Voluminous: The Letters of H.P. Lovecraft

The Unknown the Weird and the Impossible Apr 03, 2023

In what may be our last episode, we explore two letters: one from early in HPL's life and one from near the end. We reflect on what we've learned over a multi-year deep dive into HPL's letters and what it means to a be a Lovecraft fan.

Strange Stories Mar 06, 2023

In which a letter from HPL to Clark Ashton Smith is dissected by Sean, Andrew and our special guest hosts: Chris Lackey and Chad Fifer of the podcast Strange Studies of Strange Stories. It's an episode brimming with weird tales, and of course, cats.

Barbaric Feb 06, 2023

In which guest podcaster Martin Andersson of Sweden joins Sean and Andrew for a discussion of a challenging letter. Classic topics like HPL's favorite foods hide in the shadows cast by topics like police brutality and slavery. Not for the faint of heart.

We Are Mostly Puppets Jan 09, 2023

A super-sized episode about one of HPL's longest letters. In this 70 page monster, HPL writes to Woodburn Harris and covers topics such as ethics, aesthetics, art, and the fall of the Roman Empire. Content warning: this episode features a few instances of the word we bleep. Brace yourself - we're going to be here for a while...

Brawny Viragoes Nov 07, 2022

In which HPL engages with Texas author Robert E. Howard in a feisty debate about police brutality, chivalry, barbarianism and more. But all is well in the end as they celebrate their mutual love of cats and ice cream.

Letters to Sonny — a Hay Homecoming Oct 03, 2022

We explore a feisty letter from HPL to Frank Belknap Long. It's part of a recent acquisition of Lovecraft letters donated to the John Hay Library at Brown. Sean & Andrew visit the Hay for a chat with HPL's personal librarian: Heather Cole.

Live from NecronomiCon Sep 05, 2022

In which Sean and Andrew record a live show at NecronomiCon Providence. There they read an exchange of letters published in the newspaper between a local astronomy enthusiast and the astronomically inclined HPL. Hilarity ensues.

Live from NecronomiCon Sep 05, 2022

In which Sean and Andrew record a live show at NecronomiCon Providence. There they read an exchange of letters published in the newspaper between a local astronomy enthusiast and the astronomically inclined HPL. Hilarity ensues.

Rapidly Ascending to Cosmic Matters Aug 08, 2022

In which HPL writes young Donald Wandrei and opines about man's place in the vastness of the cosmos. Sean and Andrew discuss the Webb telescope and the history of man's understanding of the universe.

Elizabeth and the New York Boys Jul 04, 2022

In which HPL writes his Aunt Lillian a diary letter describing a month of his life while living with Sonia in New York. He recounts two outings to Elizabeth, New Jersey and numerous excursions with his New York pals. Bleep Warning: this episode contains three instances of the word we bleep.

https://www.hplhs.org/voluminous74.php

Candidates for Immortality Jun 06, 2022

In which publisher E. Haldeman-Julius writes ABOUT a letter from H.P. Lovecraft in which HPL provided lists of his favorite and least favorite people in history. Hear HPL celebrate Epicurus and Remy de Gourmont while he bags on T.S. Eliot and Jesus.

Nazis, Gangsters and Elvis May 02, 2022

In which HPL writes to J. Vernon Shea about his wonderful new flat at 66 College Street. He also talks about Nazis and movies which leads Sean and Andrew to discuss the Hays Code in motion pictures, Elvis and much more.

Enemies of Civilization Apr 04, 2022

In which HPL vigorously engages with fellow author Robert E. Howard regarding barbarism, civilization, the Wild West and European nations invading neighboring countries.

Curious Wonders and Spaghetti Mar 07, 2022

In which HPL writes to his "grandson" Frank Belknap Long of his explorations of never-before-seen neighborhoods of old colonial Providence, including Federal Hill with its many Italian immigrants. We are proud to bring you the complete version of this letter which has previously only been published as a very brief excerpt! Be sure to visit the web page for this episode to see new info we did not have at recording time.

Everyone's a Critic Feb 07, 2022

HPL's correspondence with his amateur press buddy Edward H. Cole is revealed through six letters. Spanning decades, the letters explore art criticism, colonial architecture, condolences, and even a letter to a six month old baby!

