# George Scithers 1929-2010
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-scithers-1929-2010/536782
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [April 20, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-scithers-1929-2010/536782 "2010-04-20T19:23:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-scithers-1929-2010/536782/1 "2010-04-20T19:23:53Z")
George Scithers, editor of _Asimov’s Science Fiction, Amazing Stories_, and _Weird Tales_ died yesterday of heart attack.
Scithers started out as a big name SF and fantasy fan, and is credited with coining the term “sword and sorcery” for his fanzine Amra. His first pro sale was to _Worlds of If_ in 1969 (oddly, the only issue of the magazine I ever actually bought on the newsstand). When _Asimov’s_ was founded in 1977, he was named the magazine’s first editor, turning it into the top selling magazine in the field (at a time when magazines were contracting).
He was best known for developing new talent at Asimov’s. Scithers created a checklist rejection slip, which told authors what was wrong with their work. Any up and coming author would quickly learn to avoid the mistakes he pointed out and quite a few successful names in the field got their start due to George’s encouragement.
He was editing _Asimov’s_ when I was first breaking in. After about four rejections, he wrote that he would like to see more of my work. I had never considered it “my work” before. It was as though I had hope of being a real author. Finally, he sent a story back saying he’d buy it with a few minor revisions. After three more complete rewrites (before word processors), I had made my first pro sale to him.
I’m sad to hear he’s gone. His encouragement was just what I needed when I was starting out.
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### Author:  [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-scithers-1929-2010/536782/2 "2010-04-20T21:00:33Z")
Asimov’s was the first SF magazine I subscribed to, starting in 1979 - so I read a lot of what Scithers edited (and some of what he wrote). Until I got to college (where I had access to a lot more to read), I’d read each issue IAsfm as soon as I got it (and usually reread most of the stories) - so I remember all those early issues very well. Was your first sale “The Munji Deserters” (or do I have your real name wrong)? I certainly remember that story!
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-scithers-1929-2010/536782/3 "2010-04-20T22:47:33Z")
Yes, that was it. Scithers has left Asimov’s by the time the story was printed, but it appeared in the last issue that he edited.
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### Author:  [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)
#### Post date: [April 20, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-scithers-1929-2010/536782/4 "2010-04-20T23:17:59Z")
I worked for him for a few months in 95 as a slush pile reader. He was cheerful and very wise. His collection of (I don’t know how to label it) um neat stuff was huge and wonderful.