Spaceways

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Zine
Title: Spaceways
Editor(s): Harry Warner, Jr., Jim Avery
Organizer(s):
Author(s):
Cover Artist(s):
Illustrator(s):
Type:
Date(s): 1938-1942
Topic:
Medium: Print
Size:
Frequency:
Fandom: Science Fiction
Rating(s):
Warning(s):
Language: English
External Links: Online at Fanac.org
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Spaceways was a science fiction zine published from 1938-1942. Jim Avery co-edited it at one point.[1] In the September 1939 issue of Le Zombie, Warner reported a circulation of 110.[2]

About

In January 1938, editors of Voice of the Imagi-Nation recommended Spaceways for fans of the late Imagination! as "it is patternd after Imagination! in a number of ways, even to the extent of an article about Esperanto, rocketry & stf. in Ackermanese..."[3] Robert A. W. Lowndes' 1940 article "What Fan Magazines?" named Spaceways as an example of a "catholic fan magazine" that covered the subjects of science fiction and fantasy "in every possible way".

Spaceways suspended publication in October 1942. Harry Warner, Jr. explained that the cost of mimeographing supplies had skyrocketed thanks to the war. In addition, he had limited access to a typewriter and his energy for publishing was flagging. He would also be up for conscription at the end of the year, and felt that fanzine participation was bound to drop as more and more active fans were drafted. Spaceways was still the number one zine in the fan polls, so he decided it was best to go out on top. Some back-material was sent to other zines, and he recommended Nova as the best replacement for Spaceways.[4]

Warner continued publishing his other fanzine Horizons for many more years, as that was distributed through the FAPA.

Reviews

APPLAUSE DEPT: 'SPACEWAYS' , the big new fan mag, has really reached an amazing height for only two issues. We noted their announcement that religion, politics and the like would be banned from their pages, and then we snicker to discover two of the horrible foreign invaders had crept into the pages under assumed names. Have you picked them out yet Harry? :*:*:*: And while we are on this same magazine, what has happened to the guiding hand of co-editor Jim Avery? He seems to be nothing more than a name on the contents page.

Bob Tucker in Le Zombie issue 2 page 2 (January 1939)

That was an awfully clever short of Farley's in the April SPACEWAYS. As a matter of fact, I liked it a lot better than some of the things he's placed with the professional magazines. The stories by fans, too, were uniformly good. I've a feeling that you're going to launch one or two writers who will eventually turn out to be professionals.

Amelia Reynolds Long: Letter printed in Spaceways #6, pg. 26. June 1939.

Fantasy-News reviewed issue 4 in its 38th issue:

Again this 24 large size pager has come thru with fine and interesting material. Every one of their articles and stories are good, if not excellent. The magazine is well mimeographed and sells for the low price of 10¢. The cover of this issue is just fair, much could be done to improve it.

Fantasy-News issue 38 page 5 (December 1939)

Robert Lowndes gave a longer review that referenced Spaceways' position in fandom's biggest current feud (see The Great Exclusion Act):

"Spaceways", recently named first-choice in a poll conducted by Le Zombie, has worked hard for that honor in its first year of existence and has an admirable record behind it. Its material has been varied, and for the most part, of high quality; it has presented collector's articles, fan-fiction, fan-poetry, reviews, comment, criticisms, and whimsy in good proportion. While Editor Warner states that the magazine will use nothing controversial, numerous controversial items have appeared, and numerous battles in the readers have taken place. The editor, however, has succeeded, we think, in not antagonizing either personalities or viewpoints. Recently it has changed its policy to the extent that it will be more careful upon what is published and that, in cases of dissension, both sides will be able to present their side once, and that will end the matter so far as Soaceways [sic] is concerned. While not perfect, as the editor admits, this is at least a satisfactory attitude and one which will increase the already high reputation of the magazine.

In appearance it is neat and attractive. The margins are even on both sides, a matter which a majority of readers feel to be of import, the margins around the page, for the most part, adequate. Its covers have varied in quality, as the editor uses a large variety of fan-artists, thus getting away from stereotyped fronts. At present it is using interior cuts which enhance the appearance. Unless something unfortunate happens, we can say: Keep an eye on Spaceways.

Lowndes in Scientifan issue 2 page 5 (January 1940)

Price- 10¢; Issued- when you least expect it... Spaceways is the magazine voted best in Bob Tucker's recent poll. Most excellently mimeographed on good quality paper. The very best articles are featured. It's well worth the dime.... 90 comets.

The Fan Pubs; The Comet Vol. 1 #1, pg. 14. Jan.-Feb. 1940.

10 cents, 25 large mimeod pages. November, 1939

This issue is a considerable drop in standard. Taurasi has a cover thats quite good, symbolic of Weinbaum. Leslie A. Croutch's short story "The Wax Doll" is the most entertaining feature of the nimber. The feature article by Georges A. Gallet is unspeakbly dry; Dale Hart fails to be interesting; William Veney has an interesting though incomplete article on the Australian Stf.Fans. The poetry is above fan mag average wheras some of the departments rank from criminally poor to exceedingly good.

"The Manuscript Bureau" of New Fandom, issue 7 page 13 (April 1940)

3:5... 23 pp plus 2 covers. The article on "How to be a Hack" is required reading. Recommended.

Louis Russell Chauvenet in Fantasy Fiction Field issue 42, page 5 (Aug. 1941)

Notable Articles

References

  1. ^ Spaceways on Fancyclopedia
  2. ^ Le Zombie issue 14 page 4 (September 1939)
  3. ^ Voice of the Imagi-Nation, issue 1 page 4
  4. ^ Harry Warner, Jr.: Spaceways Is No More (Oct. 1942)
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