Of Interest

(Updated 8/23/15)

Lovecraft enthusiasts will be interested in a new book due out this September from occult scholar, John L. Steadman, H.P. Lovecraft & the Black Magickal Tradition.  Steadman’s intent is not to assert that Lovecraft was in any way a “practicing occultist” but to demonstrate his considerable influence on Western occultism and aspects of the New Age movement, a phenomenon S.T. Joshi touched lightly on in his two volume biography of the author.  This is a fascinating topic and worth more attention than it has received to date.  The publisher is Red Wheel/Weiser.

Readers who enjoy the “psychic detective” subgenre may want to check out John Linwood Grant’s new blog, at http://greydogtales.com.  The tradition of the psychic detective begins somewhere around the time of William Hope Hodgson’s John Cornacki (circa the 1910s and 20s)—if not before—and is continuous with much later versions of this popular type of character—think of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, for example.  Grant also discusses horror literature in general.  

Fans of graphic novelizations may want to check out I.N.J. Culbard’s adaptation of The King in Yellow, which came out just this year from SelfMadeHero.  Culbard offers versions of The Repairer of Reputations, The Mask, The Yellow Sign, and In the Court of the Dragon.  He has taken a few liberties with the material in order to convert it to graphic form, but has otherwise left it respectfully intact.  Culbard has previously done interesting graphic versions of much of Lovecraft’s better known work.    

 

 *Check out David Dubrow's "Friday Links", an entertaining weekly digest of horror and science fiction offerings at various sites.  (davedauthor.blogspot.com) 

On Line Resources

http://williamhopehodgson.wordpress.com/  (Hodgson)

http://www.rehfoundation.org/  (Howard)

http://lovecraftzine.com/  (Lovecraft)

http://tentaclii.wordpress.com/  (Lovecraft)

http://www.stjoshi.org/news.html  (Lovecraft, Dunsany, weird fiction)

http://weirdfictionreview.com/category/blog/  (various)

http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/stevens_francis  (Stevens)

http://www.pulpmags.org/default.htm  (Pulp Fiction)

 History/Biographies of Pulp Fiction Authors

1.  Fancyclopedia

http://fancyclopedia.org , (part of Fanac-the Fan History Project, http://fanac.org/)

 

2.  Tellers of Weird Tales

http://tellersofweirdtales.blogspot.com

3.  SFE—The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com

   

Organizations

http://www.greatlakeshorror.com/  (Michigan, U.S.A)


For Authors

DarkMarkets—The current post features an interview with author Michael Arnzen and announces a contest in June sponsored by Human Echoes Podcast, (“Dino-punk Deathmatch!”).  The site reviews seven recent books about horror writing, and includes useful links to market listings, upcoming anthologies, publishers, contests and magazines.  The last listing was especially reassuring about the vitality of the horror field.  Over 40 magazines are reviewed with respect to contents and desired work.

(http://darkmarkets.com/ )

Hellnotes—This is the website for JournalStone Publishing and its magazine Dark Discoveries.  Also featured are reviews of recent books, movies, and comics, as well as general news in the horror, science fiction and fantasy fields.

(http://hellnotes.com/)

The Horror Tree—What to do with ideas that do not initially work but may show promise later is the topic of the current post, (“Setting Self Doubt on Fire:  Embrace the bad ideas”).  The author offers 5 points to consider in determining whether and how an idea for a story may be resuscitated.  Upcoming anthologies and publications that are taking current or ongoing submissions are covered; there are also sections providing helpful tips for free-lance writers.   This site also provides encouragement and commiseration to aspiring authors.  

(http://horrortree.com)

Writer Beware®: The Blog—This side provides a wealth of information regarding legal issues, publishing scams, and exploitation of writers, as well as technical articles that pertain to various types of publishing.  For example, there are sections that deal with the pros and cons of self-publishing via companies that offer print on demand, and what to consider when selecting a small press publisher.   Though it provides important information and updates for all authors, the site is strongly recommended for those just beginning to explore the publication of their work.

(http://accrispin.blogspot.com/)

(http://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/for-authors/writer-beware/)

Dark Side University—Horror writers who need “continuing education units” to maintain their horror credentials may want to take a class or two at this site.  Course offerings this month include “History 104: The Life and Works of Mary Shelley” and the seasonally appropriate “Horticulture 101: Gothic Gardening.”   It looks like a lot of fun.  Interested visitors are also invited to teach classes in their areas of expertise.  

The university is affiliated with Dark Side of the Net, an emporium of Goth oriented cultural products and paraphernalia, (“Darkly Elegant Vintage and Modern Spider Jewelry”).  Together, the two sites sample an impressive range of film, literature, and Goth community events through social media, a forum, video listings, chat room events, blogs, and interesting links to other resources.

(http://darksideuniversity.ning.com/)

(http://www.darklinks.com/)

Snakebite Horror—From the UK, this site reviews movies, books, TV, games and anime from both sides of the Atlantic and other places, too.  Snakebite is currently recruiting reviewers, though the position is unpaid, (you get to keep the e-books and films sent for reviewing).  As the creator of the site says, “Most of the team here at Snakebite Horror are writers or aspiring reviewers and hey we all need that stepping stone right.”
http://www.snakebitehorror.co.uk/