Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

the vast improvements that have taken place. No other science fiction magazine in Britain can equal your covers. With particular reference to these, I should like to put forward a suggestion. Could you not persuade your publishers to produce a non-fiction book entitled (very aptly) From Earth to the Stars? This book could con- tain all the fine paintings used in your series, together with covering information. I have no doubt that there would be a good demand ‘for a work of this kind. Not only by readers of Authentic, but also by the scientifically minded public. John Webb, 16 Claverton Street, London, S.W.1. Thanks for the kind words, John. Your idea for a non-fiction book was anticipated here several months ago. The book is now past the planning stage and will be issued later on in the year. Not only does it contain large reproductions of Authentic covers, with greatly expanded cover- ing information, but it lists some of the top British and American writers as contributors of many highly illustrated articles. It will be called the Authentic Book of Space, and has an Introduction by Arthur C. Clarke. The price will probably be 5s. SHE SQUIRMS I should like to compliment you on your new series of covers, especially the notes on the back. And as for your offer of six non- fiction books for the Star Letter! Well, if I should be lucky enough to land ’em, I only hope there’s a copy of Conquest of Space laying around when you send them off. The main thing about your magazine is the lack of juvenility in the letter columns. Now, letter columns are some of my favourite reading matter, but oh dear, some of them make me squirm. And you can imagine the squirms when I tell you that I only seriously started reading S.F. about three and a half months ago, and since then the total of mags, books and pocketbooks I’ve read is heading up towards the thousand level, mainly through libraries run by Ken Slater and Tom Mason, but with the aid of the local shops. I seem to have run them dry of S.F. and every time I put my head round the door of any paper shop now, the proprietor groans! Joy K. Goodwin, 66 West Valley Road, Hemel Hempstead, Heris. Lovely letter, Joy. Wish we could have printed all of it, but we must let a few others get a look-in! Sorry about the Star Letter business; that closed down a month before your letter came. You have to be quick on the draw with these things. Write again, though, won’t you? NOT BEST I’m afraid I cannot agree with your statement that My Name is Ozymandias, by Martin Jordan, approaches science fiction at its 155 conniclooolks.com ,