FOURTH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE...... SKYRACK POLL RESULTS
ANNOUNCED INSIDE
TEMPLE TALKS
AT THE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB OF LONDON’S 3rd March meeting
author William F. Temple followed in the footsteps of earlier speakers
Ian Peters and E.C. Tubb by telling of some of his experiences in
writing science fiction. When he suggested that he spoke on the
status of the amateur versus the professional, he was interrupted
by shouts that his audience did not wish to hear about his sex life.
He told that he had been writing for a fanzine about his early days
in the B.I.S. He had mentioned this to Arthur Clarke during the
latter’s recent visit to this country and was told that Clarke had
also been writing up similar B.I.S. memories and had sold the article
to Holiday Magasine.
Temple told of one story he had written. He had cut out the first
three paragraphs on the advice of Van Vogt who had told him to “get
the readers into the story.” He was then asked by the editor to
cut off the ending, so that he wondered if most of his writing was
produced for invisible readers.
He went on to discuss the current fashion for “calamity” novels
like The Kraken Wakes and ended an excellent talk with an outline
of an unpublished story which dealt with an onion-manufactured space
ship.
At the same meeting the Club voted to sell its library and several
items were auctioned off. The remainder of items will later be advertised
for sale. ((If you still have Chandler’s The Simple Art of Murder,
you have a customer)) George Locke and Bruce Burn mentioned that
they were nominating OMPA President Bob Lichtman for TAFF and the
meeting was attended by Sheila Barnes, a BSFA member and student
nurse from Winchester, who was introduced by Ethel Lindsay. (EL)
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
As Skyrack strides forth into its fifth year of publication,
it is with irony that what has been voted the year’s leading
fan-publication in this country notes that it is getting a reputation
for spite, nastiness, and under hand dealings. This type of reputation
has been in the past, and no doubt will be in the future, eagerly
sought by certain fans who try to leapfrog up the ladder of fame
by pulling those above them down to their own level. It is not,
thank you, a reputation which has been, or will be, sought eagerly
or otherwise by Skyrack.
In the past SKYRACK has upset its share of fans. Certain
British.fans were upset from the start when Skyrack refused to honour
subscriptions paid out to the former Belgian newszine Contact. American
fans were at one time annoyed at a suggestion made in connection
to convention rates for overseas fans, though this suggestion was
later acted upon. One American old-time fan and neo-professional
was even annoyed when Skyrack claimed to be first with a particular
news item, a claim which was later proved to be justified.
Now Skyrack has succeeded in upsetting two people with one issue,
an all time record. Walter Breen, editor of the American newszine
Fanac, took issue to a note last issue. In noting that Fanac had
reached this country months late, Skyrack mentioned that this delay
was not the fault of the British agent, Archie Mercer, but was instead
the fault of Walter Breen himself. Mr. Breen has written on this
point, outlining the facts which have delayed the distribution of
the British copies of Fanac and accordingly the remark laying the
faults at his feet are withdrawn unhesitatingly and without qualification.
I apologise to him and sincerely regret any inconvenience or embarrassment
he has suffered as a result of that remark.
An extremely well-known and highly respeeted S.F. personality
took exception to a news item printed last issue. This was the printing
of an item of some import as a rumour. The objection is to the publication
of rumours per se, although this particular rumour is well understood
to be fact. I have heard of rumours being passed off as fact and
justified anger resulting but this state of affairs is a new one
on me. The news item in question was and is common knowledge in
London fan circles and my reporter passed the news on to me. As
only a bare mention was made and as the matter concerned was one
which otherwise would have been worthy of “a front page spread”
I thought that I would be serving the best interests of all concerned
by passing this off as a rumour.The said well known personality
objects to this and refuses to qualify Skyrack’s statement as the
time is apparently not yet ripe to do so, despite, I repeat , the
fact that the matter is common knowledge. If he had not wanted any
mention of this matter to be revealed in print he should, I feel,
have informed me. Skyrack has in the past “sat on” news items until
the proper time for their publication. An excellent example is the
yearly Hugo Awards, whose winners I have been informed of some weeks
in advance of their publication date of a World Convention weekend,
whilst fans like Ethel Lindsay, Ella Parker and Bob Pavlat know
that at present I am waiting the realise of an item which I am only
too eager to publish
However, the fact remains that, because of whatever motives,
I have inadvertently succeeded in annoying someone. Accordingly,
again I apologise for whatever inconvenience caused that person.
