Back in September, I ordered a subscription of “Amazing Stories” but not simply because I’ve always loved the magazine.  I also ordered it because I wanted to support the continuing success of its revival after it had been out of Publication for several years. Editor Steve Davidson restored it to publication less than a decade ago. So far I’ve only received one issue which was the summer 2020 one. It’s supposed to be quarterly so there should have been a fall and winter issue. I never received them. And it’s no wonder. According to Davidson in a news release last Thursday April 8, the magazine’s publisher, Experimenter Publishing Company, has been facing licensing agreement issues. Because of that, Experimenter has put the publishing of “Amazing Stories” on hiatus. 

 “Amazing Stories” has been one of the longest running science fiction magazines. Its publication was born in 1926 during the pulp era. It went through several relatively short publication lapses. After its previous publication termination in 2005, Davidson revived its run in 2012. However, it has indeterminately ceased publication again because, according to Davidson, Experimenter ended a licensing agreement due to continuous breaches of the contract on the part of the licensee (who has not been named). 

Experimenter compares this problem to that of authors, such as Alan Dean Foster who the Disney Company has neglected paying royalties ever since it acquired the “Star Wars” franchise. “Amazing Stories” will not Continue Publication until the licensing issues are resolved. However, Experimenter’s book line, Amazing Selects, and the “Amazing Stories” website have not been affected by the issue as of this writing and so will continue publication. A Patreon page has been set up to contribute to supporting Experimenter in covering the legal costs. 

Hopefully this issue can be resolved soon. That’s not so much because I want my copies of the issues that come with my subscription of “Amazing Stories”. It’s more so because I want to see the on-going publication of this publication, one of the last few science fiction and fantasy magazines that still offer a print option. 

Do you subscribe to any science fiction/fantasy magazines, digital or print?

Until next time . . .