by Various
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THE FANTASY FAN
THE FANS' OWN MAGAZINE
~Editor~: Charles D. Hornig(Managing Editor: Wonder Stories)
Published 10 cents a copyMonthly $1.00 per year
137 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Volume 1 October, 1933 Number 2
EDITORIAL
You will note several improvements in this issue of THE FANTASY FANover the first number. The most noticeable one, of course, is the factthat there are almost twice as many pages as in the September copy.But our improvements do not end there--not by a long shot. Not onlyhas the circulation been doubled, but we have a new policy. Startingwith this issue, we will present a story every month (maybe more thanone) by Clark Ashton Smith, H. P. Lovecraft, August W. Derleth, andother top-notchers in the field of weird fiction. You science-fictionfans are probably wondering by the import of the last sentence why wewill not print science-fiction. Well, here's the reason. In theSCIENCE FICTION DIGEST we have a fan magazine for thosescientifictionally inclined, which also presents gems of this typestory by Arthur J. Burks, Ray Palmer, and others. We feel that theweird fans should also have a magazine for themselves--hence THEFANTASY FAN. But don't get discouraged, you science-fiction guzzlers,we have dozens of excellent articles composed just for you. AlthoughTHE FANTASY FAN will present no science-fiction stories, we certainlywill continue to give absorbing columns, articles and departments thatwill make each issue well worth a dime to you. You won't want to missthe rest of Schwartz's "How to Collect Fantasy Fiction," or Ackerman'sstory of his A-1 collection, or the Club News or the Famous Fansdepartment, or the Boiling Point, or Science Fiction in EnglishMagazines by Tucker, or the super-excellent material we have on handbesides--dozens of articles of humor, satire, information, absorbinginterest--the type of article that only the science fiction fan canderive full enjoyment from. So, while THE FANTASY FAN will lean towardthe weird angle, it will be worth the while of every science fictionfan to continue to be a reader. Furthermore--through years ofexperience (well, a month, anyway), we have learned that a great manyweird fans--we could almost say a majority--are also readers ofscience fiction and vice versa. After all, both science fiction andweird tales are fantastic, aren't they? They both are based on thehighly improbable, and they both stimulate the imagination. It is arare fan that does not like both. The scientifically inclined readermay not like weird tales; those that only want to be horrified andterrorized may not like science fiction; but those who want theirimaginations stimulated like both.
Let us remind you again, and inform the new readers, that this isprimarily a magazine for the fans, of the fans, and by the fans--thefan, the whole fan, and nothing but the fan. (We hope that by thistime you realize that we publish a FAN magazine). But all foolishnessaside, we want you to run the magazine. Tell us what you like and whatyou don't like. As many letters as possible will be published in "OurReaders Say" department. We will always abide by the wishes of themajority, and very often act upon the opinions of a single reader--tryout his ideas to see how the rest of the readers like them. Makebelieve that you are an associate editor--criticize us "to the hairylimit"--or tell us how good you think we are (we are not modest). Ifyou feel as though you have the ability to compose suitable articlesfor publication in THE FANTASY FAN, send them in for ourconsideration, and if we find them acceptable, you will be paid forthem in copies of THE FANTASY FAN--in cash as soon as possible. THEFANTASY FAN is still running on a deficit. Subscribe now, if you havenot already done so, and insure yourself of a bigger and bettermagazine in the future.
The following departments: "This Month's Cash Contest"--"PenpalsWanted"--and the Questionnaire have been discontinued because of lackof support and enthusiasm on the part of our readers. The"Conglamitorial," and "About Authors" and similar departments may beleft out once in awhile to make place for material of greater merit.
The feature of next month's issue will be "The Other Gods," by H. P.Lovecraft--a picturesque and weird story well up to the standard ofLovecraft's best, and far surpassing the general run of weird tale. Weare extremely fortunate in being able to secure such stories. TheNovember issue will also contain a poem by Clark Ashton Smith, thecontinuation of all continued in this issue (including another one ofthe "Annals of the Jinns" and will present many new and interestingfeatures.
Yours for spreading the gospel of weird and science fiction.
The Editor
OUR READERS SAY
"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 toexpand them, particularly those devoted to information about fantasticstories.
"'The Boiling Point' is going to be a great department. I wasinterested by the article on 'Science Fiction in English Magazines' byBob Tucker. I predict that 'The Fantasy Fan' will be a success. Withall best wishes"--Clark Ashton Smith
"Vol. 1, No. 1, looks to me very much what the younger science fictiondevotee wants. Later on it might be a good idea to use matter ofinterest to weird tales enthusiasts--articles on the classics of weirdliterature, and information concerning weird magazines."--H. P.Lovecraft
We'll wager Mr. Lovecraft is well satisfied with this issue. Itincludes everything he asked for and then some. It is no longer forthe "younger science fiction enthusiast," but for all lovers of thefantastic.
