newfen n.

This writer seems to be a member of that large, vague group designated ‘newfen’, so perhaps you’d like to hear of the introduction to, and opinion of Stf by a newfan.

Somewhat to mу surprise, a number of newfen began writing to me, some requesting Stefnews, others just wanting to chat; and with the political situation what it was, I cheerfully chatted. Not so easy to meet were a number of requests for manuscripts unusual to a confirmed FAPAte like myself.

Preliminary report on your zine: Looks better to me somehow, from cover to inside back cover (evidently he didn’t like my scribbling all of the fourth cover—ed.). The Shaver article not newsy to me, but maybe some newfen will appreciate.

On my return to the hotel after breakfast, I went to Peter’s room to collect the lights [i.e. butchered lungs], which, by now, were becoming an embarrassment, and found he’d wakened in the night because of the smell; he'd scoured the room looking for the source of the stink and finding it under the bed had nearly been sick before he managed to crawl to the window and throw the whole shebang into the canal below. I’ve never been allowed to forget this incident and the topic is recounted to all newfen joining the London Circle. So, what better name for a magazine put out by Yours Truely.

WESTERCON 15 will be at the Hotel Alexandria, Fifth and Spring, L.A. Time: 24 hours a day for 2 days (or longer if you come early and stay late). Of course part of this is not on program—sociability is a fannish trait, though, so make your friends if you’re newfen or re-establish contact if old.

A new breed of zine began appearing: the deliberately ‘ensmalled’ zine which was sent to (generally) a hundred, more-or-less, fans. Many of these were ‘ensmalled’ in page count, as well as copies-per-issue. They could be viewed as a self-defense, of sorts, by the old-line fanzine fans against the hordes of newfen who didn’t share the same roots. Of course this practice was also taken up by new fans themselves, and there exists now a situation where the fmz fans don’t know of everyone who is covered by that label. What’s the next step? A further ensmallment?

Introducing newfen to fandom was one of our early purposes. Under the leadership of John Thiel, the Bureau now rises from the dead. The Fandom Introduction Bureau will also be launching its own zine, Origin.