WSFA Journal
Encyclopedia
The WSFA Journal is a science fiction fanzine
that has been published approximately once a month since 1965 by the Washington Science Fiction Association
(WSFA). (Update: In 2010, only six issues were published, and in the first half of 2011, only two.)
It typically contains reviews of books, movies, science fiction fanzines, science fiction conventions, TV shows, and websites; obituaries; minutes of WSFA meetings; humor; original fantasy and science fiction; cartoons; spoofs; news about WSFA, science, science fiction
, and science fiction fandom
; announcements of upcoming events; letters and emails to WSFA; and much more. The only things specifically forbidden are current American politics, sports scores, and attacks on WSFA members.
It is usually only distributed at WSFA meetings. However, it is available on the Web. Thirty years of issues are available online.
There was a gap in publication from 1975 to 1978. The 85 issues from before this gap, called first series issues, were more widely distributed within fandom, and today often show on on eBay
. First series issues started at 6 to 10 pages, but by the 1970s had grown to between 48 (January 1971) and 159 (May 1971) pages. All first series issues were edited by Don Miller, who also, from 1969 to 1975 edited the Son of the WSFA Journal. (After 1975, Don Miller changed the name of his publications from WSFA Journal and Son of the WSFA Journal to SF&F Journal and SF&F Newsletter, respectively, while continuing his numbering system. Under these new names, the publications lasted through at least 1978, and possibly 1981.)
Issues from after the 1975-1978 gap, called second series issues started at 4 pages, but soon varied from 1 page (April 1988) to 30 pages (July 1993). It is currently edited by Samuel Lubell. Past editors of the second series are Somtow Sucharitkul (1978-1979), Joe Mayhew (1979-1996, intermittently), Marianne Petrino-Schaad (1980-1981), Jane Wagner (1981-1983), Beverly Brandt (1983-1985), Ginny McNitt (1985-1986), Erica Ginter (1986-1987), Mary Morman (1988-1989), Rachel Russell (1989-1990), Lee Strong (1990-1995), Samuel Lubell (1996-2004), Keith Lynch (2004-2005), Ernest Lilley (2005-2006), Drew Bittner (2006-2007), Adrienne Ertman (2007), and Steven Smith (2007-2010). Since 1980, the editor has usually but not always been WSFA's secretary.
Science fiction fanzine
A science fiction fanzine is an amateur or semi-professional magazine published by members of science fiction fandom, from the 1930s to the present day...
that has been published approximately once a month since 1965 by the Washington Science Fiction Association
Washington Science Fiction Association
The Washington Science Fiction Association is the oldest science fiction club in the Washington, D.C. area. It is also one of the oldest science fiction clubs, founded in 1947 by seven fans who met at that year's Worldcon in Philadelphia, the fifth Worldcon held.Since 1960 it has met on the...
(WSFA). (Update: In 2010, only six issues were published, and in the first half of 2011, only two.)
It typically contains reviews of books, movies, science fiction fanzines, science fiction conventions, TV shows, and websites; obituaries; minutes of WSFA meetings; humor; original fantasy and science fiction; cartoons; spoofs; news about WSFA, science, science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, and science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
; announcements of upcoming events; letters and emails to WSFA; and much more. The only things specifically forbidden are current American politics, sports scores, and attacks on WSFA members.
It is usually only distributed at WSFA meetings. However, it is available on the Web. Thirty years of issues are available online.
There was a gap in publication from 1975 to 1978. The 85 issues from before this gap, called first series issues, were more widely distributed within fandom, and today often show on on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
. First series issues started at 6 to 10 pages, but by the 1970s had grown to between 48 (January 1971) and 159 (May 1971) pages. All first series issues were edited by Don Miller, who also, from 1969 to 1975 edited the Son of the WSFA Journal. (After 1975, Don Miller changed the name of his publications from WSFA Journal and Son of the WSFA Journal to SF&F Journal and SF&F Newsletter, respectively, while continuing his numbering system. Under these new names, the publications lasted through at least 1978, and possibly 1981.)
Issues from after the 1975-1978 gap, called second series issues started at 4 pages, but soon varied from 1 page (April 1988) to 30 pages (July 1993). It is currently edited by Samuel Lubell. Past editors of the second series are Somtow Sucharitkul (1978-1979), Joe Mayhew (1979-1996, intermittently), Marianne Petrino-Schaad (1980-1981), Jane Wagner (1981-1983), Beverly Brandt (1983-1985), Ginny McNitt (1985-1986), Erica Ginter (1986-1987), Mary Morman (1988-1989), Rachel Russell (1989-1990), Lee Strong (1990-1995), Samuel Lubell (1996-2004), Keith Lynch (2004-2005), Ernest Lilley (2005-2006), Drew Bittner (2006-2007), Adrienne Ertman (2007), and Steven Smith (2007-2010). Since 1980, the editor has usually but not always been WSFA's secretary.