"I received the first issue of 'The Fantasy Fan' this morning and wasindeed pleased with it."--August W. Derleth
"I recently received the first issue of 'The Fantasy Fan' and I wantto congratulate you on your initial number. If future issues live upto the promise of the first one, you have nothing to fear. Yourventure should be a successful one.
"Being essentially a collector, I enjoyed the articles 'How to CollectFantasy Fiction' and 'Science Fiction in English Magazines.' I hopeMr. Tucker will be a more or less constant contributor to 'The FantasyFan' with information regarding stories in the English magazines.
"I have only one fault to find with the first number of 'The FantasyFan' 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 othermagazines without having to endure more of him in 'The Fantasy Fan?'Maybe he is the most active science fiction fan, but I wish he wouldconfine his activities to California. If you simply have to have him,please keep his outbursts to a minimum. I wonder if the 'World's mostactive science fiction fan;' 'The demon letter writer' realizes howtiresome and boring his continual out-pourings may become.
"Once more permit me to congratulate you on your efforts. I am lookingforward with considerable interest to future issues. With bestluck."--H. Koenig
You will be pleased to hear that Mr. Tucker has promised us a columnon English science fiction every month. The second in the seriesappear 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 isthe 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? Ofcourse, I don't know--I don't smoke. But I've just read TFF thru, andit's a dandy first number.
"A real good idea, t
hat, of reprinting the article about authorKostkos from the paper. He sounds a real stf'ist.
"If you want to know, I think that 'Science Fiction Alphabet' poem byAllen Glasser is great. I got a laugh out of every letter, and aminterested in seeing what happens from N to Z. Also, I greatly enjoyedhis 'Earthling Spurns Martian,' newspaper-of-the-future account--butEfjay Akkamin for the terrestrial! From Ockermann to McKermanmisspellings 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, yourfeatures and news items were well chosen and well written. There islittle room for improvement, just more pages, better paper, andstories, 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'tfind a solitary thing to kick about. Its perfect. Superb. I'm sureglad I'm a subscriber."--Ted Lutwin
No, readers, this is not a paid testimonial. Of course, we know themagazine is far from perfect or superb, but we are pleased to see thatthe greater part of our readers were not disappointed in it.
"Congrats on the first of the 'Fan,' it's darn good. The stf alphabetis swell. Tucker's article and 'Club News' are good as are thecolumns. Am eagerly awaiting No. 2 issue. 'The Fantasy Fan' is fillinga long-felt need and I expect it to grow and prosper. Bonvoyage."--Daniel McPhail
"Got my first issue of TFF other day. Best articles were 'ScienceFiction Alphabet,' 'About Authors,' and 'Conglamitorial.' I thoughtthe whole magazine was excellent."--J. Sam Smart
"'Earthling Spurns Martian' almost sent me into a fit. 'Tis a goodlittle mag. I hope you enlarge the size later."--David Stolaroff
"Received my copy of your magazine and liked it swell. Just what I'vebeen looking for! Your promise of some more new Clark Ashton Smithstories 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 readit or the ink to print it. And same can be said about all the ScienceFiction 'fan' magazines."--B. K. Goree, Jr.
Mr. Goree forgot to mention that "The Fantasy Fan" isn't worth thepaper it's printed on. Ink is very cheap.
"The first issue is really good, but I think a great many improvementscan be made. I would suggest that you use a stiff cover of some heavypaper, with a table of contents either on the front cover, as in the'Science Fiction Digest,' or on the inside of the front cover. Abetter grade of paper should prove of advantage. Leave the size theway it is.
"Now for the articles themselves. These were all good, especiallyJulius Schwartz's on the collection of science fiction, ScienceFiction in English Magazines and Sequels by Popular Demand. I do notcare an awful lot for Mr. Smith's stories, but have read some dandiesby him. Some of his stories are a good cure for sleeping sickness, Iagree with Mr. Ackerman on some points in The Boiling Point, but onothers--aw, phooie, Mr. Ackerman! Because I just half agree with him,I think I will stay neutral in the controversy. Best wishes to you inyour new venture. I hope you double your circulation in a fewmonths."--Oswald Train
We have made several of the improvements you mention, and will makeothers in good time. Do you want a contents page, fans, or would yourather have the space used for some interesting article? Give us youropinions on the current issue, and tell us your likes and dislikes. Wewant to hear from you.
The Editor
ARGOSY FANTASTICS
(Courtesy Don Moore, Managing Editor, Argosy)
Fantasy Fans may be interested to know some of the forthcomingfantastic and weird stories scheduled for publication in Argosy, whichhas always featured this type of fiction. In the November 4th issue,Ray Cummings has a novelette, "Terror of the Unseen," in which acriminal scientist masters the secret of electrical invisibility andthrows a great city into chaos. It is an exciting piece of sciencefiction complete in this issue.
The following week, November 11th, Erle Stanley Gardner presents thesecond of his series of stories about the Roadrunner, a lone wolf ofthe Mexican border who has a strange faculty of seeing in the dark--ascientifically possible but rare phenomenon which leads him intounusual adventures. This novelette is entitled "Border Justice."
