Chapter 9: All Newcomers Are Monsters (Please Subscribe! Please Keep Reading!)

“Damn, this is incredible!”

“But such an avant-garde sci-fi story… I can’t make the call on my own.”

Twenty minutes later, the balding editor, Curtis, finished reading the novel and was so impressed that he slammed his fist on the desk, spilling tea from his cup.

Who exactly is this guy named Enny Reiser?

Could he be the legendary author Old Deng reincarnated under a pen name?

No, that didn’t seem right.

None of the sci-fi writers Curtis knew had this level of imagination and writing skill.

Anyway... better show it to the editor-in-chief first.

Curtis took the manuscript of “Morning to Know” straight into the editor-in-chief’s office.

John Campbell, editor-in-chief of Amazing Stories, was in the middle of scheduling submissions for the next quarter, smoking a cigarette and deeply focused.

“John, I have a manuscript here you must see.”

“Oh? What genre?”

Campbell looked up, exhaling a plume of smoke between his index and middle fingers, pushing up his thick half-rimmed glasses, clearly quite nearsighted. The smoke curled around his crisp crew cut.

“Genre... hard to say!”

“Let’s just say it’s quite avant-garde.”

For the first time, Curtis found himself at a loss for words describing the manuscript.

“You’ve piqued my curiosity. Is it a new Isaac piece? Or Robert’s?”

Campbell smiled. In his mind, the only authors capable of pulling off something fresh were Isaac Asimov or Robert Heinlein.

“Neither. It’s a newcomer.”

Curtis shook his head.

“Alright, hand it over.”

Campbell raised an eyebrow, took the manuscript, and his interest immediately deepened. Discovering new talent was one of his greatest joys as an editor.

“Morning to Know... Enny...”

He muttered as he began reading.

From the very first word, he was utterly captivated by this novel’s originality and avant-garde spirit, unable to pull himself away.

Twenty minutes later, finished.

Campbell couldn’t help but slam his fist on the desk in awe. The grand, tragic narrative power unleashed a storm within his mind.

He realized he had forgotten to tap the ash from his cigarette, and as he moved, the fragile cigarette crumbled, ashes scattering across the table.

What a wildly imaginative story!

How could anyone write this without being totally inspired?

Usually, Amazing Stories received so many submissions daily that approved pieces often had to be scheduled three months later.

But after reading Enny’s story, Campbell decided to exercise his privilege and publish it in next month’s issue!

Amazing Stories was released on the 10th of each month, with finalizing, typesetting, proofreading, and printing in between.

It was already late May, time was tight, and he needed to arrange a meeting with the author immediately to discuss edits and payment.

Of course, there wasn’t much to change... mostly some dialogue needed softening for better immersion.

Also, to align with current sentiments, the Japanese physicist character “Seiichi Matsuda” should be replaced with a physicist of another nationality.

Though the backdrop of Morning to Know was an Allied victory unifying the world, the US was currently steeped in isolationist and nationalist sentiment; it was best to avoid portraying Japanese characters positively.

Thinking this over, Campbell worried that Enny might resist edits. As an editor, he could sense that this character was crucial to Enny’s worldview.

An author capable of writing such a novel was surely strong-willed and unlikely to cooperate easily.

He had met authors who wrote mediocre work but acted as if a single cut was a family tragedy.

“Anyway, first meet the author.”

Campbell lit another cigarette and eagerly checked the return address on the envelope.

What he saw made him smile.

Oh wow! Asimov’s candy store!

Enny didn’t want rejection notices sent to his home, so he had listed Asimov’s candy store as the mailing address.

Campbell chuckled knowingly; Isaac had found himself a new sci-fi buddy.

Asimov regularly corresponded with authors nationwide, all of whom had stories published in Amazing Stories.

Robert Heinlein, Fritz Leiber, Theodore Sturgeon, Clifford D. Simak... united by their love of science fiction, these authors transcended age and geography to become good friends.

Because their stories were published here, their letters often arrived directly at the editorial office.

Frankly, this place was becoming a hub for American sci-fi writers.

Campbell smiled faintly and took a drag.

In this golden age, things were unfolding just as he wished.

As evening fell, he decided it was best not to linger and planned to call Asimov the next day.

The following morning...

“Enny, someone’s here to see you.”

Mary opened the door and invited Asimov inside.

The young Isaac Asimov looked nervous, his round face flushing after only a few words.

Enny had just gotten out of bed and was still dressing when he craned his neck to respond.

Asimov came early—could it be news about the manuscript?

That was fast.

Enny felt a flicker of anticipation.

“Why is it always guys coming to see you? When will I get a sister-in-law?”

Mishy yawned, posing the soul-searching question.

“I haven’t even seen a handsome guy come to visit you yet.”

Enny shot back without mercy.

He had no time to banter further and strode out of the bedroom.

Seeing Enny finally emerge, Asimov visibly relaxed.

If not for the manuscript, his social anxiety would have prevented him from visiting.

After the two mysteriously left the house, Mary’s expression changed.

“That young man is Jewish, isn’t he?”

She disliked her son’s friend, knowing that most domestic interventionists were Jewish.

Enny had no idea his mother thought so much.

He wheeled his bike downstairs with Asimov.

Asimov immediately shared the good news: “Your manuscript was accepted!”

“So soon?”

Enny was surprised. “No wonder you came to see me so quickly.”

He had given Asimov the home address thinking friends would visit each other.

But he hadn’t expected Asimov’s first visit to be about the manuscript.

Asimov really cared about the story.

“Hop on, I’ll take you back to the candy store.”

Enny slapped the rear seat of his bike confidently.

“Pedal faster, Campbell might already be at the candy store,” Asimov said. Campbell had called him half an hour ago, and he rushed straight over.

As to why he hadn’t just given Campbell Enny’s home address—like any enthusiast, he wanted to see firsthand how Campbell would judge the story.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get there in fifteen minutes... actually, maybe Campbell should wait a bit.”

Feeling Asimov’s weight behind him, Enny changed his mind.

“I’m not fat, just dense!”

Asimov sucked in his belly and patted Enny’s shoulder, urging him to go.

...