Myrtle Douglas (Morojo)
Myrtle Douglas, also known as Morojo (1904-1964), was a fanzine editor from Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Myrtle's nickname, 'Morojo", is Esperanto for the first three initials of her name. According to the Fancyclopedia, it is pronounced "Moroyo". Myrtle Douglas was a Esperanto enthusiast, known as the "world language", and met Forrest J. Ackerman at one of the meetings for fellow Esperanto speakers. In Esperanto, Forrest J Ackerman became 'Fojak'. Myrtle's son, Virgil Douglas Smith, became Vodoso, and Myrtle's cousin Patti Gray became Pogo, both also science fiction fans. Her friends such as Arthur Louis Joquel became Alojo, and T. Bruce Yerle was Tobojo.
Myrtle Rebecca Douglas was co-editor, with Forrest J. Ackerman, of Voice of the Imagi-Nation, which began in 1939, evolving out of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society's official organ, Imagination!. Voice of the Imagi-Nation or "VoM", as it was known to fans, was published until 1947, with 50 issues released.
Also in 1939 she and Ackerman attended the first World Science Fiction Convention for which she designed and created futuristic costumes for the pair to wear, becoming the first costumed attendees at a convention.
In 1941 Myrtle appeared on the cover of Bob Tucker's fanzine Le Zombie in a photograph with Paul Freehafer (Polaris), Bob Madle (Fantascience Digest), Erle Korshak, Ross Rocklynne, Walt Leibscher (Chanticleer), Date Tarr, Forrest Ackerman (Voice of the Imagi-Nation), Julius Unger, Robert Thompson and Gertrude Kuslan (The Nucleus).
Myrtle Douglas was a member of the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society, and frequently helped publish the fanzines of other editors, such as Milton Rothman, along with her own.
After her death, Elmer Perdue created the fanzine Myrtle Rebecca Douglas An Appreciation in her honor, which included "I Remember Morojo" by Forrest J Ackerman.
Zines
- Guteto
- Novacious (with Forrest J Ackerman)
- Stephan the STFan
- Voice of the Imagi-Nation (with Forrest J Ackerman)
Contributions
- The Alchemist
- D'Journal
- Imagination!
- Outre
- Science-Fiction Collector
- The Science Fiction Fan (U.S.A.)
- STFette
