Astounding Stories of Super-Science September 1930

by Various

  The Readers' Corner

  _A Meeting Place for Readers of_ Astounding Stories]

  _From Australia_

  Dear Editor:

  I am taking the privilege of writing to you in an endeavor to show my appreciation of your magazine Astounding Stories.

  Although I am an inveterate reader I must say that I have never read any book or magazine to come up to the above, and confess that though I am ignorant of the intricacies of science (and lacked interest in same prior to my reading your first issue) same is described so plainly that I have no trouble in fully understanding exactly what the author conveys. I must thank you for this other interest in the monotony of life.

  Have pleasure of informing you that through my enthusiasm have created several subscribers, and on occasions when adopting the age old custom of placing my foot upon the rail and bending the elbow, have entered into many a conversation and discussion re the different stories included in your magazine.

  I assure you of my whole-hearted support in the furthering of the popularity of your enjoyable and unique work in my country, and wish you every success in your venture.--M. B. Johnston, 237 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia.

  _Mr. Neal's Favorites_

  Dear Editor:

  The other day I saw Astounding Stories on one of the newsstands. I purchased it, and after reading "Brigands of the Moon", I eagerly finished the rest of the magazine. I did not like "Out of the Dreadful Depths." In my opinion it should not be in a Science Fiction magazine. The only thing the matter with your magazine is that it is too small. I would like to read some stories in "our" magazine by Ed Earl Repp, David H. Keller, M. D., Miles J. Brewer, M. D., and Stanton Coblentz--Francis Neal, R. R. 4, Box 105, Kokomo, Ind.

  _No Ghost Stories_

  Dear Editor:

  I received your April issue and I think it is the best yet. I have but one complaint to make, and that is your magazine seems to print some good science stories, but also has some stories which do not belong in a Science Fiction magazine. They might come under the name of weird tales. Is your magazine devoted to pure 100 per cent. Science Fiction? If so, I think you ought to leave out the ghost stories.--Louis Wentzler, 1933 Woodbine St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

  _From the Other Sex_

  Dear Editor:

  You'll be surprised to hear from a girl, as I notice only boys wrote to praise your new magazine. I tried reading some of the Science Fiction magazines my brother buys every month but I'd start reading a story only to leave it unfinished. But your magazine is different. When I picked it up to read it I thought I'd soon throw it down and read something else, but the moment I started to read one of the stories of your new magazine I read it to the finish. I never read such vivid and exciting stories. Even my brother who loves all kinds of Science Fiction magazines couldn't stop praising your new magazine. He said Astounding Stories beats them all.

  Some of our readers criticized your new magazine, and I haven't anything but disagreement for them. Yet, who am I, to judge persons who have read and know all about Science Fiction?

  Will recommend your new magazine to all my friends.--Sue O'Bara, 13440 Barley Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

  _January Issue Was First_

  Dear Editor:

  I have just finished reading the April issue of "our" magazine. Can mere words describe my feelings? I am classing the stories as follows: A--excellent; B--very good; C--good; D--passable; E--poor.

  A--"Monsters of Moyen," "Vampires of Venus," "The Ray of Madness," "The Soul-Snatcher."

  B--"The Man Who Was Dead."

  C--None. D--None. E--None.

  "Brigands of the Moon" is getting more and more interesting. Can you please tell me which month's issue was the first one, as I didn't procure the first two copies and should like to do so?--Eli Meltzer, 1466 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

  "_Eclipses All_"

  Dear Editor:

  Just as soon as your new magazine came out I espied it. It eclipsed all the other magazines on the stand. As a cub magazine I couldn't ask for more.

  I am going to comment on your stories now because I know you want me too, for I know you would like to know what sort of stories your readers like.

  I have a lot to say about Ray Cummings. He is the best writer I have ever seen. His stories couldn't be beat. "Phantoms of Reality" was a corking good story, but I believe his new serial, "Brigands of the Moon," is going to be better. Captain S. P. Meek is a very good writer also. I take immense joy in his Dr. Bird stories. And we must not forget that great writer, Murray Leinster. His stories are really good.

