BFS Beyond
(Did you mean a different Beyond?)
The BFS Beyond was a UK fanzine produced by the British Fantasy Society (BFS) in the 1940s. It was so-called in BFS publications and Futurian War Digest likely to distinguish it from the Cosmos Club's The Beyond which was its apparent inspiration. Its actual title may have been simply Beyond.
The Cosmos Club's The Beyond had first appeared in 1942 and from #3 (Winter 1942) had been available for circulation to BFS members. British Fantasy Society Bulletin #6 (early 1943)[1] first floated the idea of a similar fiction fanzine to be produced in a short run (sources say five copies) and circulated around members of the Society. Bulletin #9 (June 1943) announced
The first issue of this epoch-making publication is on the way under the editorial guidance of E. Frank Parker
... and again solicited written and artistic contributions. #10 (August 1943) contained an 'Editorial Manifesto':
The amateur fantasy magazine to be produced on behalf of the BFS is close to completion. To give the latecomers a final chance the editor is placing 'deadline' for receiving contributions to this issue at one week after the publication of this Bulletin. Please don't delay if you've got any material to submit, otherwise it may have to be held over for a second issue at some indeterminate date in the future. Some members who wish their names to appear on the Circulation Rotas have already intimated as much. The others are urged to do so at once. The earlier names are received by the Editor the higher up on the rotas will they figure. Last comers will be last on the lists. No.1 will definitely contain stories by Mike Vinter, Roy Johnson, Peter Hawkins, Bob Gibson, Syd Bounds and D. R. Smith and, probably, J. K. Aiken. All types of fantasy will be included. Art work may be expected from Bob Gibson, Jack Banks, Don Houston, Bruce Gaffron and Harry Turner.
Bulletin #14 (January 1944) makes clear that the magazine had appeared and been circulated, and solicited contributions for a second issue.
Parker had to step down as editor, and Arthur F. Hillman took over. Bulletin #20 (January 1945) reported that the second issue was being circulated. It contained nine stories of which bulletin editor D. R. Smith said:
all worth reading, most of them making up for deficiencies of style and planning by the freshness they bring as compared with the rather standardised staleness of the standard prozine tale. It is definitely an improvement on the previous issue, and does not disgrace the standard established by the prototype published by our friends at the Cosmos Club.
Bulletin #24 (December 1945) noted that #3 'is now on its way round the rota of those interested' but says nothing about it contents other than that it 'includes a couple of neat little stories by our Mr Chandler[2]'. There were presumably no further issues as the BFS dissolved in 1946.
The British Fanzine Bibliography says the BFS Beyond was produced 'in an edition of five copies only'. It's not known if any survive.
| Issue | Date | Pages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 1943 | ? | edited by E. Frank Parker |
| 2 | December 1944 | ? | edited by Arthur F. Hillman |
| 3 | 1945 | ? | edited by Arthur F. Hillman, final issue |
| Publication | 1943—1945 |
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