Science Fiction League
| Fan Club | |
|---|---|
| Name: | The Science Fiction League |
| Dates: | 1934-1941 |
| Founder(s): | Hugo Gernsback |
| Leadership: | |
| Country based in: | |
| Focus: | Science Fiction |
| External Links: | On Fancyclopedia |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Science Fiction League was an early effort by Hugo Gernsback to gain readership and content for his new science fiction magazine, Wonder Stories. Formatted as a science fiction club, but under Gernsback's control, it chartered local branches and offered fans outlets in the pages of Wonder Stories (as well as lapel buttons and club stationery). The SFL department of Wonder Stories reported activities of branches and of fandom in general and listed new SFL members and addresses. The SFL letter columns in the magazine also printed letter writers’ names and addresses, allowing them to get in contact with each other and thus facilitating the creation of the social network which became science fiction fandom. The first independent local club, the Scienceers of New York City, got together as a result of this published contact information.
After Gernsback lost control of Wonder Stories in 1937, the national organization was basically abandoned by the magazine's new ownership, and faded into history. Two former branches of the SFL still exist as local clubs: the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society and the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society.
The SFL was apparently based on an idea by Charles Hornig, who had recently become the editor of Wonder Stories based on his experience with fanzines.
Commentary
We read with interest the news that Charlie Dee Hornig is to once again edit a pro mag. We side with the bunch who liked him as an editor. The world must thank (or blame, maybe) Chas. for the present largest stf organization in the world: The Science Fiction League , even tho the League is now but a shadow of what it was intended to be. Incidentally, we find, upon rummaging thru our files that we belong to the League twice. We are numbers 68 and 3931. Perhaps after Weisinger reads this, we wont be number anything.Bob Tucker in Le Zombie issue 2 page 2 (January 1939)
The info has come to me indirectly,since I am boycotting Fantasy-News, that on 29 Jan one "Javity" (JV Taurasi) was made head of the Science Fiction Leag by Thrilling Wonder's Ed. Immediate alterations, I understand, are to be made in the Board of Directors, & "of course, no one who already serves on any other professional fan club office would be eligible." Since I come under the latter classification I hasten to make public a fact which Weisinger pro ly does not inted to reveal & woud just as lief forget: 2 wks bfor his action, I resignd as an Executive of the SFL! ...I had come to the conclusion that the SFL was fakey & wisht my name removed from masthead of an organization which was one in name only. Whether my action was responsible in any way for the present surprising turn of events I shall not hazard to guess; but my reason for resignation was "One fan may not serve 2 masters", & my support, for what it's worth, is for Super Science Science Fictioneers.Forrest J Ackerman, letter dated February 10 1940; printed February 24 in Le Zombie, issue 24 page 2.
Taurasi (has) requested my co-operation on the newly reshuffled S.F.L. And, not knowing that Forrie had resigned I agreed to be British representative. The darned annoying part of it is that directly I heard about Pohl's new organization ((Science Fictioneers)) I wrote and offered him my services as British Rep -- and didn't even get a reply! Boy! This is beginning to look funny. First the guys have a friendly war, then it develops into a real cut-throat affair -- then they carry it right into the magazine racket...."Ted Carnell in Fantasy Fictioneer issue 3 page 8 (March 1940)