Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 46 — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION _ publication towards the end of _ April. Christened Science Fiction Satellite, the fanzine will contain articles and stories by local fans, news of fan activity, and a few contributions by professional authors. It will be fully illustrated and will be edited and produced by myself. Don Allen, 3 Arkle Street, Gateshead 8, Co. Durham. Hearty congratulations, Don and Mr. Mason. You've done a fine job of work and we hope your Society flourishes. Don’t forget to send us news from time to time. And we'll review your fanzine when it _ appears. SUPREMACY As an “‘apprentice” scientist, I take a great interest in modern science fiction. At home—Newport, - Mon.—we have a small circle of fans, mostly university graduates or sixth form scientists. We consider Authentic to lead the field of British science fiction by about three years, and it compares favourably with most of the American magazines. You have several points which give you a certain supremacy over the other British magazines. The first of these is the articles you produce on scientific topics. Mr. Campbell has made one slip in his discussion of the silicon-based metabolism. This is that he has replaced carbon dioxide—a gas—with silica, which 155 is a solid with a very high melting point and a very low solubility. Plants attempting to take it in would have extreme difficulty in so doing, as would animals in breath- ing it out. Your second favourable feature is the collection of letters printed each month. There is a welcome lack of folk who wish to have Einstein’s theories explained in simple, non-mathematical terms, a virtually impossible task. These, combined with your usually high quality stories, go far towards mak- ing Authentic a great magazine. Michael Parsons, Royal College of Science, London, S.W.7. We are glad you like our articles, Michael. There was no slip with regard to silica; naturally, both silica and silicon itself would have to be assimilated and eliminated in ways very different from the ways in which terrestrial organisms do so. The silicon form of life would not be based on gaseous exchange. Thank you for your compliments, and do let us hear from you again. TOO COMPLEX As an adherent reader of your renowned magazine, may I air the one and only grievance I have? Your cover picture is excellent, your shorts are good, but, oh dear! those long stories! To us, the old . hands, the stories are comprehen- conmmicloooks.com