Chapter XXII: The Hiss of Death (3)

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| _IN THE NEXT ISSUE_ |
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| Murder Madness |
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| _Beginning an intensely Gripping, Four-Part Novel_ |
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| _By_ MURRAY LEINSTER |
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| The Atom Smasher |
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| _A Thrilling Adventure into Time and Space_ |
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| _By_ VICTOR ROUSSEAU |
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| Into the Ocean's Depths |
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| _A Sequel to_ "_From the Ocean's Depths_" |
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| _By_ SEWELL PEASLEE WRIGHT |
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| Brigands of the Moon |
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| _Part Three of the Amazing Serial_ |
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| _By_ RAY CUMMINGS |
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| ----_And Others!_ |
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_A Meeting Place for Readers of_ Astounding Stories]

_Our Thanks_

Three months ago the Clayton Magazines presented to lovers of Science Fiction everywhere a new magazine with a brand-new policy--Astounding Stories--and now it is the Editor's great pleasure to announce to our thousands of friends that this new magazine is enjoying a splendid success.

Within twenty-four hours of the time that Astounding Stories was released for sale, letters of praise began pouring into our office, and--and this is significant--many of them clearly revealed that their writers had grasped the essential difference of the new Science Fiction magazine over the others.

We cannot better state this difference, this improvement, than by quoting what the Reader whose letter appears under the caption, "And Kind to Their Grandmothers," says in his very first paragraph: "And I was still more pleased, and surprised, to find that the Editor seems to know that such stories should have real story interest, besides a scientific idea." It is exactly that. Every story that appears in Astounding Stories not only must contain some of the forecasted scientific achievements of To-morrow, but must be told vividly, excitingly, with all the human interest that goes to make any story enjoyable To-day.

The Editor and staff of Astounding Stories express their sincere thanks to all who have contributed to our splendid start--especially to those who had the kindness to write in with their helpful criticism.

Already one of your common suggestions has been taken up and embodied in our magazine, and so we have this new department, "The Readers' Corner," which from now on will be an informal meeting place for all readers of Astounding Stories. We want you never to forget that a cordial and perpetual invitation is extended to you to write in and talk over with all of us anything of interest you may have to say in connection with our magazine.

If you can toss in a word of praise, that's fine; if only criticism, we'll welcome that just as much, for we may be able to find from it a way to improve our magazine. If you have your own private theory of how airplanes will be run in 2500, or if you think the real Fourth Dimension is different from what it is sometimes described--write in and share your views with all of us.

This department is all yours, and the job of running it and making it interesting is largely up to you. So "come over in 'The Readers' Corner'" and have your share in what everyone will be saying.

--_The Editor._

"_And Kind to Their Grandmothers!_"

Dear Editor:

I received a pleasant surprise a few days ago when I found a new
Science Fiction magazine at the newsstand--Astounding Stories. And
I was still more pleased, and surprised, to find that the Editor
seems to know that such stories should have real story interest,
besides a scientific idea.

Of course I took with a grain of salt the invitation to write to
the editor and give my preference of the kind of stories I like. I
know that every editor, down in his heart, thinks his magazine is
perfect "as is." In fact, praise is what they want, not
suggestions, judging by the letters they print.

Well, I can conscientiously give you some praise. If Astounding
Stories keep up to the standard of the first issue it will be all
right. Evidently you can afford to hire the best writers
obtainable. Notice you've signed up some of my favorites, Murray
Leinster, R. F. Starzl, Ray Cummings. I like their stuff because it
has the rare quality rather vaguely described as "distinction,"
which make the story remembered for a long time.

