PulpFest is more than a dealers’ room filled with tens of thousands of collectible items from pulp magazines to first edition hardcovers to original art and more.
Nor is it several evenings of fantastic presentations such as “The Queen and Her Court” — Laurie Powers’ look at the great women pulp editors — and “Walter B. Gibson and His Shadows”— a panel moderated by Ed Hulse and featuring Will Murray, Jim Steranko, and Anthony Tollin.
PulpFest is people — readers and collectors with a love for popular fiction and art. People who realize that the pulps had a profound impact on American popular culture.
This is why we’re sad to announce that PulpFest will not have a hospitality suite in 2021. Although COVID-19 restrictions — except for the wearing of masks — will be lifted in Pennsylvania as of May 31, the organizing committee wants to emphasize the safety and well-being of the convention’s members.
We also want to support our host hotel. Pennsylvania’s hospitality industry has suffered due to the necessary mitigation efforts put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus. At the same time, the staff at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry have been absolutely tremendous to work with during the last year.
Our host hotel’s spacious lobby and lounge areas will be available for socializing, providing us with ample room to spread our wings. It won’t be the same as our hospitality suite, but as collector Walker Martin has said about PulpFest:
“Not only do you get to roam around a gigantic dealers’ room full of books and pulps, but you get to meet and talk to some of the greatest collectors and dealers.”
In the DoubleTree’s public areas, you’ll be able to enjoy drinks and snacks with your comrades in collecting and talk about the things that you love and collect. “What’s your favorite Doc Savage adventure? Did Joan Randall have a thing for Gragg the Robot? Remember when Conan bit off that vulture’s head in ‘A Witch Shall Be Born?’ How the hell do you say Tsathoggua? Who’d win a knock-down-drag-out between Wu Fang and Shiwan Khan? Would either stand a chance against Doctor Fu Manchu? Why does the Phantom Detective wear that top hat? Who the hell is Pinky Jenkins?”
Together, we can beat this pandemic. Only then can we truly enjoy PulpFest the way it was meant to be!
Modest Stein’s couple for the March 24, 1928 issue of Street & Smith’s LOVE STORY MAGAZINE is practicing social distancing. Not so his later couple from the September 23, 1939 issue of the same pulp magazine.
Currently, masks covering both the nose and the mouth will be required to participate in all of the activities planned for PulpFest 2021. Mirroring the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s suggestions, PulpFest will also recommend frequent handwashing and sanitizing, as well as social distancing.
Pennsylvania will completely lift its masking recommendation as soon as 70% of its citizens have received the coronavirus vaccine. While the vaccines are highly effective, none provide 100% protection. The goal of stopping the spread of the coronavirus can be achieved only if most of the population — experts estimate 75% to 90% — has immunity through natural infection or vaccination.
We urge that everyone who plans to attend PulpFest 2021 will be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The PulpFest organizing committee will continue to assess developments and advise you about any changes to our plans or state requirements through our website and social media pages.
