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Erebus, issue 4, 1943
Page 14
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14 Erebus THE future OF THE FANTASY PULPS by Ray A. Karden With the complex changes visible in the pro structure of the fantasy and science-fiction field due to the war, perhaps it is a bit premature to predict the results of those changes; but, with the unquenchable exuberance of a fan who sees his name mimeographed in quarter inch letters at the head of a page containing his material, a few ssuch foreseeings will be attempted here. This, of course, while arranged so as to contain a semblance of logic arrranged in the proper order, is strictly my own opinions, rationalized into an insidious type of article that attempts to give the impression of a great knowledge of the subject. First, we all know what a fantasy or science-fiction pulp is, I'm sure -- I'd be willing to bet on that with my life! We also know the gradual changes of format quality, etc., from the ziff-Davis freaks to the shining pinnacle of Astounding. That probably needs no refreshing; neither does the fact that many of these have had to discontinue and reduce because of the war. But, we enter into a difficult and confused field of theoretical deduction when the results of the upheavals of social structure -- to wit, everything -- are attempted to be integrated into the pattern. Most fans, I believe, hold a dim, hazy idea in the back of their minds, that scientifantasy is the literature of "tomorrow". The "literature" will become mature, with a better conception of human values -- and, incidentally, adding a better conception to human values to the idea of "tomorrow". This, while interesting, has also a direct bearing of the future of the scienentifantasy pulp -- or, magazine. There are at the present time known to us only a few types of magazine organization and distribution. To reckon without a variable of a different type of communication medium is downright silly; conversely to vary without the variable of a changed social system is likewise unwarranted. However, to confine ourselves we won't venture too far into the future. Any remarks anent the subject will bre made with a view in mind of, (1) the magazine under inherently the same type of composition as today, (2) a social system consisting of semi-restricted capitalism. Any changes in a variety of other things would give effects varying more or less. Consider the situation now. A postwar world emerging from the most stupendous war in history -- in America, probably depression at first, then emerging into a ,ore or less temporary period of "prosperity". It is during the latter period we shall expect scientifantasy pulps to rise, if they are to at all. There are several alternatives, under magazines-as-we-knoq-them. There are really only three or four different types -- subdivided almost infinitely, of course; the slick, the semi-slick, the quality, the pulp. All of these, or a combination of them, have their advantages and disadvantages. To examine them, then: The slick is well known, being printed on slick paper, circulation of millions -- you all know them. Scientifantasy, to break into these, would have to secure a following of several million; not only that, but several million unintelligent enough people to fall for the crummy advertisements they're supported by. This type of format, etc., while pandering the vanity of fandom would belie its aims completely, for it would lead to the present day slick hacks writing stfantasy. This, while entertaining, etc., to the mind moronic enough to swallow the advertisements, would be an anathema of fandom -- probably leading to fantastic inflations in the (cont. on p. )
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14 Erebus THE future OF THE FANTASY PULPS by Ray A. Karden With the complex changes visible in the pro structure of the fantasy and science-fiction field due to the war, perhaps it is a bit premature to predict the results of those changes; but, with the unquenchable exuberance of a fan who sees his name mimeographed in quarter inch letters at the head of a page containing his material, a few ssuch foreseeings will be attempted here. This, of course, while arranged so as to contain a semblance of logic arrranged in the proper order, is strictly my own opinions, rationalized into an insidious type of article that attempts to give the impression of a great knowledge of the subject. First, we all know what a fantasy or science-fiction pulp is, I'm sure -- I'd be willing to bet on that with my life! We also know the gradual changes of format quality, etc., from the ziff-Davis freaks to the shining pinnacle of Astounding. That probably needs no refreshing; neither does the fact that many of these have had to discontinue and reduce because of the war. But, we enter into a difficult and confused field of theoretical deduction when the results of the upheavals of social structure -- to wit, everything -- are attempted to be integrated into the pattern. Most fans, I believe, hold a dim, hazy idea in the back of their minds, that scientifantasy is the literature of "tomorrow". The "literature" will become mature, with a better conception of human values -- and, incidentally, adding a better conception to human values to the idea of "tomorrow". This, while interesting, has also a direct bearing of the future of the scienentifantasy pulp -- or, magazine. There are at the present time known to us only a few types of magazine organization and distribution. To reckon without a variable of a different type of communication medium is downright silly; conversely to vary without the variable of a changed social system is likewise unwarranted. However, to confine ourselves we won't venture too far into the future. Any remarks anent the subject will bre made with a view in mind of, (1) the magazine under inherently the same type of composition as today, (2) a social system consisting of semi-restricted capitalism. Any changes in a variety of other things would give effects varying more or less. Consider the situation now. A postwar world emerging from the most stupendous war in history -- in America, probably depression at first, then emerging into a ,ore or less temporary period of "prosperity". It is during the latter period we shall expect scientifantasy pulps to rise, if they are to at all. There are several alternatives, under magazines-as-we-knoq-them. There are really only three or four different types -- subdivided almost infinitely, of course; the slick, the semi-slick, the quality, the pulp. All of these, or a combination of them, have their advantages and disadvantages. To examine them, then: The slick is well known, being printed on slick paper, circulation of millions -- you all know them. Scientifantasy, to break into these, would have to secure a following of several million; not only that, but several million unintelligent enough people to fall for the crummy advertisements they're supported by. This type of format, etc., while pandering the vanity of fandom would belie its aims completely, for it would lead to the present day slick hacks writing stfantasy. This, while entertaining, etc., to the mind moronic enough to swallow the advertisements, would be an anathema of fandom -- probably leading to fantastic inflations in the (cont. on p. )
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