Outlands (magazine)

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The cover of Outlands issue 1, Winter 1946
The cover of Outlands issue 1, Winter 1946

A semi-professional magazine, only one issue of which was ever produced. Outlands was published by Outlands Publications in England in the winter of 1946. It was digest size, 40 pages long, and cost 1/6d.[1][2][3]

The magazine was edited by Leslie J. Johnson, who had used his RAF gratuity to establsh Outlands with fellow science-fiction fans. He edited the magazine from his home in Liverpool. Outlands included original stories by John Russell Fearn and Sydney J. Bounds.[4][5][6]

A second issue of Outlands was never produced - even though it was advertised as being available in December - as distributors declined to handle it.[7]

[edit] Stories

Bounds' debut professional sale under his own name appears in the first issue. 'Strange Portrait' is a macarbe story based on the concept of The Picture of Dorian Gray in which a 'living' painting acts out the murderous jealousies of artist David Guest. The publication of his story meant that Bounds' post-war career as an electrical fitter seemed less inviting than one writing fiction.[8]

The only story title displayed on the cover was 'Pre-Natal' by Fearn.[9]

"The Opaque Word" by Anthony Cotrion also appeared, alongside fiction by George C. Wallis and an obituary of H.G. Wells, who had only recently died on 13th August 1946.[10][11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Outlands Checklist
  2. ^ Magazines Page Of Ultimate Science Fiction Web Guide
  3. ^ Magazine Data File
  4. ^ FanHistorical Archive Collection
  5. ^ The Guide to Paperbacks, Pamphlets, and Digests ( Science Fiction, Fantasy, Weird & Occult, 1930-1961)
  6. ^ The Adelphi Coracle 2
  7. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=BjI4-qex0JgC&pg=PA202&lpg=PA202&dq=outlands+magazine+1946&source=web&ots=8j3iZrwmvL&sig=TcquQjXN3AHLdAVdm-TUe4xBuNM&hl=en
  8. ^ sydney j. bounds interviewed at - zone-sf.com
  9. ^ Magazine Data File
  10. ^ Lot of 3 issues - PBA Galleries, Auctions & Appraisers
  11. ^ http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=BjI4-qex0JgC&pg=PA202&lpg=PA202&dq=outlands+magazine+1946&source=web&ots=8j3iZrwmvL&sig=TcquQjXN3AHLdAVdm-TUe4xBuNM&hl=en