Sword and Planet League Index:

1. First post. Generic Sept 16, 2023

2. Sword & Planet (S&P) fiction, ERB’s Barsoom series: Sept 16

3. Swordsmen in the Sky anthology, Sept 17

4. Gulliver of Mars, Sept 17

5. Otis Adelbert Kline (OAK), His Peril and Mars series, Sept 18

6. Lin Carter, Green Star & Callisto, Sept 19

7. OAK’s Mars stories, facsimile editions, Sept 19

8. Gardner Fox, Thief and Warrior of Llarn, Sept 20

9. First John Norman, Gor post, Sept 21

10. Norman and Gor post 2, Sept 22

11. Norman and Gor post 3, Sept 23

12. Michael Moorcock’s Mars/Kane series, Sept 24

13. Mike Resnick, Ganymede series, Sept 25

14. Robert E. Howard (REH), Almuric, Sept 26

15. Ken Bulmer/Alan Burt Akers (ABA), A Sword for Kregen, Sept 27

16. Bulmer/Akers, the Prescot series, Sept 28

17. Bulmer/Akers, Prescot, 2^nd post Sept 28

18. Bulmer/Akers, Prescot, 3^rd post, Sept 29

19. Bulmer/Akers, Prescot 4^th post, Sept 30

20. Dray Prescot stories and pastiche work, Oct 1, 2023

21. Charles Allen Gramlich (CAG) Talera series, Oct 2

22. CAG, S&P stories, Empire of Sol, Strange worlds, Machineries of Mars, Oct 3

23. Charles Nuetzel, Sword & Planet work, Oct 4

24. Reprint of Swords of Kregen post at Black Gate, Oct 4

25. Alex Dain, Bane of Kanthos, Oct 5

26. Moorcock & Joe Lansdale S&P stories, Sojan & Warrior Star, Oct 6

27. S&P photos and collections covers, Oct 7

28. Del Dowdell, Spearmen of Arn & Ghandor, Oct 8

29. Manly Wade Wellman, Early S&P work, Sojarr of Titan, Oct 9

30. ERB’s Venus series, Oct 10

31. ERB’s Moon series, Oct 11

32. Lin Carter, Thongor, Oct 12

33. Carter’s Worlds’ End series, Oct 13

34. Carter’s Zanthadon, Oct 14.

35. Mike Siroto, Dannus series and Berbora, Oct 15

36. Sirota, General stuff on Oct 16

37. Henry Kuttner, Land of the Earthquake, Oct 17

38. Howie Bently, Snake men’s Bane and Dim blue sun, Oct 18

39. Leigh Brackett and Eric John Stark, Oct 19

40. Brackett and Edmond Hamilton, with more of Stark, Oct 20

41. Brackett’s other work, Oct 21

42. Flash Gordon, Oct 22

43. Flash Gordon, post 2, Oct 23

44. Edmond Hamilton and space opera, Crashing Suns, Oct 24

45. Hamilton and the Kaldar S&P stories, Oct 25

46. Hamilton and Kaldar and other Hamilton tales, Oct 26

47. C. L. Moore, Jirel and Northwest smith, Oct 27

48. CAG and Brackett/Moore, Under the Ember Star, Oct 28

49. Repost by Black gate of my Ken Bulmer and Kregen post, Oct 28

50. Some books I hadn’t read, Lin Carter, Coleman Burroughs, Flash Gordon, Oct 29

51. CAG, “One Wicked Evening on Mars, Halloween story by me, Oct 31

52. Jack Vance, Tschai series, Nov 1

53. Jack Vance, post 2, general stuff, Nov 2

54. S. M. Stirling, Crimson Kings and his Venus book, S&P revival, Nov 3

55. Al Sarrantino, Masters of Mars trilogy, Nov 4

