Avon Science Fiction and Fantasy Reader

About this issue

This first issue of the quarterly contains thirteen original science fiction and fantasy stories. "For Humans Only" by Alfred J. Coppel follows a robot designated "R" boarding the spacecraft Queen of Heaven for transport to Mars. After experiencing discrimination from human crew and passengers—segregated to substandard quarters, meals confined to his cabin—the ship encounters a meteor swarm damaging the steering mechanism. The robot's physical strength becomes essential for repairs that humans cannot safely perform due to explosive hydrogenol residue. Other contributions include stories by established authors Arthur C. Clarke ("The Forgotten Enemy"), John Jakes ("Checkmate Morning"), and Charles L. Harness ("The Call of the Black Lagoon"), alongside works by John Christopher, Milton Lesser, Bryce Walton, E. Everett Evans, and others. Noah Gordon provides book reviews under "The Space Ark."