Although PulpFest 2026 begins on July 30 and runs through August 2 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry in Mars, Pennsylvania, many attendees arrive on Wednesday night, ready for action when our dealers’ room opens on Thursday.
PulpFest also allows its dealers access to our large exhibition hall on Wednesday evening from 6:45 to 8:45 pm, providing some extra time for our sellers to set up their displays. Afterwards, people can gather in the hotel’s Ember & Vine restaurant and lounge to socialize, or visit our programming room where our first presentation of 2026 will begin at 9 pm.
This year, PulpFest is pleased to welcome Henry G Franke III, editor of The Burroughs Bulletin and The Gridley Wave newsletter for The Burroughs Bibliophiles, the nonprofit literary society devoted to the life and works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, to our programming stage.
Henry will be joined by the multi-award-winning illustrator, TV development artist, and graphic novelist, Mark Wheatley. Mark, who has spoken several times at recent PulpFests, is the winner of the Eisner, Inkpot, Mucker, Gem, Speakeasy, Golden Lion, and the Robert E. Howard Foundation Outstanding Achievement, as well as nominations for the Harvey and the Ignatz. He is also an inductee to the Overstreet Hall of Fame. To learn more about him, please visit Mark’s official website at markwheatleygallery.com.
Henry and Mark will discuss the life and work of Robert Kennedy Abbett, one of the leading magazine and paperback illustrators of the late 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Born a century ago on January 5, 1926, Abbett illustrated book covers for war novels, detective novels, thrillers, historical fiction, and science fiction. You’ll also find his work in digest magazines such as Dell’s All Western Magazine and Zane Grey’s Western Magazine, as well as men’s adventure magazines such as Popular’s Argosy and Fawcett’s Cavalier. The artist is particularly remembered for his covers painted for Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom and Tarzan novels.
In his later years, Robert Abbett became very well known for his paintings of wildlife, hunting, fishing, horses, and, in particular, sporting dogs. Named one of the top outdoor artists of America in Sports Afield‘s 100th Anniversary issue, Bob Abbett passed away at his home in Bridgewater, Connecticut, in 2015.
On Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, Henry will also be hosting an art show dedicated to Abbett’s work in the Chestnut Room at the DoubleTree, across from the main elevator on the first floor of the hotel. The show will open at 11:30 am and run until 1:30 pm on both days.
In addition to honoring the centennial of Bob Abbett’s birth, PulpFest 2026 will also be celebrating the sesquicentennial of the birth of writer Jack London, the centennials of Amazing Stories and Ghost Stories, and more at this year’s convention.
The general public is welcome to attend our programming free of charge. To learn more about our presentations, please click the 2026 Schedule link found on our website.
For those who also want to enjoy our dealers’ room, you can join PulpFest by clicking the register link found on our website. And don’t forget to book a room at the DoubleTree. They’re going fast!
Remember, in addition to your membership in PulpFest 2026, you’ll also be a member of Doc Con 2026, FarmerCon XXI, and The Shadow Con 2026. That’s four conventions for one price! You can’t beat that deal.
If you’re interested in selling at PulpFest, all of our wall and foyer tables have been reserved. A few island tables are remaining for $110 per table. Please click the “register” link on our website to learn how to join the convention as a dealer.
Our featured image is excerpted from Robert Abbett’s cover art for Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars, first published by Ballantine Books in 1965.
Our lead image was adapted by William Lampkin from Abbett’s cover art for the 1969 edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Thuvia, Maid of Mars, published by Ballantine Books.
Our final image was adapted by William Lampkin from Abbett’s cover art for Philip José Farmer’s Dare, published by Ballantine Books in 1965.
