Wilum Pugmire continues to be a one man powerhouse of Lovecraftian stories. He recently announced a new and as yet unnamed story collection that should be out this summer from Dark Regions Press.
This development follows an exceptionally busy and successful year for Pugmire's work. Centipede Press published a mammoth collection of his fiction, The Tangled Muse, and several new short stories burst onto the scene in anthologies. Meanwhile, his other collections like Weird Inhabitants of Sesqua Valley are gaining attention in the weird community.
Pugmire continues to fire out quality Lovecraftian fiction at a fast clip, perhaps quicker than any other contemporary weird horror writer. And it doesn't look like there's any sign of him slowing down. This is great news for readers, since Pugmire's efforts are sure to continue enhancing his own literary portfolio, and the wider stature of Lovecraft's modern legacy.
After eons of effort, the S.T. Joshi's 1200 page magnum opus on H.P. Lovecraft is officially out from Hippocampus Press and on the shelves of select dealers everywhere. I Am Providence: The Life and Times of H. P. Lovecraft is a two volume set that expands on Joshi's definitive biography first published over a decade ago. While there are no sanity blasting revelations added that might vastly reshape our current understanding of HPL's life, this is easily his most complete sketch yet, offering a time bending window into the odd life of a 20th century weird fiction sorcerer.
More than anything else, I am Providence can serve as a slow acting stake through the heart of many Lovecraftian legends. Over the decades since his death, Lovecraft's life has been subjected to the most unsavory speculations. While those with a passing interest in Lovecraft's work will continue to cling to superstition, buttressed by internet echo chambers that perpetuate old rumors, it can no longer be forgiven in serious scholarship and among true devotees to his dark altar. As Lovecraftian writer Wilum Pugmire rightly says in his review of the book:
Joshi's book shews that, for one who suffered such peculiar upbringing, Lovecraft turned out as normal as any regular Joe. He did not spend his life in shadow, shunning daylight and walking the night. He loved warm weather and did much if not most of his writing out of doors in sunlit parks or sitting on boulders along the Seekonk whenever he could. As for not needing or wanting humanity, his steady social life, huge correspondence, and activity in the amateur press (he often attended gatherings outside of Providence) reveal a man who had an intimate relationship, social and intellectual, with other women and men. He was a ordinary guy with an extraordinary imagination. That imagination, and the daily activities of a very human being, are superbly recorded and understood in this magnificent biography, I AM PROVIDENCE.
Even after the current edition sells out, Joshi's work will remain a testament to Lovecraft's ghost, almost as much as the bygone weirdsmith's own fiction. I Am Providence: The Life and Times of H. P. Lovecraft is truly the book that probes deeper into his mind than any other. Long may it reign.
-Grim Blogger
I am Providence: The Life and Times of H.P. Lovecraft by S.T. Joshi Released
The always entertaining and informative Wilum Pugmire has uploaded a video of his latest talk with weird fiction scholar S.T. Joshi. Here, Joshi talks about his current projects in the weird realm, his mystery novel, and Lovecraftian writing today, among other things, including tentative plans to do a fiction work about H.P. Lovecraft. Pugmire's easy to digest video interviews also show how the weird can be explored with newer technology, a trend one hopes to see more of in the future.
Lovecraftian writer Wilum Pugmire recently interviewed S.T. Joshi in a recorded video posted at his MrWilum channel. In this short, but informative talk, the respected Lovecraft scholar talks with Pugmire about his latest projects: an imminent unabridged edition of the biography, H.P. Lovecraft: A Life, a second Black Wings anthology of Lovecraftian fiction, and several new books of Lovecraft's letters. It's clear that Joshi is balancing a lot of Lovecraftian material, which means a rich flood of it will continue to pour out into the literary world for years to come.
Jerad and I are putting the finishing touches on the omnibus of my best weird fiction, THE TANGLED MUSE. The book will be an extremely limited edition of 150 copies and it is going to look wonderful, we've chosen some great artwork, black and white and color. I believe the book will be available in October, and will be signed by S. T. Joshi and myself.
This is fantastic news for readers of fine Cthulhu Mythos tales and Pugmire's work. The Tangled Muse also joins Centipede's other luxuriant volumes. Besides producing gorgeous books of horror art and seasoned classics, the publisher has recently brought out massive story collections by contemporary writers. Their most recent offering is Dramas from the Depths by Reggie Oliver.
Let's hope The Tangled Muse is one more link in an expanding chain of beautifully outfitted strangeness. No one could ask for more than quality small presses coming together with today's weird fiction stars.
-Grim Blogger
W.H. Pugmire Announces Centipede Omnibus for Late 2010 Release
Lovecraftian writer W.H. Pugmire had an interview posted earlier this month from a less common source. A Motley Vision is a blog centering on Mormon arts and culture. This venue opened up a fascinating vista of Pugmire's world, an interview in which he discusses his spiritual life, sexuality, and prolific Lovecraftian career in detail.
