August This space will contain the Society’s logo when it is available Derleth

Society VOL.1 NO.1

THE SOCIETY- IS BORN

As support for the idea of forming an Among the writings of Mr. Long currently August Derleth Society grew, letters available are: The Early Long, pub­ were sent to several of the late author’s lished by Doubleday & Co., Garden City, friends and associates. The following N.Y. The work includes the classic are excerpted from their responses. "Th© Hounds of Tindalos." A bonus feature of (the book is that each story is proceeded by the author's reminis­ Frank Belknap Long cences, recalling the circumstances in which the tale was written - a thorough­ "l feel, of course, that even in the ly enjoyable addition, characteristic absence of such a society August’s po­ of the Doubleday Science Fiction Series. sition as a serious literary figure Also available is H. P. Lovecraft,- would remain for many years to come, all Dreamer On The NigE¥sZ3“e, Arkham House, apart from the great number of friends Sauk dTty, Wisconsin, a very readable and fellow-writers who will never fail biography of Lovecraft by the friend to think of him with deep affection and who knew him so well. hold him in the highest esteem. There are many critics of stature, and general fiction writers of no small renown who Robert Bloch will not soon forget his great contri­ bution, across the years, to the American "it would seem to me that the basic regional novel and his importance as a difficulty you may encounter with your guiding spirit in both the Lovecraftian proposed society lies in the diversity and Baker Street realms (Arkham House is, of Derleth's writing - and, consequently, in itself, a monument.)." An the diversified interests of his readership. The fantasy-fans aren't On the prospects of forming the Society, generally interested in the Sac Prairie Mr. Long commented that he was Saga - the regional-novel devotees "...entirely in accord with ...the don't necessarily care for the Solar importance of an August Derleth Society.'1 Pons series - the Solar Pons devotees And again, in a later letter: "I’m may take a dim view of Judge Peck - the looking forward to the promised news Peck fans aren't necessarily interested concerning the project as it develops." in Derleth's poetry - poetry lovers may not like the Journals and similar items (VILLAGE DAY BÖOK, WALDEN WEST, etc.) and those who esteem same aren' t likely To his friends and admirers August Derleth to enjoy critical essays« But I’m sure needs no introduction. It is these people you take my meaning. How does one appeal who now form the present nucleus of th® to such a various readership? Solve Society and who will determine its future. that and you’ll have a success«.«In any Each of you who has expressed an interest case I do wish you well«" in becoming a member of the Society is asked to do two things. Firat« contribute Mr« Bloch has stated the challenge suc­ something to the Newsletter« a suggestion, cinctly. If we join together to share a letter« a poem« a drawing or sketch, our enthusiasm for Derleth’a works - all whatever you’d like. Let’s reserve this of his works - we will succeed in creating section primarily for the amateur. It a society that is a cohesive force« a would be unfair to professional writers force that should bring us all to a great» to ask them to give away that for which er appreciation of the ubiquitous genius they should normally be paid« Secondly, that characterized the works of August interest a friend in the writings of Derleth« August Derl®th and invite that friend to join th® Society« Your participation will insure our survival as a viable Among the friends and former associates literary organization. of August Derleth who have responded« few have been more generous with t heir time One other thought come® to mind - Form a than Basil Copper. In addition to provid» local chapter of the Society« This should ing several valuable leads« he has promised be fairly easy in places like Sauk City to contribute to a future Newsletter« It and Madison. Wisconsin« The Newsletter will be good news to Mr« Copper’s fans to can then devote a section to Chapter news learn that his latest book« And Afterward« and announcements of Chapter meetings. The Dark is now available from ArkHasn ' House. A LIST OF AUGUST DERLETH’S WORKS IN PRINT Richard Davis . The following are available from Stanton & Lee Publishers. Inc.