Dean R. Koontz started out as a Science Fiction writer, but didn't find much recognition until he worked out the kind of tale he does best - a mixture of thriller, horror, and science fiction... then he became a best-selling author, and his early stories have become collectible - eclipsing award-winners by major SF authors (Poul Anderson, in this case.) Compared to his early SF novels, I think these early stories are a better indication of the kind of writer Koontz would become.

Normally I would give a Hugo and Nebula winning novella by Poul Anderson in an issue devoted to him top billing, but these days you have to acknowledge the fact that Dean R. Koontz is a best-selling author, and that stories written early in his career, when he was "just a Science Fiction writer," are sought after and collectible. (And decent stories, too.) Take your pick of reasons to want this magazine - it is a banner issue.

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction: April 1971 (Volume 40, Number 4)
Cover by Kelly Freas (yes, that is a portrait of Poul Anderson, along with images of characters from his major series'.)
Special Poul Anderson Issue

Short Novel: "The Queen of Air and Darkness" by Poul Anderson (this won Hugo & Nebula awards.)
Profile: "Poul Anderson" by Gordon R. Dickson.
Appreciation: "Poul Anderson: The Enduring Explosion" by James Blish.
Poul Anderson: Bibliography (by ???)
Verse: "The Unicorn Trade" by Karen Anderson.

Stories: "The Power of the Sentence" by David M. Locke
"The Unsigned" by William Walling
"Darktree, Darktide" by Michael Bishop
"Bruno" by Dean R. Koontz [this story has a sequel: "Cosmic Sin" in Feb.1972].

Science: "The Plane Truth" by Isaac Asimov.

Edward L. Ferman is Editor and Publisher, Andrew Porter is assistant Editor. Book reviews by Joanna Russ, cartoon by Gahan Wilson.