What do writers Raymond Chandler (b. 1888) and C. M. Kornbluth (b. 1923), editors Alden H. Norton (b. 1903) and Gardner Dozois (b. 1947), and artist Virgil Finlay (b. 1914) all have in common? They were all born on July 23. Continue reading
For those of you who may not have heard, James A. Moore has been diagnosed with cancer. A GoFundMe page has been set up on his behalf. I’ll let you read the details on the GoFundMe page.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Moore; I look forward to doing so. The last time I attended World Fantasy, he was on the schedule but wasn’t able to attend. If you’ve been reading this blog for very long, you know I’m a big fan of his work. Type his name in the search box to see my reviews. He’s one of the best horror and fantasy writers working today.
Even though Jim has insurance through his dayjob, I can tell you from recent experience that cancer treatment ain’t cheap and insurance won’t cover deductables and copays, never mind lost income from not being able to write and meet his deadlines. So if you can help out, please do so. Give what you can, even if it’s only a few bucks. If we all pull together, we can make a difference. And if you’ve been thinking of buying one of his books, now would be a good time.
Jim, hang in there. You’re going to beat this. If you happen to see this post, know I’m praying for you.
Today, July 20, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of a man walking on the Moon for the first time. I don’t remember the landing, although I certainly remember the Apollo program and the later landings. (Tang, anyone?)
I believe it was Jerry Pournelle who said he expected to live to see the first Moon landing but never expected to live to see the last. I have to agree with him. There’s talk of going back, but I’m skeptical we’ll do it. At least I’m skeptical the US will do it within my lifetime, assuming I die of natural causes (formerly known as “old age” on death certificates) rather than an accident of some sort.
However, I’m not writing this post to be cynical. (Yes, cynical would be an improvement.) Going to the Moon is a major achievement. And while I certainly believe that “because it’s there” is sufficient justification for exploring, there are added benefits. The spin off technology alone has transformed society. There’s something in the American psyche, and in humanity in general, that can be summed up as a need for frontiers. It is part of the human condition to explore.
So I want to take a moment to thank Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and all those who paved the way before and followed after. I only hope my children, grandchildren, and their progeny will not only follow in your footsteps but go beyond, to Mars, the asteroids, the moons of the outer planets, the Kuiper belt, and eventually the stars. Thank you gentlemen for showing us the way forward.
I’m going to work my way through The Eagle Has Landed. I’ve read about 25% of the stories here previously, maybe more. Some of the titles are familiar, I’m not sure I’ve read them.
If I post any reviews, they will be over on Futures Past and Present.
Before I look at several folks born on this date, please indulge me by allowing me to explain one of the reasons I do these posts.
No, it’s not because I have nothing else to say. Anyone who has been reading this blog for a while should know that usually isn’t the case. (Well, okay, maybe a little.)
One of the main reasons I do these posts are for historical reasons. The fields of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and weird fiction have long histories. Aside from a few well-known authors such as Lovecraft, Howard, Asimov, Clarke, and a few others, most of the writers of the past are unknown to the general reading public.
Why does this matter, you ask? Because every few years some new writer will write a novel/short story/screenplay/ransom note/etc that young readers, critics, and other writers will hail as original and groundbreaking. Only it won’t be. It will have been done years or decades before by someone else. And usually done better, although YMMV as to how much better. The new work will be shinier, have more up to date technology, and express the correct sociopolitical opinions du jour. But the central conceit will be anything but original.
IOW, those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. Case in point the undead myth that women weren’t represented in the field before [insert year of speaker’s birth here]. This is one of those myths that just won’t die, in spite of some of us trying to put a stake in its heart.
There was a conversation that came across my Twitter feed yesterday (and is probably still going on for all I know; I am on Twitter sporadically these days) in which someone stated that Asimov, Clarke, and Heinlein came to dominate the science fiction field in their later years while many writers contemporary to the time these three did their most well-known work and were just as admired and respected became forgotten. And while this topic is better suited for another post, part of what I’m trying to do with these birthday posts is to prevent some of these formerly well-respected but now obscure writers from being completely forgotten.
So, with that in mind, here are today’s birthdays. Continue reading
Today, July 10, saw the birth of a number of writers of weird and fantasy fiction. I’ll list a few here, limiting myself to those who have passed on. If I fail to mention one of your favorites, feel free to mention them in the comments. Continue reading
…allow me to suggest Colorado Springs. We were there recently on vacation. I knew there were some good used bookstores in town, having visited some on previous trips. So I planned time and money to be able to visit a few. Over three days, I hit four. Below are some of the treasures I found. Continue reading
I was on vacation when we passed the halfway point of the year in terms of months. So far 2019 hasn’t been all that great for reasons I’ve discussed elsewhere and the aftermaths of those things. My wife appears to be cancer-free, though, which is a major good thing. Time will tell.
Things should settle down into a routine next week when classes for the second summer term start. I’ll be teaching an 8:00 AM class, so that will force me to be reasonably consistent in my schedule.
Blogging has been minimal, and writing as been pretty nonexistant. That’s going to change. That has to change. Look for a book acquisition post over the weekend about what I found while on vacation. I’ve got a novel I need to finish before the fall if I can pull it off.
Question: Should I post an excerpt of any of the works in progress or items that haven’t found a home yet?
Most of my reading has been short fiction or nonfiction lately. I did read one novel while traveling. I’ve got at least a dozen novel sitting in my TBR pile that I’ve started and not finished. The focus hasn’t been there the last six months. I’m intending to finish them, getting as many as possible completed by the end of the summer. I may or may not review them. (Robert, I haven’t forgotten the collection you sent me. I will finish and review it.) As for taking requests for reviews, I’m probably going to put that on hold for a while unless you’re one of a handful of friends. I’ve got too many things I want to read for fun as well as getting caught up on the unfinished books.
