Mumblings from Munchkinland
Mumblings from Munchkinland is a science fiction fanzine by Chris Nelson.
Chris Nelson started the fanzine in 1989 as a way of staying in touch with friends while Chris was away from home. It has been published in various locations, starting with Pakistan, but Chris is originally from Australia. It has also been published from Fiji, New Delhi, Samoa and Tasmania. 30 issues have been released so far.
Every other issue features a parody cover of an old science fiction pulp magazine or prozine, usually alternating with an original illustration from the Oz series of books.
Mumblings from Munchkinland has featured interviews with Australian fanzine pioneers Bert Castellari (Futurian Observer, Zeus), Graham Stone, and William Veney, all of whom worked on some of the earliest fanzines coming from Sydney. Mumblings from Munchkinland also included a special feature in issue 28 on Roma Castellari, the first female member of organized fandom in Australia, who began working on fanzines with her contributions to Zeus. Chris has also featured articles on Rosemary Simmons, Norma K. Hemming, Laura Molesworth and Norma Williams and the first Australian woman-run fanzine Vertical Horizons, and other highlights from the history of Australian fandom.
Contributions of artwork have come from Brad Foster, among others as well as reprints of work by Hannes Bok, Virgil Finlay, Leo Morey, John R. Neill, Frank R. Paul,.
Contributions of writing have come from Bert Castellari, Roger Dard, Arthur Haddon (Telepath), Bob Nelson, Tim Nelson, William Veney, and original, never published fiction from Donald H. Tuck.
Letters came from Arthur Haddon (Telepath), Kim Huett, Race Mathews (Baccanalia)Lloyd Penney (Torus), Harry Pol, A. Langley Searles (Fantasy Commentator), Donald H. Tuck (Profan), and Bill Veney, and Harry Warner, Jr. (Horizons), among others.