Pugmire's devotion to a purist Lovecraftian aesthetic is a major drive in his work, and one that seems rare in an environment where Cthulhu Mythos writers are practically driven at gunpoint to get outside Lovecraftian fiction for career's sake. His personal revolt against this pressure has been a success, judging by the number of Pugmire stories and collections.
It's this unique dedication to penning what he is best at that results in an enduring spotlight on his writing and the life behind it. And, in my opinion, he makes a rich subject for interview, a bonus quality seen in only a few other weird fiction contemporaries like Thomas Ligotti. There's something to be said for the weird writer consistently interesting enough to produce good interviews. Here you will find thoughts and experiences going beyond mere accompaniments to their literary output, and into the realm of alternative storytelling.
Wilum Hopfrog Pugmire, a longtime literary fixture of the Cthulhu Mythos, has proven quite busy lately. In the past few months, he has launched a new blog, Youtube channel, and completed publication of a new book. All of which is excellent news for the Lovecraftian community. Now, it's easier than ever to get a strong dose of Pugmire's Lovecraftian prose and fascinating wit.
Weird Inhabitants of Sesqua Valley, the author's latest Mythos collection, has just been released by Terradan Works. The title (as well as the contents, apparently) recalls Pugmire's earlier collection, Sesqua Valley and Other Haunts. The mythical Sesqua Valley has won the admiration of many Lovecraft fans since its inception, as Pugmire's treatment of it has been far more delicate and original than the average Arkham knockoff in Lovecraftian fiction. In fact, Pugmire's valley exhibits such bizarre figures and features that it resonates the atmosphere of H.P. Lovecraft. Thus, his latest collection ought to be a well sought one, especially in an age where Cthulhu Mythos fans have come to expect more from their Lovecraftian horrors.
In an effort to broaden his presence, it seems Pugmire has launched several new internet locations as well. His "Lovecraftian Horror" blog, which serves as an outlet for personal and authorial news, is perhaps the most important. Pugmire's MrWilum Youtube channel is another nexus established by the writer to provide original commentary on weird fiction and his related pursuits. As anyone acquainted with him might guess, his unique persona makes his videos as entertaining as they are informative.
"Punktalk" recently published this lengthy and thoughtful interview with Lovecraftian horror writer W.H. Pugmire. It seems this piece is a product of the author's newly established presence online--an eerie shadow that has settled over several weird forums across the internet as of late. This interview also provides an effective introduction to the author himself, for those unfamiliar with him. He discusses all the burning questions: his reasons for writing, Lovecraftian output, and associations with other figures in the Cthulhu Mythos community, among other things. Lovecraft admirers would be wise to acquaint or re-acquaint themselves with the tales of this writer. Certainly, Pugmire is a name likely to grow in the weird community as he continues working on several promising new projects for publication.
Wilum Hopfrog Pugmire is enjoying something of a resurfacing online lately (not that he was ever submerged). The author of Lovecraftian poetry and short, rich prose is appearing in a series of interesting photos over at "Gothic Lowbrow" and in person as a discussion participant in the Thomas Ligotti Online forums. Pugmire, whose most recent collection of stories was The Fungal Stain and Other Dreams published in 2006, has dedicated his literary career to Lovecraftian pursuits in an unmistakable way. While plenty of old friends from H.P. Lovecraft's world like the Great Old Ones and cultists appear in his work, they show up in unique forms alongside themes Lovecraft himself would never touch like homosexuality and occasionally visceral violence.
Pugmire's appearance at TLO forums resulted from recent interest in his work started in this thread. His presence adds to the bustling community of weird authors TLO has already become, featuring the likes of writers such as Mark Samuels, Matt Cardin, Quentin S. Crisp, and sometimes even Thomas Ligotti himself. Perhaps his posting at TLO will increase knowledge and news about this eccentric and mysterious figure. Pugmire has already hinted he has two new books in some stage of planning or production. This is good news for fans of Yog-Sothery, particularly the highly literary breed promoted by Mr. Pugmire.
The post about Pugmire over at "Gothic Lowbrow" is a fine photographic look into the persona and non-Mythos pursuits of this spirited fellow. Aside from churning out new collected stories of Lovecraftian horror every other year since 1997, Pugmire has been active in punk rock music, photography, and serving as editor of several small press publications. The collection of pictures here highlights several projects and personal styles of Pugmire over the years.
If you aren't yet acquainted with the dreamy horror of this Lovecraftian writer, consider doing so today. I promise you won't find mere pastiches of HPL, despite Pugmire's own desire to "dwell forevermore within Lovecraft's titan shadow." Reading Pugmire is a truly unique experience in weird literature, and even better, one that can be done relatively cheaply by ordering his more recent collections from Mythos Books.