The story "Tanks," by Murray Leinster, is my idea of what such a
story should be. The author does not start out, "Listen, my
children, and you shall hear a story so wonderful you won't believe
it. Only after the death of Professor Bulging Dome do I dare to
make it public to a doubting world." No, he simply proceeds to tell
the story. If I were reading it in the Saturday Evening Post or
Ladies Home Journal it would be all right to prepare me for the
story by explaining that of course the author does not vouch for
the story, it having been told to him by a crazy Eurasian in a
Cottage Grove black-and-tan speakeasy at 3.30 A. M. In Astounding
Stories I expect the story to be unusual, so don't bother telling
me it is so. That criticism applies to "Phantoms of Reality," which
is a story above the average, though, despite its rather flat title
and slow beginning.

Here's another good point about "Tanks." Its characters are human.
Some authors of stories of the future make their characters all
brains--cold monsters, with no humanity in them. Such a story has
neither human interest nor plausibility. The sky's the limit, I
say, for mechanical or scientific accomplishments, but human
emotions will be the same a thousand years from now. And even
supposing that they will be changed, your readers have present day
emotions. The magazine can not prosper unless those present-day
emotions are aroused and mirrored by thoroughly human characters.
The situation may be just as outre as you like--the more unusual
the better--but it is the response of normal human emotions to most
unusual situations that gives a magazine such as yours its powerful
and unique "kick."

The response of the two infantrymen in "Tanks" to the strange and
terrifying new warfare of the future exemplifies another point I
would like to make--the fact that no matter what marvels the future
may bring, the people who will live then will take them in a
matter-of-fact way. Their conversation will be cigarettes,
"sag-paste," drinks, women. References to the scientific marvels
around them will be casual and sketchy. How many million words of
an average car owner's conversation would you have to report to
give a visitor from 1700 an idea of internal combustion engines?
The author, if skillful, can convey that information in other ways.
Yet a lot of stories printed have long, stilted conversations in
which the author thinks he is conveying in an entertaining way his
foundation situation. Personally, I like a lot of physical
action--violent action preferred. This is so, probably, because I'm
a school teacher and sedentary in my habits. I have never written a
story in my life, but I'm the most voracious consumer of stories in
Chicago. I like to see the hero get into a devil of a pickle, and
to have him smash his way out. I like 'em big, tough, and kind to
their grandmothers.

It seems to me that interplanetary stories offer the best vehicle
for all the desirable qualities herein enumerated combined. There
is absolutely no restraint on the imagination, except a few known
astronomical facts--plenty of opportunity for violent and dangerous
adventures, strange and terrestrially impossible monsters. The
human actors, set down in the midst of such terrifying conditions,
which they battle dauntlessly, grinning as they take their blows
and returning them with good will, cannot fail to rouse the
admiration of the reader. And make him buy the next month's issue.

But spare us, please the stories in which the hero, arriving on
some other planet, is admitted to the court of the king of the
White race, and leads their battles against the Reds, the Browns,
the Greens, and so on, eventually marrying the king's daughter, who
is always golden-haired, of milky white complexion, and has large
blue eyes. Kindly reject stories of interplanetary travel in which
a member of the party turns against the Earth party and allies
himself with the wormlike Moon men, or what have you. Stories in
which a great inventor gone crazy threatens to hurl the Earth into
the Sun leave me cold and despondent, for the simple reason that
crazy men are never great inventors. Name a great inventor who
wasn't perfectly sane, if you can. The author makes the great
inventor insane to make it plausible that he should want to destroy
the World. Well, if he is a good author he can find some other
motive.

One more thing. I like to smell, feel, hear and even taste the
action of a story as well as see it. Some authors only let you see
it, and then they don't tell you whether it's in bright or subdued
light. The author of "Tanks" fulfills my requirements in this
respect, at least partially.--Walter Boyle, c/o Mrs. Anna Treitz,
4751 North Artesian, Chicago, Ill.

_A Permanent Reader_

Dear Editor:

I want to thank you for the very entertaining hours I spent
perusing your new magazine, Astounding Stories. I read one or two
other Science Fiction magazines--it seems that tales of this sort
intrigue me. However, I wish to say that the debut number of your
magazine contained the best stories I ever read. Again thanking you
and assuring you that should the stories continue thus I will be a
permanent reader--Irving E. Ettinger, The Seville, Detroit, Mich.