  I congratulate you on your new magazine, Mr. Editor.--Albert Philbrick, 117 N. Spring St., Springfield, Ohio.

  "_A Unique Magazine_"

  Dear Editor:

  I've been trying to write your magazine for a long time, so here goes.

  I've bought every copy from the first issue and sure think it is a good magazine. In fact I should say a unique magazine; there are but few magazines in its class among Science Fiction magazines. The stories come up to the standards of good Science Fiction, and some go far above it. A few stories I did not like were: "The Man Who Was Dead," "The Soul Snatcher," "The Corpse on the Grating" and "The Stolen Mind." The science in all these stories was very poor. But your magazine became better in my eyes when you published "Phantoms of Reality," "Tanks," "Old Crompton's Secret," "Brigands of the Moon," "Monsters of Moyen," and all of Captain S. P. Meek's stories. These were extraordinarily good stories.

  Wesso's drawings are very good, and I hope you keep him. I have seen his drawings in another magazine for quite a time. I don't like the illustrations of your other artist. Could you, by chance, secure an artist by the name of Leo Morey or Hugh Mackay? They both illustrate for other Science Fiction magazines and are about as good as Wesso. Please keep the latter. And why don't you have him to do all of your illustrating?

  Sorry to seem such a grouch, but I don't like your grade of paper either. And why not enlarge the magazine to about 11" x 9" by 1/2", and charge 25 cents for your thoroughly good magazine, apart from the defects I have mentioned.

  About your authors. They are, for the most part, good. But they are mostly amateurs at writing Science Fiction stories. I am delighted to see such expert writers of Science Fiction as Harl Vincent, Ray Cummings, Victor Rousseau and Captain S. P. Meek writing for your magazine, but couldn't you include in your staff of authors A. Hyatt Verrill, Dr. Miles J. Breuer, Dr. David H. Keller, R. F. Starzl, and a few more such notable authors? I hope to see these authors in your magazine soon.--Linus Hogenmiller, 502 N. Washington St., Farmington, Mo.

  _The Star System!_

  Dear Editor:

  One star means fairly good, two stars, good; three stars, excellent; four, extraordinary; no stars--just another story.

  I give "Brigands of the Moon," by Ray Cummings, three stars; "The Atom-Smasher," by Victor Rousseau, three stars; "Murder Madness," by Murray Leinster, two stars; "Into the Ocean Depths," by S. P. Wright, two stars, and "The Jovian Jest," by L. Lorraine, no stars. It was short and sweet.

  Wesso sure can draw. I would like to see a full page illustration for each story by him.

  My favorite type of stories are interplanetary, and, second favorite, stories of future wars. Will you have many of them in the future? I like long stories like the novelette in the May issue of Astounding Stories--Jack Darrow, 4225 N. Spaulding Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

  _We Expect Not To_

  Dear Editor:

 
While going over your "The Readers' Corner" of the April issue, I noticed in your answer to one of the letters that you will avoid reprints. Now many of your readers have not read the older classics of Science Fiction. Would it not be a good idea to publish a reprint at least once a year? One of the suggestions given was Merritt's "Through the Dragon Glass." Another very interesting story, and one that I am sure almost all of your followers have not read, is "The Blind Spot," by Homer Flint.

  I like the idea of having three members to a volume, as it will be much easier to bind. Now, starting with the April issue, I think that the best story in there is "Monsters of Moyen." "The Ray of Madness" was up to the usual standard of Capt. S. P. Meek's stories. "The Man Who Was Dead" was fairly good; average, I would say. I did not like "Vampires of Venus."

  I say that the May issue was the best of the Astounding Stories. I was satisfied with every story in it. "Into the Ocean Depths" was the best story, "The Atom Smasher" being a close second. I like the way the story "Into the Ocean Depths" ended; a slight trace of sadness and not at all like the "and they lived happily ever after" ending. A real story.

