''SFX'' is a British
magazine
A magazine is a periodical literature, periodical publication, print or digital, produced on a regular schedule, that contains any of a variety of subject-oriented textual and visual content (media), content forms. Magazines are generally fin ...
covering the topics of
science fiction
Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...
and
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures.
The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...
. Its name is a reference to the abbreviated form of "
special effect
Special effects (often abbreviated as F/X or simply FX) are illusions or visual tricks used in the theatre, film, television, video game, amusement park and simulator industries to simulate the fictional events in a story or virtual world. ...
s".
Description
''SFX'' magazine is published every four weeks by
Future plc
Future plc is a British publishing company. It was started in 1985 by Chris Anderson (entrepreneur), Chris Anderson. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
History
1985–2012
The company was ...
and was founded in 1995.
The magazine covers topics in the genres of popular
science fiction
Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...
,
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures.
The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...
, and
horror, within the media of films,
television,
video games, comics, and literature.
According to the magazine's website, the ''SF'' stands for "science fiction", but the ''X'' doesn't stand for anything in particular.
Given the magazine's cinematic content, SFX may stand for 'Special Effects'.
Matt Bielby was the
editor
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, a ...
for the first 11 issues. He was followed by Dave Golder
who left the magazine in 2005 but later returned as its online editor. Golder was replaced by David Bradley, who edited for over nine years before being promoted to Group Editor-in-Chief, handing over the issue editor role to Richard Edwards, who had been deputy editor. In 2019, Edwards left and was replaced by Darren Scott. Other members of staff include deputy editor Ian Berriman who ran the reviews section for many years, and, until January 2019, features editor Nick Setchfield.
The magazine featured a column written by
David Langford
David Rowland Langford (born 10 April 1953) is a British author, editor, and Literary criticism, critic, largely active within the science fiction field. He publishes the science-fiction fanzine and newsletter ''Ansible'' and holds the all-time ...
from issue one to issue 274. Additional contributors have included
Simon Pegg
Simon John Pegg (; born 14 February 1970) is an English actor, comedian and screenwriter. He came to prominence in the UK as the co-creator of the Channel 4 sitcom ''Spaced'' (1999–2001), directed by Edgar Wright. He and Wright co-wrote the ...
,
Mark Millar
Mark Millar (; born 24 December 1969) is a Scottish comic book writer who first came to prominence with a run on the superhero series ''The Authority (comics), The Authority'', published by DC Comics' Wildstorm imprint. Millar has written ext ...
,
Paul Cornell, Jayne Nelson, and
Bonnie Burton. ''SFX'' also publishes regular special editions.
In April 2013, the 35th European Science Fiction Convention in Kyiv named ''SFX'' Best Magazine in its Hall Of Fame award category.
The magazine's website sfx.co.uk used to feature news, reviews, competitions, reader blogs, and a reader forum. In November 2014, the website was closed and the URL redirected to the website ''
GamesRadar'' which is now the online home of
Future
The future is the time after the past and present. Its arrival is considered inevitable due to the existence of time and the laws of physics. Due to the apparent nature of reality and the unavoidability of the future, everything that currently ex ...
's sci-fi content, featuring TV and film features alongside videogames.
SFX Awards
The ''SFX'' Awards celebrate the previous year's achievements in science fiction and are voted on by the readers of the SFX magazine. The first SFX Awards took place in 1997.
The winners were announced at the SFX Weekender (a sci-fi Festival in North Wales) and in the magazine. In 2013, the event continued under the name SciFi Weekender, without SFX's sponsorship.
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Future plc
1995 establishments in the United Kingdom
Magazines established in 1995
Mass media in Bath, Somerset
Monthly magazines published in the United Kingdom
Science fiction magazines published in the United Kingdom