_We're Avoiding Reprints_

Dear Editor:

I am well pleased with your new magazine and wish to offer you my
congratulations and best wishes. As I am well acquainted with most
of the Science Fiction now being written, I am in a good position
to criticize your magazine.

First: The cover illustration is good, but the inside drawings
could be greatly improved.

Second: Holding the magazine together with two staples is a good
idea.

Third: The paper could be improved.

Fourth: The price is right.

Here I classify the stories. Excellent: "The Beetle Horde," and
"Tanks." Very Good: "Cave of Horror," "Invisible Death," and
"Phantoms of Reality." Medium: "Compensation." Poor: "Stolen Mind."

Please don't reprint any of Poe's, Wells', or Verne's works. My
prejudice to Verne, Wells and Poe is that I have read all their
works in other magazines.

However, with all my criticizing, I think that your magazine is a
good one.--James Nichols, 1509 19th Street, Bakersfield,
California.

_Thanks, Mr. Marks!_

Dear Editor:

I purchased a copy of "our" new magazine to-day and I think it
excellent. I am glad to see most of my old author friends
contributing for it, but how about looking up E. R. Burroughs,
David H. Keller, M. D., C. P. Wantenbacker and A. Merritt? They are
marvelous writers. I see Wesso did your cover and it is very good.
I have been a reader of four other Science Fiction monthly
magazines and two quarterlies, but I gladly take this one into my
fold and I think I speak for every other Science Fiction lover when
I say this. Which means, if true, that your publication will have
everlasting success. Here's hoping!--P. O. Marks, Jr., 893 York
Avenue, S. W., Atlanta, Ga.

_A Fine Letter_

Dear Editor:

Having read through the first number of Astounding Stories, my
enthusiasm has reached such a pitch that I find it difficult to
express myself adequately. A mere letter such as this can give
scarcely an inkling of the unbounded enjoyment I derive from the
pages of this unique magazine. To use a trite but appropriate
phrase, "It fills a long-felt need." True, there are other
magazines which specialize in Science Fiction; but, to my mind they
are not in a class with Astounding Stories. In most of them the
scientific element is so emphasized that it completely overshadows
all else. In this magazine, happily, such is not the case. Here we
find science subordinated to human interest, which is as it should
be. The love element, too, is present and by no means unwelcome.

As for the literary quality of the stories, it could not be
improved on. Such craftsmen as Cummings, Leinster and Rousseau
never fail to turn out a vivid, well-written tale. If the stories in
the succeeding issues are on a par with those in the first, the
success of the magazine is assured.

By the way, your editorial explanation of Astounding Stories was a
gem. So many of us take our marvelous modern inventions for granted
that we never consider how miraculous they would seem to our
forebears. As you say, the only real difference between the
Astounding and the Commonplace is Time. A magazine such as
Astounding Stories enables us to anticipate the wonders of
To-morrow. Through its pages we can peer into the vistas of the
future and behold the world that is to be. Truly, you have given us
a rare treat--Allen Glasser, 931 Forest Ave., New York, N. Y.

_The Science Correspondence Club Broadcasts_

Dear Editor:

The other day I came upon Astounding Stories on our local
newsstand. I immediately procured a copy because Science Fiction
is my favorite pastime, so to speak. I was very much overjoyed that
another good Science Fiction magazine should come out, and a
Clayton Magazine too, which enhances its splendid value still
further. I have read various members of the Clayton family and I
found each of them entertaining.

After finishing the first issue, I decided to write in and express
my feelings. The stories were all good with the exception of "The
Stolen Mind." Just keep printing stories by Cape, Meek, Ray
Cummings, Murray Leinster, C. V. Tench, Harl Vincent and R. F.
Starzl and I can predict now that your new venture will be a huge
success.