Nothing was further from my mind.
— Ron Bennett.
LATEST FLASH ON TAFF comes from Ron Ellik’s excellent
fortnightly which mentions that Bob Lichtman will not, after all,
be standing for TAFF, despite the fact that George Locke and Bruce
Burn had nominated him. College committments would interfere with
the trip and he can’t have it both ways. There is, however, still
a mighty campaign to run a candidate against Wally Weber.
THE SAME ISSUE OF STARSPINKLE headlined the news that
Los Angeles was dropping out of the bidding for the 1964 World Convention,
leaving San Francisco as the only bidder on hand.
AUCTION.: Ellis Mills donated a dozen Stateside prozines,
proceeds less postage to be donated to TAFF, with sale to the highest
bidder up to and including the Peterborough Convention. Reserve
of 7/-. or $1. The zines are AMAZING Nov 58, April 60, May 60; ASF Mar 58, April 58, May
58, Jan 59, Apr , July 60; FANTASTIC Jan 59; Jan 61, and SATELLITE
Feb 58. Also for Auction are eight issues of APORRHETA with an outstanding
collection of fan writings and comment. 50% to TAFF and top bid
to date is from terry Overton with 10/-.
THE DIRECTORY OF SF FANDOM 1962. This eighth annual listing
is selling well and contains the addresses of over 500 fans the
world over, being the most up to date and revised listing of this
type ever produced. Arthur Thomson cover. $1 or 5/- to non-fans
from Bob Pavlat or Ron Bennett. 1/6 or 25 cents to fans and the
cost of the postage to members of OMPA or FAPA.
THE 1963 NATIONAL CONVENTION will be held this month -
over Easter weekend at the Bull Hotel, Peterborough. Harrogate fandom
hopes to be there and will look forward to seeing you there also.
The Convention’s newsletter, The East Fanglian Times, announces
that Mack Reynolds will be attending, as will Harry Harrison, Brian
Aldiss, Ted Carnell and Arthur Thomson. Audrey Eversfield, late
of Cheltenham and now of Gay Paree also hopes to be present. The
March E.F.T. announces a brand new competition in which one has
to foresee the 12 book titles Guest of Honour Edmund Crispin would
take with him if he were stranded on a desert island. Ted Tubb will
conduct the auction. There will be a fancy dress party. Films will
be shown. And the winner, the first winner, of the Dr. Arthur R.
Weir Memorial Award will be announced. Terry Jeeves is asking you
to support former BSFA Librarian Peter Mabey, Eric Bentcliffe is
asking you to support Convention Organiser Ken Slater and Ron Bennett
is asking you to support former BSFA Secretary and Convention Organiser
Ella Parker The result of the voting will be announced at the Convention
and Skyrack has hopes of presenting a break down of the voting next
issue, which of course will be devoted to reporting the Convention.
ROT 5 (Mal Ashworth, 14 Westgate, Eccleshill, Bradford
2, Yorks) Making a surprise but very welcome appearance on the zinescene
is this up to standard humourzine from gafiate Mal Ashworth. Dated
Summer 1961, but with a special up to date section, this contains
recommended material by Irene Potter, the late Doc Weir and Mal
himself.
JD-ARGASSY (Lynn Hickman, 224 S. Dement Ave., Dixon, Illinois,
USA) also bears a long-past dateline (March 1962). and is notable
for a Dave Prosser art folio and a wonderfully analytical survey
of The Wild West Weekly by that past master of this sort of thing,
Redd Boggs.
OTHER MOST WORTHY FANZINES to arrive of late have been
CADENZA (Chuck Wells, 200 Atlas St., Durham, NC, USA - issue No.7
btw), WARHOON (Dick Bergeron’s 18th issue. COA on back page) and
the BANE Annish (Vic Ryan, Box 308, 2309 Sheridan Road, Evanston,
Illinois). All thoroughly devoured and enjoyed.
the skyrack poll
26 fans voted in the poll, as against 21 last year and 22 the
year before. Whilst this number is doubtlessly meagre, it was surprising
to see as ballots rolled in, how certain selections were favoured.
