Creating Monsters II: The Birds
What Daphne du Maurier does in “The Birds” was not new. H. G. Wells was her mentor, I believe, for he wrote several stories about Read More
Portraits of Gollum
If you are like just about every person on the planet you have this great sculpture in your office or den. We all got them Read More
Paul Ernst and the Clayton Astounding
Paul Ernst (1899-1983) was the consummate professional writer, one who understood exactly what an editor wanted and provided it. Getting his start in Weird Tales Read More
Tarzan: King of the Ring
The idea of Tarzan (or some other jungle lord) taking on the heavy weight champion of the world in a round of fisticuffs is a Read More
William L. Chester’s Kioga
William L. Chester was not the first to “borrow” from Edgar Rive Burroughs but he was one of the better writers to create his own Read More
The Science Fiction of Clark Ashton Smith
Usually when you mention Clark Ashton Smith you get a nod towards H. P. Lovecraft or Weird Tales. Certainly Smith did make his reputation in Read More
The Gods of East & West
In a previous article I showed how “The Tomb of Sarah” was the inspiration for one of Seabury Quinn’s Jules de Grandin stories. Quinn wrote Read More
Doc Savage: The Northerns
Doc Savage novels have the advantage of having a toe in many different genres. This means the story never has to stop in one place. Read More
Why I Read & Write Pulp
I’ve been spending a lot of time amongst the Pulps lately. And it begs the question: what is the appeal of these old, flaking, brown Read More
Ray A. Palmer and the Science Fiction Mystery
Ray A. Palmer is best remembered as the dictatorial editor of Amazing Stories and Fantastic Adventures who fostered the Shaver Mystery and later UFOs. What Read More