This is SKYRACK No. 35, dated 23rd August 1961 and published by Ron Bennett, l3 West Cliffe Grove, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England  6d per copy  Six issues for 2/6d or 35cents  in USA (65cents for six issues sent airmail) where subscriptions should be sent to Bob Pavlat, 6001 43rd Avenue, Hyattsville, Md  Cartoon heading by Arthur “Atom” Thomson  News of interest to sf fans always welcome.

ELLA GOES

ELLA PARKER, BIGGEST NAME IN LONDON ACTIFANDOM, FLEW OUT TO THE SEACON ON TUESDAY 22ND, FOLLOWING FAREWELL PARTY THROWN BY SCIENCE FICTION CLUB OF LONDON AT WARRINGTON CRESCENT HOME OF BRUCE BURN AND ALAN RISPIN. THE PARTY BEGAN SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 19TH, AND CONTINUED WELL INTO SUNDAY EVENING WHEN SEVERAL FANS WENT 10 PIN BOWLING. THE PARTY WAS AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS AND ONE OF THE MOST CONVIVIAL I HAVE EVER ATTENDED. DRINK AND FOOD ABOUNDED AND THE PARTY WAS ATTENDED BY BILL TEMPLE, COMPLETE WITH WIFE AND DAUGHTER ANN, JOE PATRIZIO, TED TUBB, TED FORSYTH, ETHEL LINDSAY, PAUL AND MRS ANDREWS, MARJORIE HARRISON, PETER MABEY, BOBBIE AND BILL GRAY, ARCHIE MERCER (COMPLETE WITH BEARD), PAT KEARNEY, FRED PARKER, ARTHUR & OLIVE THOMPSON, ALAN RISPIN, DIANE GOULDING, BRUCE BURN, DOUG LACEY, RON BENNETT, IAN FAIRBROTHER, IAN & BETTY PETERS, JIMMY GROVES, AL ‘AJAX’ HOCH, JILL AND JOHN ADAMS, KEN POTTER AND CHRIS MILLER, AND ELLA PARKER.  

WHEN ELLA FLEW OFF SHE WAS SEEN OFF BY A PARTY MADE UP OF FRED PARKER, TED FORSYTH, JOE PATRIZIO, RON BENNETT, ALAN RISPIN, BRUCE BURN AND JIMMY GROVES, TO SAY NOTHING OF ARTHUR THOMSON WHO HAD BROUGHT ALONG A CAR BEDECKED WITH GOOD LUCK ATOM-STYLE NOTICES (“GAGARIN, TITOV AND NOW PARKER”).  ARTHUR TOLD AMAZED OFFICIALS THAT WE WERE ALL ELLA’S HUSBANDS AND HAD COME TO SAY GOODBYE TO HER, AND ALSO THAT SHE HAS A THREE WEEK BURLESQUE ENGAGEMENT IN NEVADA. ARTHUR ADMITTED THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ILLOS HE HAD GIVEN ELLA TO TAKE WITH HER, THIS FOLLOWING THE THEFT OF THE £140,00 GOYA FROM THE LONDON NATIONAL GALLERY.  

DEPARTING ON THE 8.45 PLANE TO IDLEWILD, ELLA WAS DUE TO CHANGE AIRPORTS IN NEW YORK, SWITCHING TO NEWARK FOR A TW TRIP TO LOS ANGELES WHERE SHE WILL BE THE GUEST OF SOLACON CHAIRMAN ANNA MOFFATT.

ELLA WILL FLY UAL TO SEATTLE IN TIME  FOR THE SEACON ON lst SEPTEMBER AND FOLLOWING THE CONVENTION HOPES TO TRAVEL EAST IN THE COMPANY OF BOB PAVLAT WHO PLANS TO VISIT CANADIAN NATIONAL PARKS EN ROUTE. ELLA HOPES TO VISIT BETTY KUJAWA, DON FORD, HARRY WARNER AND DAVE & RUTH KYLE BEFORE RETURNING TO LONDON SOMETIME PROBABLY MID-OCTOBER.
– RMB

Pro-News from The Carnell Literary Agency

Brian Aldiss’ “Hothouse” series is being revised into a novel and  should see publication in both USA and the U K as a complete book. Brian also has a new (and so far untitled ) fantasy novel coming from Ballantine shortly. Another novel, previously unpublished, has just appeared in the Galaxy beacon series. This is THE MALE RESPONSE, and six additional pages of sexy dialogue had to be added to make the book saleable!

