Fanfare (science fiction zine)
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Fanfare |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor(s): | Francis Paro, Earl Singleton, Art Widner |
| Type: | Clubzine |
| Date(s): | 1939-1943 |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Fandom: | Science Fiction |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | Hosted online by fanac.org |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Fanfare was the clubzine of The Stranger Club, a Boston-based science fiction fanclub. Its most frequent editor was Art Widner.
Issue 4 apparently contained an article by Joe Gilbert titled Makings of a Misogynist, in which Gilbert hoped for more women to join science fiction fandom. Several fans including Forrest J Ackerman and Don Thompson wrote in to issue 5 to say that Gilbert had ignored several well-known female fans like Morojo, Mary Kornbluth, Mary Rogers and Pogo.[1][2] Louis Russell Chauvenet questioned whether Gilbert understood the definition of "misogynist".[3] Gilbert himself listed it as one of the top two "lousiest fan articles" later in issue 5.[4]
H.C. Koenig had a regular column in which he pointed out various examples of bad writing and opinions in fanzines and prozines alike.
Reviews
Price- 10¢; Issued- bimonthly?... A Funtasy Fanorama was good. The rest pretty good. This mag needs more material. Francis Paro edits it. Laff Page also good. 75 comets.The Fan Pubs; The Comet Vol. 1 #1, pg. 14. Jan.-Feb. 1940.
"Fanfare"... suffers from inexperience at mimeographing, and poor typing. It shows as well, however, a somewhat distinctive individuality which is refreshing. If the editor can correct defects mentioned and carry out the excellent policy as expressed in his first editorial, "Fanfare" should go places.Robert A. W. Lowndes in Scientifan issue 2 page 8 (January 1940)
Fanfare hung close to 1*, but was just a little too good."Passing" 2 star review in Tom Wright's Mercury issue 2 page 19 (combined with the January 1940 Scientifan)
You seem to be the master of the hectograph, which is shown by the wonderful job you did with the fourth issue of FANFARE.Letter from Rajocz in Fanfare issue 5 pg. 22 (December 1940)
FANFARE is on the up & up. This #4 issue is okey. Good format; good material; and good gracious, the finest clearest most readable hectographing we've ever had the good fortune to run across.... Cover; stinks--lettering & general layout, fair, but the illustration phewwww! Art, why don't you give up doing covers for fanmags?Letter from Marvis Manning in Fanfare issue 5 pg. 23 (December 1940)
At last I've seen the ultimate in hectoing -- howdja do it? What kind of equipment did you use? ...This issue is swell except for the cover. Your last cover was much better.Letter from Bob Studley in Fanfare issue 5 pg. 23 (December 1940)
Fanfare is a little different from any of the other fanags.... To start at the beginning, I like the cover very much, the only I have seen so far that beats it being the Bok-over on FUTURIA FANTASIA #4, which is, of course, an extra-special example of professional work, as far as quality goes.... The contents page is neat, informative, and slightly humorous.Letter from Don Thompson in Fanfare issue 5 pg. 24 (December 1940)
FANFARE is wonderful - hecto job is best I've ever seen, and the articles good.Letter from Pogo in Fanfare issue 5 pg. 26 (December 1940)
In January 1941, Earl Singleton of the Stranger Club committed pseuicide, and with his absence the club lost access to the hectograph at MIT. Several readers commented on the poor hectoing of Fanfare #6.
Overlooking the miserly hectographing, corny material,and cussed length, I'll agree that your magazine is OK, but you had better improve.Letter from Harry Schmarje in Fanfare issue 7 pg. 29 (August 1941)
30pp plus cover. 10¢; 2/25. Now mimeographed, and at least [legibly so]. The columns of Koenig, Gilbert, the Goatherd, plus articles by Lowndes, "Sinn-Yk-Uhss" and AWjr are th many features. Recommended.Louis Russell Chauvenet in Fantasy Fiction Field issue 48 pg. 1 (Sept. 1941)
About FANFARE - I like it. It's a swell IDEA. It doesn't seem to have a very well developed CHARACTER. That is, everybody talks alike. It's a nice way of talking - quick and racy and up-and-at-em-ish, but it's sort of like sitting through a double feature of Humphrey Bogard...Jane Rice: letter printed in Fanfare #9 pg. 28 (Nov. 1942)
References
- ^ Forrest J Ackerman: "I myt asr his question as to whether Morojo reads the pros (he surmises "She probably doesn't") by saying she reads Astounding, Unknown & Hornig's mags rather regularly, plus any particular story in any other pro which I myt recommend or which myt prove important or popular." Fairy Tale. Fanfare issue 5 pg. 22 (December 1940)
- ^ Don Thompson: "I know a femfan who reads all the pros, and many of the fanags, who I think will soon be contributing considerably toward filling the need Joe mentions. She has a collection to rival the best of them." Classified Stinks. Fanfare issue 5 pg. 24 (December 1940)
- ^ Louis Russell Chauvenet: "Has Gilbert a good idea of what a misogynist is? His remarks hardly go to show that he is a misogynist--he says, for example, that the fan circle needs more women in it!" Not So Dumb. Fanfare issue 5 pg. 28 (December 1940)
- ^ Joe Gilbert: Slan!-der. Fanfare issue 5 pg. 13 (Dec. 1940)