Space Science Fiction

Space Science Fiction was an American science fiction magazine launched in May 1952 by publisher John Raymond during the rapid expansion of the postwar genre-magazine market. Raymond was principally a publisher of men's magazines and had little prior knowledge of science fiction, but a distributor encouraged him to enter the field. He sought advice from Lester del Rey and hired him to edit the new title. Del Rey became the magazine's defining editorial influence, commissioning fiction from both established genre writers and emerging authors while trying to give the publication a broader literary range than its title might suggest. The magazine was conceived as a general science fiction title rather than a narrowly defined space-adventure publication. In the editorial accompanying the first issue, del Rey treated “space” as an extension in every direction and indicated that the magazine would not be limited to stories literally set in outer space. He emphasized readable fiction and variety, with dullness rather than subject matter presented as the principal editorial taboo. In practice, the magazine published space opera, speculative fiction, humorous science fiction, serialized novels, fantasy-adjacent material, and stories concerned with social or psychological ideas. The first issue was assembled quickly, drawing in part on material obtained through Frederik Pohl's literary agency. It included Isaac Asimov's “Youth,” Henry Kuttner's humorous robot story “The Ego Machine,” and a lead story written by del Rey under the pseudonym Philip St. John. Del Rey also contributed fiction under other names, including Erik van Lhin. Later issues featured work by Clifford Simak, Fletcher Pratt, Murray Leinster, Damon Knight, James E. Gunn, Philip K. Dick, and others. The magazine published Dick's “Second Variety” in its May 1953 issue and printed the first installment of several serialized novels, including H. Beam Piper's Ullr Uprising and T. L. Sherred's Cue for Quiet. Poul Anderson's serialized The Escape was interrupted by the magazine's closure and later appeared in expanded form under the title Brain Wave. Space Science Fiction was part of a small group of related magazines created by Raymond and edited or overseen by del Rey. Science Fiction Adventures, launched later in 1952, was aimed at more action-oriented fiction; Rocket Stories, introduced in 1953, targeted younger readers; and Fantasy Magazine, subsequently renamed Fantasy Fiction, focused on modern fantasy. The group was commercially profitable according to accounts of the period, but Raymond's management was erratic. Distribution problems affected Space Science Fiction and Rocket Stories, while irregular production schedules, late contributor payments, and disputes over rates damaged the editorial operation. Del Rey attempted to persuade Raymond to reinvest profits by improving author payment practices, paying contributors earlier, and increasing resources for the magazines. Raymond initially agreed but did not implement the proposed changes. When del Rey learned that Raymond intended to reduce rates and shorten the magazines, he resigned. Raymond subsequently hired Harry Harrison to edit several of the titles, but Space Science Fiction ended before Harrison edited an issue under his own name. The magazine ceased publication by the end of 1954, as did the other titles in Raymond's short-lived science fiction and fantasy publishing program. Although its commercial life was brief, Space Science Fiction is remembered by science fiction historians as a notable early-1950s magazine. Its contents included work by writers who were already prominent, such as Asimov and Robert E. Howard, as well as authors who would become major figures, including Philip K. Dick and Algis Budrys. Its covers and interior illustrations were supplied by artists such as Hannes Bok, Earle Bergey, Paul Orban, Kelly Freas, Peter Poulton, and Alex Schomburg. The title is therefore significant less as…

