(There always seems to be some confusion about “If This Goes On —” and Revolt in 2100. “If This Goes On —” is a novelette first published in Astounding in 1940. Revolt in 2100 was a book published in 1953 that incuded three stories, “If This Goes On —” being the primary, along with Coventry and Misfit Heinlein hated the book title since the year 2100 didnt relate to any of the stories.)
Campbell’s letter accepting “—Vine and Fig Tree—” (“If This Goes On —”) on August 25, 1939 had been the most backhandedly complimentary thing Heinlein had ever received. It was full of complaints, mostly about how the religious theme would offend his readership—but the tone of the letter was pure delighted frustration, like a dog growling over a fresh bone he kept turning over and over, gnawing at the good stuff.
(Campbell’s letter) The story, by practically all that’s good and holy, deserves our usual unusually-good-story 25% bonus. It’s a corking good yarn; may you send us many more as capably handled. But—for the love of Heaven—don’t send us any more on the theme of this one. The bonus misfires because this yarn is going to be a headache and a shaker-in-the-boots; it’s going to take a lot of careful reworking and shifting of emphasis.
Ye gods man, read your own dicta at the end of the yarn as it now stands (incidentally, you don’t think, on the basis of the material’s own logic, we could print that safely, do you?) And consider the sort of reaction that yarn, as it stands, would draw down on us! Even after considerable altering of emphasis, it’s going to be a definitely warmish subject to handle.
You say, in your concluding part, that religion is dogma, incapable of logistic alteration or argument. Evidently you believe that. Then, on that basis, what reaction would you expect this yarn to evoke in the more religious minded readers? Your logic, throughout, is magnificent and beautifully consistent. That’s swell. I love it. Lots wouldn’t, you know.
I’m reworking it, I’ll be forced to eliminate some beautiful points possessed of an incendiary heat, so far as controversy goes. Consider, man, the reaction if we let that bit about the confessional pass! As a useful adjunct to a dictator’s secret police, it undoubtedly is surpassingly lovely; as an item to print in a modern American magazine, it’s dynamite. That’s out like a light …
I genuinely got a great kick out of the consistency and logic of the piece. You can, and will, I’m sure, earn that 25% bonus for unusually-good stuff frequently. (End Campbell’s letter)
Heinlein could not help but be pleased—amused and complimented. And Campbell’s specific comments showed that he was most impressed by things Heinlein had put into the story as throwaways—details that added believability to the backstory. If he could tease out some coherent, specific discussion of what Campbell liked about what he was doing, he could write specifically to Campbell’s needs and stop all this out-and-back-again with stories that weren’t selling. The $300 and then some that “—Vine and Fig Tree—” brought in would pay down the mortgage for six months!
Dear Mr. Campbell:
Your letter accepting VINE AND FIG TREE arrived today, and you have no idea what a lift it gave this household. We have been undergoing a long, dry spell—I was beginning to think I was definitely poison ivy to editors. No other editor has even been friendly. I had developed a case of the mulligrubs. Then—your letter arrived on my wife’s birthday, constituting the perfect birthday present.
Incidentally, the major portion of the check is going to go a long way toward lifting the mortgage on Castle Stoneybroke.
I agree with you absolutely in your criticisms of the story. I knew the story violated a lot of taboos and didn’t think it could be sold and published under any conditions. I was very sick of it by the time it was finished, but Mrs. Heinlein and I decided to waste postage too and send it off once, in the belief that you might enjoy reading it, even though it couldn’t be printed.
I shall avoid the more ingrained taboos in the future—at least for market.
"Robert A. Heinlein: Volume I: Learning Curve, 1907-1948" by William H. Patterson Jr.