Perhaps a few words on why "Blackout" was selected for first prize would be interesting to those who did not win, and to the readers who may have something to say about the subject (please do). First, the idea was the most original in the group. Originality has always been stressed by science fiction editors. Many of my own stories have been rejected, not because they weren't good stories, but because they were based on something the fans had already had on their science fiction menu. The originality in "Blackout" was apparent in the use of mental psychology, which has not been overdone in science fiction, altho you may say that it was used in one or two of the original cover stories by (whoa, that's a secret!), thus not being original in the contest. Yet, you'll admit, psychology is rare in science fiction. Originality again showed in the selection of the future movie screen's probable fate, and the fight to preserve it from doom by filming stupendous spectacles. To me that seems prophetic-not that I mean the theatre, meaning the shadowy theatre, will pass, but our modern films are certain to go the way of the horse and buggy. Shadow pictures, two-dimensional, are doomed. Three dimensional shadows are already with us, altho imperfectly, I'll admit. The third originality comes in the clever use of something all editors declaim against. We, ourselves, would not condone it, but we admire a writer who can take one of the most established editorial taboos and "make" his story by its use. It certainly wasn't anything but a coincidence that Ward leaped from the balcony, reliving mentally the leap from the plane, so mentally deceived by the marvellous sight before him (our future movies will produce like effects) that he lost sight of his whereabouts, to land on Drake and break his neck.
Next, we selected the story because of the style of writing. None of the other stories showed the literary ability displayed by Mr. Hatch. Many were well written, but none had that smooth flowing cohesiveness evident in "Blackout."
Lastly, we selected the story because his study of the picture is shown in the accuracy of his description. One could not doubt that the story was written around the picture, which could not be said of some of the entries. They had stories wherein the scene occurred, but it was dragged in. The story might just as well have been laid on an ocean liner, with a man jumping into a rowboat. "Blackout" altho following the picture accurately, actually never takes place in the plane, or even outside the building. Hatch kept his story in the proper location, and yet brought in the difficult air scene without yanking his characters bodily into a plane and making them perform a senseless leap.
Many of you will say that I am trying to encourage Mr. Hatch, and praising him unduly, since the story is really nothing sensational. Taking its place in the contents of Wonder Stories or Amazing Stories it would possibly get nothing more than an average rating, but I am convinced that if Mr. Hatch were to aim his talents at one of the science fiction magazines, after first learning their policy, he would produce a yarn that would rank high. He has a fine style, a good command of language, and is clever and original. He can write. Therefore, I hope he will take my word for it and try, not once, but a hundred times.
I took the editor's license to make to make a few revisions in the yarn, and I hope Mr. Hatch will observe carefully what I have done to his story to improve it (it was done to all winners) and try to fathom my reasons for the changes. If he is in doubt, I ask that he write me. I shall gladly criticize any manuscript he may write, in advance of his submitting it. His only obstacle to a steady writing career is of a technical nature, only overcome by actual steady writing, studying of markets, and mastering of writers' tricks, taboos, etc.