Witch-Haunted Salem and Other Ghastliness Jan 03, 2022

In which HPL writes his friend Samuel Loveman of goings on in the amateur press world and then recounts his visits to witch-haunted Salem and Newburyport - the inspiration for Innsmouth!

The Case of the Missing Dickybird Dec 06, 2021

In which HPL discusses James F. Morton's plan to write detective stories about mineralogists and in which a "dickybird" stamp goes missing from an envelope. Detective hijinks abound in this lighthearted letter.

Horrors and Red Hook Nov 08, 2021

In which Lovecraft writes to Bernard Austin Dwyer and recalls his difficult days living in Red Hook, New York two years before. Life in a rough and diverse neighborhood taxed him sorely. Fittingly, we cover Morton's "The Curse of Race Prejudice" too.

The Wind that Is in the Grass Oct 04, 2021

In which HPL prepares for a trip to DeLand, Florida to visit his young correspondent Robert H. Barlow. HPL offers travel tips, thoughts on mental health, and a robust breakdown of the latest issue of Weird Tales in preparation for his trip to visit his young friend.

This Is A Great Country Sep 06, 2021

In which HPL sends a bunch of postcards to his aunts while on a visit with Vrest Orton in Vermont. HPL rhapsodizes about the glorious scenery and survival of old New England. And he gets a few ideas for a story that will take place in Vermont...

A Symphony of Galpin Aug 02, 2021

A letter from June 24, 1933, in which HPL writes his old friend Alfred Galpin, sharing his joy about his new digs at 66 College Street and many other thoughts. Galpin was a composer, and music abounds in this episode. Be sure to check the web page for a re-creation of the 1933 Spring Festival of Music! And we are most proud to present a newly orchestrated version of Galpin's composition "A Lament for HPL" by Reber Clark.

Currying Favor Jul 05, 2021

A pair of letters in which HPL writes to his New Orleans friend E. Hoffman Price and discusses some of his favorite things: writing weird fiction, playing with kittens, and the unplumbed allure of East Indian curry!

Long and Love-Kraft Jun 07, 2021

In which HPL writes to Frank Belknap Long and, as usual, discusses a great many topics including cheese. And in which Sean & Andrew tell the tale of the acquisition of HPL's letters to FBL by Brown University.

Four for Farnsworth May 03, 2021

In which we explore four letters from HPL to Farnsworth Wright, the editor of Weird Tales. Over a nine year period, we see the evolution of their relationship and delve into topics including the submission of "The Call of Cthulhu", a mystery tale by Zealia Bishop, and the untimely death of Robert E. Howard.

An Antiquated Mummy from the Other Side Apr 05, 2021

In one of the last letters of his life, HPL writes to author C.L. Moore. Is this the fabled letter in which Lovecraft rejects his racist attitudes? No, but the letter's a doozy all the same, addressing art, politics, the royal family and much more.

Wales, Whales, and the Stars Mar 08, 2021

In which HPL writes to one of his only overseas correspondents, Arthur Harris in Wales. This pair or letters documents his visit to Nantucket Island and the wonders of the astronomical devices in the Hayden Planetarium in New York.

Oleaginous Fascists Feb 08, 2021

In which, on March 2 of 1927, HPL writes to Paul J. Campbell, one of his mentors in the amateur press movement. Lovecraft has plenty to say about the rise of fascism, the decline of western civilization and the untyped manuscripts in his drawer.

Citizen Lovecraft Jan 04, 2021

Happy New Year! In this letter from November of 1916, the young HPL tells his friend Rheinhart Kleiner about his early childhood. Many details are revealed, and yet many mysteries remain. Please be advised the letter contains a word that is bleeped a couple of times.

Live from the Lovecraft Film Festival Dec 07, 2020

Immortality! Booze! Police brutality! Graphic violence! In a special episode recorded live from the HPL Film Festival with guest commentator Stephen Fazio, HPL continues an ongoing conversation with Robert E. Howard about the comparative appeals of civilization and barbarianism. Please note: the audio quality is a little different than usual because of the different recording circumstances.