56. Books about ERB, Lupoff’s Master of Adventure & Flint Roy’s Guide to Barsoom, Nov 5

57. Boris Vallejo, cover art, Nov 6

58. Boris post 2, more cover art, Broken Sword, Some Gor stuff, Nov 7

59. Neil Barrett Jr., Aldair series and uplift stuff, (Breed to Come, Norton), Nov 8

60. Andy Offutt, My Lord Barbarian, Nov 9

61. Under the Moons of Mars, ERB tribute anthology, Nov 10

62. Under the Moons of Mars antho, the awful Peter Beagle story, and more, Nov 11

63. Andy Offutt, Ardor on Aros and his John Cleve crusader stuff, Nov 12

64. Offutt, S&P works, Andor and Zhuvastou, Nov 13

65. Offutt’s Conan and REH pastiche stuff, Nov 14

66. Offutt as editor, Swords against Darkness, Nov 15

67. Wallace Moore (Conway) Balzan series, Nov 16

68. Andre Norton, introduction post, Nov 17

69. Norton and Breed to come, with CAG’s Razored Land as uplift story, Nov 18

70. Norton, Star guard and Janus books, Nov 19

71. Norton and the Witch world series, Nov 20

72. Norton, various, including Eye of the Monster, Nov 21

73. Reprint of Bane of Kanthos piece on Black Gate, Nov 22

74. CAG shelfie of REH stuff, Nov 22

75. CAG shelfie of various fantasy, Nov 22

76. CAG shelfie of Koontz, King and classics, Nov 22

77. CAG shelfie of TBR piles, Nov 22

78. Andre Norton, Star Gate only, Nov 23

79. Stuart Byrne, Thundar Man of 2 Worlds, Nov 24

80. Dave Van Arnam, Star Barbarian, Lord of Blood, Nov 25

81. Joel Jenkins, Dire Planet series, Nov 26

82. Gardner Fox, Kyrik series (mentions Charles Saunders Trail of Bohu), Nov 27

83. Gardner Fox, Kothar and Niall, Nov 28

84. Old Mars anthology, Nov 29

85. Philip Jose Farmer, World of Tiers, Nov 30

86. Farmer, Red Orc’s Rage, Dec 1

87. Farmer, Two Hawks from Earth, Dec 2

88. Farmer, ERB pastiches, Hadon of Opar, Tarzan heart of time, A Feast Unknown, Dec 3

89. Farmer’s pastiches part 2, Doc Savage & Tarzan “bios,”  Escape from Loki, Dec 4

90. Farmer, various, mostly book covers, Dec 5

91. Chess in S&P fiction, Chessmen of Mars, Dec 6

92. Chess in S&P fiction, part 2. Kaissa and Jikaida (Gor, Kregen) Dec 7

93. CAG, Chess in the Talera series, Dec 8

94. Chess and other games in Fantasy & SF, Pawn to Infinity, Unicorn Variation, Dec 9

95. Robert Adams, Horseclans part 1, Dec 10

96. Adams, Horseclans part 2, Dec 11

97. Adams, Stairway to Forever and Castaways in Time series, Dec 12

98. Adams edited Anthos, Barbarians 1 and 2, Dec 13

99. Robert Moore Williams, Zanthar and Jongar, Dec 14

100. R. M. Williams, mostly Zanthar, Dec 15

101. William R. Forstchen, Rally Cry series, Dec 16

102. Forstchen, other books and one second after series, Dec 17

103. Narrative drive, using ERB and Harlan Coben as examples, Dec 18

104. ERB and Tarzan, part 1, Dec 19

