[August 3, 1962] New Worlds to Conquer (a view from Britain: September 1962 New Worlds)

[if you’re new to the Journey, read this to see what we’re all about!] by Mark Yon Hello to all Travellers – greetings from Europe. I’ve been asked by our Traveller to tell you of the British magazine situation as it appears here in England. There are some differences between the British & the American … Continue reading [August 3, 1962] New Worlds to Conquer (a view from Britain: September 1962 New Worlds)

[July 2, 1962] Getting to the Point (July 1962 Analog Science Fiction)

by Gideon Marcus There are many ways to measure the strength of a story.  Is the plot innovative?  Does it resonate emotionally?  Are the featured characters unusual?  Does it employ clever literary devices? As a writer, I am always particularly impressed by efficiency: the ability of an author to develop his tale with a minimum … Continue reading [July 2, 1962] Getting to the Point (July 1962 Analog Science Fiction)

[May 31, 1962] Rounding Out (June 1962 Fantasy and Science Fiction)

by Gideon Marcus Ah, and at last we come to the end of the month.  That time that used to be much awaited before Avram Davidson took over F&SF, but which is now just an opportunity to finish compiling my statistics for the best magazines and stories for the month.  Between F&SF's gentle decline and … Continue reading [May 31, 1962] Rounding Out (June 1962 Fantasy and Science Fiction)

[February 26, 1962] Record Beating (March 1962 Analog)

by Gideon Marcus You've almost assuredly heard of Radio Corporation of America (RCA).  They make radios (naturally), but also record players, televisions, computers.  They have produced the foundations of modern consumer electronics, including the color television standard and the 45 rpm record.  And now, they've really outdone themselves: they've created cassettes for tape recording. Until … Continue reading [February 26, 1962] Record Beating (March 1962 Analog)

[August 27, 1960] Coming up in September!

Every month, I get a heads up from my connections in the publishing, movie, and aerospace industries to let me know what books, films, and space launches will occur in the near future.  August is coming to a close, which means its time for a sneak preview of coming attractions for the month of September.  … Continue reading [August 27, 1960] Coming up in September!

[July 10, 1960] Eye of the Storm (August 1960 Analog)

Once again, I find myself on vacation in my home town.  San Diego is hosting two science fiction conventions back to back this July, and this second one promises to be the larger of the two.  Of course, neither of these conventions holds a candle to the big one starting in Los Angeles tomorrow, the … Continue reading [July 10, 1960] Eye of the Storm (August 1960 Analog)

Momentum stalled (October 1959 Galaxy; 8-13-1959)

I really enjoy the broadness of Galaxy's 196-page format.  It allows for novellas and novelets, which is a story size I've come to prefer.  F&SF has lots of stories per issue, too, but they tend to be very short.  Astounding likes serials, which can be fine if they're good, but dreary if they're not.  I … Continue reading Momentum stalled (October 1959 Galaxy; 8-13-1959)

[April 2, 1969] A New Beginning? (Out of the Unknown: Season Three)

By Mx Kris Vyas-Myall The National Radio Astronomy Observatory may have discovered clues to the origins of life in space. Looking at interstellar clouds, believed to be where planets and stars are formed, traces of formaldehyde have been detected. 140’ Radio Telescope at Green Bank, responsible for this discovery The reason this is important is … Continue reading [April 2, 1969] A New Beginning? (Out of the Unknown: Season Three)

[March 24, 1969] Apocalypse Impending? New Worlds, April 1969

by Mark Yon Scenes from England Hello again. As I mentioned last month, this issue begins yet another new era for New Worlds. With the retirement of Mike Moorcock and Charles Platt from full-time editorialship in the last issue, it is Langdon Jones that steps up to the mark as editor this time. For that … Continue reading [March 24, 1969] Apocalypse Impending? New Worlds, April 1969

[June 6, 1968] The Stalemate Continues (July 1968 Amazing)

by John Boston This July Amazing—wait, what?  You thought Amazing appeared in even-numbered months?  No more.  The mis-dating of the April issue as June means that what was to be the June issue has been pushed back—or at least the cover date has been—to avoid the confusion and likely loss of display time and sales … Continue reading [June 6, 1968] The Stalemate Continues (July 1968 Amazing)