or prejudice, but the popular attitude of the American science-fiction fan as a unit.

In his eyes the English fan is beginning to rise as a sort of hypocrite, figuratively speaking. He remembers clearly those days of the past when British letters to the Readers' Departments of the professional American magazines read like the flow of a blend of milk and honey. The British perspective of appreciation, and finding sufficient

Similarly the British turn of mind in regard to American fan magazines has been most perplexing. That American fans have been extremely liberal in their support of amateur British fan publications, I believe is undeniable. Some of the British publishers were reluctant to admit it for a time, but those of a more frank nature, such as Rosenblum and Burke have not hidden the fact under a bushel, And a perusal of SFA rolls would, I feel certain, reveal an astounding number of American patrons. Sadly enough, American fan magazines cannot boast similar support from their across-the-sea cousins. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not asking Britons to purchase American fan magazines. I'm merely attempting to point out, and if possible, to correct, what I believe to be an erroneous point of view.

Before I go on and bring out the result of this lop-sided state of affairs, I would like to correct a popular British excuse, for indeed it is no more than an excuse. It seems that they regard American fan magazines as being on an entirely lower level in quality than their own. This excuse was certainly not prevalent before there was a British fan magazine. It is also impossible to learn how the British fans arrived at this conclusion, not deigning to give the American fan magazines the courtesy of reading them.

Why such fans as Ted Carnell, J. Michael Rosenblum and John F. Burke, who should know better, have not attempted to squelch this idea I do not know. Perhaps they believed it useless, That they were in accord with the popular British view I cannot believe. I won't turn this into a sales talk for American fan magazines, Neither do I condescend to using the "your other" type of argument. I merely ask the courtesy of having any of the three above gentlemen give "The Inscrutable British Angle", if such there be, and in doing so, venture to give their opinions on such American fan magazines as NEW FANDOM, FANTASY NEWS, SPACEWAYS, AD ASTRA, FANTASY DIGEST, FANTASCIENCE DIGEST, D'JOURNAL, or any others they may have read which are highly regarded in USA. If their report is complimentary, the American fans would appreciate a degree of

Finally we come to American opinion in regard to British fan magazines and fans. TOMORROW and NOVAE TERRAE were the most widely purchased fan magazines in USA. Peculiarly enough, THE FUTURIAN and THE SATELLITE are, by far the most popular and complimented. The American enjoys the fairness and spontaneousness of the latter two, which they dub as "Americanised." Not that TOMORROW and NOVAE TERRAE are thought poorly of. To the contrary, but the American finds it impossible to enjoy them. He does enjoy THE SATELLITE and THE FUTURIAN. Why? Simply because they are not limited in discussion to British subjects. Their scope is broad, and apparently their reader's desire a more complete coverage. A coverage of not only Britain but USA as well. Therefore the interchange of ideas and the British views in regard to American subjects are, to the American mind, intriguing. For the same reason TOMORROW and NOVAE TERRAE were regarded as bone dry. They had no basis at all for American interest. They were narrow-minded to the extent that they featured British topics and British views on American topics, if any, almost exclusively.

I can realise that the American fan magazines are in a sense guilty of the same thing. But in America there is an excuse. The excuse being that no American fan publication enjoys the patronage of more than three British fans. A few none at all. Therefore the impossibility of presenting subjects of dual interest to both nationalities has to an extent been neglected. However, this would not be the case, I know, if Britain took advantage of the continuous invitation to contribute to American fan activities. Therefore, to the American viewpoint, English fan magazines because they include on their subscription lists from one fourth to one half Americans, are being extremely narrow in not presenting something also of interest, to the American.

Now as to, British fans best-liked in America. They are, easily enough, Ted Carnell, J. M. Rosenblum, John F.Burke, Dave McIlwain, Walter H, Gillings, John Russell Fearn and Eric Frank Russell (the latter three as fans, not because they are proficient professionally) , I think the reasons for this choice should be obvious. The just named, know and appreciate science-fiction on both sides of the Atlantic. They have shown, time and again, that they can be fair in their opinions. The SFA is regarded as England's premier fan organisation.