105. ERB and Tarzan, part 3, Dec 20

106. ERB, Time Forgot series, Dec 21

107. ERB, Westerns, Dec 22

108. ERB, Mucker, Rider, Oakdale affair, Dec 23

109. ERB’s Hollow Earth part 1, Pellucidar series, Dec 24

110. ERB’s Hollow earth part 2, Carter’s Zanthadon and the mammoth cave tale, Dec 25

111. ERB pastiches, Mahars Pellucidar, Bunduki, Tarzan Lost Adventure (Lansdale), Dec 26

112. Mary Norton’s Borrower series, Dec 27

113. Little people series, The Littles, the Micronauts, Tenn’s Men & Monsters, Dec 28

114. Ralph Milne Farley, Venus books, Radio series, Dec 29

115. Reprint of my Gardner Fox & Llarn post at Black gate, Dec 29

116. Gil Kane, Blackmark Graphic novel, Dec 30

117. End of year retrospective, Dec 31

118. Lin Carter editor, Flashing Sword series part 1, Jan 2, 2024

119. Lin Carter editor, Flashing Sword series part 2, Jan 3, 2024

120. Jeffrey Lord (House name), Blade series, Jan 4

121. Blade series part 2 and Roland Green (Wandor series), Jan 5

122. Adrian Cole, Dream series and short stories, Jan 6

123. Adrian Cole in anthologies, with CAG, Jan 7

124. ERB’s non fantasy, Efficiency Expert, Girl Hollywood, Girl Farris, Jan 9

125. Michael Crichton, Particularly Eaters of the Dead, Jan 10

126. Ken Bulmer as Manning Norvil, Odan trilogy, Jan 11

127. Von Daniken, Chariots of the Gods, Also Churchward’s Mu, Jan 13

128. James Silke, & Frank Frazetta, Death Dealer series, Jan 14

129. John Maddox Roberts, Conan pastiches, Jan 15

130. JM Roberts as Mark Ramsey, Falcon series and others, Jan 16.

131. Chris Carlsen (Robert Holdstock), Berserker trilogy, Jan 18

132. CAG, Skyrim RPG game, Jan 19

133. Heroic fantasy/ heroic historical subgenre defined, illustrated, Jan 20

134. Heroic historical part 2, Jan 21

135. Karl Wagner, editor for Echoes of Valor anthology trilogy, Jan 23

136. L. Sprague De Camp, Spell of Seven anthology, Jan 24

137. An S&P quiz, match world with author, Jan 26

138. S&P quiz answers, Jan 27

139. Two S&S Anthos, Savage Heroes and Heroic Fantasy, Jan 28

140. 3 Marvel Conan comic book collections in paperback, Jan 29

141. John Jakes and Brak, Jan 30

142. John Jakes, other works, Feb 1

143. Avon fantasy reader anthologies, Feb 3

144. Swordsmen and Supermen anthology, Feb 4

145. Reprint of my Andy Offutt and Swords against Darkness post at Black Gate, Feb 5

146. Warlocks and Warriors antho, De camp editor, Feb 6.

147. Warlocks and Warriors antho, Douglas Hill editor, mentions Moorcock, Feb 7

148. Charles Saunders and Imaro, Feb 8

149. 2 de camp edited Anthos, Swords & Sorcery and The Fantastic Swordsmen, Feb 10

149. The Dark of the Soul antho, Feb 11 (CAG with Flu)

150.  2 S&S Anthos, Hans Santesson editor, Mighty Barbarians, Mighty Swordsmen, Feb 13

