I recently picked up a copy of a fanzine called SPEARHEAD. It was the third issue of the fanzine, and dated August of 1948. Apparently, in its second issue, there was an announcement of a forthcoming article about Ray Bradbury to appear in that third issue. Ray obviously saw that announcement and took in it good humor, because a letter from one Ray Bradbury appeared in that third issue, which read in part: "I was very much intrigued with your announcement of the article in the next issue...which reads as follows: 'You read Ray Bradbury; are you unhealthy?' Enclosed, is a dime, ten cents. Please send your issue No. 3 to me as soon as it is ready. I should like to know if I AM unhealthy. I've been reading Ray Bradbury for twelve years or so, but the last time I checked in the mirror I saw a pink-cheeked, blond, five foot eleven chap, weighing in at 195 pounds. Frankly, I feel fine...."

In fact, the article that appeared about Ray in that third issue of SPEARHEAD was very complementary. Entitled "RAY BRADBURY: an appraisal", the author noted, in part: ...he [Bradbury] has developed a fresh and original style and one that is quite effective; he writes probably the finest prose being published in fantasy today." The author went on to write: "...Bradbury's appeal is very nearly universal, and for that reason I expect that eventually he will become a very great writer." He went on to say: "The one thing which I believe shows his greatest promise is his ability to catch the feel of life and put it on paper. The terror and loneliness of the night; the sadness of fall; all the feelings that occur briefly and poignantly and are forgotten almost instantly --- all the impressions that all of us feel, these Bradbury can capture. And that is something that very few writers accomplish."

Considering that in 1948 Ray had been writing and been published professionally for only a few years, I would say that the author of that article was very perceptive!

Here is a link to the cover of the fanzine to which I have been referring:

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As the above post demonstrates, Ray Bradbury never forgot his roots as a fan, and always encouraged others in their writing efforts. This is further indicated in a letter published in the June, 1962 issue of the fanzine HKLPLOD (issue #2). Ray apparently was sent a copy of the first issue of that fan magazine, and wrote its publisher a letter, which was printed in the second issue. That letter reads as follows:

"Thank you for you [sic] letter and HKLPLOD #ONE. I have no comments or suggestions to make other than to keep working and working hard. If you want to be a writer, a fan magazine like yours can be a good training ground for you, to keep you busy, and to buoy your spirits when the inevitable rejections come. That was true of me and will always be true. I had great fun putting out FUTURIA FANTASIA in 1939 and 1940, and learned much from doing most of the magazine, myself, under many assumed names. Also, it brought me into contact with others who had similar ideas. I envy you your beginnings, and your work. Good luck in your career, Mike, and best always from a former fan editor named....Ray Bradbury."

The link below will take you to the cover of that fanzine:

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