Science-fiction magazine formed from a merger of two earlier magazines, Air Wonder Stories and Science Wonder Stories. In June 1936, the name changed to Thrilling Wonder Stories.
Of Wonder Stories's influence on the field and editorial practices (especially as compared to those of its rivals), Mike Ashley writes:
'The drive for originality began in Wonder Stories. Lasser was fortunate in that although Astonishing paid good rates promptly, Bates was less amenable to experimental fiction. He wanted straight formula work. In addition Sloane was so slow at Amazing that a submission there could languish for many months and the author had no idea whether the story was accepted, lost or forgotten. So, although Wonder paid low rates and often late, Lasser was quick in his response and encouragement to authors and, as an added bonus, the letter column was especially lively, giving authors good and lengthy feedback on their stories'. (The Time Machines: The Story of the Science-Fiction Pulp Magazines from the Beginning to 1950, Liverpoool University Press, 2000, p.72).
Not to be confused with Wonder Stories Quarterly, which was also a Hugo Gernsback magazine, founded as Science Wonder Quarterly, and re-named at the time of the 1930 merger.
