Wow where do I begin? Ok Just flew back yesterday from PulpFest 2014 and boy! Are my arms tired! Padapump! Sorry you know me just had to do it. First an foremost I know Howard was there in spirit, I saw so much of his work there it was incredible. The last book Lone Ranger Vendetta even! So many things still reeling through my head. I cannot give the PulpFest justice no matter what I say or show. That being said I can give a newbees eye view into the world of PulpFest 2014 August 7-10 PulpFest is organized by a committee of six—Jack Cullers, Barry Traylor and Mike Chomko. I had the pleasure of meeting two of the three this past weekend, and from the first time two years ago when I went for the first time to watch Howard being honored post humus, I see the whole thing as a family affair, as you will see in some of the pictures I will post at the end of this article. Whether by blood, friendship, or sheer camaraderie, its family. An amazing display of the art of the Pulps. There is too much to cover in such a small space such as this but lets start with something I was sad to have missed. The Avenger’s Diamond Jubilee – in 1939, Richard Henry Benson, the chalk-faced crime fighter who founded “Justice, Incorporated,” was the last of Street & Smith’s major pulp heroes to get his own magazine. Pop-culture scholar Rick Lai offers a behind-the-scenes history of the character’s creation and development. Rick Lai is a long time friend of Howard, Rick honored Howard Thursday night but naming Howard as THE expert on the Avenger, very true. Howard was an expert in every detail on the character. The Farmerian Vision – moderator Paul Spiteri and panelists Jason Aiken and Christopher Paul Carey will discuss the unique way in which the Hugo award-winning author blended pulp elements and themes with his science-fictional works.. Farmercon is a story within itself. MeteorHouse/Michael Croteau, Held Farmercon in conjunction with PulpFest - the combo was dynamite! Win Scott Eckert did a book signing at this event for his latest collaborative work with Philp Jose Farmer: The Evil in Pemberly House. Frank Schildiner who I have had the pleasure of meeting in person on this trip regaled everyone with his New Fictioneers Reading at yet another panel. I was sorry I missed this I heard it was fantastic. I say family affair also because Laurie Powers This California resident, creator of the Laurie’s Wild West blog, will be selling copies of Hidden Ghosts, Riding the Pulp Trail, and other books by her grandfather, pulp author Paul S. Powers. Laurie is currently writing a biography of Daisy Bacon, editor of Love Story Magazine. What better way to honor a grandfather? In closing I want you to enjoy some pictures that highlight the weekend. In the coming years I hope PulpFest continues in the spirit of which I felt this weekend.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:28:14 +0000