Hellenic Magazines of Science Fiction

Science fiction in translation began appearing in popular science magazines during the mid-1970s in Greece, but the first Greek magazine devoted exclusively to sf (Andromeda) appeared in 1977. Launching subsequent magazines and fanzines has been a risky business, often plagued by financial difficulties, irregular circulation, limited readership, and an unfavorable critical climate. Several devoted fans have tried their luck in sf publishing, but only Christos Lazos (Andromeda) and Yiorgos Bazinas (Apagorevmenos Planitis) have managed to sustain a viable circulation for their magazines. The most pressing challenges for Hellenic sf publishing (especially magazine publishing) in the coming century will be to break out of the ghetto, unite the scattered fans, appeal to a wider readership, increase sales, counter prejudice against science fiction as “escapist trash,” and achieve respectability for the genre. (DP)

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