Gary Westfahl’s critique of science fiction history – The Mechanics Of Wonder – has a very interesting catalog in the notes to one of the chapters that provides some detail on the first science fiction magazines seen (and read) by some of the greatest names in the field. (Mr. Westfahl uses this data to prove a point that will be covered in a review of that work later).
I’ve heard and read stories from many of the greats – the first time I ran into science fiction, there was this really fascinating magazine on the news stands – any number of times. It’s no secret that most of the greats got their start through exposure to the science fiction pulps. But you know what? I’ve never seen a comprehensive list compiled anywhere (until Mr. Westfahl’s), and certainly not one accompanied by images of the magazine issues in question.
Lets rectify that omission right now.
A. E. Van Vogt
Has stated that his first exposure was the November 1926 issue of Amazing Stories
SFWA Grand Master (1995)
Caspar Award for Lifetime Achievement (precursor to the Prix Aurora Award)
Arthur C. Clarke
(Later to be Sir) says that his first was the November 1928 issue of Amazing Stories
SFWA Grand Master (1985)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame inductee (1997)
Heinlein Award (2004)
John W. Campbell
claims it was the very first issue of Amazing Stories in April, 1926
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame inductee (1996)
Two major writing awards named for him – The John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Novel and The John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer
The magazine he edited, Astounding Stories, was awarded a Best Professional Magazine Hugo Award 7 times
Jack Williamson
got a copy of the March, 1927 issue from a friend.
SFWA Grand Master (1976)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (1996)
World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award (1994)
World Horror Convention Hall of Fame (2004)
Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement (1998)
Eric Frank Russel
remembers the March, 1930 issue
He won one of the first Hugo Awards for Best Short Story
Awarded the Prometheus Award for LIfetime Achievement (1985)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (2000)
Lester Del Rey
first magazine was a different Gernsback publication – Science Wonder Quarterly
SFWA Grand Master (1990)
Skylark Award
Balrog Award
but he began purchasing and reading regularly with Amazing Stories –
Robert A. Heinlein
read Argosy, All Story and Gernsback’s Electrical Experimenter, that not infrequently published scientifiction
SFWA Grand Master (1974)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (1998)
Four Hugo Awards for Best Novel
*
and we know from his biography that he discovered E.E. ‘Doc’ Smith when he purchased a copy of the August, 1928 issue while attending the Naval Academy –
Ted Sturgeon
intermittently read Astounding Stories, Wonder Stories and Amazing Stories from 1930 on
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (2000)
World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement (1985)
Isaac Asimov
discovered Amazing Stories in 1929
Best All Time Novel Series Hugo Award
SFWA Grand Master (1987)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (2001)
Numerous Hugo and Nebula Awards
Clifford D. Simak
began reading Amazing Stories in 1927
SFWA Grand Master 1977
Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award (1987)
Fritz Lieber
began reading Amazing Stories with its first issue
Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy Award (1975)
World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement (1976)
Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement (1988)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (2001)
C. L. Moore
began reading Amazing Stories in September of 1931
World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement (1981)
Gandalf Grand Master Award
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (1998)
Ray Bradbury
picked up the Fall, 1928 issue of Amazing Stories Quarterly
Prometheus Award
National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
National Medal of Arts
World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement (1977)
Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy (1980)
Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement (1989)
SFWA Grand Master (19989)
First Fandom Hall of Fame Award (1996)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame (1999)
Philip Jose Farmer
caught the bug in June of 1929 with Science Wonder Stories
SFWA Grand Master Award (2000)
World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement (2001)
Forry Award for Lifetime Achievement (2003)
Frederik Pohl
first exposure was in 1930 to Science Wonder Stories Quarterly, though he soon located back issues of Amazing Stories and Astounding Stories
SFWA Grand Master (1993)
Edward E Smith Memorial Award (1967)
Eaton Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science Fiction (2009)
Thomas D. Clareson Award for Distinguished Service (1996)
Damon Knight
the founder of SFWA, remembers the bedsheet sized August-September 1933 issue of Amazing Stories
SFWA Grand Master (1994)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame 2003
Founder of SFWA
Co-founder of Clarion & Milford Writing Workshops
Jackie Hilles
When I was a kid my two cousins would visit during the summer. My older cousin was three years older and one summer when I was about in 5th grade, she brought a copy of The Martian Chronicles with her. I devoured that book. It was just the beginning of my love affair with SF.
Al Sirois
I got hold of Robert Heinlein’s HAVE SPACESUIT WILL TRAVEL from the local children’s library (my home town had a separate library for kids). Also, from the library in my grade school, I got a couple of Ruthven Todd’s “Space Cat” books. Again, I was about 7 or 8 years old. By that time I was reading above grade level, so I could follow the Heinlein book.
Chuck Rothman
First actual novel was “Tom Swift and his Jetmarine.”
Alan Ziebarth
I might have read some grade school level books like Asimov’s Lucky Starr series but A Wrinkle in Time was the first SF book that started my love of SF. but my love of SF really kicked in when I read Bradbury’s Twice 22, which was an omnibus of The Golden Apples of the Sun and A Medicine for Melancholy. My addiction started when I read Again, Dangerous Visions.
Travis Creason
My first was also a Scholastic book, but a collection. It had two Arthur C. Clarke stories, and I was intrigued, knowing he was one behind 2001: A Space Odyssey. I hadn’t seen the movie, but was awfully curious after seeing stills in Boy’s Life magazine. But it took me years to discover others also wrote this kind of stuff as well.
And my own:
Steve Davidson
In, I think, second grade, I ordered a bunch of books from Scholastic (they passed around a checklist form). Among others, I picked Lester Del Rey’s The Runaway Robot (actually written by Paul W. Fairman). Robots! In Space! It filled my need for Fireball XL-5 like fare and I was hooked.
***
The issues and covers shown here are as accurate as current research allows; some are “guesstimates” based on the year of an author’s discovery of science fiction.
Some of these magazine covers are available for purchase as posters (in two sizes) from the Amazing Stories Store.
Editor’s Note: I’m aware that this list does not include many others active in the field during its formative years, especially influential female authors, such as Judith Merrill, Leigh Brackett, etc. Information regarding their first magazine exposures is not currently available. We would be happy to expand this list with verifiable information.
