The Fantasy Fan, January 1934: The Fans' Own MagazineVarious
History
The Fantasy Fan, January 1934: The Fans' Own Magazine
Various
Fan magazines; Fantasy fiction -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Fantasy fiction -- Periodicals
"Richard E. Morse's letter has impressed me as the one that really
'says something.' His thought had not occurred to me before, and it is
worthwhile considering. _Weird Tales_ allows science fiction; why
not _Wonder Stories_ weird tales? As the science fiction fan I am
always eager to see stf in _Weird Tales_ and any other magazine. I see
that the process can easily be reversed. So Mr. Morse 'has' me. The
argument is settled.
"Numerous Eyrie letters knock stf in _Weird_: I only did the same, but
from the other side of the fence."
H. P. Lovecraft also retaliates:
"Glad you are giving the vociferous Master Ackerman a hearing--it's
always well to let both sides of a debate have an equal chance. But I
fear that Effjay the Terrible and his allies don't make out a very
strong case. The tirade to which exception was taken was not merely an
assertion that Smith's 'Dweller in Martian Depths' is unsuited for a
science fiction magazine. It was a wholly gratuitous and intemperate
attack on the story itself, written with a slap-dash extravagance and
obviously sadistic gusto which plainly showed either a complete lack
of analytical understanding and imaginative sensitiveness, or (as it
was probable) a mere boyish desire to show off and attract notice.
However, Ackerman is young, as proved by his tendency to regard
ordinary civilized language as alien and incomprehensible. Now that
he's had a good barrage from the general public, it would be just as
well to leave him in peace. Five years from now he'll go beyond any of
us in laughing at his explosions of today."
William H. Dellenback also has something to say:
"I am not a Weird Man; indeed, I have read _very_ few weird stories
that I have considered really good. Therefore, this is not so much a
defense of Smith (who, I believe, is absolutely wrong in trying to
link weird fiction with science fiction), as a rebuttal to Ackerman.
However, first let me say that I think you are making a mistake,
Editor, in publishing, and readers, in writing, letters which make too
personal remarks. Aside from the fact that they are not true, the
Boiling Point is for arguing about principles and not for calling
antagonists names.
"But on with the dance--Forrest says that 'Dweller in Martian Depths'
and 'The Light From Beyond' should not have been published in _Wonder
Stories_. He also calls 'The Time Stream' doubtful material for a stf
publication.
"Point 1--In regard to Forrest's dislike of Smith's excessive
vocabulary, I will say this is purely a matter of personal opinion.
And I respect his opinion (which is more than do Messrs. Lovecraft,
Barlow, and Nelson) even though I don't agree with him. As a change
from the average run of stf stories, I enjoy Smith's wonderful
language; I believe I have read very few stories as beautifully told
as 'The Light From Beyond'. And though I don't like his weird stories,
nevertheless, his manner of telling seems to me admirably fitted to
weird fiction.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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