Otis Adelbert Kline starts his second novel of the red planet in theNovember 25th issue. "The Outlaw of Mars" is a full length novel ofadventure in the weird world of canals, filled with amazing warfareand fantastic animals.
The Kingdom Of The Worm
by Clark Ashton Smith
[Every fantasy reader knows Clark Ashton Smith, and he needs nointroduction. Not only is he the favorite of thousands, but his workhas been said to rival and even surpass Poe. Although, as a generalrule, we do not take sides, we admit without the slightest hesitationthat we enjoy Clark Ashton Smith's tales a great deal more than we doPoe's. Even those that find Smith's work altogether too fantastic mustadmit that no other author has nearly as beautiful a vocabulary, andfew have as great an ability to produce the utterly weird effect asour present author. He claims that "The Kingdom of the Worm" is one ofhis weirdest and most original of his tales, and we are inclined toagree with him. Let the story speak for itself.]
* * * * *
FOREWORD
This tale was suggested by the reading of "The Voyages and Travels ofSir John Maundeville," in which the fantastic realm of Abchaz and thedarkness covered province of Hanyson are actually described! Irecommend this colourful fourteenth-century book to lovers of fantasy.Sir John even tells, in one chapter, how diamonds propagatethemselves! Truly, the world was a wonderful place in those times,when almost everyone believed in the verity of such marvels.
Now in his journeying Sir John Maundeville had passed well to one sideof that remarkable province in the kingdom of Abchaz which was calledHanyson; and, unless he was greatly deceived by those of whom he hadinquired the way, could deem himself within two days' travel of theneighboring realm of Georgia.
He had seen the river that flowed out from Hanyson, a land of hostileidolators on which there lay the curse of perpetual darkness; andwherein, it was told, the voices of people, the crowing of cocks andthe neighing of horses had sometimes been heard by those whoapproached its confines. But he had not paused to investigate theverity of these marvels; since the direct route of his journey wasthrough another region; and also Hanyson was a place into which noman, not even the most hardy, would care to enter without need.
However, as he pursued his wayfaring with the two Armenian Christianswho formed his retinue, he began to hear from the inhabitants of thatportion of Abchaz the rumor of an equally dread demesne, namedAntchar, lying before him on the road to Georgia. The tales they toldwere both vague and frightful, and were of varying import: some saidthat this country was a desolation peopled only by the liches of thedead and by loathly phantoms; others, that it was subject to theghouls and afrits, who devoured the dead and would suffer no livingmortal to trespass upon their dominions; and still others spoke ofthings all too hideous to be described, and of dire necromancies thatprevailed in Antchar even as the might of emperors doth prevail inmore usually ordered lands. And the tales agreed only in this, thatAntchar had been within mortal memory one of the fairest domains ofAbchaz, but had been utterly laid waste by an unknown pestilence, sothat its high cities and broad fields were long since abandoned to thedesert and to such devils and other creatures as inhabit waste places.And the tellers of the tales agreed in warning Sir John to avoid thisregion and to take the road which ran deviously to the north ofAntchar; for Antchar was a place into which no man had gone in lattertimes.
The good knight listened gravely to all these, as was his wont; butbeing a stout Christian, and valorous withal, he would not suffer themto deter him from his purpose. Even when the last inhabited villagehad been left behind, and he came to the division of the ways, and sawverily that the
highway into Antchar had not been trodden by man orbeast for generations, he refused to change his intention but rodeforward stoutly while the Armenians followed with much protest andsome trepidation.
Howbeit, he was not blind to the sundry disagreeable tokens that beganto declare themselves along the way. There were neither trees, herbsnor lichens anywhere, such as would grow in any wholesome land; butlow hills mottled with a leprosy of salt, and ridges bare as the bonesof the dead.
Anon he came to a pass where the hills were strait and steep on eachhand, with pinnacled cliffs of a dark stone crumbling slowly into dustand taking shapes of wild horror and strangeness, of demonry andSatanry as they crumbled. There were faces in the stone, having thesemblance of ghouls or goblins, that appeared to move and twist as thetravellers went by; and Sir John and his companions were troubled bythe aspect of these faces and by the similitudes which they bore toone another. So much alike, indeed, were many of them, that it seemedas if their first exemplars were preceding the wayfarers, to mock themanew at each turn. And aside from those which were like ghouls orgoblins, there were others having the features of heathen idols,uncouth and hideous to behold; and others still that were like theworm-gnawed visages of the dead; and these also appeared to repeatthemselves on every hand in a doubtful and wildering fashion.
The Armenians would have turned back, for they swore that the rockswere alive and endowed with motion, in a land where naught else wasliving; and they sought to dissuade Sir John from his project. But hesaid merely, "Follow me, an ye will," and rode onward among the rocksand pinnacles.
Now, in the ancient dust of the unused road, they saw the tracks of acreature that was neither man nor any terrestrial beast; and thetracks were of such unwonted shape and number, and were so monstrouswithal, that even Sir John was disquieted thereby; and perceivingthem, the Armenians murmured more openly than before.