151. The Barbarian Swordsmen antho, Sean Richards editor, Feb 15

152. Seth Lindberg, Dyscrasia fiction, Feb 17

153. High Fantasy definition and examples, part 1, Tolkien, Eddison, Dunsany, Feb 19

154. High Fantasy part 2, George Martin, Stephen Donaldson, J. K. Rowling, Feb 20

155. Young Blood antho, Feb 23

156. Bigfoot, Sword of the Earthman, graphic collection, Feb 25

157. Dennis McKiernan, Iron tower series, Feb 27

158. Motorhead and Deaf Forever Lyrics, (CAG still with flu), Feb 29

159. Lin Carter editor, Year’s Best Fantasy post 1, March 2

160. Lin Carter Editor, Year’s Best Fantasy post 2, March 3

161. Carter, Grail Undwin & Year’s Best Fantasy, March 4

162. Eternal City antho, David Drake editor, March 7

163. Karl Edward Wagner (KEW) and Kane part 1, March 9

164. KEW and Kane part 2, March 10

165. KEW poetry, March 11

166. KEW and his horror stories, March 12

167. KEW and REH pastiches, Road of Kings, Legion from the Shadows, March 14

168. KEW and some hardback books, miscellaneous.  March 16

169. Poul Anderson part 1, Viking related books, March 19

170. Poul Anderson part 2, Flandry series and The Broken Sword, March 21

171. Anderson and his Conan pastiche, with more on Andy Offutt’s Conan, March 23

172. Anderson and The Broken Sword specifically, March 24

173. Anderson and other fantasy, and various, March 26

174. Anderson and Short stories, Fantasy and Queen of Air and Darkness, March 27

175. Heroes of fantasy quiz, match hero with author, March 29

176. Answers to Heroes of Fantasy quiz, March 30

177. A personal rant on “purple prose” in fantasy, March 31

178. David C. Smith and REH, Bran and Black Vulmea, April 2

179, Smith and REH part 2, Red Sonja paperback series, April 4

180. David C. Smith’s original work, Oron and others, April 6

181. Smith part 4, Fall of the First World series and his horror, April 7

182. Becoming a reader part 1, Grapes of Wrath, Great Gatsby, etc, April 9

183. Becoming a reader part 2, the King James Bible, The Odyssey etc. April 10

184. TOR and their Conan covers, April 12

185. CAG, S&S anthology appearances, Krieg specifically, April 13

186. Norvil Page, Wan Tengri books, April 15

187. Norvil Page post 2, the Spider books, April 16

188. Reprint of Andre Norton post by Black Gate, April 17

189. Asimov’s Magical World of Fantasy antho, April 19

190. Matching quiz, authors and pseudonyms, April 23

191. Answers to authors & pseudonyms Quiz, April 25

192. Michael Moorcock part 1, Eternal Warrior and Elric, April 27

193. Michael Moorcock part 2, More Elric, hardbacks. April 28

194. Michael Moorcock part 3, Hawkmoon series, April 30

195. Moorcock part 4, Corum series, May 2

196. Moorcock part 5, Eternal Champion trilogy, May 4

197. Moorcock part 6, various, music influence and comics, May 6

198. Gordon Shirreffs and Calgaich, as well as westerns, May 8

199. Gil Kane, Sword of the Atom graphic collection, May 9

200. Alan Moore’s work, The Watchmen, May 11

201. Philip Jose Farmer, The Mad Goblin and Lord of the Trees, May 13

202. Fritz Leiber, part 1, Fafhrd, Gray Mouser, May 15

203. Fritz Leiber part 2, Fafhrd, Gray Mouser, Leiber vs REH, May 16

204. Leiber part 3, vs REH, nonfiction essays, May 17

205. Leiber part 4, Fafhrd, Gray mouser comic stuff, and other novels, May 18

206. S&P comics, Planet Hulk, Skaar, May 20

207. Swords & Sails, Interplanetary, Treasure planet, Swasbucklers, etc, May 22

208. Lines I wish I’d written part 1, taken from fantasy stories, May 24

209. John Russell Fearn, Mars series (4 books), May 26

210. Reprint of a 2^nd Andre Norton post at Black Gate, May 27

211. Moorcock and Elric tribute anthology, May 29

212. Paragraphs I wish I’d written, Bradbury, Jackson, Howard, etc, May 31

213. Killraven graphic collections, June 2

214. Roger Zelazny post 1, Amber Chronicles, June 4

215. Zelazny post 2, Dilvish and other books, June 5

216. John Maddox Roberts, post about his death, June 6

217. Pathfinder graphic novel, with mention of CAG Heroica Skirmishers story, June 8

218. Hugh Walker and Magira, June 10

219. Heroes of fantasy with 4 and 5 letter names June 12

220. Lyndon Perry, Sword of Otrim, June 14

221. John Christopher and the Tripods, post 1, June 15

222. John Christopher post 2, June 17

223. Reprint of Joel Jenkins and Dire planet post at Black Gate, June 18

224. David Mason and Kavin, June 19

225. Robert Jordan and his Conan pastiches, June 21

226. Index to the page, covering to this point, June 22

227. Sean Moore, Conan and Kull pastiches. June 23

228. Leonard Carpenter’s Conan Pastiches, June 25

229. James Reasoner, Post 1: General and westerns, June 27.

230. James Reasoner, post 2, fantasy work, June 28.

231. Jack Vance’s Dying Earth, with Influence on Lin Carter’s Worlds End books, June 30.

232. Jungle Girl comic, July 2, 2024

233. Scott Oden, Post 1. Intro and his Historical fiction. July 3

234. Scott Oden, post 2. Mostly his fantasy work. July 5

235. Where Past Haunts the Present, Heroic fantasy as one of the oldest types of story. Mentions Merritt, Haggard, Caball, and many others. July 7, 2024.