Whoop Bang Hooray Nov 02, 2020

In which an ebullient HPL squeals with joy at his aunt's invitation for him to leave New York and return home to his beloved Providence. Sure, there's interesting topics like Freud, M.R. James, and abiogenesis, but mostly Howard's excited to come home.

HPL - Colonial Tourguide Oct 26, 2020

In which the newlywed HPL writes his aunt Lillian, inviting her to come live with him and his wife. What could be more fun than that? How about a through examination of the colonial architecture of Philadelphia and New York City? More fun than it sounds! CONTENT ADVISORY: Although racism is not a major topic in this letter or the discussion, there are some passing slurs in the letter which have been bleeped.

Clark Ashton Lovefest Oct 19, 2020

Two letters from Lovecraft to Smith display HPL's great enthusiasm for Smith's work as both writer and illustrator. He optimistically discusses a new magazine called Weird Tales which might prove to be a good destination for their stories.

REH Part 2 - Witch Cults Oct 12, 2020

In part two of a long letter to Robert E. Howard, HPL discusses the Salem Witch Trials and their connection to witch cults in Western Europe. He also touches on immigration and his own genealogy.

REH Part 1 - Rhode Island Oct 05, 2020

In the first part of a long letter to Robert E. Howard, Lovecraft shares many thoughts including the fascinating and sometimes horrifying history of Rhode Island.

The Case of Old Dolph Sep 28, 2020

In which HPL writes to one of his revision clients, Adolphe Danziger de Castro. Lovecraft's frayed nerves cause him to decline taking on future revisions for de Castro, but he enthusiastically discusses Jesus as a historical figure among other topics.

I Am Home Sep 21, 2020

In which, following a disastrous experience of living in New York, Lovecraft celebrates his homecoming to his beloved Providence. Hear an emotional HPL sing the praises of a return to the place he loved most.

O Mighty Ar-Ech-Bei Sep 14, 2020

In which HPL writes to R.H. Barlow, who will go on to be his literary executor. This letter shines a light on why Lovecraft might have selected him for the job, as young Mr. Barlow is already at work protecting HPL's legacy.

Here's the strange sigil with which HPL signed this letter:

A Lovecraftian Romantic Comedy Sep 07, 2020

In which HPL tells his friends Kleiner and Moe of his early encounters with Madame Greene (who will go on to become Mrs. Lovecraft). Is HPL the leading man in a romantic comedy or is he merely a Providence tour guide caught up in forces beyond his control?

Greetings from St Augustine Aug 31, 2020

In which HPL writes to a young friend of Clark Ashton Smith, telling of his travels in St. Augustine, Florida. The travelogue segues into useful advice about dealing with depression and communists.

Howard's Bombshell Aug 24, 2020

In which HPL breaks some big news to his poor Aunt Lillian. HPL's run off and married Sonia Greene in New York! This letter is amazing not just for what HPL reveals, but for how he reveals this shocking news.

Pronouncing Petaja Aug 17, 2020

In which HPL writes to the young writer Emil Petaja. Learn whether or not Ibsen is a "weird author", how to pronounce Emil's surname, and many other great tidbits of knowledge.

The Dark Swamp Aug 10, 2020

In a letter of August 1923 to original Weird Tales editor Edwin Baird, HPL talks a bit of business before describing his plan to visit a legendary site of dark mystery and monster-inhabited potholes with his friend C.M. Eddy, Jr. Then as a bonus we'll hear him describe how the plan worked out in a letter to Frank Belknap Long from November 8 of the same year.

I Wish I Were a Housecat Aug 03, 2020

In this rare letter from March of 1923 to poet Samuel Loveman, HPL speaks with great sensitivity about their mutual friend Alfred Galpin, and somewhat less sensitivity about his own wife, Sonia Greene.

I Genuflect I Grovel Jul 27, 2020

In which HPL writes to Wilfred Talman, abjectly apologizing for miscommunication regarding the idea of HPL writing a novel. This letter from late in Lovecraft's life is revealing about both his work and his concerns for his young friend's reputation.