That’s the update for now. I’ll post some more later. I’m in the middle of moving, so I need to get back to work. (Offices at work, not houses. *shudders at the thought of moving all the books*)
Pulp writer E. Hoffmann Price was born on this date, July 3, in 1898. He passed away in 1988 at the age of 89 a few weeks prior to his birthday. Price graduated from West Point, served in the American Expeditionary Force in World War I, as well as in the Philippines and Mexico. A student of the orient, he drew on these interests for much of his fiction.
Price wrote for a variety of pulps, especially adventure, detective, and western, but he is best remembered these days for his weird fiction. A correspondent of H. P. Lovecraft, they collaborated on “Through the Gates of the Silver Key”. I believe he is the only pulp writer to have met Robert E. Howard in person, on two different occasions, IIRC. He is also the only known person to have Howard, Lovecraft, and Clark Ashton Smith. Price met many of the pulp writers, including Edmond Hamilton, Jack Williamson, and L. Sprague de Camp.
Price experienced a resurgence in his career in the late 70’s and early 80’s, publishing several fantasy and science fiction novels.
We just got back from vacation last night, so I’m playing catch-up today. If I get a chance, I’ll read one of his short stories this evening.
Going Native
J. Manfred Weichsel
DimensionBucket Media
Paperback $11.99
ebook $2.99
What happens when you go native? Any number of things, usually not something you would want to happen.
Weichsel has been quietly making a name for himself in the small press, and this is his first collection. It contains six stories of varying length. They range from science fiction to fantasy to odd mixes of both. I’d like to thank the author for providing me with a review copy. Continue reading
Robert E. Howard Days has come and gone for another year. This one was a little different, but it was very good.
I got there early. Jason M. Waltz and I shared a room in Eastland, which is about half an hour from Cross Plains. (Most people don’t stay in Cross Plains. There simply aren’t enough rooms.) We got there Wednesday afternoon. Those who arrived on Wednesday were invite to a fajita dinner at the home of Jack and Barbara Baum. It was a great evening of food and fellowship, and I’d like to thank the Baums for their hospitality.
(r. to l.) James McGlothlin, Jason M. Waltz, Your Intrepid Blogger
Thursday morning we helped set up for the banquet on Friday then headed for the Pavilion to help set up there. That was where I met Black Gate blogger James McGlothlin for the first time. He and I and James Reasoner went to the local Mexican food restaurant for lunch and ended up talking for a couple of hours (in the air conditioning). That evening a large number of us skipped the fish fry and the parade and went to Cisco for drinks and dinner.
Friday I went on the first part of the tour, but I jumped ship when the second part, to the nearby towns of Burkett and Crosscut, where the Howards lived before moving to Cross Plains. I had an opportunity to join a group hitting a used book store in Abilene. I came back with a grocery sack of paperbacks for $15. Sadly, the owner of the store died last month, and her husband is trying to sell the store.
Baseball signed by Babe Ruth.
After we got back, I skipped the panels and went to the Post Office to get this year’s cancellation. There is a new museum in Cross Plains that has a number of classic cars and baseball memorabilia. Also good air conditioning. I joined friends over there, then went back to the Pavilion and hung out with friends.
The Guest of Honor was David C. Smith, who spoke at the banquet. As usual The Staghorn Cafe catered the meal (chicken fired steak), and as usual it was delicious.
Saturday morning John Bullard joined me in Eastland for an excursion to the local cemetery. Doc Scurlock rode with Billy the Kid during the Lincoln County War. After it was over, he decided he was tired of being shot at and moved to Eastland to open a candy store. He died there in 1929. John wanted to see the grave, and since I had visited it a few years ago, I showed him where it was.
John and I hit the morning panel (which character of Howard’s was the first sword and sorcery hero), then joined his sister, her husband, and James McGlothlin for lunch. Mexican food again. Good chili rellenos are hard to find, and I eat them every chance I get.
(l. to r.) Shanks, Louinet, Gruber
There were two afternoon panels. The first was a celebration of Sailor Steve Costigan, hero of a series of boxing stories. Jeff Shanks, Patrice Louinet, and Chris Gruber led the discussion. Chris presented a championship belt to the Howard house to put on display.
The second panel was what is coming in Howardiana. The Dark Man journal is being revived. The Foundation Press will be republishing some OOP titles, starting with the poetry and letters, then moving on to some of the collected fiction, such as the weird menace and spicies. These will be POD trade paperbacks. The first will be available sometime during the next year. A representative from the company that owns the rights (the name has changed and I don’t recall what it is now) talked about the comics. (Conan a part of the regular Marvel universe and a member of the Avengers? Shoot me now.) He wouldn’t say much about any film projects.
The day ended with the barbeque at the Pavilion followed by poetry reading on the steps of the Howard House, including the poem “Cimmeria” in eight languages.
My father had had a kidney stone flair-up while I was there, so I skipped the informal breakfast Sunday morning and went and had breakfast with my parents.
I enjoyed the weekend a lot, and I think that was more because I was reconnecting with friends more than anything. There were some good books there. Jason M. Waltz, publisher of Rogue Blades, had a number of his books available, including his latest, Crossbones and Crosses. David C. Smith signed my copies of his Red Sonja novels as well as copies of some of his other books. The Robert E. Howard Foundation Press had their collection of Howard’s autobiographical writings, Post Oaks and Sand Roughs, for sale. I picked up a copy for me. I also bought a few items for friends, which I will be getting in the mail later this week.
Howard Days 2019 might be over, but I had a great time and am looking forward to next year. Attendance was down a bit, and some of the regulars weren’t able to make it. Guys, you were missed. Hopefully, I’ll see you next year, along with some others who have been trying to make it for a while.