Five of the early James White SECTOR GENERAL novelettes have been rewritten into a novel, which will also be coming from Ballantine shortly. Meanwhile, James is at work on a new “Sector’ story, a new book-length novel which will probably commence serialisation in the December New Worlds. He is also lined up to have a story entitled “Christmas Treason” in the Christmas issue of F&SF.  

Jim Ballard’s first novel, TO  REAP THE WHIRLWIND has just been sold to Berkley Books in New York. A completely different version has been re-written into a two-part serial for -New Worlds coming up in August, entitled “Stormwind”.

Brian Aldiss again! His novel NON STOP and a short story collection GALAXIES LIKE GRAINS 0F SAND have just sold in Spain. Meanwhile, Brian has an anthology coming from Penguin Books in the near future. This is titled PENGUIN SCIENCE FICTION 1, leaving, perhaps, scope for a 2, 3,....  

Gerard Quinn returns to Nova art work with covers for both New Worlds and Science Fantasy shortly. His first New Worlds cover will be for the August issue, illustrating a new “Sector General” story.

And Aldiss yet again! His short story, “Old  Hundredth,” which was specially written for New Worlds No 100, has been chosen by Judith Merril as one of her selections for the next S F: The Years Best from Dell and Simon & Schuster.  

Personal news items:  The Larry Shaw “Axe” rumour that Eric Frank Russell had been gathered to his forefathers is happily erroneous, Eric was involved in a car accident recently and this put him in hospital for a short time.

Edmond Hamilton and Leigh Brackett are hoping to be in London sometime in September.

((Many thanks Ted    RMB))  

GULF CRISIS LATEST: Don Geldart writes to let everyone know that he, too, is suffering; “I didn’t quite make it to Cyprus, but instead find myself incarcerated in Aden.  George Locke’s description of Kuwait fits Aden pretty well, except that there aren’t any bushes, just sand and bare black volcanic hills. I have one a vantgs over George in that I at least have an air conditioned billet to which I can retire if it gets too hot outside. I flew out here a couple of weeks ago and have since been shifted around from one camp to another. Nobody, least of all me, knows how long my sojourn in the sun is likely to be. If, Ghod forbid, I do the rest of my time out here then I’ll be back in time for the ‘64 con. Aden has one good feature in that it is about the cheapest place in the world and so far I’ve bought a transistor radio (price in England betwen £17 and £20 - price here £7) and am now looking out for a transistor tape-recorder and a typewriter ” Don’s address is listed in the CoA section, and I’ve also heard from George Locke, who is still in Kuwait.  

THE BUG EYE 8 (Helmut Klemm, 16 Uhland St , Utfort/Eick, (22a) Krs Moers, W. Germany; Available for trades, letters of comments, and free to members of OMPA. THE BUG EYE, a leader in international zines, celebrates its first anniversary with this issue. Jack Chalker has an open letter to Gerfandom, which is answered by Rolf Gindorf in a neat manner. John Berry contributes a faan story and other items are by Chris Miller, Mike Deckinger, Alan Burns, Wolf Pippke, and the editor. there’s lots of artwork and several letters. Nothing outstanding but a meaty and readable zine.  

SPECULATIVE REVIEW Vol 3 No 3 (June 61; Dick Eney; 3 for 2/- to good ol’ Archie Mercer, 434/4 Newark Rd, North Hykeham, Lincoln)  This issue of fandom’s most invaluable guide to Good SF Reading is given over to Russian SF, Mervyn Peake’s TITUS GROAN (by David H Keller, no less) and Doyle’s THE MARACOT DEEP. Recommended, as always.