On the whole I feel that it may again be said that this year’s poll
reflects a truly representative cross section of the opinions of
fandom as to the merits of British S.F. and fandom per se of 1962.
The 25 Good People who voted, apart from myself, were: Sid Birchby,
Bruce Burn, Ken Cheslin, Buck Coulson, John Foyster, Colin Freeman,
Keith Freeman, Jim Groves, Lynn Hickman, Eddie Jones, Roy Kay, Helmut
Klemm, Marion Lansdale, Jim Linwood, Ethel Lindsay, Archie Mercer,
Norm Metcalf, Len Moffatt, Terry Overton, Ella Parker, Dick Schutz.,
Norman Shorrock (whose vote arrived right on deadline day, as usual.
I was waiting for it this time), Peter Singleton, Ken Slater and
Arthur Thomson. Surprising how many of these names have featured
in former ballot listings. Thank the powers that be for faithful
stalwarts! And so, on to the results:
THE BEST BRITISH FAN PUBLICATION OF 1962 1. THE SKYRACK
NEWSLETTER. 171 points. 5th last year. 2. HYPHEN.(Walt Willis,
170 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast 4, N.Ireland. 1/- or 15cents.
Irregular but frequent) 136 points. 3rd last year 3. BASTION.
(Eric Bentcliffe, 51 Thorn Grove, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire &
Norman Shorrock, 2 Arnot Way, Higher Bebington, Wirral, Cheshire.1/6d)
118 points. 4th last year. 4. ORION (Ella Parker, 43 Willaim
Dunbar House, Albert Rd. , London NW 6. 1/- or 15 cents. Somewhat
infrequent of late) 116 pointe 2nd last year. 5. SCOTTISHE. (Ethel
Lindsay, Courage House, 6 Langley Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey) 107
points. 7th last year. 6. LES SPINGE (Dave Hale, 12 Belmont Rd.,
Wollescote, Stourbridge, Worcs. 1/-). 86 points. 10th last year. 7.
VECTOR (Official organ of the BSFA. At present edited by Jimmy Groves,
29 Lathom Road, East Ham,. London E 6) 66 points. 10th last year. 8.
SCRIBBLE. (Colin Freeman, 41 Mornington Crescent, Harrogate Yorks.
6d or 10cents Quarterly) 65 points. Unplaced last year. 9. PARKER’S
PEREGRINATIONS. (Ella Parker’s trip report, part one. 10/- or $1.50
for the complete account) 43 points. 10. VAGARY (Bobbie Gray,
14 Bennington Street, Cheltenham, for OMPA) 41 points. 13th last
year.
(Out of last year’s top ten are reports EPITAFF and COCOLONIAL
EXCURSION, one- shot THE ATOM ANTHOLOGY and Daphne Buckmaster’s
ESPRIT)
Runners up are: 11. HAVERINGS (36 points); 12. CAMBER (33); 13.
THE HARROGATE CONVENTION BOOKLET (26); 14. OUTPOST (l7); 15.POT
POURRI, (14); 16 THE FAN DIRECTORY (13); 17. ERG (12); 18. FOCUS
(9); Equal 19th @ 7points were NORTHLIGHT and ENFOCADO.
I have always been somewhat doubtful and have felt vaguely cheated
when a fan poll has been won by the fanzine conducting that poll
and now I feel both guilty and apologetic about this year’s first
place. Put it own to the fact that the overall standard of British
fan publishing has so fallen. - rmb.
THE BEST INDIVIDUAL FANZINE FEATURE OF 1962 13 items
were again listed. Top place went jointly to the Bacover quotes
of HYPHEN and again to Eddie Jones for his HOW I SEE IT FEATURE
in BASTION 3, covering Blish’s Jack of Eagles, and to Ethel Lindsay
for her ‘Natterings’ in SCOTTISHE.
THE BEST FAN COLUMN OF 1962 Colin Freeman’s ‘Scribblings’
in SCRIBBLE narrowly won over Willis’ ‘Harp That Once or Twice’
in WARHOON, last year’s winner.
THE BEST FAN ARTIST Again virtually a repeat of last
year’s vote, with first place going to Arthur Thomson (13 points)
and second to Eddie Jones(7 points).
