A New Chapbook: "Lovecraft in Britain"

Almost every American Lovecraftian has some understanding of the early publishing history of HPL's work: "Weird Tales" magazine, Arkham House, and the slow trickle over decades into major publishers like Del Rey. This publishing lineage was handed down and studied in-depth by great scholars for decades, in an attempt to fully document Lovecraft's legacy. Now, it appears longstanding editor of horror and fantasy Stephen Jones is seeking to do the same for an understanding of Lovecraft's publication history in Britain.

Through the British Fantasy Society, Jones completed a new chapbook, H.P. Lovecraft in Britain: A Monograph. The signed, 750 print run of this booklet will be automatically given to members of the British Fantasy Society, and then sold for about $26 US. As a stand alone work of scholarship, or even an inspiration for a larger study of Lovecraftian publishing in Britain, Jones' literary history of HPL across the Atlantic is sure to take its rightful place in contemporary scholarship. From the BFS news release on the chapbook:

Based on unique access to correspondence and business papers dating back more than fifty years, the author charts H.P. Lovecraft’s convoluted publishing history in the United Kingdom – from the distinctive Gollancz hardcovers, through the various licensed paperback reprints, up to the present day.

H.P. LOVECRAFT IN BRITAIN reveals the often complicated and never-before-told story of how the renowned horror author’s work came to be published in the UK, and along the way reveals new insights into how certain volumes were compiled. It is a fascinating tale, told in the words of the people involved.

Featuring an original full colour cover and interior illustrations by acclaimed British artist LES EDWARDS, the chapbook also includes reproductions of many obscure book covers and rare documents.

-Grim Blogger