236. Post link to Swords & Heroes site where my tale, “Eye of the Beholder” appears. July 9.

237. Jack London post 1, general information on life and death. July 11.

238. Jack London post 2, General writing. July 12

239. Jack London and REH, post 1. London’s SF/Fantasy, particularly the Star Rover and influence on REH. July 13.

240. Jack London and REH, post 2, personality similarities with REH. July 15.

241. John Christopher & the Sword of the Spirits trilogy. July 17.

242.  Black Gate reprints my Kothar, Kyrik and Niall post by Gardner Fox. July 18.

243. Rusty Burke & Short Biography of REH, July 21.

244. C. E. Owston & The Scarlet Skull, July 23.

245. Ramsey Campbell Post 1, general info. July 25.

246. Ramsey Campbell Post 2, Ryre stories. Far Away & Never. July 26.

247. Ramsey Campbell and REH, Solmon Kane connection.  July 27.

248. Mystery of J. F. Rivkin and Silverglass series, July 29.

249. John C. Hocking's Conan work, July 31.

250. John Morressy, August 1

251. David Gemmell, post 1, introductory stuff, August 4.

252. David Gemmell post 2, August 5.

253. Black Gate Reprints my John C. Hocking post, August 6.

254. David Gemmell post 3, Stones of Power and Rigante series, August 7.

255. Gemmell post 4, his later works, August 9.

256. Harold Lamb post 1, general and books, August 11.

257. Janet Morris Obituary and retros pectus, August 12.

258. Harold Lamb part 2, shorter fiction, August 14.

259. Return to school and some favorite lines from literary fiction, August 17.

260. Ray Bradbury, S is for Space, R is for Rocket, Dandelion Wine, August 19.

261. Author Pseudonyms part 1, Andre Norton & more. August 22.

262. Black Gate Reprints my brief review of the Old Mars anthology, August 23.

263. Pseudonyms part 2, Dean Koontz, Stephen King & more, August 24.

264. Black Gate reprints my Janet Morris obituary, August 25.

265. Pseudonyms part 3, my work for Wolfpack Publishing, August 26.

 266. Dungeons & Dragons & Gary Gygax, Lana's post, August 27.

Old Moon Quarterly and Krieg

Old Moon Quarterly, Volume 5, 2023. 137 pages. Edited and arranged by Julian Barona. Cover by Derek Moore.

This is a collection of heroic fantasy short stories. Most of these tales would fall into the general Sword & Sorcery subgenre, but several of them stretch those boundaries to the breaking point. The Table of Contents consists of:

Introduction, by the editors of Old Moon. An interesting comparison between “Kull” type heroic fantasy and “Conan” type.

Together Under the Wing by Jonathan Olfert. One of the most unique heroic fantasy stories I’ve ever read. The hero is not a human or even human like. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want to give it away. But this was a powerfully memorable story.

Champions Against the Maggot King by K. H. Vaughn. A relatively traditional Sword & Sorcery tale but with tremendous world building behind it. Told in first person and present tense, but I didn’t find that either got in the way of the story. The ending haunts.

The King's Two Bodies by Joe Koch. A long poem. Very fine language.

The Origin of Boghounds by Amelia Gorman. A story of a woman and her boghound. Very nontraditional tale. Beautifully written. 

Well Met at the Gates of Hell by David K. Henrickson. Elements of this are traditional but it’s certainly presented in a unique way. A warrior dies and must face three old enemies at the gates of hell. As the battle progresses, we learn more and more about the warrior. I believe this is my favorite, although if you ask me tomorrow I might decide on another.

A Warning Agaynste Woldes by Zachary Bos. Another poem, and a most challenging one. Not written in standard English. This one bears rereading before you’ll begin to understand it.

The Skulls of Ghosts by Charles Gramlich. This is my story and is probably the most traditional Sword & Sorcery tale in the collection. It involves my series character, Krieg,  but that’s all I’ll say.

The Headsman's Melancholy by Joseph Andre Thomas. This is an out and out horror story set against a heroic fantasy backdrop. Ever since Robert E. Howard invented the Sword & Sorcery genre, there’s always been a strong element of horror in the best stories and this one doubles that quotient. I felt strongly for the main character.

A Book of Blades, Copyright 2022 by Rouges in the House Podcast: 226 pages.