The YMCA Jul 20, 2020

In which HPL writes to his friend Maurice Moe and questions the truth (or lack thereof) in religion. Lovecraft gives a spirited argument to his friend while leaving plenty of room for them to agree to disagree.

Danger - Politics Ahead Jul 13, 2020

In which HPL writes to C.L. Moore, one of his female correspondents. Howard unleashes a torrent of thoughts on life in the Great Depression and the response of political parties to the challenge of the times. Not for the politically squeamish.

Laundry and Influenza Jul 06, 2020

Written during his time in New York, this letter to HPL's Aunt Lillian discusses day to day issues like laundry, and more impactful issues like the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. Please be sure to visit the web page for this episode for lots of images and bonus information!

Herr Hitler Jun 29, 2020

In this letter from 1933, HPL speaks candidly to his young friend Robert Bloch about the recently-elected Chancellor of Germany: Adolf Hitler. Lovecraft carefully explains his opinions about the ongoing rise of the Nazi party. CONTENT WARNING: This letter covers some intense issues and contains explicitly and intensely racist language.

Gallomo Part 2 - Howard's Grandson Jun 22, 2020

In part two of his letter to the Gallomo, HPL describes another key figure he's become acquainted with: Frank Belknap Long. This young man from New York goes on to become HPL's colleague, business partner, and one of his closest friends.

Gallomo Part 1 - Recaptured Youth Jun 15, 2020

In part one of this long letter from the summer of 1921, HPL tells his buddies in the Gallomo of a return to his boyhood clubhouse as a middle aged man. He regales his friends with accounts of his active social life, including a meeting with an intriguing woman: the future Mrs. Lovecraft.

Visit the Voluminous web page for this episode for music and other bonus images.

Below is a photo of all that remains of the Great Meadow Country Clubhouse: the fireplace built by Civil War veteran James McKay. This photo was taken and generously shared by our friend Donovan Loucks, who runs The H.P. Lovecraft Archive. Be sure to check it out for more pictures from HPL's happy summer of 1921.

Shut Up and Listen Jun 08, 2020

In which, during tumultuous times, the HPLHS opts not to read a letter. Don't worry - we'll be back.

Here are a couple of other podcasts that are worth your time this week:

Fanti

The Memory Palace

Divorce and Bigamy Jun 01, 2020

In this letter of July 2, 1929 to Maurice Moe, HPL discusses his thoughts on marriage and, more importantly, divorce. Written after the collapse of his own marriage, Lovecraft is quite candid about the institution and his personal life.

Thanks to our friends at Hippocampus Press.

HPL mentions Judge Benjamin Lindsey in this letter, who co-authored The Companionate Marriage with Wainright Evans in 1927.

Shea Part 3 - War, Peace and Justice May 25, 2020

In the sometimes uncomfortable finale of our three-part letter to J. Vernon Shea, HPL opines on weightier topics, including the looming forces of war and peace, and issues of justice (social and otherwise) surrounding the famed Scottsboro Boys trial. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains numerous bleeps and some awkward conversation. Not recommended for those uncomfortable with discussing racism.

HPL mentions Lincoln Steffens in this letter, a famous liberal muckraking journalist who wrote about the corruption of politics in Rhode Island, St. Louis, and other places. If you want to hear more about corrupt Providence politics, we recommend the podcast Crimetown.

The "nice little Jew" HPL mentions at the very end of the letter was Julius Schwartz, who would go on to become a prominent editor of famous titles at DC comics, including both Superman and Batman. Schwartz commissioned the collaborative story "The Challenge from Beyond", jointly written by Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Frank Belknap Long, Abraham Merritt and C.L. Moore in 1935.

You can get a copy of The Lady Who Came to Stay from our friends at Hippocampus Press. We did!

Shea Part 2 - Bedelia and Friends May 18, 2020

In part two of our three-part letter to J. Vernon Shea, Lovecraft visits popular culture, discussing music, plays and his favorite motion pictures. Even in 1934 movies about time-travel had plot holes. BLEEP WARNING: The majority of this episode is light and whimsical, but there are a couple of passing mentions of racist language.

Sadly, the version of Berkeley Square that was viewable on YouTube has apparently vanished. But there is still a version with no sound at all, and a clip or two with sound.

