Argentus

Argentus was a general-interest science fiction fanzine edited by Steven H Silver. It began publication in 2001 and appeared annually in both paper and online formats, placing it within the long tradition of fan-produced science fiction periodicals rather than the commercial magazine sector. Its editorial scope was broad: issues could examine science fiction literature, fandom, popular culture, film, conventions, and the behavior and interests of science fiction readers. The publication also occasionally produced online-only Special Editions devoted to a single theme. The fanzine's themed Special Editions provided a flexible supplement to its regular annual issues. Documented subjects included science fiction fans and authors appearing on game shows in 2005, convention running in 2009, and the completion of Neptune's first orbit in 2011. These editions illustrate the publication's willingness to combine genre history, fandom culture, current events, and playful commentary rather than limiting itself to book reviews or author interviews. Argentus used a mixed editorial and visual format. Its issues contained numerous articles on varied subjects, including an examination of silent-film comedians and a discussion of tolerance among science fiction fans. A recurring closing feature, called the mock section, invited contributors to write around a specified premise, such as reviewing an imaginary film adaptation of a favorite book. The mock section was set apart from the main material by a letter column, giving the fanzine a recognizable internal structure and emphasizing reader and contributor interaction. The contributor roster included established science fiction authors, editors, critics, and fan writers. Named contributors included Gregory Benford, Julie E. Czerneda, Mike Glyer, Janis Ian, Jay Lake, David Langford, Jack McDevitt, Mike Resnick, Stanley Schmidt, Robert Silverberg, Ted White, and Gene Wolfe. Visual contributors included Sheryl Birkhead, Kurt Erichsen, Stu Shiffman, Maureen Starkey, Steve Stiles, delphyne woods, and Frank Wu. Their participation gave Argentus a breadth that connected professional science fiction publishing with organized fandom and fanzine culture. The publication received recognition within the science fiction fan community. It won the Chronic Rift Roundtable Award for Best Fanzine in 2009 and was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Fanzine in three consecutive years, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Argentus ended publication in 2014. No evidence in the supplied reference material indicates that it operated as a corporation, had a parent company, or maintained a conventional commercial product portfolio. Its principal offering was the fanzine itself, distributed through print and online issues, with occasional online thematic supplements.

Argentus emerged in 2001 as a general science fiction fanzine edited by Steven H Silver. It was published annually in both paper and online forms, maintaining a hybrid format that allowed it to participate in established print fanzine culture while also using web distribution. The supplied reference material does not identify a corporate publisher, formal founding organization, or commercial owner; Argentus is therefore best understood as an editor-led fan publication. The fanzine's editorial remit extended beyond conventional reviews and author profiles. Its articles could address science fiction writing and publishing, fandom practices, film and popular culture, convention organization, and the social characteristics of science fiction communities. One described subject was silent-film comedians, while another considered tolerance among science fiction fans. This range positioned Argentus as a general-interest genre publication rather than a narrowly focused literary review. In addition to its regular annual issues, Argentus sometimes released online-only Special Editions organized around a particular theme. Documented examples include a 2005 edition concerning science fiction fans and authors on game shows, a 2009 edition about running conventions, and a 2011 edition marking the completion of Neptune's first orbit. These supplements show how the publication could respond to unusual subjects and fandom-related occasions without changing the format of the main fanzine. A recurring feature helped define the structure of each issue. The final section was the mock section, in which writers were given a theme and asked to produce a fictional or satirical entry, such as a review of an imaginary film adaptation of a favored book. A letter column separated this section from the main body of the fanzine. The arrangement combined conventional essays and commentary with correspondence and deliberately playful material. Argentus drew on a substantial network of contributors from across science fiction publishing and fandom. The named writers included Gregory Benford, Julie E. Czerneda, Mike Glyer, Janis Ian, Jay Lake, David Langford, Jack McDevitt, Mike Resnick, Stanley Schmidt, Robert Silverberg, Ted White, and Gene Wolfe. Artists and cartoonists included Sheryl Birkhead, Kurt Erichsen, Stu Shiffman, Maureen Starkey, Steve Stiles, delphyne woods, and Frank Wu. This mix of authors, editors, critics, fan figures, illustrators, and cartoonists gave the fanzine a collaborative character. The publication achieved recognition during its later period. It won the Chronic Rift Roundtable Award for Best Fanzine in 2009. It also received Hugo Award for Best Fanzine nominations in 2008, 2009, and 2010, establishing a sustained presence in award-based recognition of science fiction fan publishing. Argentus ended publication in 2014. The available references do not state a specific reason for its closure, and no reliable evidence has been supplied of scandals, lawsuits, acquisitions, financial results, or a successor brand.

1. 2014Publication ends

   Argentus ceases publication.

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2. 2011Neptune-themed Special Edition

   An online-only Special Edition addresses the completion of Neptune's first orbit.

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3. 2010Third Hugo Award nomination

   The fanzine receives its third consecutive Hugo Award for Best Fanzine nomination.

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4. 2009Award recognition and convention-themed edition

   Argentus wins the Chronic Rift Roundtable Award for Best Fanzine, receives another Hugo nomination, and issues a themed online Special Edition about convention running.

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5. 2008First Hugo Award nomination

   Argentus is nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Fanzine, beginning a three-year sequence of nominations.

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6. 2005First documented themed Special Edition

   An online-only Special Edition focuses on science fiction fans and authors appearing on game shows.

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7. 2001Argentus begins publication

   The fanzine begins annual publication in print and online under the editorship of Steven H Silver.

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A broad, contributor-driven science fiction fanzine combining literary and cultural commentary, fandom coverage, visual art, reader correspondence, and humorous mock criticism.

• Argentus annual issuesPrint and online science fiction fanzine2001

  The core Argentus offering was an annual general-interest science fiction fanzine published in paper and online formats. Issues combined articles about science fiction, fandom, film, conventions, and related popular culture with a letter column and a recurring mock section. The editorial range and contributor network connected professional genre writers with fan-oriented commentary and visual material.

• Argentus Special EditionsOnline thematic supplement2005

  Special Editions were occasional online-only supplements focused on a single subject. Documented themes included science fiction fans and authors on game shows, convention running, and the completion of Neptune's first orbit. They extended the fanzine's subject range and provided a format for concentrated treatment of unusual or timely topics.

• 2014Decision to end publicationOther

  After publishing from 2001, Argentus reached the end of its documented run.

  What changed. Publication of the fanzine ended in 2014.

  Aftermath. Argentus became a defunct fanzine; the available reference does not identify the reason for closure or any successor publication.

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• 2001Adoption of a print-and-online annual publishing modelStrategy

  Argentus was established as an annual fanzine distributed in both paper and online forms.

  What changed. The publication maintained parallel print and web formats rather than limiting distribution to one medium.

  Aftermath. This format remained the basis of the publication through its documented run, supplemented by occasional online-only Special Editions.

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• 2014Argentus ends publication

  Argentus ceased publication after operating as a print and online fanzine since 2001.

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• 2010Argentus earns a third consecutive Hugo Award nomination

  The fanzine was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Fanzine for the third time, following nominations in 2008 and 2009.

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• 2009Argentus receives the Chronic Rift Roundtable Award for Best Fanzine

  Argentus won the Chronic Rift Roundtable Award for Best Fanzine.

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1. Argentus
2. Argentus issues