Haefele to contribute essays to recently revived publication

From 1981 to 2001, Robert M. Price, a theologian, pulp-scholar and writer, edited many dozens of semi-pro, staple-bound periodicals—including Crypt of Cthulhu. Aficionados of the iconic Weird Tales magazine, especially its more famous authors, which includes H. P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, appreciated Crypt’s occasional fiction-themed issues but especially the nonfiction.

In late 2017, Price resurrected Crypt to appear irregularly, though probably not less than three or four times each year.

Allied Authors is pleased to report that Price has accepted two essays by John D. Haefele for publication. Both will shed new light regarding a Wisconsin author’s impact on the fantasy field in two important areas.

• “Serendipitous Canonization”—appearing in the next issue of Crypt of Cthulhu, No.110 (2018)—uncovers August Derleth’s role in the important transition of H. P. Lovecraft’s status from “genre” to “mainstream.”

• “First and Final Estimates: August Derleth Looks at Weird Tales Magazine”—to be included in Crypt of Cthulhu No. 112 (late 2018 or early 2019)—builds upon Haefele’s earlier discussion in August Derleth Redux: The Weird Tale 1930-1971 (H. Harksen Productions, 2009), emphasizing Derleth’s positive impact on the reputation of Weird Tales magazine.

Along with the aforementioned essays, Haefele’s short story “One Starry Night” will be published in Eldritch Tales—a periodical that originally ran during the 1970s and ’80s and which also was revived by Price.

“One Starry Night,” appearing next year in Eldritch Tales Vol. 2, No. 7, is a weird tale inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth. The short story is one in a series that also includes “Little Bastards” and “The Sculptures in the House,” both of which have been previously published.

Both Crypt of Cthulhu and Eldritch Tales are currently published by Necronomicon Press.