Literary Horror discussion

Randolph wrote: "This should jump start some controversy...

http://www.sesqua.net/"

I have been watching Mr. Pugmire's reviews of Centipede press books for a couple of years. I get the impression that that H. P. Lovecraft influenced him beyond the norm. Sadly I have not read any of his fiction at this point in my life.

Randolph wrote: "Karl wrote: "Randolph wrote: "This should jump start some controversy...

http://www.sesqua.net/"

I have been watching Mr. Pugmire's reviews of Centipede press books for a couple of years. I get t..."

Did you read the book ?

Sparkle and zest are welcome idiosyncrasies to have around, they expand all our horizons. I notice that Mr. Pugmir's books appear in relatively small print runs from somewhat obscure publishers, this should make them quite collectible at some point.

Randolph wrote: "Yes, it wasn't very good. The review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm still fond of Wilum for some strange reason I'll never understand. I guess he makes the univers..."

Do you know why Jeffrey Thomas's name is associated with Wilum Pugmir's name so often ??

Lovecraft ezine did a Wilum "Hopfrog" Pugmire tribute issue some time ago. A story I liked a lot is "A Massing of the Shades" by Richard Gavin, which is set in Pugmire's Sesqua Valley. The story can be read here:
http://lovecraftzine.com/magazine/iss...

Ronald wrote: "Lovecraft ezine did a Wilum "Hopfrog" Pugmire tribute issue some time ago. A story I liked a lot is "A Massing of the Shades" by Richard Gavin, which is set in Pugmire's Sesqua Valley. The story ..."

Thanks for sharing, it's an homage to an homage. And like Mr. Pugmire's comment. I love the illustration.

Not heard of this guy, flicked few a few links & got to his Wilipedia page. Hmmmmm.

I have to say, I really don't understand why a writer would want to voluntarily do nothing more than write second-rate versions of Lovecraft's work. I like a lot of Lovecraft stories, but god knows he had his faults as a writer. And he's just one writer among many. Why the adulation? Why the constant desire for some to tinker & pointlessly enlarge his mythology? I just don't get it. It just seems so dull & vapid from a creative point if view.

(Obviously some writers use HPL's influence as a way to finding their own voice; Klein, Campbell etc.)

Here is an interesting tid-bit. I have a capbook titled "The Affair Of The Cucolded Warlock" by H. Warner Munn. Printed by the Lanthornr Press in Tacoma Washington in 1975. The dedication states "For Wilum, Dracula's Understudy" and here is an interesting article about Wilum from Weird Tales:

http://weirdtalesmagazine.com/2013/11...

Well, looks like I'll be reading him soon, as just seen he's on the contents list for the 'Year's Best Weird Fiction, Volume One' which I supported on Kickstarter.

So we shall see...

It's edited by Laird Barron and Michael Kelly.

No, I just went for the cheapest option of supporting them so I didn't get any perks. Think some of the higher priced options had some nice stuff. I've posted the full contents list in the News section in case anyone is interested.

I borrowed my boyfriend's book of Pugmire's, Sesqua Valley and Other Haunts, after hearing so much about him in the Weird field and I really didn't know what to expect. The first 2 stories seemed kind of predictable but after that I totally got sucked in. I just finished and though I do see why it might put people off by how Lovecraftian it is, his whole Sesqua Valley atmosphere is very interesting and to me, unique. I was definitely impressed with it and I look forward to reading more of his work.

Randolph wrote: "It is with the deepest regrets that I have to relay the passing of one of the truly unique Lovecraftians, Wilum “Hopfrog” Pugmire. May Wilum Rest In Peace."

Sad news. It seemed to me that in the past fews years he had health problems. Also in the past few years I think he was going into a Clark Ashton Smith direction--which I approve.

Wilum has a Goodreads review of The Dark Eidolon and Other Fantasies by Clark Ashton Smith:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Yeah... really sad news. I saw this on the TLO forum... he was super active there.