For the sake of completeness, and to the aim of promoting better understanding among British and American fans, I ask that one of the three previously named prepare an arcicle of similar nature to this, giving their own opinions on tha subject. If argument turns me into a martyr, I can only say, I attempted to give the truth, as I saw it, as frankly and honestly as possible, and I believe that I am qualified to do so.

If our British fans are expecting me to tell our friend from across the water that he's got us all wrong, and that really we are being done an injustice by American fans, they are going to be disappointed - Mr. Moskowitz is, alas, speaking as near to the truth as makes no odds. But he doesnt realise the mentality of most British fans (those that have any mentality worth speaking of.)

First point - this Tales of Wonder business. The despicable manner in which fans write to this magazine and praise it, at the same time running down the American product as worthless, has already caused me much annoyance; I fancy their desire to see their name in print in the readers' columns is behind this hypocritical twaddle. Mr. Moskowitz's comments on this are, as far as I am concerned, unanswerable and all too true.

The fan-mag angle is a different matter, and needs most attention. I will not deny that American readers have helped a lot with the SATELLITE, and their criticisms have always been given in a very appealing manner. I have no doubt that other British fan publishers will have had the same experience - I hope so, for it is a very pleasant one. But I am not saying that the American response is exactly generous - it isn't, and a lot more response is necessary, before I, at any rate, can say that American fans are the mainstay of the magazine.

As to the quality of the American fan-magazines, I am honestly flattered that Sally should he considered in the same class. Fan-mags from USA are nearly always smartly turned out, interesting, and often very witty. Apart from the FAN, Official Organ of the Mutual Admiration Society of Wollheim & Co., I cannot think of one American magazine that has not in some way appealed to me - even the poorest have a 'personality' that most English products lack. No, there is no lack of quality in the American mags. BUT.... why should we squelch the British Intolerance? It seems to me that the Editors themselves are at fault, for not advertising more. How do you expect English fans to pour out cash when they've never even heard of your mag? The last issue of NEW WORLDS carried little paragraphs from some of the most prominent - you can't say Ted Carnell hasn't helped you in your publicity. I'm willing to exchange advertisements with any American fan-mag editor - if you'll ask me.

But don't go - there's some more yet. It is necessary to explain to Mr. Moskowitz that English fans are the

I fear that I have been supporting Mr. Moscowitz in his dreadful assertions, and even adding to them, but I do so in all sincerity. British fandom is in a parlous state, and I find it almost impossible to disagree with the criticial attitude.

Just as a matter of interest, though, I would say that some time ago I wrote to the editor of one of the fanmags mentioned, trying to arrange an exchange, and haven't seen any results as yet. There have been many fans in the past who have written off trustingly to America, sending money, and never got anything back. That matter was thrashed out in the CRITIC, a long time ago, and things have definitely altered for the better, but there is still doubt in the average English fan's mind.

And lastly, until American fan-mags can cut out a lot of their silly squabbles, and stop pretending that their various organisations are almost as important as political parties, and that the particular fan they represent is a great guy, a real clever bird, and all that one could wish for, they won't get far. Too much space in American mags is wasted by silly mud-slinging, cracks at other fans who are really no crazier than you are yourself, and the airing of bigoted views that no-one wants to read anyway.

Still, taking it all round, that article needs some attention by British fans - there's too much truth in it to be ignored. Wake up, British fans (what a hope!)

Dr. E. E. Smith, Ph.D., the great, the immutable, the unimpeachable, the original, the apex, the incandescent. He has been placed on a pedestal so high that most fans fear to look at it as they assume that anything so high must, of necessity, be great. So, fearing to blind themselves by his brilliance, they do not look. Thus Smith has gone on benignly for more than a decade. worshipped by uncritical fans. Yes, I said uncritical. The fans who do not scruple to tear to pieces the masterpieces of Fearn, Pragnell, Russell, Coblentz, Keller, Gernsback, etc. as soon as they see Dr. E. E. Smith, Ph.D. on a contents page, fall down and worship. Reverently they read the stories of Dr. E. E. etc., after having written to the magazine in question to praise the story. Usually extolling it to the skies for the very qualities it does not pretend to possess.