Our thanks to listener David Kellogg, who writes to solve the mysterious reference to the "Ah Wilderness year" that left us stumped by saying "...while Ah, Wilderness was produced in 1933, it is *set* on July 4, 1906."

Shea Part 1 - Let Suicide Wait May 11, 2020

In part one of this lengthy (three episode!) letter, HPL writes to his friend J. Vernon Shea. Among the many topics he delves into are Lovecraft's youthful contemplations of suicide and what kept him from going through with it.

Our thanks to our friends at Hippocampus Press for their book Letters to J. Vernon Shea, Carl F. Strauch, and Lee McBride White.

Defending Sonny May 04, 2020

In a letter to his revision client Zealia Brown Reed Bishop dated August 25, 1929, HPL emphatically defends the editorial work of his young protege, Frank Belknap Long. He gives lots of writing advice before moving on to vivid description of some of his recent local travels.

You'll find this letter in The Spirit of Revision published by The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society!

Music by Troy Sterling Nies. Our thanks to Christian Matzke, Sean and Jackie McCall, Mary Sullivan, S.T. Joshi, and the John Hay Library.

If you'd like to see some scans of the original letters (and some of the extra things HPL included), along with portraits of Zealia, please check out the Spirit of Revision page on the HPLHS website!

Cats, Cheese and Hawaiians Apr 27, 2020

In which Lovecraft speaks of many things, but most extensively on his fondness for cats. That leads to a discussion of local colloquialisms which then leads to an interesting discourse on local cheese nomenclature and Owyhee Idaho Spuds. It's a fun ride!

Thanks to our friends at Hippocampus Press.

This is the linoleum cut of Lovecraft by Duane Rimel mentioned in this letter. It was published as an illustration accompanying a bio of HPL by F. Lee Baldwin in Fantasy magazine. CLICK HERE to download a PDF replica of the entire article!

Letters Phantastique Apr 20, 2020

In which HPL writes about space travel, alien life, and the shortcomings of fictional science in a suite of letters to one of the first fans of science fiction: Nils Helmer Frome. These letters were written between December 1936 and February 1937.

PLEASE NOTE: During the recording of this episode, Andrew could not recall the name of the man with whom J.B.S. Haldane corresponded, and referred to him repeatedly — and inaccurately — as a "preacher". The man in question was, in fact, Arnold Lunn, who deserved to be better remembered. Andrew regrets his failure in this matter.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies. Our thanks to Hippocampus Press for their Letters to F. Lee Baldwin, Duane W. Rimel, and Nils Frome.

If you want to get into a complicated discussion between two actually smart people, check out the correspondence between Arnold Lunn and J.B.S. Haldane.

Lovecraft didn't care for anthropomorphic aliens like the ones on Star Trek, but our brother podcaster and dear friend Chris Lackey pointed out an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that explains why so many alien races in that universe look human. It's called "The Chase". Chris and his wonderful wife Rachel Lackey have their own Star Trek podcast that you can check out here!

Things That Go Bump in the Night Apr 13, 2020

February, 1937.

In one of the last letters he would ever write, HPL tells Harry Otto Fischer about the things he's afraid of, and explains his etymological interpretation of the title Necronomicon. This episode is full of dodgy Greek, incuding Andrew's old article from Strange Eons.

Thanks to our friends at Hippocampus Press.

Dunsany & Childhood: My Favorite Things Apr 06, 2020

In which HPL writes to the Gallomo (Alfred Galpin and Maurice Moe) of his potent dreams, his first encounter with Lord Dunsany, and his idyllic youth at 454 Angel Street in Providence.

If you want to see HPL's reference to his Eben Spencer dream, check out page 16 of The Commonplace Book. It's full of fascinating stuff!

If you want to read the book that inspired HPL's childhood village of "New Anvik", check out Snow-Shoes and Sledges by Kirk Munroe!

Pornography! Mar 30, 2020

In which Lovecraft opines to his young friend Frank Belknap Long about the perils of pornography and includes a ribald cautionary poem in an 18th century style to drive the point home. Yes, this episode is safe for work.

Thanks to Arkham House for their Selected Letters of H.P. Lovecraft.

