Abject and profuse apologies must be made on the belated appearance of this, the first issue of Spaceways. And perhaps primary to my proceeding further it would be well to give a little explanation of the reason for the delay.
Originally, as you no doubt know, the announcements concerning Spaceways said that the first issue would be in the mails Nov. 1 ---- but Nov. 1 has come and gone, and the magazine appears close to two weeks behind schedule. But the reason for this is simple: Spaceways was originally intended as a hektographed magazine, and when our first issue was about half complete the hekto broke down completely, leaving us with a half completed magazine on our hands, and no means of completing it apparent. A week followed in which we had to mark time, waiting for something to turn up --- and turn up something finally did, in the form of a mimeograph. The portion of the magazine which had already been hektoed had to be scrapped, and, due to the fact that the mimeograph was only available in Hagerstown, many editorial duties had to be shifted about. Finally, though, work was again started ----- on the extremely late date of October 22, which may give some idea of the reason this issue was so tardy in appearing.
In the future, however, Spaceways will appear on time every issue, barring unforeseen circumstances. As long as we remain a bi-monthly I think that I am safe in saying that we will definitely appear on time every issue, and if in the future Spaceways becomes a monthly, everything possible will be done to publish each issue on the dot also.
This monthly is one of the things that I want to see --- but there is only one way in which it can be accomplished, and that is for the circulation of Spaceways to increase. With our present circulation I think we can manage a bi-monthly, but if you, the readers, want a monthly magazine, the circulation must take a radical jump upwards. So tell all your correspondents and stf. friends about Spaceways, and urge them to try a copy.
Spaceways is always open to exchanges of ads and subscriptions with other fan magazines ---- if you edit a fan magazine, or any kind of a stf. publication, write for details. And, of course, we want, and need very badly, material for publication. No matter what you have, send it along, and it will appear in an early issue. We set no definite limitations on length of material; however, try to keep articles down to no more than 2,000 words, stories to 4,000, and poems to sixteen lines. Also, we would like to have the readers submit any news about stf. which is timely and authentic, and almost anything else, such as stf. book reviews, illustrations, etc.
Our only limitation on the type of material that we will publish are as follows: no article, or any other kind of material, must deal with religious or political controversies, nor will we publish anything that is in any way slanderous. Anything that we receive such as this will be returned.
The printing, I think, in this issue is a bit above average, despite occasional typographical errors which could not be avoided, due to the rush in getting out this first issue. Next time I think that we will do even better with the typography, though. And even now, I'm sure that you will find it better, and freer from mistakes, than 75 % of the fan magazines today.
And I think that you will be very splendidly surprised by some of the material that we have scheduled for you in future issues. Besides that listed in our forecast department we also have possibilities of receiving some from such fine writers as Jack Williamson, Eric Frank Russell, and Leslie F. Stone. Also, future issues will be illustrated ---- the rush in publishing this one prevented it this time.
Finally, in future issues we are going to publish a large section of readers' letters --- and it's up to you to fill these pages. Write us as soon as you've finished this issue, telling us what you think of it, and as many letters will be published as space will allow. However, try to keep your comments as brief as possible, for we want to publish as many letters as possible, and short ones will receive preference over the longer ones. If you wish answer, send stamp.
Data entry by Judy Bemis
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