Asimov's Science Fiction magazine was launched in 1977 and became successful quickly, reaching a circulation of over 100,000 within a year. The first editor, George H. Scithers, published many new writers who became successful in the genre. However, there were criticisms that the magazine printed juvenile fiction because it favored traditional stories without sex or obscenity. Kathleen Moloney replaced Scithers but only lasted a year. Shawna McCarthy took over in 1983 and relaxed the restrictions on the type of fiction published, which led to some scandalous stories involving sex or violence. Gardner Dozois became editor in 1985 and stayed for almost twenty years, during which time Asimov's continued to publish award-winning stories. The magazine's circulation steadily declined over the years, and as of 2020, it had dropped to below 20,000 with more than half of the circulation coming from online subscriptions. Asimov's Science Fiction magazine was created in 1976 when Joel Davis, the publisher of Davis Publications, approached Isaac Asimov about starting a new science fiction magazine, using Asimov's name in the title. The magazine was an immediate success with circulation reaching over 100,000 in its first year. Over the years, there were changes in editors and ownership, with the schedule and size of the magazine also being adjusted. Currently, the magazine publishes six double-sized issues per year. Asimov's Science Fiction aimed to lean towards hard science fiction and straightforward writing, while also including occasional humor and unclassifiable stories. The magazine became known for its humorous stories, which attracted a younger audience and gave the impression that it was aimed at juveniles. However, well-established writers also published in the magazine, and it received positive reviews and awards during its early years. Some readers objected to explicit content in certain stories, and as the magazine catered to new readers, it became isolated within the field of science fiction. Asimov had no editorial role in the magazine but was named its editorial director. Moloney, despite having no background in science fiction, recognized the value of Asimov's name and persuaded him to submit his Azazel stories to Asimov's magazine. She also added non-fiction columns, a cartoon series, and crosswords to the magazine, although some readers were unhappy with the space these took up. Moloney's impact on the fiction was limited due to negative author reactions and advice from McCarthy, leading to McCarthy having more control. Some notable stories published during Moloney's time included Willis's "A Letter from the Clearys" and Brin's "The Postman". McCarthy became the editor of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine and was open to publishing a broader range of fiction, despite pushback from Davis Publications. McCarthy's editorial decisions, including publishing controversial stories, led to increased readership and critical acclaim. During her time as editor, Asimov's dominated science fiction awards and McCarthy was recognized with a Hugo Award for Best Professional Editor.

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