With that in mind, I’ve been thinking about doing something similar in January. Two of the other great figures associated with Weird Tales, Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith, were both born in that month. Each is, in his own way, a towering influence on fantasy, horror, and roleplaying games. Consequently, I would very much like to give one of them the same kind of month-long attention I gave to Lovecraft in August.
Notice I said one. For practical reasons, I can only manage one such project right at a time, however much I'd like to do both. That leaves me with a choice and, rather than make it myself, I thought it would be more fitting (and fun) to put it to you, the readers.
I’ve come up with titles that mirror the spirit of The Shadow over August and capture something of each author’s tone:
- For Robert E. Howard: The Savage Sword of January
- For Clark Ashton Smith: The Ensorcellment of January
Both possibilities appeal to me for different reasons and I would enjoy devoting a month to either writer. So, I’m asking for your help in deciding which one I should pursue. If you have a preference – Howard or Smith – please let me know in the comments. I’ll tally the responses and announce the outcome before the end of the year, as I can begin preparing for whichever choice wins out. It's a difficult choice, to be sure, and I don't think there's a wrong option. Plus, I can always devote January 2027 to whichever of the two isn't chosen for 2026.
Shadow Over August was a smash success.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to The Savage Sword of January!!
A proposed alternative for your consideration:
A January Undreamed Of
Hrm - I have read pretty much every available published Howard work (at least that is what the Random House Worlds would have me think) and virtually nothing of Smith's. So one would serve as an enjoyable review of paths I have walked, and the other would point out new roads to travel.
ReplyDeleteI think for this venue, I would choose the review over the preview.
I vote Howard.
I adored your Lovecraft month, and Howard is another one of my favorites. I'd love a Howard month.
ReplyDeleteI'd be excited for either one. It's great to hear your continued enthusiasm about the blog!
ReplyDeleteMy enthusiasm waxes and wanes, but I am always buoyed by knowing people read and enjoy what I have written.
DeleteI'll be happy to get either one, but my vote is for Smith. He's my favorite of the pulp writers and I would love to see a month-long feature of him in the way you did Lovecraft.
ReplyDeleteThe Frost Giant's Daughter gives Howard a stronger claim to January than CAS, who also deserves similar coverage, but perhaps in a summer month.
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in both, but for different reasons.
ReplyDeleteI would like REH because I am most familiar with his work on Conan (and really like Sword & Sorcery in general). And even though I own the original stories in paperback I have never gotten around to actually read them, but I have read the Dark Horse published comics adaptations of his work (presented in the fictional chronical timeline, according to one of the widely accepted scholars who have attempted to put the works in a chronical order if I understand correctly).
I would like CAS because I am mostly unfamiliar with his works, but would like to know more.
Yes, I am fully aware that this response does not help you out here, not even in the slightest manner.
CAS, please.
ReplyDeleteClark Ashton Smith as I feel he doesn't get as much attention as REH usually does.
ReplyDeleteLooking forwards to savage sword of january!
ReplyDeleteCAS
ReplyDeleteI vote for REH (but would be happy with either).
ReplyDeleteI would give a small edge to Mr. Howard.
ReplyDelete