« Sauk City. Wise. "I certainly feel that it is a good idea« 53583 and long overdue« to form a Derleth Appreciation Society." Adult books Title Price Additional accolades go tqs Bright Journey 7.50 Collected Poem® 7®5O Frank Vtpatel who has graciously consented Countryman’s Journal 6.95 to design a membership card for t he Evening in Spring k«95 Society’s use. It is hoped that these The Hills Stand Watch o®95 will be available for distribution soon The House Above Cuzco 7.95 after the first of the year. Ths House of Moonlight 7«95 The House on the Mound 6.95 James Turner who has corresponded fre­ New Poetry of Wisconsin.Derleth Ed. 7«£0 quently and at some length. His assis­ One Hundred Books by August Derleth 3.00* tance has been invaluable in obtaining Restless is th® River 6.95 leads to others who have in turn expressed Return to Walden West 7.95 enthusiasm for the idea of forming our Sac Prairie People ho95 Society. The Shadow in the Glass 8 «50 The Shield of the Valiant 5.95 Sweet Land of Michigan FROM THE EDITOR Village Daybook Walden West It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the West of Morning August Derleth Society. As of this date The Wind Lean® West our birth has been a quiet one« unheralded Wisconsin in the halls of princes and potentates. Wisconsin Country But better to build slowly and on a firm A Wisconsin Harvest. Derleth. Ed. foundation« than to enter the arena to Wisconsin In Their Bones the sound of trumpets only to discover that you've forgotten your pants. Juvenile books Bill's Diary 3.95 A Boy's Way 3.95 It's A Boy® World 3.95 Captive Island 4.95 "WHISPERS” HONORS DERLETH The Irregulars Strike Again 4.95 Oliver, The Wayward Owl 3.95 Stuart David Schiff, editor and publisher The Pinkertons Ride Again 4.95 of "Whisper®” has announced a mini“ The prince Goes West 4.95 Deri®th issu®. Whispers #10, now avail­ The Tent Show Summer 4.95 able, contains a tribute to August Derleth The Three Straw Men 4.95 and H.P. Lovecraft, as well as a fin© The Watcher On The Heights 4.95 series of drawings by Frank Utpatel. A Wilbur, The Trusting Whippoorwill 3.95 must for every Derleth fan, Whispers #10 «Paperbound is available at $2.00 the copy from; Whispers/Whispers Press And of course, from Arkham House, Box 1492-W Azalea Street Sauk City, Wisconsin 53583 Browns Mills, N.J. 08015 Dwellers in Darkness 6.50 Mr. Schiff has also agreed to announce Harrigans File 6.50 the formation of th® Derleth Society in The Watcher Out Of Tim® & Others his publication. (with H.P. Lovecraft) 8.50 Dark Things, Derleth, Ed. 7.50« The Chronicles of Solar Pons 6.00 THE SOCIETY’S CHARTER MEMBERS Mr. Fairlies Final Journey 5.00« Wisconsin Murders 5®oo* James M. Angerine Mark E. Lefebre * Mr. George & Other Odd Persons 5.oo Betty Binns Frank B. Long « by "Stephen Grendon1 Robert Bloch ♦ Brian Lumley » Emarie T. Blum Luther Norris « «Soon to go out of print Mrs. Helen E. Buenzli Cyril Owen Ramsey Campbell » Cecil Ryder The Solar Pons Omnibus is delayed again» LI yd W. Cohen George J. Marx Publication is now scheduled for some Basil Copper« Stuart Schiff * time in 1978. Barbara Davis James Turner « Richard Fawcett Roger L® Wentz Blanche S. Fitzsimmons Frank Utpatel * THE PRAED STREET IRREGULARS R.A. Ga vol Dirt Mosig Dominic B® Guazzo Larry Baker Our society is not the first to be Arnold Hagen Masaki Abe organized in honor of August Derleth. Dr. Josephine L. Harper * Luther Norris of Culver City, Califor­ Bill Hartwig nia is publisher of the Pontine Dossier June Jevnisek an annual publication " .T .Slant sT'foF— The (Madison, Wise.)Capital Times « Solar Pons and Sherlock Holmes, the Madison (Wise.) Public Library pontine Dossier also carries fact and fiction on all crime subjects." Mr. Norris is interested in receiving «Enrolled as members by the editor as material and suggestions for the Dossier. an expression of appreciation for their The Dossier is the publications organ many kindnesses in helping with the for "The Praed Street Irregulars," an formation of the August Derleth Society. organization of Solar Pons fans. The "Irregulars" presently boast more than The above list of names is given without one thousand members according to Mr. addresses out of respect for th® privacy Norris. An annual dinner meeting is of the membership. If members wish to held each fall at the Greater L.A. have their names and addresses printed in Press Club in Los Angeles. a directory to encourage correspondence between members only, please contact the persons interested in beoomming members editor. of the Praed Street Irregulars should contact Mr. Norris. His address; Luther Norris Materials and suggestions are needed for P.O. Box 261 future Newsletters. How do you feel Culver City, Ca. 90230 about some of these suggestions? Book reviews, The next issue of the"Dossier" will Announcements by authors of works in carry an article announcing the progress - books in print, August Derleth Society, thanks to A poetry prize comp®tition (mod®st prize)- Mr, Norris. judging