Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 54 — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHBNMTIC SCIENCE FICTION ean remember; in fact, on looking back over the years I would say that I grew up with it, or perhaps it grew up with me. During my school days good science fiction was virtually unknown in this country and any form of it was rare—not that the quality or maturity of the work interested us in those days, of course. As far as Authentic is concerned, I have been a regular reader for only about two and a half years, and during that time have seen it grow from a very mediocre publication to the posi- tion it now holds. I am not saying that it is the very best S.F. mag, by the way. You frequently invite constructive criticism from your readers, so as this is the first occasion I have written to you (or any other §.F. editor) I shall now list my likes and dislikes where your mag is concerned. Firstly, on the debit side:—1, Less stories of the ‘“‘Mary Hell’s” variety, please. 2, Either more illustrations or else go the whole hog and eliminate them altogether, as there doesn’t seem much point in only having one (usually pointless) picture in the entire book—this is one point where Authentic lags badly behind its competitors. 3, Why not elimi- nate your “Fanzine” and ‘‘Society”’ reviews from overseas editions as these are of no interest to us. You could then get yourselves an overseas correspondent and use those pages for articles on develop- ments out here and in other countries in which you circulate. Now the credit side:—1, Covers —the best of any. 2, Factual articles—very interesting and usually well written—keep them up. (However, I do think Mr. Byford—No. 49—wants to measure the distance from Earth to Moon 1$7 with greater accuracy!) 3, Policy—~ very good. One of the few publica- tions to encourage new authors while, at the same time, keeping in a proportion of “‘name”’ writers. A32253, Sgt. Pinson, E. (R.A.A.F.), c/o Staff Mess, L.R.W.E.R., Woomera, Australia. Thanks for your comments, Eric, but we're saddened to know that you don’t want to keep in touch with fan activities. Wouldn't it help you to forget the sand? How’s the guided missile work going? NZ CLUB The Christchurch Science Fiction Club members wish to make a most generous Offer: that is to offer to SF fans in hospital and other institutions a free parcel of SF books. We have about 3,000 back issues on hand and about 300 coming up each month, so if you can give us any addresses that you might have, we will be glad to send them a parcel. Each parcel will contain one of each of the best SF mags. I hope you will take this as a goodwill gesture from the ChChSFClub, and all our 52 mem- bers wish me to convey their best wishes for Authentic and hope you will keep up your good standard in the best SF mag of them all. G. Sarchett, 2 Curries Road, Hillsborough, Christchurch, New Zealand. Glad you managed to form your club, Mr. Sarchett. Keep us informed of your progress, will you? One very deserving type we know—a victim of paralysis, but cheerful withal—is Bill Warren, 615E Block, El Dorado, Arkansas, U.S.A. No doubt our readers can let you know of others. Stay kind always, won't you? — comiclooks.conrn