Today is August 20 as I write this. It’s H. P. Lovecraft’s birthday. It’s also my mother-in-law’s, but I’m sure that’s just coincidence.

Lovecraft (1890-1937) is a legendary figure in the horror and weird fiction fields. I doubt he needs much  introduction here.

It took me a while to warm up to Lovecraft. His brand of fiction didn’t appeal to me when I was a teenager.

Before you pick up stones to stone me, know that he is now one of my favorites. I’ve not read all of his works, but I’ve read quite a few. And the more I read, the more impressed I am with the fictional universe he created.

I’ve been listening to some audiobook anthologies over the last few months which have had a few Lovecraft stories, plus an anthology of Lovecraftian stories that others have written. The H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society has produced an audio book of all of Lovecraft’s fiction. Fifty-one hours worth.

Guess what I used an Audible credit for?

I’m going to be doing a lot of driving with the new job. It’s over an hour away. I’ve been listening to audio books this week since I’ve been going down to the campus for orientation and just to get the lay of the land figured out. Plus I’ve been doing a lot of driving for the funeral home. I’ve been listening to a number of audiobooks, including Manly Wade Wellman, which I’ll talk about in another post.

I’m looking forward to listening to the works of the Gentleman From Providence.

But that’s not really the point of this post.

One of the audiobooks I listened to earlier this summer was Lovecraft’s Monsters, edited by Ellen Datlow. It was a reprint anthology when it was published. The stories were excellent. I’ve found that if Datlow is the editor, I’m usually going to enjoy her selections.

This book was no exception. I’m not going to try to review it. But it kicked off a train of thought, which is what this post is about.

How many other writers have created a fictional world or series that has had such an impact and spawned so many imitators as well as some detractors.

There really aren’t many. Edgar Rice Burrooughs (Tarzan and John Carter), Robert E. Howard (Conan), Tolkien, maybe Heinlein (Starship Troopers).

The amount of Lovecraftican fiction that is written each year probably equals, or nearly so, the total amount of fiction Lovecraft wrote during his lifetime.

And there seems to be more every year. Of course, some years are more active than others.

This expansion of Lovecraft’s world started while he was still alive and was encouraged by him. Early contributors to what has come to be known as the Mythos included Frank Belknap Long, Robert Bloch, Henry Kuttner. and yes, August Derleth.

These days, it’s popular in some circles to write in Lovecraft’s tradition not as homage, but to deconstruct and subvert Lovecraft’s ideas. I’m not as much a fan of that type of Lovecraftian fiction, and I tend to avoid it.

Two questions, that I’ll also answer:

So who are the writers  who have expanded on Lovecraft’s work that you think have made significant and positive contributions. Provide examples. (Sorry, I’m slipping into teacher mode with that wording.)

I really like the stories of Caitlin R. Kiernan. Laird Barron and Elizabeth Bear have produced some solid work. Less recent authors inclulde Robert Bloch {“The Sambler From the Stars”}, Frank Belknap Long (“The Hounds of Tindalos”}, and Karl Edward Wagner {“Sticks”}.

Second question: What are your favorite stories that were written b y Lovecraft?

One of my favorites is “The Whisperer in Darkness”. After that, I’d probably say “The Dunwich Horror” and “Dreams in the Witch House”.

Please leave your answers in the comments below.