A. Merritt's Fantasy Magazine, October 1950 — page 125: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

122 A. MERRITT’S FANTASY make all of his writings seem so realistically beautiful and so almost true to life, leaving the reader to: wonder. But I.am not writing to eulogize Mr. Merritt. There are others far more qualified to do this than I. My purpose here is to seek information. I would like .to know more about my favorite avthor. A biography in fact. I am prepared to pay a.reasonable sum if necessary for such infor- mation, although I am a man of moderate means. Such a biography would fit pecreniiaaens with my.. collection — of Merritt’s writings, limited though it. is. And if you would, you could help me in forming that collection if you could supply me with a list-of his writings. I realize that he was not a very prolific author, but he did write several.-stories, some novels as well as some ry. I iwould ‘appreciate any assistance you might give me and 1 im closing let me add that your new magazine is ane of the best on the stands today, filling a. long-existing need of the fantasy read- ers of the world, those like myself whose only chance. to possess such great works comes when they are within the reach of our meagre purse. Respectial! y, L. Perry Dawson 2317 N. Seminary Ave. Chicago 14, Illinois ED: Merritt wrote the following stories in the order given here: “Through the Dragon Glass,” ‘‘People of the Pit,” “The Moon Pool,” “Conquest of the Moon Pool,” “Three Lines of old French,” “The Metal Monster,” “The Face in the Abyss,” ‘Ship of Ishtar,” “‘Women of the Wood,” “Seven Foot- prints to Satan” “The Snake Mother,” “‘Dwellers in the Mirage,” “Burn, Witch, Burn,” and “Creep, Shadow!” He also wrote “The Black Wheel” and ‘“‘The Fox Woman.” a WHO WILL SELL? ° Dear Editor: After reading the “Calling All Fantasy Fans” column, I was numbed to see that AMF will be published quarterly instead of bi-monthly. Why the change? Now we'll just have to wait that much longer for the next issue. It’s a swell magazine—and typical of the good material that Popular Publications always puts out. Please go back to bi-monthly or even monthly if you can. Also, don’t ever publish stories that aren't fantasy in your magazine. I’ve seen requests for stories by authors that are not fantasy writers and never will be. We read your magazine for fantasy and that’s what we want. Now to comment on the July issue—Merritt’s “The Face in the Abyss” was good and I was pleased to see it appear as I had heard so much about it. However, it did not live up to my ex- tations. I ranked Eric North’s “The Green ame” above it. The latter story was exciting, scary and very well written—very good stuff. I’m pretty new at this fantasy game and [: haven’t read much.of the good old stuff or the better stories so will some of you better acn quainted fans please help me out? I’d like you. to write me if you have any old FN or FFM. magazines that you want to get rid of. I’d espe-: cially like the.:“Polaris” stories, the “Palos”. triology, the “Skylark” series, and the “Golden. Atom” stories. I’d also like other novels recently pablisted in FN or FFM. Can anyone help me? "ll pay for them if you're willing to sell. l’d trade for them, but I don’t have any magazines saved up yet. Keep up your swell work. .: J remain, a fan, Bill Caltins a. clo C.A.A. ee Panguitch, Utah . ED: We were interested in your com- ment that certain authors which have been requested, are not fantasy. Which ones are you. Reena to? Thanks for writing us. WIRECORDING FANS! Dear Editor: It seems that Saunders—are you sure he isn’t another Stevens pen name?—did a pretty good cover this time. Blasphemous though it may sound, I liked his Face better than Finlay’s! Though I had read it long ago, | was glad to have an opportunity to reread “The Face in she Abyss.” One, it seems to me, of Merritt's Finlay’s illustration on page 46-47 was by far the best. Callé didn’t seem up to his usual standard. Could you feature this request: Any fan who has a recorder or access to same, I would like to hear from, in connection with my club, WIREZ. There are no dues. All that is neces- sary is that he or she has a recorder and is interested in wirezsponding. Please get in touch with— Shelby Vick Box 493 Lynn Haven, Fla. ED: Saunders is no pen name for Stevens! Saunders is Saunders! BEAUTIFUL! Dear Editor: Beautiful! Simple beautiful! “The Face in the Abyss,” I mean. Truly one of Merritt’s greatest—but still not as good as the sequel “The Snake Mother,” which you most certainly must print as soon as possible. In fact, there are only two things which mar the perfection of the entire issue. Firstly, the presence of Saunders on the cover. Finlay is the only artist capable of catching the mood and beauty of Merritt’s works. And secondly, the announcement that AMF is to become a quarterly. Haven't we fans given you enough support to show that, rather than COMICLOC|S (C(O)