The main reason of this letter is to ask your help in putting over
Science Fiction Week. This will take place in the early part of
February, the week of the 5th or after. We want your co-operation
in making this a big success. You can help by running the attached
article upon the Science Correspondence Club in your "Readers'
Corner." It will be a big aid.

I am sure, because you are the Editor of Astounding Stories, that
you will be pleased to help us in this venture. Science Fiction is
our common meeting ground and our common ideal.

I hope to have a Big Science Fiction Week with your help.--Conrad
H. Ruppert, 113 North Superior Street, Angola, Indiana.

To the Readers of Astounding Stories:

At the present there exists in the United States an organization
the purpose of which is to spread the gospel of Science and Science
Fiction, the Science Correspondence Club. I am writing this to
induce the readers of Astounding Stories to join us. After reading
this pick up your pen or take the cover from your typewriter and
send in an application for membership to our Secretary, Raymond A.
Palmer, 1431-38th St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or to our President,
Aubrey Clements, 6 South Hillard St., Montgomery, Alabama. They
will forward application blanks to you and you will belong to the
only organization in the world that is like it.

The Club was formed by twenty young men from all over the U. S. We
have a roll of almost 100, all over the world. Its expressed
purpose has been to help the cause of Science Fiction, and to
increase the knowledge of Science. It also affords the advantage of
being able to express your ideas in all fields.

The Preamble of the Constitution which we have worked out reads:
"We, the members of this organization, in order to promote the
advancement of Science in general among laymen of the world through
the use of discussion and the creation and exchange of new ideas,
do ordain and establish this organization for the Science
Correspondence Club."

Article Two reads: "The institution will remain an organization to
establish better co-ordination between the scientifically inclined
laymen of the world, regardless of sex, creed, color, or race.
There will be no restrictions as to age, providing the member can
pass an examination which shall be prepared by the membership
committee."

The Club will also publish a monthly bulletin, to which members may
contribute. It will also publish clippings, articles, etc., dealing
with science.

The membership will have no definite limit and the correspondence
will be governed by the wishes of each member.

Need more be said?

I almost forgot to say that we have two of the best Science Fiction
authors as active members, and three more who are doing their best,
but because of such work they cannot be active.

I hope my appeal bears fruit and that we shall hear from you
soon.--Conrad H. Ruppert.

_But--Most Everybody Prefers the Smaller Size--and Price!_

Dear Editor:

Last night I was passing a newsstand and saw your magazine. I
bought it then and there. I do not read any other stories except
the fantastic stories. Astounding Stories looks all right, but may
I make a suggestions? Why not increase the size of the magazine to
that of Miss 1900 or Forest and Stream? It would certainly look
better! You could also raise your price to twenty-five cents.
Please print as many stories as possible by the following authors:
Ray Cummings, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Murray Leinster, Edmond
Hamilton, A. Hyatt Verrill, Stanton A. Coblentz, Ed Earl Repp and
Harl Vincent.

My favorite type of story is the interplanetary one. I wish you the
best of luck in your new venture.--Stephen Takacs, 303 Eckford
Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.

"_First Copy Wonderful_"

Dear Editor:

I have read the first copy of Astounding Stories and think it
wonderful. I am very much interested in science fiction. I prefer
interplanetary stories and would like to see many of them in the
new magazine. Your authors are fine. The ones I like particularly
are Ray Cummings, Captain S. P. Meek, and Murray Leinster. I wonder
if I could subscribe to Astounding Stories? Will you let me know?
Good luck to the new magazine.--Donald Sisler, 3111 Adams Mill
Road, Washington, D. C.

_Congratulations_

Dear Editor:

Allow me to congratulate you upon the starting of your new
magazine, Astounding Stories. Have just finished reading the first
issue and it is fine. While the class of stories that you publish
do not appeal to all, I feel quite sure that there are many like
myself who will welcome your publication and wish it all
success.--R. E. Norton, P. O. Box 226, Ashtabula, Ohio.