Smith wrote in Amazing "The Skylark of Space". There was a sudden rush of praise. I will not say an unprecedented rush because I know little of the pre-Skylark era. Certainly, though, I have no knowledge of any similar gush except that following "A Martain Odyssey". The usual excuse is that in these stories fans recognized the touch of a master. Indubitably -- not. They were familiar with masters who they criticized; why then were these two not criticized?

I think that the fact that these two are masters of SF did not enter into the calculations, if any, of these fans. The point they noticed was that these two stories were original. Weinbaum, I have dealt with previously; the "Skylark" was the first of the super-super stories. Not that it was of a particularly gigantic scope of itself, but when it suddenly burst upon an unsuspecting public it must have seemed stupendous. No, I am. not tilting at that first acclaim but at those who, after reading Arcot, Wade, Kinnison, etc. still maintain that poor little "Skylark" was a great story.

Admittedly "The Skylark of Space" contained the one great character Smith created before Kinnison - Duquesne. The whole mighty machinery of the other two Skylarks, great. yarns though they were, is so much junk, lacking the leaven of living characters to make it a story. Occasionally Duquesne and Skylark flash across the pages, two refreshing living beings in a story of puppets. Smith himself felt this; Duquesne was too strong for him. He knew that, left alone Duquesne would have destroyed Seaton in short order, so he introduced the Norlamin on Seaton's side, and even then Seaton could never have beaten Duquesne without more luck than ten real men would have had.

Again, "Spacehounds of IPC", shows little ability, the charactarisation is weak, and the story unoriginal.

1. JIMMY TAURASI sends American Fantasy News from New York.

The World's Science Fiction Convention to be held on July 2, 3 and 4 will take place at a hall in mid-town New York after all. Various places including even the Worlds Fair grounds eventually being discarded owing to cost of hiring. Mario Racic of NY has obtained METROPOLIS for first-day showing. An auction, an inter-fan softball match and probably a stf play will all be included, besides the galaxy of personalities.

The Fair itself will also provide an interesting feature with "A Trip to Venus," whereby the whole effects of a trip to that planet will be experienced, as well as a peep at a Martian colony and real (?) Martians.

The publishers of SCIENCE FICTION may publish a good old-fashioned Quarterly by the same name, and also a companion mag, if S-F itself sells well enough.

WONDER will feature a complete novel in the future. This will be in supplement form and small size type .... Alex Schomburg is now illustrating for UNCANNY, MYSTERY TALES and MARVEL SCIENCE ....Paul did the same Martian drawing depicted on the back of the new FANTASTIC for the cover of an old SCIENCE & INVENTION....Los Angeles fans rented a cinema and showed "The Ghost Goes West" on March 10... Mr. & Mrs. Campbell, Jr. Willy Ley, Sprague de Camp, John D. Clark and Conrad Ruppert attended. the March 5th meting of the Queens (New York) SFL....T/WONDER to sue WONDER COMICS for plagiarism of registered title.**

2. Non-SFAer ARNOLD WOOD gives a Readers' Viewpoint. "WHAT DO YOU think of UNKNOWN now? I think this latest issue (No.3) is a washout. Campbell said "No Zombies, Vampires, etc," yet that's just what it is -- a collection of eerie stories. It seems to me that UNKNOWN readers will divide into two camps; the supernatural type and the pure fantastic type. I detest the former, but I think there is plenty of scope in the latter. I enjoyed "Sinister Barrier," "Ultimate Adventure," and "Divide and Rule," but "Returned from Hell" and the others are mostly tripe.

Have you read "Prisoner of Mars" in the May STARTLING? The most amazing thing about this story is, substitute Ruritania for Mars and you have "Prisoner of Zenda" in title and story -- character for character it's the same.

