The Pulpster celebrates the 100th anniversary of pulp magazine and comic book publisher Fiction House and so much more in its upcoming issue.
“Fiction House at 100” includes a look at the early years of the pulp powerhouse written by Michael Chomko, as well as the story of “The Vizigraph,” the renowned letter column published in Planet Stories. Burroughs expert Jess Terrell turns his attention to the Fiction House jungle pulps, while Darrell Schweitzer offers an interview with Science Fiction Grand Master Poul Anderson concerning his early years as a pulpsmith. Finally, acclaimed illustrator Mort Künstler reminisces about his friend, mentor, and guide, Fiction House cover artist George Gross.
Also coming in The Pulpster, leading pulp and comic book dealer David Smith discusses “slabbing” pulp magazines, Emily Sisler looks at the evolution of Popular Publications’ Dime Mystery Magazine (90 years old in 2022), and Pulpster editor emeritus Tony Davis explores pulp magazines and the founder of the Church of Satan.
But that’s not all! Craig McDonald is onboard with a biographical sketch of William Lindsay Gresham, author of the noir classic Nightmare Alley, as well as an examination of The Avenger, the Street & Smith pulp hero. Dan Smeddy looks back at western great Zane Grey, while Curt Phillips and PulpFest chairman Jack Cullers share their memories of Lamont Award winner Rusty Hevelin on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Rounding out the issue, are columns by editor Bill Lampkin and publisher Michael Chomko, plus “Final Chapters,” in which Tony Davis remembers those of the pulp community who have passed away during the past year.
A longstanding tradition cherished by attendees of summer pulp cons, The Pulpster #31 will be released at PulpFest 50. Every member of PulpFest — including supporting members — will receive a complimentary copy of The Pulpster.
PulpFest 50 begins on Thursday, August 4, and runs through Sunday, August 7 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry. We’ll be saluting “A Half-Century of Pulp Cons,” the centennial of pulp magazine and comic book publisher Fiction House, the ninetieth anniversary of Popular Publications’ “Dime” line of pulp magazines, and much more at the convention.
PulpFest 50 will also host FarmerCon XVII, the annual gathering for the fans of Philip José Farmer and his work. We’ll have Farmer-related presentations on both Thursday and Friday evenings.
PulpFest 50 will also have author and artist panels, a substantial estate auction on Saturday night, and a dealers’ room filled with pulps, digests, men’s adventure magazines, collectible paintings and illustrations, rare first editions, vintage paperbacks, comic books, unique films and more.
You can learn more about all of our programming by clicking the button found at the top of our website. Or click here to link to our PulpFest 50 mobile schedule. Each event on the schedule is linked to a post that provides further information on that event. Just click on the event’s title.
The general public is very much welcome to attend our programming free of charge. However, to enter our dealers’ room, you must be registered for the convention. You can learn how to join both PulpFest 50 and FarmerCon XVII by clicking the registration button found at the top of our homepage. As FarmerCon is part of PulpFest, you can enjoy both conventions for the price of one.
The cover art for The Pulpster #31 was adapted by William Lampkin from Allen Anderson’s original cover for the January 1952 issue of Planet Stories. In addition to editing and designing The Pulpster, Bill Lampkin runs ThePulp.Net and also writes the Yellowed Perils blog. He’s also the founder of the Facebook group Southern Pulpsters. A member of the PulpFest organizing committee, serving as the convention’s advertising director and webmaster, Bill won the Munsey Award in 2018.
Following the convention, a limited number of copies of our program book will be available for purchase through Mike Chomko, Books. Please write to Mike — who also serves as the marketing and programming director for PulpFest — at mike@pulpfest.com or 2217 W. Fairview St., Allentown, PA 18104-6542 to reserve your copy. Mike also has copies of The Pulpster #29 and #30 available. Click here to learn more about these issues. Please be aware that only five copies remain of The Pulpster #30. It will not be reprinted.
For questions about submissions to The Pulpster or comments about the issue, please write to Bill Lampkin at bill@pulpfest.com. For any questions about advertising in future issues of The Pulpster, back issues, or ordering issue #31 of The Pulpster, please write to Mike Chomko at mike@pulpfest.com.
