Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

=\\8 “of —, AW ~ <i a \\\3 Xoo W) \UNY” pe — yh By) ):' \ i} Ah N the next issue we begin publication of “Drums of Peace,” the latest serial by Joseph Ivers Lawrence—and one of his best. Laid in the stirring days when old Holland struggled for freedom against the hordes of the Spanish conquerors, it is replete with adventure and action, and sparkles with romance. With three other serial stories in the same issue, this means we shall con- tinue four serials for the next few numbers, as we have in the last three or four. This matter of serials has given us some concern: we want to give you the best possible ARGosy—to make the magazine as satisfactory to you as possible in every way. The thing we want is to find out what you want. You have had half a dozen issues of the magazine with three serials, now half a dozen returned to the old four- serial policy. Which do you prefer? Speak up and let us know your choice. Here is an advocate of the four-serial policy. Do you agree with him? Cameron, W. Va. I have been reading the Arcosy for over six months now. Just thought I would write and tell you what I thought of the magazine. And { wish you would reprint that story about a giant rocket, that was printed about thirty years ago. | thought “ Luckett of the Moon” was fine. I like the way you publish the magazine now. Having the index separate, serials in one part, novelettes and short stories in the other. But I miss the four serials. I always wait un- til I get a story complete before I read _ it. With one starting every week and one ending every week I get to read a complete serial every week. So I wish we could have at least ’ four serials. I liked “The Hard-Boiled Tenderfoot.” It was a fine story. I guess I like them all, though. But wish we could have a few less The Readers’ Viewpoint | = like them all, so guess I don’t have any kick coming. Only for another serial or two. James E. ToorHMAN. PERHAPS you may not agree with all of Mr. Young’s points, but he has summed up his opinion of the magazine in good methodical fashion: Columbus, Ohio. I am going to try and point out your fea- tures and your defects in the following lists, taking up the pleasanter subject first: Features— I. Superstories—stories that are above other magazine stories. 2. Variety—Arcosy doesn’t specialize in any type of story. 3. Readers’ Viewpoint—While other maga- zines have departments like these, they do not show the interest that this one does. 4. Large print—Easy on the eyes. 5. No advertising in the stories, or no “ Con- tinued on page ——"” This secures uninter- rupted reading. 6. Handsomely illustrated covers which at- tract the eye, and make new fans. 7. The pep and enthusiasm inspired by the editors in guessing contests. Now for the defects. There are not many, and they are found in other magazines, too. 1. Too much story told in title. In “The Return of George Washington,” we all ex- pected his return somehow, but had to wait for the third installment to find it. 2. Short stories too short. Some are only two pages long. 3. Too much ballyhoo about future features. Most of them have not come up to expecta- tions because we thought about a “ super- superstory,” and only got a superstory. I have been an Arcosy fan since introduced two years ago and wish you every success. Am doing my part to pass along the word. CLIFFORD JACKSON YOUNG, attempt to “Luckett of the Moon,” by Slater LaMaster, continues to line up enthusi- asts : Washington, D. C. I fall within the class of your readers who don’t like “true-to-life” stofies, but prefer stories that show some use of the imagina- Western stories and a few good mystery tion and ability to weave out an interesting stories. I think the best story [ ever read in plot. One story of this nature I enjoyed so Arcosy was “Who Did Kill Ezra Klagg?” much was “Luckett of the Moon.” A satis- But you do have a large assortment, and [. fied reader. LeonarpD M. GARDNER. 285 COMME OOOKS