by members, A short story competition for persons not previously published-judging by members D'ERLETTE who had contributed to the legendary by Brian Lumley Weird Tales at that. These attitudes combined to make me shower Derleth with A August by name, in lettered lore august, questions on every possible subject in the weird fiction field and wait panting U Unforgotten though Death hath struck for th® answers. I don't know how he put thee down, up with me. That he did so is a consider­ G Giant, now fallen, though thy flesh be able tribute to him® dust, U Undead thy works, thy spirit yet unfl own. 26.8.61 "No, of course I don't have the time to tell you the contents of our pro­ S Sage ofthe Saga, literary Lord, jected books®" Let's go on before his patience wears thin® Here he is, giving T Thy Works are legion - we can but applaud® the game away about the genesis of the Severn Valley setting of some of my stories: Our thanks, to Brian Lumley who provided this original work for inclusion in our 6®10®61 "What I suggest you do is estab­ first newsletter. lish a setting in a costal area of Eng­ land and create your own British milieu® This would not appreciably change your The response of Ramsey Campbell has been stories, but it would give them 8 much typical of that of our English friend^® needed new setting and would not, in the They have expressed unqualified support reader's mind, invite a direct comparison for the Society and have been most with Lovecrafts for in such a comparison generous with their expressions of that they,would not show up as well as if you support. had your own setting and place-names for the tales®" The following is excerpted from Mr® Campbell's article, "Derleth as I Knew And her® he is putting the boot in THE Him," a compilation of letters exchanged TOMB-HERD (later to become THE CHURCH IN by the two authors between August 19, THE HIGH STREET: 1961 and May 21)., 1971. 18.10.61 "On p® 15 here, I think the DERIE TH AS I KNEW HIM » telegram very bad, almost amusingly bad® by Ramsey Campbell Certainly it doesn't strike the not® you want® It is much too definite, for 19.8,61 "Dear Mr. Campbell: one thing, and Lovecraft by and large avoided being too definite in descrip­ All thanks for your letter of the tions of his malignant entities. Redo 16th. I should say at the outset that this - and bear in mind that nobody wd® we had better see your pastiches of writ® 'what is this thing that flops Lovecraft Mythos stories because a) unspeakably down the passage’ etc® the Lovecraft material is copyrighted None sense'. This only makes the story and so protected and b) the approval of ridiculous® If a man is composing a Arkham House is necessary before any wire and hears something come, he might copyrighted material can be released scrawl, 'Oh, God = it's comingI' or for publication. This is a necessary something of that sort, but hardly the provision, of course, because if we did silly lines you put down here, which, not enforce it scores of cheap imitations instead of inspiring with horror, only would flood the market, reflecting unfa« fill with jeering laughter." vorably on Lovecraft and his work." Well, that's th® sort of approach that That was how it began. I was fifteen and can make or break a writer® It made me, eager as a puppy. I was also more than and at Derleth's death a good deal of ,a little terrified of having written to forthrightness went out of editing of a genuine professional writer, and one weird fiction® I suppose ha had a spe­ «Dark Horizons #8, Journal of the British cial relationship withthe young me- pat­ Fantasy Society, April 197U« Huntingdon, ernal, if you like® öoon he began to England, pp. 3-7. Copyright Ramsey take me by the hand without my asking® Campbell® Reprinted with permission of Thus, for example: the author. 25.10.61 "Don’t be trapped - I mean, 15.1.62 "And in these books (a list of don’t depend on writing alone to make you some of his non-fantasy work) you have a living. I did, and while I managed to the best of my work, I think, beyond fare well by leaning on my parents for question. Not quite 10% of my total out­ ten yearst I don't recommend its when put - but then, aswriting goes, that is you’re out of school get yourself a a good enough average." decent« not too harrowing job, and write as much as possible." By this time "Dear Mr. Campbell" had be­ come "Dear JRC". I worried about giving And again, when I told him I was planning offence, then wrote,"Dear AWD" (if he to attend a science-fiction convention: didn't mind, I hurriedly added). I was still in aw® of him. My we turned to ir® 20.11.61 "Fans, I find, are the biggest when he replied to my manuscript of THE time-wasters in th® business, however