BEST FANZINE COVER Following wins for BASTION numbers
1 and 2 in previous ballots, the best fanzine cover of 1962 was
that by Eddie Jones for BASTION 3.
THE YEAR’S BEST FANZINE REPORT 1. Ella Parker’s PARKER’S
PEREGRINATIONS Part I. 2. The collaboration A Canticle For Harrogate
in LES SPINGE.
BEST PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE Nova’s NEW WORLDS once
again beat Nova’s SCIENCE FANTASY into second place.
THE YEAR’S BEST PROFESSIONAL FEATURE This proved to
be a popular new section, with 14 actual features and stories being
listed. On the whole though, the voting showed a runaway victory
(21 times as many votes as its nearest rival) for NEW WORLDS Guest
Editorials.
THE BEST PROFESSIONAL WRITER OF 1962 Is anyone surprised
at the announcement that the winner is Brian Aldiss? Brian polled
more votes than did his five rivals together.
FAN PERSONALITY OP THE YEAR This was another popular
new category. 1. Ella Parker. 2. Walt Willis.
THE BEST BRITISH FAN WRITER OF 1962 1. Walt Willis
(56 points) Retains his last year’s first place. 2. John Berry
(42) 2nd last year. 3. Ethel Lindsay (27) 4th last year. 4.
Ella Parker (18) 8th last year. 5. Colin Freeman (17) 6. Brian
Varley (11) 7. George Locke (13) 5th last year. 8. Bobbie
Gray(11) 9. Fred Hunter(10), Archie Mercer (10)
Out of last year’s top ten ratings are Bob Shaw, James White,
Ian McAulay, Mal Ashworth and Ron Bennett.
That’s it for another year. And thanks to all who voted
IT HAS BEEN THE FASHION IN VARIOUS CIRCLES IN THE PAST
to sell off fanzines in “Grab Bag” fashion. Prices have varied between
10 and 15 zines for 7/-. or a dollar. NOW! A selection of of surplus
zines is being sold, at the all time bargain price of twenty different,
very readable zines for that price. Postage free to anyone who takes
$3’s worth. Ron Bennett, address on front page.
LARRY & NOREEN SHAW have settled in in Evanston and
are again publishing their news and review zine, Axe. ::: Bruce
Burn recently kept up his fannish existence by being evicted. :::
Early March Express Poll of Public Opinion designed to investigate
Britain’s book-reading habits, showed that 7% of reading public
prefers SF. :::: Ethel Lindsay’s TAFF trip report is all but ready
and should show up at Peterborough. ::: TV 23rd March showed the
Douglas Fairbanks-Yolande Donlan film Mr Drake’s Duck about a duck
which extracts uranium from the soil. :::: Terry Overton will not
be at the con – expects to be in the States instead. ::: Annual
Fan Poll ballot sheets, delayed as a result of an accident to Harry
Warner, have now been distributed. :::: BRE Analog may shortly fold
as there is a strong possibility in the near future of the importation
of the American issues. :::: George Locke is reviving Smoke. ::::
Phil Rogers sent copy of his Works paper, The App-Frod Record which
features Phil and his proposed trip to the Peterborough Con. Report
mentions that last year’s Harrogate Convention “was attended by
more than 200.” Thanks Phil.
BRUCE BURN threw an eviction party 9th March. Ken
& Irene Potter made a farewell appearance before returning north
to Lancaster. Jhim Linwood played the drums and Ethel Lindsay, introduced
to the game of Monopoly, beat all comers. Following the usual trend
in London circles, Bruce revealed a new game which has a board based
on The Enchanted Duplicator. (EL)
CHANGES OF ADDRESS: Dean Grennell, P0 Box 949, Milwaukee
1, Wisconsin,USA. John Foyster, P0 Box 57, Drouin, Victoria,
Australia. Keith Freeman, 971 Spring Bank West, Hull, Yorks.(Stay
still can’t you?) Bruce Burn, 86 Chelsea Gardens, Chelsea
Bridge Road, London SW 1. Jim Linwood, 5 Kingdon Road, London
NW 6. Richard Bergeron, 333 East 69th Street,New York 21, N.Y.,
USA. Ken McIntyre, 212 Commonwealth Way, Abbey Wood, London SE
2. And a correction: Mike Moorcock, Flat 3, 8 Colville Terrace,
London W 11.
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