Brak the Barbarian: A History
The Barbarian Age was not a remote time after the fall of Rome but the years 1968 to 1981 or so. Beginning with the Lancer Read More
Category: Fantasy
A Cowboy, A Space Captain, a Private Detective and a Barbarian Walk Into a Bar…
That could be the beginnings of a really lame joke, but it’s something more. All four of these characters, these separate genre icons, share something Read More
Sword & Sorcery versus Sword & Planet
A swordsman, his arms bearing red wounds, limps across a battlefield covered in bodies. His helmet is gone; his shield is broken. The flag of Read More
The Science Fiction of Clark Ashton Smith
Usually when you mention Clark Ashton Smith you get a nod towards H. P. Lovecraft or Weird Tales. Certainly Smith did make his reputation in Read More
Why I Read & Write Pulp
I’ve been spending a lot of time amongst the Pulps lately. And it begs the question: what is the appeal of these old, flaking, brown Read More
Pulp Writing: Opening With a Punch
I miss the Pulps. Not for the garish covers featuring aliens molesting sweet-young space maidens. Not for the variety that gave us the brash adventure Read More
Classic Interview with Darrell Schweitzer (2003)
“This is my path. I will not turn from it.” — Mysteries of the Faceless King DARRELL SCHWEITZER is an important figure in fantasy fiction Read More
Lin Carter’s Imaginary Worlds
One of the last books published by the Ballantine Fantasy Series (BFS) was Imaginary Worlds (1973) by Lin Carter. I recently picked up a copy Read More
Ramsey Campbell’s Sword & Sorcery Hero – Ryre
Writers often experiment early in their careers, trying different styles, genres or publishing opportunities. Until success pulls them in a certain direction the scribbler is Read More
Sword & Sorcery Anthologies: 1986-2008
If you missed the first one…. Barbarians (1986) edited by Robert Adams, Martin H. Greenberg & Charles G. Waugh1. ” Scylla’s Daughter” by Fritz Leiber2. Read More