CHURCH IN HIGH STREET, partly as follows: gratifying some of their adulation may be for the time beings you are apt to 7®2.62 "I have now read THE TOMB-HERD, and find sycophants and adulation something while I am not altogether satisfied with for which you pay a high price in time, it, I believe I can use the story... and the most valuable thing you have to subject to certain conditions: 1) that use is time, not money." the title be altered to THE CHURCH IN THE HIGH STREET; 2) that I be given a free I attended it anyway, of course» My editorial hand to alter and delete as I father wasn’t going to choose my friends see fit. For instance, the initial for me. He didn't want me to give my paragraph should go® Following th® quo­ work to fanzines, either, in case it fell tation from Alhazred, the story should by accident into the public domain. begin with: 'If I had not been the victim 4.12.61 "If you want that to happen, son, of circumstances, I know that I would you are just simply not very bright." never have gone to ancient Temphill.' = ’rotting, ancient' is a bit too much at Indeed (to step out of chronology for 8 this juncture. I want, in short, to make manent) he went further: the story mor® direct, in some places less clear, in some places mor®, and I 21.5.62 "Seriously now, if you have any want to guard against overwriting, of serious intentions of becoming a writer, which there is a bit in this ms." it is high time you stopped playing around with fanzines. Fanzine contri­ WhatJ My carefully revised second draft, butions are made up chiefly of two class­ not satisfactory? After I’d even drawn es - authors not good enough to get into a sketch-map of Temphill, in imitation of professional print, and authors of some Lovecraft? But what good sens® tepor- reoutetions who have been auckersd into arily failed to achieve, a $50.00 carrot contributing gratis. Very few fenzine managed. Y®s, I wrote back, I accept, authors have ever subsequently appeared clawing soles with nails as I did so. between hard covers® I can't tell you Ths original manuscript isn't handy, end not to appear in fanzines, but to tell so I can’t inflict that first blue- the truth, I will give a long hard look pencilled paragraph on you to demonstrate at your book ms. if its contents have how right he was. been made available to t he fans free of charge. The book editor’s point of view Later in th® month he was (more gently) is simply this: why shd. I pay for the right again: privilege <£ publishing this if th® author can give itaway to a fanzine? This is bound to be my own attitude also." A generous man, willing to give unselfish­ ly of his own time to a beginning writer; Whether this related to some unpleasant not a man to mince words - direct and to experience of his own I don’t know. I the point - advise that might not heve muttered and grumbled over th® letter, gone down easily, but honest words from but most of t he good sense came through. a man who knew his business. Certainly After all, I had to give him credit for Ramsey Campbell did not suffer from the experience, which placed our relationship exchange. We, the readers, have been above the reality (and for that matter, th® beneficiaries of August Derleth's the psychology) of much blood paternalism. foresight. Besides, by then he had displayed a pro­ fessional's objectivity about his own Future editions of the Newsletter will work: contain additional excerpts from Mr. Campbel’s article, which has been repro­ duced her® only in part. ' STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PREPARING DERIE TH PAPERS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AUGUST DERLETH SOCIETY Dr. Josephine L. Harper, reference archi­ vist for the State Historical Society of NAME ______Wisconsin, reports that personal papers of August Derleth are currently under­ ADDRESS______going archival study, arrangement and a detailed inventory. They are not pres­ ently open for research and may require "two years or so to complete as it is only on® of s everal large processing projects in progress." Membership fee $1.00 (Covers cost of Newsletter for one year) In any event, Derleth fans can be cheered by the fact that his papers are in good RICHARD H. FAWCETT hands and receiving the proper care and attention that they deserve. 61 Teecomwas Drive Uncasville, CT. 06382 Dr. Harper asks that persons interested in the Derleth papers refrain from vis­ iting the State Historical Society for the purpose of examining these papers until the collection is reopened. We will be in touch with Dr. Harper periodically and will keep our Society members ap­ praised of t he progress of this important project.

A PORTFOLIO OF WISCONSIN SKETCHES by BILL HARTWIG