Anything But The White Ape Mar 23, 2020

In which HPL writes to Edwin Baird, his first editor at Weird Tales. They talk a bit of business before HPL launches into his autobiography. Yes, we have no bananas.

Lovecraft mentions the name of his childhood cat in this letter, and after wrestling with very mixed feelings Andrew chose to bleep it.

Thanks to Arkham House for their Selected Letters of H.P. Lovecraft.

Melmoth the Wandrei Mar 16, 2020

In which Lovecraft writes to Donald Wandrei, a young correspondent who will go on to be one of the founders of Arkham House, and play a key role in preserving Lovecraft's legacy.

This episode is coming out on the Ides of March, the 83rd anniversary of Lovecraft's death. We want to take a moment to humbly recognize HPL's vast contributions to popular culture and to our lives. Ave et Vale!

Our thanks to Hippocampus Press for their Letters to Donald Wandrei and others.

Both of the movies that HPL mentions in this letter are watchable online.

Metropolis (1927) by Fritz Lang

The Thief of Bagdad (1924) by Raoul Walsh

A Comedy of Vain Desire Mar 09, 2020

In which HPL attempts to bring good cheer to his depressed friend Rheinhart Kleiner. We hope Rheinhart took comfort from Howard's suggestions of fixing his love life by cultivating a cosmic perspective.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies. Our thanks to Arkham House.

Jason Thompson, who created the feature-length animated film version of The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath also created an RPG based on the never-written story HPL mentions in this letter, The Club of the Seven Dreamers.

If you don't already subscribe to the H.P. Lovecraft Literary Podcast, you should consider starting! They have a very fun episode about the August Derleth story The Dark Brotherhood, which may or may not have anything to do with the Club of the Seven Dreamers....

You can hear some lines from this letter quoted in the brilliant performance of Lovecraft by Christopher Heyerdahl in the excellent Canadian film Out of Mind.

The Worst Anthropologists in the World Mar 02, 2020

In which HPL and Robert E. Howard discuss a number of issues of the day. They opine about the Massie Affair, an incident in the Hawaiian Islands which proved a magnet for many of America's ugliest racial views.

Warning: this episode includes discussion of racism.

Special thanks to Hippocampus Press for their two volume edition of A Means to Freedom: the Letters of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard.

If—like Lovecraft—you would like to own a complete copy of the Necronomicon, be sure to check out the work of our good friend Christian Matzke, and maybe even support it, on his Patreon page.

For a better explanation of the Massie Affair than we could provide, check out this article.

New Orleans and other Horrors Feb 24, 2020

In which HPL writes to Robert E. Howard during his trip to New Orleans. And in which Sean and Andrew grapple with the language of racism and other problems.

Special thanks for Hippocampus Press for their two volume series A Means to Freedom: the Letters of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard.

Spanking Sonny Part 4 - About Art Feb 17, 2020

In the thrilling conclusion of our coverage of Lovecraft's eternal letter, he tells Frank Belknap Long everything he fails to understand about art, history and much more. Lovecraftian opinions abound in this vigorous diatribe.

Our thanks to Arkham House for making this letter available. To read the rest of it for yourself, check out Selected Letters: Vol. III.

Spanking Sonny Part 3 - About Religion Feb 10, 2020

HPL assaults Catholicism and other intellectual outrages. This one may ruffle some feathers as Lovecraft lays it on thick in part three of his lengthy letter to his friend Frank Belknap Long. Includes a short and pleasant detour to Quebec!

Be sure to check out the website of The Museum of Jurassic Technology, and visit in person if you ever get the chance. In the gift shop they have the wonderful book No One May Ever Have the Same Knowledge Again.

