Science Fiction Quarterly

Science Fiction Quarterly
source
Title	Science Fiction Quarterly
Frequency	Quarterly
Firstdate	1951
Finaldate	1958
Country	United States
Language	English

Science Fiction Quarterly was a American science fiction magazine that played a significant role in the development of the genre, alongside other notable publications such as Astounding Science Fiction, Galaxy Science Fiction, and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. The magazine was part of a broader literary movement that included authors like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert A. Heinlein, who were regularly featured in magazines such as Amazing Stories and Fantastic Universe. During its run, Science Fiction Quarterly published works by prominent authors, including Theodore Sturgeon, Clifford D. Simak, and Murray Leinster, who were also associated with other notable magazines like Weird Tales and Startling Stories. The magazine's focus on science fiction and fantasy helped to establish it as a major player in the genre, alongside other influential publications like If and Worlds of Tomorrow.

● Publication History

Science Fiction Quarterly was first published in 1951 by Columbia Publications, with Herbert Goldstone as its editor, and it ran until 1958, with a total of 28 issues. The magazine was initially published on a quarterly schedule, as its name suggests, but it later became a bimonthly publication. During its run, Science Fiction Quarterly featured a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories, as well as articles and reviews, similar to other magazines of the time, such as Fantastic and Imagination. The magazine's publication history overlapped with that of other notable science fiction magazines, including Other Worlds, Super Science Stories, and Thrilling Wonder Stories. Science Fiction Quarterly also competed with other popular magazines of the time, such as Life, The Saturday Evening Post, and Collier's, for readers' attention.

● Editorial Approach

The editorial approach of Science Fiction Quarterly was focused on publishing high-quality science fiction and fantasy stories, as well as articles and reviews that would appeal to fans of the genre. The magazine's editor, Herbert Goldstone, was a well-known figure in the science fiction community, and he worked to establish the magazine as a major player in the genre, alongside other influential editors like John W. Campbell, Horace Gold, and Anthony Boucher. Science Fiction Quarterly's editorial approach was similar to that of other notable magazines, such as Astounding Science Fiction and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, which also focused on publishing high-quality science fiction and fantasy stories. The magazine's editors also drew inspiration from other literary movements, such as the New Wave movement, which was associated with authors like J.G. Ballard, Brian Aldiss, and Michael Moorcock.

● Notable Contributors

Science Fiction Quarterly featured a wide range of notable contributors, including Theodore Sturgeon, Clifford D. Simak, and Murray Leinster, who were all well-known authors in the science fiction community. The magazine also published works by other prominent authors, such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert A. Heinlein, who were associated with other notable magazines like Amazing Stories and Fantastic Universe. Other notable contributors to Science Fiction Quarterly included Ray Bradbury, Fritz Leiber, and C.M. Kornbluth, who were all major figures in the science fiction genre. The magazine also featured articles and reviews by notable science fiction critics and scholars, such as Damon Knight and James Blish, who were associated with other influential publications like The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Foundation.

● Impact and Influence

Science Fiction Quarterly had a significant impact on the development of the science fiction genre, particularly in the 1950s. The magazine's focus on publishing high-quality science fiction and fantasy stories helped to establish it as a major player in the genre, alongside other influential publications like If and Worlds of Tomorrow. Science Fiction Quarterly's influence can be seen in the work of later science fiction authors, such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Harlan Ellison, and Roger Zelazny, who were all influenced by the magazine's editorial approach and the authors it published. The magazine's impact can also be seen in the development of other science fiction magazines, such as Analog Science Fact & Fiction and Asimov's Science Fiction, which were influenced by Science Fiction Quarterly's focus on publishing high-quality science fiction stories. Science Fiction Quarterly's influence extends beyond the science fiction genre, with its stories and authors being referenced in other forms of media, such as Star Trek, Doctor Who, and The Twilight Zone.

● Key Stories and Features

Science Fiction Quarterly published a wide range of notable stories and features during its run, including works by Theodore Sturgeon, Clifford D. Simak, and Murray Leinster. The magazine's most notable stories include Theodore Sturgeon's More Than Human, which was serialized in the magazine in 1953, and Clifford D. Simak's Time and Again, which was published in the magazine in 1951. Other notable features in Science Fiction Quarterly included articles and reviews by Damon Knight and James Blish, who were both well-known science fiction critics and scholars. The magazine also published a range of science fiction and fantasy artwork, including covers by notable artists like Virgil Finlay and Ed Emshwiller, who were associated with other influential publications like Weird Tales and Fantastic Universe. Science Fiction Quarterly's key stories and features have been widely anthologized and remain popular among science fiction fans today, with many being reprinted in collections like The Science Fiction Hall of Fame and The Oxford Book of Science Fiction Stories.