"I have read the first issue of 'The Fantasy Fan' with much interest.
Good work! I like your departments, and hope you will be able to
expand them, particularly those devoted to information about fantastic
stories.
"'The Boiling Point' is going to be a great department. I was
interested by the article on 'Science Fiction in English Magazines' by
Bob Tucker. I predict that 'The Fantasy Fan' will be a success. With
all best wishes"--Clark Ashton Smith
"Vol. 1, No. 1, looks to me very much what the younger science fiction
devotee wants. Later on it might be a good idea to use matter of
interest to weird tales enthusiasts--articles on the classics of weird
literature, and information concerning weird magazines."--H. P.
Lovecraft
We'll wager Mr. Lovecraft is well satisfied with this issue. It
includes everything he asked for and then some. It is no longer for
the "younger science fiction enthusiast," but for all lovers of the
fantastic.
"I received the first issue of 'The Fantasy Fan' this morning and was
indeed pleased with it."--August W. Derleth
"I recently received the first issue of 'The Fantasy Fan' and I want
to congratulate you on your initial number. If future issues live up
to the promise of the first one, you have nothing to fear. Your
venture should be a successful one.
"Being essentially a collector, I enjoyed the articles 'How to Collect
Fantasy Fiction' and 'Science Fiction in English Magazines.' I hope
Mr. Tucker will be a more or less constant contributor to 'The Fantasy
Fan' with information regarding stories in the English magazines.
"I have only one fault to find with the first number of 'The Fantasy
Fan' and that's Forrest J. Ackerman. Can't you get along without him?
Isn't it bad enough to find his letters appearing in all of the other
magazines without having to endure more of him in 'The Fantasy Fan?'
Maybe he is the most active science fiction fan, but I wish he would
confine his activities to California. If you simply have to have him,
please keep his outbursts to a minimum. I wonder if the 'World's most
active science fiction fan;' 'The demon letter writer' realizes how
tiresome and boring his continual out-pourings may become.
"Once more permit me to congratulate you on your efforts. I am looking
forward with considerable interest to future issues. With best
luck."--H. Koenig
You will be pleased to hear that Mr. Tucker has promised us a column
on English science fiction every month. The second in the series
appear in this issue.
Of course, we cannot take sides with you as to whether Mr. Ackerman's
'outbursts' are boring. That is for the readers to decide. Yours is
the first unfavorable comment we have had upon Mr. Ackerman's efforts,
and we feel that the majority of the readers enjoy his articles.
"Your first issue certainly satisfies! Like Chesterfields, huh? Of
course, I don't know--I don't smoke. But I've just read TFF thru, and
it's a dandy first number.
"A real good idea, that, of reprinting the article about author
Kostkos from the paper. He sounds a real stf'ist.
"If you want to know, I think that 'Science Fiction Alphabet' poem by
Allen Glasser is great. I got a laugh out of every letter, and am
interested in seeing what happens from N to Z. Also, I greatly enjoyed
his 'Earthling Spurns Martian,' newspaper-of-the-future account--but
Efjay Akkamin for the terrestrial! From Ockermann to McKerman
misspellings have ranged (and, yes, someone even addressed me Mr.
Staples, once), but really----"--Forrest J. Ackerman
"I enjoyed the first issue of 'The Fantasy Fan' very much, your
features and news items were well chosen and well written. There is
little room for improvement, just more pages, better paper, and
stories, which will come in time."--Philip Bridges
Mr. Bridges' wishes have also come true.
"Just what I think of TFF:--every single word in it is GOOD--I can't
find a solitary thing to kick about. Its perfect. Superb. I'm sure
glad I'm a subscriber."--Ted Lutwin
No, readers, this is not a paid testimonial. Of course, we know the
magazine is far from perfect or superb, but we are pleased to see that
the greater part of our readers were not disappointed in it.
"Congrats on the first of the 'Fan,' it's darn good. The stf alphabet
is swell. Tucker's article and 'Club News' are good as are the
columns. Am eagerly awaiting No. 2 issue. 'The Fantasy Fan' is filling
a long-felt need and I expect it to grow and prosper. Bon
voyage."--Daniel McPhail
"Got my first issue of TFF other day. Best articles were 'Science
Fiction Alphabet,' 'About Authors,' and 'Conglamitorial.' I thought
the whole magazine was excellent."--J. Sam Smart
"'Earthling Spurns Martian' almost sent me into a fit. 'Tis a good
little mag. I hope you enlarge the size later."--David Stolaroff
"Received my copy of your magazine and liked it swell. Just what I've
been looking for! Your promise of some more new Clark Ashton Smith
stories make it even more enticing. Good luck to you!"--Duane W. Rimel
Well, fans, just to show you that the above has not gone to our head,
read what someone else says:
"At present, 'The Fantasy Fan' isn't worth the time it takes, to read
it or the ink to print it. And same can be said about all the Science
Fiction 'fan' magazines."--B. K. Goree, Jr.
Mr. Goree forgot to mention that "The Fantasy Fan" isn't worth the
paper it's printed on. Ink is very cheap.
"The first issue is really good, but I think a great many improvements
can be made. I would suggest that you use a stiff cover of some heavy
paper, with a table of contents either on the front cover, as in the
'Science Fiction Digest,' or on the inside of the front cover. A
better grade of paper should prove of advantage. Leave the size the
way it is.
"Now for the articles themselves. These were all good, especially
Julius Schwartz's on the collection of science fiction, Science
Fiction in English Magazines and Sequels by Popular Demand. I do not
care an awful lot for Mr. Smith's stories, but have read some dandies
by him. Some of his stories are a good cure for sleeping sickness, I
agree with Mr. Ackerman on some points in The Boiling Point, but on
others--aw, phooie, Mr. Ackerman! Because I just half agree with him,
I think I will stay neutral in the controversy. Best wishes to you in
your new venture. I hope you double your circulation in a few
months."--Oswald Train
We have made several of the improvements you mention, and will make
others in good time. Do you want a contents page, fans, or would you
rather have the space used for some interesting article? Give us your
opinions on the current issue, and tell us your likes and dislikes. We
want to hear from you.