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There must be a little rivralry between FANTASY and TALES OF WONDER, yet you can't compare the two. The best TOW stories are reprints and no use to the oldtimers, whereas FANTASY only prints new stuff, even if they are a little poorer in quality, as, of course, presentday science-fiction cannot stand up to the series of the old days.

The latest FANTASY is more ambitious than TALES OF WONDER, the highlight of the magazine being "Valley of Doom" by Halliday Sutherland. In these days a story like this is refreshing. The cover was poor but the inside illustrations by G.Blow were okay. He is an up-and-comer.

The cover on the latest TOW is easily the best I have ever seen.

I am a little tired of presentday science fiction. I have recently been buying quantities of back numbers containing stories I have missed in the past or read once and passed on, and I just get lost when I get down to reading them. Stories I have recently read include "Islands of Space" "Brood of Helios," "The Time Stream," "Worlds to Barter" "Men with Wings," "Across the Void," "The Final War," "The Ship of Ishtar," "The Purple Flame," "Tha Nth Man."

Stories today are mass produced. It seems that an author can turn out a 50,000 word novel overnight and quality always suffers at the hands of quality.

It's about time fans got together and demanded some of the classics of 15-20 years ago. I'm sure they would if they knew such stories existed as "The Fatal Gift," "The Golden Blight," "The After-Glow," "Darkness and Dawn," "Into the Great Oblivion," by George Allan England, "Messiah of the Cylinder," "The Draft of Eternity," "The Sea Demons," "The Eye of Palamok," by Victor Rosseau. "Palos of the Dog Star Pack," "The Mouthpiece of Zitu," "Jason," "Son of Jason," by J.Giesy "The Girl in the Golden Atom," "The People of the Golden Atom," by Ray Cummings. And heaps of others.

Presentday stuff no longer satisfies, because good stories don't come often enough. Take "The Exile of the Skies" by Richard Vaughn. Nothing new in it, but what a story!

At one time science-fiction was Democratic -- its readers demanded and Editors complied -- nowadays the readers have changed and so have the editors. The various s-f organisations readers, fan-mag editors, and s-f editors all write to each other what good fellows they are and what great things they are doing. You see the result. Everybody is satisfied -- WITH WHAT?

TAILPIECE. we decided to alter the contents of this issue to use the "Inscrutable" articles. Next issue J. Michael Rosenblum replies for Britain and Ted Carnell finally - and later.

Six weeks. Monthly. Now quarterly. Such has been the issue by issue statement of our publication date. In the near future we go quarterly, while Johnny Burke will issue SATTELITE as the monthly of the SFA, NW taking the place of the departed TOMORROW (for which we offer our condolences to Doug Mayer upon it's decease). One cynic has already stated that the next step will be "Out of Circulation," which stiffens our resolve to publish ad infinitum.

As a Quarterly NW will contain about 36 pages, and gives greater scope for long articles and stories. Material for the first issue is already of a far higher standard than you have requested, and as varied.

Many thanks to the numerous readers who have sent in constructive criticism - we are trying out the suggested cover lettering of J.L.Pope of Hampshire herewith. Other suggestions have been noted. No thanks or acknowledgments to the few who sent destructive criticism and didn't back up their statements with material for publication. Why waste our time if you don't like us? Tell it to the Marines.

FANTASTIC ADVENTURES sees publication. Companion to AMAZING hit US stands March 21, a few copies now in London. Fans raise loud cheers at revival of large-size format again. Shades of long-dead memories! The cream of stf was in those old mags. I'm certain the elusive magic of their spell will never be caught again - and surely bookcases are now built smaller? Advance opinion from across the Great Divide is mixed. The struggle between old memories of greatness and new editorial policies is evident. The Jan/Feb COLLECTOR states: "The stories are just a li'l above the quality of AMAZING. They weren't bad, they weren't excellent, or just good but, at least, they conform to the title. They were all fantastic adventures.

