The hardest job of an editor is trying to please everyone. As this isan impossibility, all they can do is to please as many as they can.When a majority voice a suggestion, he must take it into seriousconsideration. We find that the underused plots you have mentionedhave been used quite often, except that which is not for sciencefiction, but has been overdone in weird stories.
"I keep forgetting that each month I am going to receive a copy of_The Fantasy Fan_ so that, when it does come, it is such a pleasantsurprise. As a regular feature, I enjoy Bob Tucker's report on theEnglish stf magazines best of all. 'How to Write a Stf Story' was _so_funny."--Forrest J. Ackerman
"The November TFF is decidedly improving and I look forward to futureissues with much interest. I wonder how many collectors there are thatcan discriminate between the trash that seems popular and the best inFantasy?"--R. H. Barlow
"The November issue of TFF was magnificent! What got the cake was 'Howto Write a Stf Story' by Hoy Ping Pong. By the way, Editor, who isthis Hoy Ping Pong? Anyway, regardless of who he is, he seems to behumorously inclined, so let's have more from him. No periodical isexactly good without a touch of humor."--Ted H. Lutwin
There's no use in concealing the identity Hoy Ping Pong. It is noneother than Bob Tucker, author of the English science fiction series,and more Hoy Ping Pong articles to come.
"I liked the November issue very much and hope you'll publish more ofSmith's poetry."--Robert E. Howard
"I was certainly disappointed to hear that the _Necronomicon_, _Bookof Eibon_, and the _Nameless Cults_ had no existence except in thefertile imaginations of Lovecraft, Smith, and Howard. That's notillusion of reality. Anyone could quote books and authors that neverexisted. To me, it is plain fabrication. According to Joseph McCabe,the monks of the middle ages were adepts at it. I must say, however,that it was quite a help in giving an illusion of reality toLovecraft's stories, and Smith's. It won't be now, though, because thecat is out of the bag. But what about 'Yog Sothoth' and 'Sattaquo' and'Thule.' Surely, there must be a legend of some sort to account forthem, or does their ancientness go no farther than 1924? Were theyborn about the same time as _Weird Tales_? I notice that the Illusionof reality has much more force at night than in the daytime."--Carl J.Smith
It is only an A-1 author that can make you believe that a thing existswhen it really doesn't. Perhaps the cat is out of the bag, at you say,but we don't believe that it detracts from Smith's, Lovecraft's, orHoward's stories one bit. However, weird fans will probably not besatisfied until the aforesaid "fabricators" write up the books _intoto_ that they have created in their minds. Smith is now workingon a chapter of "The Book of Eibon."
"I was pleased to receive your clever little 'Fantasy Fan' andconsider it highly entertaining and useful and well worth the dollar Ienclose for a year's subscription. From time to time I noticed in thereader's columns the uprise of little pamphlets, but never gave themserious thought. This one you have sent me startled me intoappreciating that the fantasy fans are an energetic lot.
"My eulogies and praises to the incomparable Clark Ashton Smith forhis 'Kingdom of the Worm.' He has the magic of words that makes greatwriters. We like to honor the memory of Poe as the father of the shortstory and the fantastic type of fiction, but Smith surpasses him.
"Enclosed you will find a little story of mine that I tender yougratis--let us say as a Christmas present, for use in TFF. I wrote iton the spur of the moment one day, as the idea popped into my mind andrefused to depart."--Eando Binder
We thank Mr. Binder, an author of note, for his excellent story. Itwill appear in an early issue of TFF. The theme used is a brand newone, and we believe will make a big hit with all lovers of weirdfiction.
"The November issue was a gem all the way through, and I am certainlylearning a lot of facts about fantastic fiction that are quite new tome. It answers numerous questions that I have had in mind for a longtime. I think the comments by the readers constitute a most absorbingpart of your magazine, especially when they are by contributors andold fans that know the 'ropes' well. Understand that I am acomparative beginner in the absorbing game of chasing fantasticliterature. It is quite noticeable that the trend is turning even moretoward the fantastic than the pure science fiction, which, it wouldseen, has been on the wane for some time. I am not a science fictioncrank, however, and have several good tales in my collection. They arenot interplanetary, though, but ones approaching closer to thefantastic.
"The poem by Clark Ashton Smith was enormous; yet, more than that. Ido not think one could describe it. 'The Other Gods' by H. P.Lovecraft added just the right atmosphere to TFF. The mention ofUlthar in this story recalled a story by the same author named 'TheCats of Ulthar.'
"As Mr. Ackerman's collection continues to pile up, it seems that inspite of mania to judge literature, he certainly does a thing up rightwhen he starts.