Space Science Fiction emerged from the revival of the American science fiction magazine market in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Paper shortages and wartime disruption had constrained the pulp and digest business, but the market recovered after the war. The success of Galaxy Science Fiction, first published in 1950, demonstrated that there was substantial demand for new genre titles and encouraged publishers from outside traditional science fiction circles to participate. John Raymond, a publisher better known for men's magazines, was advised by a distributor that science fiction was expanding. Because he lacked expertise in the field, Raymond consulted Lester del Rey and eventually offered him the editorial position on a new title. The first issue of Space Science Fiction was dated May 1952. Del Rey initially had to assemble material quickly, but he secured stories through Frederik Pohl's literary agency and drew on a network of established writers and artists. He also wrote fiction for the magazine under pseudonyms, including Philip St. John and Erik van Lhin. The magazine's editorial concept was deliberately broad. Del Rey argued that “space” should be understood expansively and that the title need not be confined to stories about rockets or planets. The resulting contents combined adventure, humor, speculative ideas, fantasy elements, and serialized fiction. Contributors included Isaac Asimov, Henry Kuttner, Clifford Simak, Fletcher Pratt, Murray Leinster, Damon Knight, James E. Gunn, Philip K. Dick, and Algis Budrys. The magazine also helped expose readers to early or important work by writers whose reputations would grow substantially in later decades. Its May 1953 issue, for example, carried Philip K. Dick's “Second Variety.” Raymond expanded the publishing project with Science Fiction Adventures in November 1952, followed in 1953 by Fantasy Magazine and Rocket Stories. These titles were differentiated by audience or genre emphasis, although del Rey was involved with several of them and used multiple pseudonyms. Space Science Fiction remained the broader science fiction title, while Science Fiction Adventures stressed action, Rocket Stories targeted younger readers, and Fantasy Magazine pursued modern rather than gothic fantasy. The publishing operation was profitable but poorly managed. Accounts of the period describe irregular schedules, last-minute demands for copy, distribution difficulties, and a policy of paying writers on publication. Raymond did not build a sufficient inventory of acquired stories, leaving del Rey to find material under severe time pressure. Del Rey later described the working conditions as exceptionally difficult. He sought higher rates, earlier payment, improved production resources, and better compensation, arguing that reinvestment could increase circulation while preserving profitability. Raymond agreed in principle but failed to carry out the proposed improvements. Del Rey then learned that Raymond intended to lower rates, reduce the page count, and restrict artwork. After the dispute intensified, del Rey resigned. Raymond announced that del Rey had been fired and threatened legal action after manuscripts were returned to contributors with notice of the new payment terms. Harry Harrison was hired to replace del Rey on several titles, but Space Science Fiction did not survive long enough to publish an issue bearing Harrison's name as editor. By the end of 1954, Space Science Fiction and the other magazines in Raymond's group had ceased publication. The title's brief run nevertheless attracted favorable retrospective attention. Historians have valued its fiction, its participation in the transition toward more varied postwar genre publishing, and its role in presenting work by both established authors and emerging writers. It is best understood today as a historically important but defunct magazine imprint rather than an ongoing commercial brand.

1. 1954Publication ends

   Space Science Fiction ceased publication by the end of 1954 as Raymond's associated magazines also folded.

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2. 1953Philip K. Dick story published

   The May 1953 issue included Philip K. Dick's “Second Variety,” one of the notable early works associated with the magazine.

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3. 1953Del Rey leaves the editorial operation

   Del Rey resigned after unresolved disputes with Raymond over payment rates, contributor treatment, production resources, and management practices.

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4. 1952First issue published

   The inaugural issue of Space Science Fiction appeared in May 1952, with Lester del Rey serving as editor and John Raymond as publisher.

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5. 1952Related magazine program begins

   Raymond and del Rey expanded into additional genre titles, including Science Fiction Adventures, creating a short-lived family of science fiction and fantasy magazines.

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A general-interest American science fiction digest emphasizing entertaining, varied fiction rather than restricting itself to literal space adventures.

• Space Science FictionDigest science fiction magazine1952

  The core and only known product under this title was a short-lived American digest magazine. It presented a broad mix of science fiction, including humorous stories, adventure fiction, speculative narratives, and serialized novels. Its contributors included Isaac Asimov, Henry Kuttner, Clifford Simak, Murray Leinster, Philip K. Dick, Damon Knight, James E. Gunn, and Algis Budrys. The magazine also carried fiction by Lester del Rey under pseudonyms and featured artwork from recognized genre illustrators.

• 1953Attempted reinvestment and subsequent rate reductionStrategy

  Del Rey argued that profitable magazines should improve author compensation, pay contributors earlier, and strengthen production rather than simply extract short-term returns.

  What changed. Raymond initially agreed to changes but did not implement them; he later moved toward lower word rates and shorter issues.

  Aftermath. Del Rey resigned, and Raymond's replacement-editor arrangement did not prevent the title from ending soon afterward.

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• 1952Launch a general science fiction digestProduct launch

  A distributor identified science fiction as a growing publishing category, and John Raymond sought Lester del Rey's advice despite having little experience in the genre.

  What changed. Raymond launched Space Science Fiction with del Rey as editor and dated its first issue May 1952.

  Aftermath. The title became the first part of Raymond's short-lived group of science fiction and fantasy magazines.

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• 1953Editorial and contributor-payment disputeControversy

  The magazine's editor, Lester del Rey, objected to late payment of contributors, proposed investment in better rates and production, and resigned after John Raymond instead planned to reduce rates and page counts. Raymond reportedly characterized the departure as a firing and threatened legal action after manuscripts were returned to authors.

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• 1954Space Science Fiction ceases publication

  The magazine ended as Raymond's related science fiction titles also disappeared from the market; it did not publish an issue edited by replacement editor Harry Harrison.

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• 1953Lester del Rey resigns amid publishing disputes

  Del Rey left Raymond's magazine operation after disagreements over contributor payments, reduced rates, page counts, and the publisher's failure to reinvest profits.

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• 1952Space Science Fiction launches

  John Raymond introduced the digest-size magazine with Lester del Rey as editor during the postwar expansion of the American science fiction periodical market.

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1. John Raymond science fiction magazines