Well, I've read the issue and all the stories seem to tie up with some dame wanting a man badly, caving in and getting him, or else it was a stalwart (wart is right), yokel on the rampage for his princess. Of.course, there was the case of the dame not getting the hero because he was revoltingly ugly, but then Kummer always does write a little differently to anyone else.

And, boy oh boys, who models for artist Fugua? His nudes and near-nudes come right off the ice of an Amazonian woman's bosom. If the women of the future are likely to be so full in the busts as his are, I'm going to dig me a little hole, crawl in, pull the sides down and pine away for the. future.

CONVENTION: While US fans naturally have plenty to rave about with their gigantic task for the Worlds Fair Convention at NY, London will again stage what is a red-letter Convention for British fandom. May 21 will see a

Expect big Executive Staff changes to be brought up. A new driving policy will be outlined, publicity stunts, suggested, new work to be outlined for the betterment of stf in this country. At the moment, Frank Arnold is Acting General Secretary, superceeding Ken Chapman, who is now Frank's assistant.

SCIENCE FICTION. To date, no news of possible publication in Britain has arrived. It seams almost certain that the mag will not reach here, unless via the "remainder" stands. Editor Charles Hornig writes a column in April 2 FANTASY NEWS - a digest of his life leading up to editorial chair on the new mag. It's rather a parallel to Walt Gillings' history. S-F goes monthly with the August issue, which seems a propitious month for launching new projects.

August saw AMAZING go monthly, and also the advent of MARVEL. S-F June has a grand Paul cover, by the way.

LONDON OPINION. MARVEL bought Taine's name -- the story was poor; about 7000 words of story interest, Hamilton's "Prisoner of Mars," level pegging with Weinbaum's "The Black Flame" - for action fantasy...Fearn, Harris and Russell tops in FANTASY 2, proving that the regulars know their business... Binder's April ASTOUNDING "Rope Trick" ties with de Camp's May UNKNOWN "Divide and Rule" for best humour in recent months .... April ASTOUNDING astronomical cover by far the best of the series.

POTTED PARS. Possibility of TOW publishing more frequently temporarily parked .... Gerald Evans, SFAer of Swansea, has a yarn shortly under the "Thrilling" banner..... Much opinion both sides of the Atlantic roots for FANTASY No2 as best stf issue for many months ....Jack Williamson has left the confines of the New Mexico ranch house for Worlds Fair stamping ground .... Eric Russell also leaving for same corral about now .... May ASTOUNDING contains a paucity of illustrations as well as lack of quality. Too many outside artists cluttering up this mag with cartoons are helping the mag to slip in popularity.... Wesso is the only regular to depict in the issue... Good yarns are also rare, coming infrequently, "Cosmic Engineers, rating as high as "Galactic," with me has last place in the Analytical Lab.... Miller's "Coils of Time" and Berryman's "Special Flight" are welcome returns to normal science-fiction literature........Congratulations to Editor Marrgulies on a swell 10th Anniversary of WONDER, but what a flop the cover is. The worst since the first issue under "Thrilling."

See you at the Convention, I hope.

EDITOR MARGULIES flashes us the following news... .August THRILLING WONDER cover, painted by Brown and based on an original idea of his will be the subject or a cover contest. Cash prizes will be offered for the best fantasy stories written round it .... COSMIC CUBE, winning amateur short, by Graph Waldeyer; Kline's long complete novel RACE AROUND THE MOON (illustrated by Finlay); Coblentz's first TWS yarn THE MAN FROM XENERN (illustrated by Orban); THE WARNING FROM THE PAST, a Robert Moore Williams novelet (Wesse); ROMAN HOLIDAY, the first of a new type of series, by Kelvin Kent; are all scheduled for August.... October will see HADES, a prize story by Charles Esanda of Washington, DC, who won an hon. mention in the first contest, and VIA VENUS first of the new adventure series by Gordon A. Giles (Binder to you) .... The novel for this issue will be PLANET OF ETERNAL NIGHT by John W. Campbell Jr, plus ENERGY EATERS, a Kuttner-Barnes collaboration of Tony Quade and Gerry Carlyle .... Other yarns bought: COSMIC STAGE by Robert Arthur ....Gerald Evans'yarn entitled UPWARD BOUND is "a story with a wallop" ..... Lyle Gumm's MY FOURTH DIMENSIONAL TWIN; HERO by Horace Gold; TRUE CONFESSION by F. Orlin Tremaine.

