Monthly Archives: May 2025

Manly Wade Wellman, A Birthday Tribute

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Today (May 21) is the birthday of Manly Wade Wellman (1903-1986). Wellman is best remembered for his stories of John the Balladeer.

Wellman’s work reflects the beliefs and people of the Appalachian Mountains. He found rich inspiration in their folklore and legends, of which the John the Balladeer stories are only part of that body of work. Wellman truly found his authorial voice with these stories.

Wellman also wrote some stories that featured Ntive American characters. They are a small portion of his output. I like the Appalachian stories better than the ones that focus on Native American folklore.

Most of Wellman’s output was short stories and novellettes. He didn’t write many novels. Five of those featured John the Balladeeer.

What Wellman stories are among your favorites?

RIP, George Barr, (1937-2025)

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Locus magazine is reporting that art Geroge Barr passed away on April 19. He hadn’t been active as an artist for a number of years. Barr’s work graced a number of paperback covers in the 1960s and 1970s.  Much of his work was for DAW or Ace.  That’s the cover of The Year’s Best Fantasy Stories: 2 there on the left.

Barr had a easily recognizable style. I remember when it was pretty common to see his artwork both on covers and on the interiors of various publications, such at the late 80s/early 90s incarnation of Weird Tales. 

There hasn’t been a collection of his work for nearly fifty years, which is a shame.