Frank Belknap Long wrote a memoir of HPL entitled Howard Phillips Lovecraft: Dreamer on the Nightside. In that memoir, he mentions this letter and gives us some insight into what he had said to Lovecraft to provoke HPL's anti-Catholic diatribe. "At one point covering a period of several years," Long writes, "I came close to becoming a convert to a ritualistic Catholic mysticism, perhaps because I have always been in rebellion against what I felt was the beauty-ignoring aspect of Protestantism, even when it repudiated every kind of Bible Belt fundamentalism. Despite his atheism, HPL had a great admiration for the liberal Protestant tradition, as he made plain in one of his middle-period letters to me. It is included in the third volume of Arkham House correspondence and was just about the longest letter he ever wrote to anyone. What he failed to realize was that even at that period I had no real intention of becoming a Trappist monk, and it was only the aesthetic aspects of Roman or Anglo-Catholicism that had made me just a bit less of an agnostic than I had been earlier. Basically, I would never have been able to live for long with any kind of theological orthodoxy, but in challenging some of his most firmly held beliefs, I derived a certain pleasure in playing the part of a Devil's advocate." So it seems Long deliberately tried to get a rise out of HPL by suggesting he might become a monk!

Long's memoir was first published by Arkham House in 1975, but it has been recently released in paperback and digital versions by Wildside Press.

And drop by the website of our friends at Hippocampus Press to see HPL's lengthy essay about Quebec and other travel writing!

Spanking Sonny Part 2 - About Science Feb 03, 2020

In part two of HPL's lengthy letter to his friend Frank Belknap Long, Lovecraft speaks his mind about the merits of pure science. Listen as he disdains commercialism and the machine age in his diatribe celebrating knowledge for its own sake. Greeks ahoy!

Spanking Sonny Part 1 - About Literature Jan 27, 2020

In which HPL upbraids, chides and spanks his poor young friend Frank Belknap Long about weird literature (and several other topics to boot!). The first of a four part series which documents one of HPL's longest and most broad-ranging letters.

CORRECTION: Andrew was in error in this episode when he said that all of the letters from HPL to Frank Belknap Long have been lost. While it's true that no one seems to know the location of any letters written after 1931, there is a fabulous trove of letters written from 1920 until 1931 currently in the hands of a private collector. If you happen to have $150,000 to spare, you could buy them! (If so, you might consider donating them to the John Hay Library at Brown University.) Special thanks to HPLHS member Kevin Miller for pointing this out to us.

My Breakfast with Howard Jan 20, 2020

In which Lovecraft describes both his diet and his thrift as he documents his shopping and dining habits in alarming detail. For added fun he walks the wife of sci-fi writer Fritz Leiber through fascinating branches of his family tree.

Special thanks to Wildside Press for their book Fritz Leiber and H.P. Lovecraft: Writers of the Dark, edited by Ben J.S. Szumskyj and S.T. Joshi.

Bimbos Bozos and James F Morton Jan 13, 2020

At the suggestion of S.T. Joshi, we read a letter to James F. Morton. Brimming with snappy 1920s slang, HPL's letter grapples with his ideas on writing, creativity and the best ways to get your kicks. Lamp it!

Music by Troy Sterling Nies

Special thanks to S.T. Joshi and Hippocampus Press

Here's an online version of Morton's 1906 book "The Curse of Race Prejudice".

Politics, Poetry and Other Outrages Jan 06, 2020

Howard unfurls his most vigorous inner-cynic as he attacks political ideals and modern poetry in this letter to Washington DC poet Elizabeth Toldridge.

You can see a poem Toldridge wrote about HPL at the Brown Digital Repository here.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies

Special thanks to Hippocampus Press for their book H. P. Lovecraft: Letters to Elizabeth Toldridge & Anne Tillery Renshaw

Tidings of Comfort and Joy? Part 2 Dec 30, 2019

Just before Christmas, Lovecraft meets Vrest Orton for the first time. Howard is smitten by his young visitor. Is it a blossoming bromance or something more? Don't miss the giddy side of HPL in part two of his Christmas letter to his Aunt Lillian.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies

Thanks to the Brown Digital Repository at Brown University

Tidings of Comfort and Joy? Part 1 Dec 23, 2019

HPL sends his aunt a very telling Christmas letter. Written while he was living in Brooklyn, the letter is revealing about both HPL and those closest to him.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies

Special thanks to the Brown Digital Repository at Brown University.

You might need a New York Times subscription to see it, but there's a fascinating article about the crazy rich Wendel family.

And while you're surfing, learn more about the fascinating Byron Khun de Prorok!

