Conference noted::sf

Since I don't read it, I can't say...  What should it be called, in your
opinion? 

Sign me,
Curious

Re .1:

I vote for _Isaac Asimov's Fantasy Magazine_.


				-- edp

I've heard other remarks that IASFM ain't what it used to be.  I've been a
subscriber since the thing was quarterly, and in my opinion the thing is still
pretty good stuff.  One notes that Joel Davis now owns both Analog and
IASFM, and it wouldn't do for them to be too much alike.

IASFM, I think Writer's Digest recently announced, may be about to change 
editors.  If Shawna McCarthy does leave, the tone of the thing may change.

Dave Wall

Re .3:

What I am concerned about is not whether it is "good stuff", but whether it
is being honest:  It no longer prints science fiction.


				-- edp

I see your point.  Whenever I've heard this question raised, there are always
two schools of thought.  One is that anything claiming to be a science fiction
magazine ought to print nothing else, and that Asimov's ought to cut it out
with things like the George and Azazael stories.  The other is that if we
want nothing but hard science fiction we ought to go to Analog.

I have a somewhat strange bias on this point -- I'm an aspiring writer, and
Asimov's is one of the few targets available for beginning story writers, and
it's tough enough as it is, so I sort of welcome any broadening of the editorial
policy that does not sacrifice quality.  This has been the subject of editorials
by Asimov, and what they boil down to is this.  IASFM's editorial policy has
to be somewhat different than Analog's because:

	1) They are organs of the same publishing house, and for them to
	   look at things the same would rob the magazines of identity
	   and put them in competition with each other.

	2) There are not enough publishable stories for both magazines to
	   maintain an equally rigid definition of science fiction.  It will
	   not do for them to start robbing Peter to pay Paul.  Joel Davis
	   is too much the businessman.

Personally, I hadn't noticed an overabundance of fantasy in Asimov's.  One
sees stuff like George and Azazael.  And if you've ever looked at their
manuscript guidelines, you'll note that the magazine's definition of
science fiction permits an awful lot of leeway.  As the wealth of responses
on drawing guidelines for SF (255.) shows, it ain't easy to define.

I seem to have expressed every opinion but the one you've asked for.  I read
Asimov's and like it.  My own feeling is that the percentage of stuff in it
that might not be science fiction is low, and even so, there's certainly
enough crap being published these days to make Asimov's a breath of fresh
air, no matter what they choose to call it.  Incidentally, I read Analog,
too.  So, I don't think it's misnamed -- just working under a different
definition.

As for changing the name, don't look for it to happen while the Good Doctor
is still associated with the magazine.  You're more likely to see an elf
in Analog :-)

Dave Wall

That's strange; I thought _Asimov's_ was mostly fantasy, with George and
Azazel stories being some of the closest things it has to science fiction.
You seem to think it's mostly science fiction, with George and Azazel stories
being some of the closest things it has to fantasy!

This is a strange twist on the science fiction/fantasy argument.  I thought
most of the discussion was were to place the dividing line, but you seem
to have introduced a reversal of the placement of things in the genres.


				-- edp

I don't see a problem. I'll admit that I haven't been reading IASFM lately,
so I can't say what percentage of it is "fantasy" as opposed to "science
fiction", but I'll point out that with very few exceptions (ANALOG being
the only currently-published one), *every* science fiction magazine since
Hugo Gernsback started AMAZING STORIES has carried a goodly amount of
fantasy, even those whose full titles included the phrase "Science Fiction"
(eg. WORLDS OF IF SCIENCE FICTION, GALAXY SCIENCE FICTION, etc.).

I suppose it all depends on one's point of view. I'm sure that a good many
of the stories in ELLERY QUEEN'S (or ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S) MYSTERY MAGAZINE
aren't strictly mysteries, but other sorts of crime or suspense fiction.

re:.whatever

Shawna McCarthy has already left. Gardner Dozois is the new editor. I believe
that the McCarthy-edited issues should be all used up by now (haven't checked
the most recent issue yet).

--- jerry

    
    	Well, regardless of what you call it - Anyone want to buy
    33 issues of IASFM?
    
    	Including (gasp!) Volume 1, #1.  That one's in mint condition.
    Some of the others were bought used and are less so.
    
    	Make an offer (to STAR::MALIK).
    
    							- Karl

	Hey!  Just like .8, I also have...

>    	Including (gasp!) Volume 1, #1.  That one's in mint condition.
 
	It's in fine condition...no rips or tears or bends.  Also included 
	are eight subsequent issues that date to 1979 or thereabouts.  The 
	worst one of them has a bent corner on the cover.

	I'll swap 'em for just about anything that I have a use for...try 
	me.  Or (how gauche...) money.  I have a use for that.

	If you're interested, do a SEND/AUTHOR with your what-have-you...

							Mike

>	Hey!  Just like .8, I also have...

>>    	Including (gasp!) Volume 1, #1.  That one's in mint condition.
 
>	It's in fine condition...no rips or tears or bends.  

	
		Me too! Rare, huh?