"The discovery that the now famous book 'Necronomicon' is entirelyfictitious was a considerable shock. Too bad that such a volume is notavailable to all lovers of fiction pertaining to the black arts andkindred subjects. I had even thought seriously of sending to the StateCollege Library in quest of a copy in English! I wondered at the timeif it had yet been translated. Why not have Lovecraft write such abook? I am sure it would sell well. I enjoy reading the denouncementof Mr. Ackerman."--Duane W. Rime
As Dr. Keller says, it doesn't matter whether a reader praises Forrestor condemns him, so long as they say _something_. We, also, were onthe verge of sending someplace for the _Necronomicon_ in English.
"Lovecraft's 'The Other Gods' and 'Supernatural Horror in Literature'are a treat for which I am sure every reader is grateful. 'True GhostStories' is very well presented and Barlow's 'Annals of the Jinns'very capably upholds fantastic lore. Smith's 'The Kingdom of the Worm'recalled to my mind Donald Wandrei's 'The Worm King', a poem whichI read in _Weird Tales_ years ago. While different in essence oftone, these two carry the same eery quality. Although your variousdepartments have not yet swung into full stride, great promise isindicated.
"I have a suggestion for Mr. Tucker. If his English connection willsupply him with sufficient information, a column or so on ArthurMachen and Algernon Blackwood might introduce two very worthy writersof weird tales to your readers."--Chester D. Cuthbert
We have on hand for early publication, several articles on the worksof the great writers of the past. Watch for them. To our readers: Howdid you like Mr. Cuthbert's story "The Sublime Vigil" in the February1934 issue of _Wonder Stories_? Watch his progress! We predict that inless than one year he will be one of your favorite authors.
"Glad to see the December issue. All the stories art excellent and thedepartments are as interesting as usual."--H. P. Lovecraft
"I have received the November TFF and would say that it is the mostsatisfactory issue so far. 'The Other Gods' is indeed a masterpiece ofprose poetry, filled with imaginative overtones. Barlow's secondAnnals of the Jinns is memorably touched, and the sense of atmosphereconveyed is remarkable in view of its brevity. Hoy Ping Pong's articleon how to write scientifiction is most amusing.
"Re the origin of the word 'weird,' which you attributed to EdgarAllan Poe. I believe that Poe was perhaps the first to employ thisadjective in the modern sense of eerie or uncanny or bizarre; butyou will find it used in older writers, such as Shakespeare, witha special application to witchcraft or sorcery. The three Fatesof classic mythology were spoken of as 'the weird sisters,' andthe root-meaning of the word has reference to fate or destiny. Asa noun, it is still sometimes used in the latter sense; and it alsomeans a prediction of prophecy. The word itself is of Anglo-Saxonorigin, and is related to the old German _wurt_ and Icelandic_urdhr_."--Clark Ashton Smith
In my filler concerning the origin of the word "weird," you willremember that I said that its meaning the bizarre originated withEdgar Allen Poe. I had in mind the other meanings as I wrote it.Undoubtedly, if Edgar Allan Poe had not used it, the word would not bepopular today.
"I had intended to write sin
ce I received the first copy of TFF, butcircumstances made it impossible. I wish to compliment you on themagazine. It is not perfect, of course--But it is different and thatis a blessing indeed."--Louis C. Smith
Send in your letter to "Our Readers Say," fans. We want your opinions,criticisms, and suggestions. Do you think that too much space isdevoted to this department? If so, we'll cut it down.
ADVERTISEMENTS
FIRST PRINT of A. Merritt's "Moon Pool." The most valuable edition ofany science fiction book. What am I offered? Ted Lutwin, 315 HendersonStreet, Jersey City, N.J.
CLARK ASHTON SMITH presents THE DOUBLE SHADOW AND OTHER FANTASIES--abooklet containing a half-dozen imaginative and atmospherictales.--Stories of exotic beauty, glamor, terror, strangeness, ironyand satire. Price; 25 cents each, (coin or stamps). Also a smallremainder of EBONY AND CRYSTAL--a book of prose poems published at$7.00, reduced to $1.00 per copy. Everything sent postpaid. ClarkAshton Smith, Auburn, California.
BACK NUMBERS OF THE FANTASY FAN--September, 20 cents; October,November, December, 10 cts. (Only a few Septembers left.)
IF YOU HAVE any copies of _Weird Tales_ dated 1923-24-25-26-27, thatyou would like to part with, please communicate with the Editor.
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Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been correctedwithout note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text havebeen retained as printed.
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