Lovecraft hoped to get a job at the Paterson Museum, where his friend James F. Morton was a curator and which was founded in the very year HPL wrote this letter. HPL never got that job, but the museum did eventually get its own new building. It's still going and is worth a visit!

Lovecraft mentioned a number of interesting figures in the letter we didn't have time to talk about in the episode. One was Edward Arnold, whose recent obituary HPL and his aunts had noted. Lovecraft said it was too bad his mother didn't "snap him up". He was a member of one of the founding families of Rhode Island (which also included the infamous Benedict Arnold). He mentions astronomical articles by "Brainin" and "Upton". C.S. Brainin was the editor of The Amateur Astronomer in the late 1920s, and Professor Winslow Upton was the director of Ladd Observatory in Providence when HPL was a boy and wrote articles for the Providence Journal. He also mentions enjoying the "Hoppin conceptions", which is a reference to noted 19th-century Providentian book illustrator Augustus Hoppin.

Those Meddling Kids Dec 16, 2019

High school admirers Robert Bloch and Willis Conover both wrote fan letters to Lovecraft. Here we see HPL writing back to these two young writers who will go on to correspond with HPL and have fascinating lives after Lovecraft's death.

You can learn more about Willis Conover here. You can hear his voice in this YouTube video.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies

Thanks to Hippocampus Press and Carrollton-Clark Publishing

Grief and Other Lugubrious Demonstrations Dec 09, 2019

In which Lovecraft delivers some unexpected bad news. Intellect collides with emotion in this letter to poet Ann Tillery Renshaw.

Thanks to Hippocampus Press.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies

Howard Swears a Blue Streak Dec 02, 2019

In which HPL deploys shocking language in a feisty letter to his friend, Wisconsin schoolteacher Maurice Moe.

Thanks to Arkham House. You can read a much less abridged version of this letter in the book H.P. Lovecraft: Letters to Maurice W. Moe and Others from Hippocampus Press.

Music by Troy Sterling Nies.

The Clark Ashton Smythos Nov 25, 2019

In which Lovecraft writes his friend and fellow author of fantastic tales, Clark Ashton Smith. As wildfire threatens Smith's California home we're reminded how nothing ever really changes...

Thanks to Clark Ashton Smith guru Scott Connors and to Hippocampus Press.

My Dearest Mother Nov 18, 2019

In which HPL writes to his mother about his delightful visit to a gathering of amateur press friends for St. Patrick's day. Sent a few weeks before her death, it's Howard's final extant letter to his mother.

Special thanks to our friends at the Brown University Digital Repository where they keep and digitally share with the public many of HPL's original manuscripts. You can see a thrilling ad for David Van Bush with Lovecraft's commentary here.

If you want to read some of Bush's books, you can find the one Lovecraft himself worked on here. And click here to read Practical Psychology and Sex Life.

Dipping Our Toes in August Derleth Nov 11, 2019

In which we read a letter from HPL to August Derleth from November 7, 1926. We discuss unique qualities of HPL's correspondence with Derleth, and his essential role in sharing Lovecraft's works with the public.

Special thanks to the helpful team at Hippocampus Press.

Sex, Drugs and Marketing Nov 04, 2019

A set of three shorter letters written one hundred years ago, in which 29-year-old HPL dispenses relationship and life advice to one of his earliest correspondents, Rheinhart Kleiner. Hear of Lovecraft's encouragement to the lovelorn, his temptation to try the dreaded cannabis, and more!

These letters come from The Selected Letters of H.P. Lovecraft Volume I. Our deepest thanks to Arkham House Publishing. You can find them at www.arkhamhouse.com

Music by Troy Sterling Nies.

Dear Mr. Barlow Oct 22, 2019

In his first letter to Robert H. Barlow, written on June 25, 1931, HPL very kindly answers a few important questions of a young fan, and begins what will prove to be a very important relationship.

Our thanks to Dan Viafore for being our audio consultant.

Original music by Troy Sterling Nies.

Special thanks to S.T. Joshi and David E. Schultz. The text of the letter came from their book O Fortunate Floridian, published by the University of Tampa Press.

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