  I was disappointed in not finding any story concerning Dr. Bird in the April issue. Will any more be printed soon?

  Before I close I would like a definite answer to this question: Will you ever, or in the near future, reprint any of the genre of Science Fiction, stories by the late master Garret P. Serviss, or from the pen of A. Merritt and H. G. Wells?--Nathan Greenfeld, 313 E. 70th St., New York City.

  _Again Reprints_

  Dear Editor:

  Although I am a reader of six Science Fiction magazines, I was more than glad to see the latest one out, Astounding Stories. Because the stories are all interesting. I consider Astounding Stories superior to most of the Science Fiction periodicals on the newsstands to-day.

  My favorite stories are those of interplanetary voyages and other worlds. My favorite authors are: Ray Cummings, A. Merritt, Victor Rousseau, Murray Leinster, Arthur J. Burks and Harl Vincent. I hope that you will soon have stories by Edmond Hamilton and David H. Keller.

  Now here is something I hope you will give some thought and consideration. I noticed that many of the readers wrote in, requesting reprints. I am one of those who would like to see you publish some reprints, especially stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs, A. Merritt and Ray Cummings. These authors have written many masterpieces of Science Fiction. It is very difficult, if not impossible, for a person to get these stories. They could be made available easily if Astounding Stories would reprint them.

  Most of the readers who object to reprints do so because they would hate to see a story by H. G. Wells or Jules Verne. I, myself, do not like these authors as they are too dull. But if you have only reprints by the three authors I mentioned and a few other popular writers, I am sure all the readers would welcome them. At least you could have a vote and see how they stand on reprints--Michael Fogaris, 157 Fourth St., Passaic, N. J.

  _Likes_ "_The Readers' Corner_"

  Dear Editor:

  Your "The Readers' Corner" interests me very much. It surely does show how your magazine pleases its readers. You cannot get too much science in your stories to suit me. Chemistry and physics more than anything else.

  I surely enjoyed reading "Mad Music" and "The Thief of Time." I don't like long stories. They are too interesting to have to wait a month for the next part.

  I hope that your magazine continues to have as "astounding" stories as it has in the past.--Vern L. Enrich, R. F. D. 1, Casey, Illinois.

  _From Master Weiner_

  Dear Editor:

  One day coming home from school I saw your magazine. That night I bought it and have since been an ardent reader.

  But why not give us a change? I prefer stories of the Sargasso Sea, the Maelstrom, and about invasions of the Earth.--Milton Weiner, age 12, 2430 Baker St., Baltimore Maryland.

  _High Praise_

  Dear Editor:

  Enclosed you will find twenty cents in stamps for the first copy of Astounding Stories.

  I have just finished the May issue of Astounding Stories and the rating of the stories is: 1--"Brigands of the Moon"--Excellent! 2--"The Atom Smasher"--Marvelous! 3--"Murder Madness"--Perfect. 4--"Into the Ocean's Depths"--Good. 5--"The Jovian Jest"--Pretty Good.

  The cover design by H. Wesso is good. Don't lose him.

  I would like more stories by Victor Rousseau and Ray Cummings. Where are some stories by H. G. Wells, Stanton Coblens, Gawain Edwards, Francis Flagg, Henrik Jarve and Dr. Keller? My favorite stories are interplanetary stories.

  Here are some things that may improve your magazine (though I must say that your magazine is about perfect as it is): More pictures in long stories; about two novelettes in each issue; about two short stories in each issue; more interplanetary novels and novelettes; about one serial in one issue; smoother paper.--Isidore Horowitz, 1161 Stratford Avenue, New York City.

  "_Fairly Good Satire_"

  Dear Editor:

  I have read your two issues of Astounding Stories and I feel they will fill a very much needed place in literature.

