Science Fiction & Fantasy at Special Collections

Asimov's science fiction. New York, NY : Bantam Doubleday Dell Magazines, c1992- Thirteen no. a year Vol. 16, no. 12 & 13 (Nov. 1992)- = whole no. 192 & 193- . v. : ill. ; 19 cm. Some issued combined. Jones Hall Rare Books (Science Fiction) PN6120.95 .S33 I84

One of our newer acquisitions.

Science fiction magazines still command a readership, and this one has been continuously published since 1977. It has showcased many of the great figures of contemporary science fiction writing, including Ursula K. Le Guin, Bruce Sterling, William Gibson, Orson Scott Card, Frederik Pohl, Harlan Ellison, and many, many more.

Asimov's Science Fiction was created by Davis Publications, which also published Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.  Their strategy was to create a magazine around a big name in the field, thus saving on marketing costs by creating instant name recognition. When the publishers decided to add a science fiction magazine to their stable, they approached Isaac Asimov, who agreed to lend his name to the endeavor. However, instead of merely marketing his name, Asimov actually worked on the magazine. He contributed regular editorials, wrote replies for the letters column, and contributed his own fiction.