Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931 Part 49

Dear Editor:

Move over, you old-timers, and let a newcomer say something.

A few months ago I didn't read any Science Fiction. Now I read it all.

I haven't decided yet which magazine I like best.

I was a little disappointed when you didn't have another story in the September copy by R. P. Starzl, who wrote "Planet of Dread." I thought you would hold on to a good author when you find one.

I would also like another story by the fellow who wrote the serial "Murder Madness."

I like short stories best.

That idea of a mechanical nirvana in Miles J. Breuer's story was good.

"Jetta of the Lowlands?" Opinion reserved. I like the action of the story, but I hate a hero who is always bragging about himself.

Don't think I'm complaining, but nothing is perfect.

Why not try to get a story of A. Merritt's, or Ralph Milne Farley's?--A. Dougherty, 327 North Prairie Ave., Sioux Falls, So. Dak.

_Announcement_

Dear Editor:

May I enter "The Readers' Corner" to announce that a branch of The Scienceers has recently been formed in Clearwater, Florida, by a group of Science Fiction enthusiasts?

We have a library of 175 Science Fiction magazines, including a complete file of Astounding Stories to date. We hold weekly meetings at which scientific topics are discussed, and current Science Fiction stories commented upon.

As the first branch of The Scienceers, we are striving to achieve a success that will be a mark for other branches to aim at.--Carlton Abernathy, P. O. Box 584, Clearwater, Fla.

_From Merrie England_

Dear Editor:

I came across your May publication of Astounding Stories the other day, and I cannot resist writing to you to congratulate you on the most interesting magazine I have ever read. I am now determined to take it every month. Re "The Atom Smasher," it is A-1. I have read several interplanetary stories over here but none to touch those of your magazine.

Best wishes for the success of your book and its authors.--J. C.

Atkinson, 17 Balaclava Rd., Sheffield, England.

_Starting Young_

Dear Editor:

You'll excuse my writing, for it is the end of vacation.

I like your book very much, which many other readers approve of. Some dislikes, of course, everyone has, and I have three which many readers have, too. First, I wish the magazine were bigger and the paper better. Second, have more stories and raise the price to 25c. Third, have stories of the future such as "Earth, the Marauder," and stories of lost Atlantis, the fourth dimension, other planets, atoms and electrons.--Jack Farber, Payette, Idaho.

P. S. I am 11 years old and interested in science.

_Doesn't Like Serials_

Dear Editor:

I am a recent reader of the Astounding Stories magazine. I am going to keep getting the magazine, as I like it very much.

I did not like "Murder Madness," or Burks' "Earth, the Marauder" very much. I do not think "Murder Madness" is the type of story that belongs in this magazine. I do not like continued stories very much as I hate to break off at an interesting point and wait a whole month before I can read the next installment or conclusion of the story. The front piece of the magazine is very good, and except for the criticisms mentioned above the magazine is excellent.--Kempt Mitch.e.l.l.

_A Staunch Defender_

Dear Editor:

At one time a friend introduced your excellent little publication to me. I read it and enjoyed every paragraph of it. This issue starred "The Monsters of Moyen," which I consider a real super-science story.

I have followed "The Readers' Corner" quite a time.

In the September issue I saw where someone made a commentary on the magazine. One of the things they said was that the paper should be of a better grade. It is true that this would help, but "our" magazine is not half full of advertis.e.m.e.nts to pay for this expense. Dear friends, this is no Sat.u.r.day Evening Post. Don't ask too much. Then, you may take in consideration that other magazines of Science Fiction have no better grade of paper than this, for I have purchased several.

I have but one thing to say as an improvement for it. That is, why shouldn't there be a Quarterly? Other Science Fiction magazines have them. They have complete stories and are double in size and price.

Dear Editor, please, for the public's sake, put out a Quarterly. I'm sure others would like one.--H. C. Kaufman, Jr., 1730 N. Monroe St., Baltimore, Maryland.

_Announcement_

Dear Editor:

We would appreciate it very much if you would print this in your "Readers' Corner" department.

We wish to inform the readers of Astounding Stories of an organization lately formed, called The Boys' Scientifiction Club. Its purpose is to promote scientific interest among boys between the ages of 10 and 15, to encourage the reading of Science Fiction and scientific works, and to create a bond of friends.h.i.+p among them.

A circulating library, composed of Science Fiction books, magazines, articles, etc., is being constructed to circulate among members who desire to read any of the contents.

Officers are: President-Librarian, Forrest J. Ackerman, 530 Staples Ave., San Francisco, Cal.; Secretary-Treasurer, Frank Sipos, 174 Staples Ave., San Francisco, California.

Address all letters concerning members.h.i.+p to the President. He will be glad to answer all letters and explain particulars of the club. Thank you for your kindness.--Linus Hogenmiller, Vice-President B. S. C., 502 N. Was.h.i.+ngton St., Farmington, Missouri.

_But--Ray c.u.mmings Writes Us Only Brand New Stories!_

Dear Editor:

I want to commend Astounding Stories on carrying out an idea which I have had in mind for some time; that is, some scientific articles. "A Star That Breathes," in the July number, was very interesting, as were the two articles in the August copy. However, I hope that this is only the start of a valuable new addition to Astounding Stories. There should be at least five or six in each magazine, and I think most of the readers would prefer them at the end of the stories instead of in the back of the magazine. Another thing that is absolutely essential if Astounding Stories would hold its own as a high-cla.s.s Science Fiction magazine is a scientific editorial in the front of the book.

The way it starts off abruptly onto a story gives the impression of a cheap publication.

A lot of your readers have been setting up a clamor for stories by Ray c.u.mmings. While it is true that he has written a few good stories, you will find that his antiquated stuff is not being printed in any of the other Science Fiction magazine, but only in ones devoted to adventure-stories. For the sake of your many readers who would like to see "our magazine" keep abreast of the times, c.u.mmings should be dropped and some of the peerless authors of to-day employed. As an advance along this line you already have Capt. S. P. Meek, Harl Vincent, Lilith Lorraine, Edmond Hamilton, and, in the latest copy, R.

F. Starzl. "The Planet of Dread," by R. F. Starzl was the best story in the August issue. A wealth of ideas was contained in that treatise of life on a young, warm planet, and the idea of fooling the liquid intelligence by thought-suggestion is quite novel but entirely reasonable. Mr. Starzl is an author of the highest type and ability, and you will do well to secure more stories from his typewriter.