A Book of Blades is subtitled “A Sword & Sorcery Anthology.” It contains 15 stories as well as a very brief introduction by Matthew John, and an Artist’s Portfolio. This is one of the most entertaining collections of S&S stories I’ve read in a long time. The quality is consistently high in every instance and I definitely give it 5 stars. Below is a listing of the stories with my brief comments about each.

“By the Sword,” by John C. Hocking: I only knew of Hocking from his Conan pastiche, Conan and the Emerald Lotus, but I’ve never read it. After reading this tale I’ll have to pick up more of Hocking’s work. A story full of blood and thunder, and with a poignant ending that strongly engaged me.

“Ghost Song,” Chuck Clark: Turkael is a young hunter of his tribe but it is he who must face a sorcerer shapeshifter. Something in this tale reminded me of the character Imaro as created by the late Charles Saunders, and that’s a fine compliment.

“Last of the Swamp Tribe,” by L.D. Whitney: There’s a bit of “Beastmaster” in this. Man and wolf face their enemies together. Greywind is the wolf and made an excellent character.

“Wanna Bet?,” by T.A. Markitan: A mage hires two warriors to help him rob a ruin, but there’s a hidden agenda. And secrets within secrets. The denouement turns on an interesting character reveal.

“The Serpent’s Heart,” by Howard Andrew Jones: A ship is wrecked by a sea monster and its crew set adrift. They are rescued by another ship, which is pursuing the monster. But of course there are secrets. The scenes aboard the “rescuing” ship are beautifully rendered and very creepy. Jones has recently had a couple of S&S books released and after this I’ll certainly pick them up.

“How They Fall,” by Angeline B. Adams and Remco van Straten: This is really a character study rather than a story, but it works because it’s very well written and also quite short. It creates a melancholy mood that grows stronger throughout.

“The Breath of Death,” by Jason M. Waltz: Starting this story was a little jarring stylistically compared to the previous tales, and that’s because it was written in present tense. Present tense can bring immediacy to a story, and it does so here. It can also be risky at longer lengths, but Waltz judged the length just right. I was engaged. 

“Embracing Ember,” by S.E. Lindberg: Lindberg is an excellent prose stylist, and maybe my favorite one working in the fantasy field today. This is a story from his Dyscrasia universe, a fully realized but quite bizarre world. The world building is incredible but Lindberg doesn’t stint on character development either. Fully realized, but most unusual. Very much of a treat.

“The Curse of Wine,” by J.M. Clarke: Kyembe wakes up from a drunk to find that he’s been robbed. Bad idea. A short tale but very engaging.

“The Gift of Gallah,” by Matthew John: I enjoy tales of aging warriors. When they’re well done. And this one is well done. Another poignant ending.

“Crawl,” by Scott Oden: Oden is well known for the bloody action of his stories, but in this one he stretches his wings a little more. There is action, but the tale turns primarily on character and on historical resonance. It’s a kind of retelling of European history against the backdrop of Christianity’s spread. One really feels for the underdogs here.

“The Spine of Virens Imber,” by Nathaniel Webb: Shar the Spearmen is an indomitable warrior, which is not unusual in sword and sorcery. But the character is very well done and the writing strong. A fine piece.

“The City of the Screaming Pillars,” by Cora Buhlert: We have an ensemble cast here, and they’re after treasure in an abandoned city of the desert. A cursed city. Robert E. Howard strengthened his fantasy worlds by bringing in horror elements, and Buhlert mines a similar ground here to very good effect.

“Two Silvers for a Song of Blood,” by Jason Ray Carney: Carney is a fellow academic and I’ve worked with him before on The Dark Man Journal. That’s nonfiction and I haven’t previously read his fiction. Not all academics can write blood and thunder but Carney masters it and gives his “Barbarian-like” character some intriguing extra layers. Best title goes to this one as well.

“The Blood of Old Shard,” by John R. Fultz: I’ll definitely want to read more by Fultz. This was a great story to end the anthology on because it’s certainly one of the strongest tales among a grouping of strong pieces. Gnori is a great hero and, again, we have a most poignant ending that left me wanting more. A good way to end a book.