DIGEST Mark Reinsburg, FANTASCIENCE DIGEST, March/April; Scattered reports indicate that FANTASTIC, the newest member of stf's growing field has been a success. The next few days will decide whether it will be continued. First issue was. tentatively dated bi-monthly, but if it is under- taken, the mag will become a regular monthly publication.

The second issue will be under a slightly different policy, as the inaugural was more or less a "feeler" on the public. Palmer found that pseudo-scientific detective stories were not desirable. Then, too, the interior illustrations will be toned down a trifle, the cartoon probably discontinued. Paul becoming a fixture with his "solar system" series.

SCIENCE-FICTION SPOTLIGHT, March/April DIGEST,gives amazing lowdown on Hank Kuttner, one of the hi-lites of the Los Angeles Group.... "Both Bloch and Kuttner appear to be crashing STRANGE with amazing consistency. Tarleton Fiske is one of Bloch's pseudonyms, while Kuttner employs the names of Will Garth and Keith Hammond. Kuttner has had eight stories in three issues of STRANGE, Bloch about as many..... THE BODY AND THE BRAIN current STRANGE, is the work of Bloch and Kuttner.... ROMAN HOLIDAY by Kelvin Kent is tha pseudonym of Bloch and Kuttner." (See TWS news above...Ed).

Robert Madle continues his column with news of MARVEL SCIENCE: "Proved to be a quarterly, and not a bi-monthly, August 1939 long novel will be "Dark Invasion" by Kummer. The other stories being "Hour of Judgment" by R. de Witt Miller; "Interplanetary Flatfoot" by R.R. Winterbotham, and "Dust" by L.A . Eshbach."

Shortly after his death, I was working late one night in my study, on completing his unfinished "Revolution of 1950." I became stumped as to how to write a certain paragraph.

"How would Stan have phrased it?" I asked. "Like this," spoke a voice. I looked up. Stan himself was standing at the corner of my desk, smiling down at me in his old sweet way. Quietly he dictated the missing passage, as my quivering hand took down the words. Then he faded from view. But his presence hovered over me, close to my mind, during the remainder of the undertaking. Result: I challenge anyone to point out the page where Stan left off, for you see, he didn't. Also it proves that the extra-spatial gangsters did not get Stan."

NEW FANDOM, April. From "The Other Side of the Fence," article by J.W.Campbell Jr: If the pro mags consistently refuse some request on the part of the fans, there is apt to be a reason. All the stf mags have consistently refused to present. stories by A. Merritt, despite the equally consistent demands of the fans....Merritt happens to be the editor of AMERICAN WEEKLY. That is sufficient of a job for any man - even as unusually brilliant a man as A. Merritt. If he did succeed in writing a little material, he would, of necessity, have to ask extremely steep rates.

Then there is the Murray Leinster type. He is not appearing in stf despite the requests of fans and editors. He can't afford to write for our rates, and we can't afford to compete with COLLIER'S rates until we have their circulation. It is not a question of the "extra hundred dollars or so." UNKNOWN gave Eric Russell more than an extra hundred dollars bonus beyond the standard top rate for his outstandingly fine "Sinister Barrier." ASTOUNDING is now paying three times the rate some of the other magazines in the field pay, but it cannot pay 10 and 15 cents a word for material.

Until the time we do have COLLIER'S circulation, we will continue to ignore fan requests for material by authors who hava to write for COLLIER'S rates.... it's the extra two or three thousand dollars that stops us.

First SFA issue of SATELLITE will commence with June. You're due to receive it in a few weeks now. We are backing it to the limit; it's a sure-fire winner and frankly, in our editorial opinion, far better than NEW WORLDS for varied material.