Big-name authors back rebellion at Chinese sci-fi magazine
0 
Li had also "tried to change the cover of Science Fiction World entirely into an advertisement."
"Every department protested against his orders, but Comrade Li Chang threatened to punish staff members who dared to voice different opinions."
The letter also told how Li had refused to pay some authors, refused to sign labor contracts with editors, used substandard paper to print the magazine, published too many advertisements, and alleged he had illegally selling the magazine's registration number to unlicensed publishers.
"The open letter represents the true thoughts of most editors of the magazine," said a senior editor who declined to be identified, as he had been ordered not to speak to the media.
"The circulation of SFW has been shrinking. We are all anxious. We really need a qualified chief to lead us out of the situation," said another senior editor.
The editors had submitted reports to higher administrative departments, requesting Li's removal and the appointment of a leader qualified to save magazine.
Li Chang has not been answering calls to his cellphone.
Li Dayong, deputy Party secretary and discipline inspection commissioner of the SAST, told Xinhua by phone that an investigation had been launched. "But I will make no comment until the investigation is finished," Li said.
The SAST is publisher of a number of magazines, including the Science Fiction World.
Meanwhile, sci-fi fans are backing the editors. On-line comments have called Li's presidency an abuse of power in the publication sector, and say the letter reflects the will of the editors to run a normal magazine in a favorable environment where their rights and thoughts are respected.
"It shows that the editors want to have a real say in editing affairs, and it is a trend of grass-roots democracy," said one comment.
Science Fiction World was established in 1979 to accompany a government campaign to promote science and technology during the reform and opening up drive initiated by Deng Xiaoping.
By introducing works by Western sci-fi masters, including Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clark, while cultivating young Chinese writers, it has become one of the most popular magazines among the young.
However, it was criticized in 1983 for "spreading liberalism of corrupt capitalism under the name of science," and was on the verge of closure. However, it survived and circulation peaked at more than 400,000 in the 1990s, the highest in its genre in the world.
The magazine hosted the Annual Conference of the World Science Fiction Association in 1991 and two international sci-fi conferences in 1997 and 2007.
Go to Forum >>0 Comments