So, to finish, I truly liked every story in this book, which is not a common experience for me actually. Nothing weak here, and I recommend them all. But, the three that hit me the hardest personally were the pieces by Lindberg, Carney, and Fultz.

Sword & Planet Fiction

Since Blogging doesn't seem as popular as it used to be, I've started posting a series of pieces on Sword & Planet fiction over on Facebook, in what is called The Swords & Planet League. S&P fiction is the kind of story that Edgar Rice Burroughs created when he wrote "A Princess of Mars" back in 1912. His stories of Earthman John Carter's adventures on Mars, called "Barsoom" by its inhabitants, have thrilled millions and influenced countless authors, including me. I wrote the five part Taleran saga because of that influence, and quite a few short stories as well.  

If you are on facebook, please check out my S&P page: The Swords & Planet League. 

Arthur Machen's White Powder

Despite the title, this is a short story, and actually on the shorter side of short. It was originally published in 1895 along with two other interwoven stories in a work called "The Three Imposters." I have not read the collection but this piece stands on its own as a short tale. The story is simple. An Englishman from the upper class is studying for the law and begins suffering from what might be called "nervous exhaustion." He is prescribed a white powder by his doctor and at first he seems full of renewed energy and vigor. However, the powder begins to take an awful toll and the man becomes more and more reclusive until...well, you'll need to read to find out. The story is told by his concerned brother, and in the course of the tale we find that the medicine prescribed by the doctor is not what the pharmacist supplied. As the basis of the drug, the pharmacist used a container of powder that had been on his shelves for many years and had been chemically altered by that long exposure into another substance called Vinum Sabbati--a witch's brew.

The story is pretty simple but effective. Since it's told by the brother, we don't "see" or experience the man's transformations except second hand. This was a common storytelling technique in those days and is still used today, although not as commonly. However, the writing is very fine and we get a good sense of mounting dread from the story. One can see how this tale was likely a strong influence on H. P. Lovecraft and his nameless horrors. 

I suspect that Machen's influence here came at least partially from the writings of Sigmund Freud on Cocaine, which mostly appeared between the years 1884 and 1887. The drug was well known by the time Machen wrote this story, and quite a few doctors and researchers had extolled its virtues, although it's less desirable effects were also becoming known.  

Coach Charles Tadlock

Very sad to see that Coach Charles Tadlock has died. He was my first football coach, in seventh grade at Charleston, Arkansas Junior High. I remember that he was quite a large man, and as a kid who barely weighed 100 pounds in 7th grade he was intimidating. But over the next few years I came to admire him and…I liked him.  (Picture above borrowed from a facebook page. All rights to the photographer.)

Coach Tadlock could be tough but I always found him fair. The thing I remember most is that he wanted you to do your best, but if you tried your best and it wasn’t good enough, he recognized it and didn’t hold you accountable for not being able to do the miraculous. 

I remember one particular game. I was playing safety on defense and the opposing team had a wide receiver who was something like six feet, nine, a good foot taller than me, with arms to match. This guy caught three touchdown passes right over me that night. I was so upset, so angry. I remember coming off the field nearly in tears and sitting on the bench with my head in my hands. No one would talk to me, not out of meanness but because they were all just as young as I was and didn’t know what to say.

Coach Tadlock approached. He patted me on the shoulder pads and said, “just keep doing your best. That’s all you can do.” There was no anger or recrimination in his voice. I’ve remembered that moment for fifty years. 

I remember, too, a much funnier moment. We were playing a team from Oklahoma. Pacola, I think. They were driving toward a touchdown. I was playing safety. I intercepted a ball just before the endzone and gave us back the ball. This time, my teammates knew just what to do. They all cheered and pounded me on the back. 

After the celebration was over and I was sitting on the bench, Coach Tadlock came over to me. He was smiling and slapped me on the shoulder pads. Then he leaned in, and in a very quiet voice that no one else could hear, he said: “you know you were out of position, don’t you?”

Indeed, I had been. The receiver had beat me and their quarterback underthrew him and hit me right in the chest. It was a colossal piece of luck on my part. But the kindness of coach there, knowing what I’d done wrong and wanting to teach me, but not to correct me in front of all my peers and take away that moment of joy. 

I’m sorry for the loss of this good man, and for his family who will now have to bear his absence. He will be remembered by many.