WARHOON 12 (July 61. Richard Bergeron, 110 Bank Street, New York 14, NY, USA; 50pp) Wrhn is undoubtedly one of today’s leading fanzines, being one of the most mature and one of the meatiest. There are 14 pages of Bergeron to kick off with - his style reminds me very much of Calkins. And I like Calkins! Columns are Willis’ HARP, which deals with writing first drafts (and which puts its theory into practice) and Redd Boggs’ FILE 13 which makes a welcome return after several years in limbo. John Berry and Bob Tucker are also present. Letters, chatter and cartoons make up an issue which is of course highly recommended.  

    -oooOooo –  

CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Sgt Don Geldart, Sgt’s Mess, 3rd Carabiniers, Aden Detachment, B F P O 69.
Lynn Hickman, 224 Dement Ave, Dixon, Illinois, USA  (this reverts to a previous address)
Bill Morse, 32 Milton Lane, Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset
Chris Miller, 101 Maney HilI Rd, Sutton Coldfield, Warwicks.
Alan Rispin, 36 Warrington Crescent, London W 9.
Ron Bennett, 13 Westcliffe grove, Harrogate, Yorks.  

PARKER POND FUND: Last minute contributions before Ella flies to the SeaCon can be sent to Ted Forsyth, 11 Ferndale Rd , London SW 4. Ted is also collecting the subscriptions to the superlative ATOM ANTHOLOGY at $1 or 7/-. A party in Ella’s honour will be held, starting 19th, at the London home of Bruce Burn and Alan Rispin.

TAFF Votes are still coming in but slowly in the present campaign to bring over a delegate (Dick Eney or Ron Ellik) to next year’s British convention. Meanwhile, the nomination period for next year’s return trip has been thrown open, and latest rumoured candidates line up as Eddie Jones, Ethel Lindsay and Terry Jeeves.  

COLONIAL EXCURSION (7/ or $1 from Ron Bennett or Bob Pavlat)  Bennett's 1958 SolaCon TAFF report, illustrated by photographs and Atomillos  

WANTS? SALES? TRADES? ADVERTISE IN SKYRACK. 6d  per line, no charge for name and address.

As indicated in the CoA section, Alan Rispin is now down in London, and is sharing a flat with Bruce Burn. Alan, Brian Jordan and Chris Miller roped in Marcus Wigan and held a recent Irlam Minicon. Dave Hall did the washing up. Alan recently hitched through 5 European countries. Visited Vesoul but does not mention looking up the Linards. ..... Chris Miller mentions that the Farmer Hugo nominated novel originally appeared in a 1958 Satellite. ..... Card from Michael and Betty Rosenblum on holiday in Cornwall and from Dave & Ruth Kyle (every issue?) whose matzoballs are getting bigger and  better, and  also Bruce Burn in Rheims searching for the greengages. Bruce expected at the Parker party Aug l9th which will be held at 36 Warrington Crescent whether or not he makes it! ..... This page written in London prior to the party by Ron Bennett on his annual London holiday. Front page and issue publication possibly held over for news of Ella’s departure to Seattle ..... Jhim Linwood has a 3” taper and will accept tapes without prior notice ..... Archie Mercer is British agent for 7/- FANTHOLOGY, Terry Carr’s BEST OF FANDOM replacement ..... John Foyster writes John Baxter is folding his promising zine BUNYIP ..... Paul Enever is understood to have already emigrated to Australia ..... John Roles writes  that Liverpool penthouse clubroom has recently been redecorated ..... BASTION 2 in from Eric Bentcliffe at 11th hour; HAVERINGS 7 in from Ethel Lindsay at 11+ hour

REAL DEADLINE MIDNIGHT STUFF, Saturday 19th August: Letter from Terry Jeeves to Ella mentions supporting Eddie Jones for TAFF, thereby suggesting that he himself is not standing :::: New side interest for SFCoL fans is ten-pin bowling, a craze which is carrying all before it. At time of writing BSFA Secretary Joe Patrizio holds club championship :::: Brian Burgess recently returned from continental hike. Took trouble to take OMPAzines with him so that he could  postmail from Hel, Poland :::: OMPA Editor Bruce Burn arrived back in London 3 days early on Wednesday :::: Gulf Crisis Extra Latest: Don Geldart has been moved into Kuwait. Has finally met up with George Locke after Middle East meanderings. From BBC news it seems highly likely that George will be back in Kenya before very long.