  I am especially interested in the stories like the "Vampires of Venus" and the "Brigands of the Moon." The "Vampires of Venus" can be classed as a fairly good satire on Earth beings; I consider that story one with a moral. It reminds one of Voltaire's Micromegas, and it's taking us to another planet to show us our faults at home will stimulate interest in social improvement.

  I have kept tab on Edgar Rice Burroughs' writings because he teaches evolution in a way that makes it easy for the ordinary reader to grasp.

  You have a great field, if you can keep up the interplanetary stories and mix some evolutionary stories with them.

  The true stories are playing a valuable part in stimulating people to take a deeper view of life, and you have a field in Astounding Stories almost without a competitor.--J. L. Stark, 530 Sutcliffe Ave., Louisville, Kentucky.

  _He is H. W. Wessolowski_

  Dear Editor:

  Since I have read every copy of Astounding Stories since it was inaugurated I feel well qualified to contribute a few bouquets and also some criticism. The cover illustrations are wonderful but I cannot find the artist's name on it. So good an artist should put his "moniker" on his productions. I am glad to see that the words "Super-Science" are on the top of the cover in bright red letters; some other Science Fiction magazines seem desirous of disguising the contents of their magazines for some obscure and mysterious reason.

  And now a brickbat. It is my humble opinion that the science should be examined more carefully before the stories are printed in this excellent magazine. The stories should be not only astounding, but should contain some science information that will be remembered after the fiction is forgotten. "The Man Who Was Dead" is an excellent ghost story or weird tale, but is out of place in "our" magazine. (I take the liberty to call it "our" magazine since a department is given over to the readers and we express our choice of the kind of stories that are printed.) However, taken all together, our magazine is steadily improving; each issue up to now has been distinctly better than the one before.

  I have graded the stories in the April and May copies as follows: Excellent--"Vampires of Venus," "The Ray of Madness," "Brigands of the Moon," "Murder Madness," "Into the Ocean's Depths" and "The Jovian Jest." Good--"Monsters of Moyen," "The Atom Smasher" and "The Soul Searcher." Poor--"The Man Who Was Dead."

  My favorite authors are Dr. David H. Keller, Harl Vincent, L
illith Lorraine, Anthony Pelcher, Capt. S. P. Meek, Dr. Miles J. Breuer and Ray Cummings. I can hardly wait a month for my next copy.--Wayne D. Bray, Campbell, Missouri.

  _Story Says Cro-Magnons Fled to Europe_

  Dear Editor:

  Ever since I was first introduced to Astounding Stories by a cousin I have been a steady reader. I have not missed a single issue so far.

  I hope you will have stories by Hyatt Verril, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Edmond Hamilton, Leslie Stone, Stanton A. Coblentz and Francis Flagg.

  The stories I like best in each issue (not counting serials) are: "Phantoms of Reality," "Spawn of the Stars," "Vandals of the Stars," "Vampires of Venus" and "The Atom Smasher." In "The Atom Smasher" it says that all Europeans descended from the Atlanteans. Now when the hero killed them all with the disintegrating ray, would he not have affected their birth?

  Wesso is some artist. I saw a mistake on the cover of the March issue. The color of space is a deep black, not blue, because the blue color of the heavens when viewed from the earth is due to the reflection of light by the atmosphere.--George Brande, 141 South Church St., Schenectady, N. Y.

  "_The Readers' Corner_"

  All Readers are extended a sincere and cordial invitation to "come overin 'The Readers' Corner'" and join in our monthly discussion of stories,authors, scientific principles and possibilities--everything that's ofcommon interest in connection with our Astounding Stories.

  Although from time to time the Editor may make a comment or so, this isa department primarily for _Readers_, and we want you to make full useof it. Likes, dislikes, criticisms, explanations, roses, brickbats,suggestions--everything's welcome here; so "come over in 'The Readers'Corner'" and discuss it with all of us!

  --_The Editor._