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''Strange Tales'' (cover-titled ''Strange Tales of Mystery and Terror'') was an American
pulp magazine Pulp magazines (also referred to as "the pulps") were inexpensive fiction magazines that were published from 1896 to the late 1950s. The term "pulp" derives from the cheap wood pulp paper on which the magazines were printed. In contrast, magazine ...
first published from 1931 to 1933 by
Clayton Publications Clayton may refer to: People * Clayton (name) *Clayton baronets *The Clayton Brothers, Jeff and John, jazz musicians * Clayton Brothers, Rob and Christian, painter artists *Justice Clayton (disambiguation), the judges Clayton Places Canada * Cla ...
. It specialized in fantasy and
weird fiction Weird fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Weird fiction either eschews or radically reinterprets ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and other traditional antagonists of supernatural horr ...
, and was a significant competitor to ''
Weird Tales ''Weird Tales'' is an American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine founded by J. C. Henneberger and J. M. Lansinger in late 1922. The first issue, dated March 1923, appeared on newsstands February 18. The first editor, Edwin Baird, prin ...
'', the leading magazine in the field. Its published stories include "Wolves of Darkness" by
Jack Williamson John Stewart Williamson (April 29, 1908 – November 10, 2006), who wrote as Jack Williamson, was an American list of science fiction authors, science fiction writer, often called the "Dean of Science Fiction". He is also credited with one of t ...
, as well as work by Robert E. Howard and
Clark Ashton Smith Clark Ashton Smith (January 13, 1893 – August 14, 1961) was an American writer and artist. He achieved early local recognition, largely through the enthusiasm of George Sterling, for traditional verse in the vein of Algernon Charles Swinburne ...
. The magazine ceased publication when Clayton entered bankruptcy. It was temporarily revived by
Wildside Press Wildside Press is an independent publishing company in Cabin John, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1989 by John Betancourt and Kim Betancourt. While the press was originally conceived as a publisher of speculative fiction in both trade ...
, which published three issues edited by
Robert M. Price Robert McNair Price (born July 7, 1954) is an American New Testament scholar. His most notable stance is arguing in favor of the Christ myth theorythe claim that a historical Jesus did not exist. Price is the author of a number of books on bi ...
from 2003 to 2007.


Publication history and contents

Fantasy and occult fiction had often appeared in popular magazines prior to the twentieth century, but the first magazine to specialize in the genre, ''
Weird Tales ''Weird Tales'' is an American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine founded by J. C. Henneberger and J. M. Lansinger in late 1922. The first issue, dated March 1923, appeared on newsstands February 18. The first editor, Edwin Baird, prin ...
'', appeared in 1923 and by the 1930s was the genre's industry leader.Weinberg (1985a), pp. 626–628. ''Strange Tales'', launched in 1931 by
Clayton Publications Clayton may refer to: People * Clayton (name) *Clayton baronets *The Clayton Brothers, Jeff and John, jazz musicians * Clayton Brothers, Rob and Christian, painter artists *Justice Clayton (disambiguation), the judges Clayton Places Canada * Cla ...
as a direct rival to ''Weird Tales'', was one of a handful of magazines to seriously challenge for leadership of the field.Price (2005), p. 3−7. It was edited by Harry Bates, who also edited Clayton's ''
Astounding Stories of Super Science ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William Cl ...
'', which had begun publication the previous year. ''Strange Tales'' was launched as a fantasy magazine, but like ''Weird Tales'' it often published science-fiction stories, although unlike its rival its focus was on action stories rather than strange ideas. The title was originally planned to be ''Strange Stories'', but
Macfadden Publications Macfadden Communications Group is a publisher of business magazines. It has a historical link with a company started in 1898 by Bernarr Macfadden that was one of the largest magazine publishers of the twentieth century. History Macfadden Publ ...
, who had published ''True Strange Stories'' in 1929, challenged the title and forced Clayton to change it. Bates paid two cents per word, a higher rate than ''Weird Tales'', and attracted noted writers of the day. The magazine published "Wolves of Darkness" by
Jack Williamson John Stewart Williamson (April 29, 1908 – November 10, 2006), who wrote as Jack Williamson, was an American list of science fiction authors, science fiction writer, often called the "Dean of Science Fiction". He is also credited with one of t ...
, "Murgunstruum" by Hugh B. Cave, and "Cassius" by Henry Whitehead.
Clark Ashton Smith Clark Ashton Smith (January 13, 1893 – August 14, 1961) was an American writer and artist. He achieved early local recognition, largely through the enthusiasm of George Sterling, for traditional verse in the vein of Algernon Charles Swinburne ...
contributed five stories, including "The Return of the Sorcerer" in the first issue, and
Edmond Hamilton Edmond Moore Hamilton (October 21, 1904 – February 1, 1977) was an American writer of science fiction during the mid-twentieth century. Early life Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was raised there and in nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania. So ...
and
August Derleth August William Derleth (February 24, 1909 – July 4, 1971) was an American writer and anthologist. Though best remembered as the first book publisher of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, and for his own contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos and the ...
also appeared in the magazine. Robert E. Howard, later to become famous as the author of the
Conan the Barbarian Conan the Barbarian (also known as Conan the Cimmerian) is a fictional sword and sorcery hero who originated in pulp magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, films (including '' Conan the Barbarian'' and '' Conan the Destroyer'') ...
stories, sent several stories to ''Strange Tales''; some of the stories Bates rejected, such as "The Thing on the Roof" and "The Horror from the Mound", later appeared in ''Weird Tales'', but Bates accepted "The People of the Dark" after asking for revisions, and it was published in the June 1932 issue.Lord (2000), pp. 138–140. Howard also sold "The Valley of the Lost" to Bates, but it had not yet appeared when Clayton went bankrupt, and did not finally see publication until the 1960s.Ashley (1985), pp. 391–396. H.P. Lovecraft submitted several stories to Bates in early 1931, before the first issue had appeared, but the only work of his that appeared in ''Strange Tales'' was Henry Whitehead's "The Trap", part of which had been
ghostwritten ''Ghostwritten'' is the first novel published by English author David Mitchell. Published in 1999, it won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and was widely acclaimed. The story takes place mainly around East Asia, but also moves through Russia, B ...
by Lovecraft, and which appeared in the March 1932 issue.Murray (1990), pp. 3–5. In one of Lovecraft's letters he comments that he would not contribute to ''Strange Tales'' because "Bates couldn't guarantee me immunity from the copy-slasher's shears and blue pencil", but unpublished letters of his make it clear that his stories were too atmospheric and lacking in action for Bates. Lovecraft's response was dismissive, and he was subsequently contemptuous of both Bates and Clayton in his letters. The cover art for all seven covers was painted by Hans Wessolowski, under his professional name of "Wesso". Science-fiction historian Robert Weinberg asserts that ''Strange Tales'' published better material than ''Weird Tales'' during its short run, and fellow historian Mike Ashley regards it as a "close rival" to ''Weird Tales''. When Clayton went bankrupt in 1933, ''Astounding Stories'' was sold to Street & Smith, which planned to revive ''Strange Tales'' as well but ultimately did not. Some material acquired for this planned revival appeared in the October 1933 issue of ''Astounding'' instead. Between 2003 and 2007,
Wildside Press Wildside Press is an independent publishing company in Cabin John, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1989 by John Betancourt and Kim Betancourt. While the press was originally conceived as a publisher of speculative fiction in both trade ...
brought out three further issues, undated and numbered 8 through 10, edited by
Robert M. Price Robert McNair Price (born July 7, 1954) is an American New Testament scholar. His most notable stance is arguing in favor of the Christ myth theorythe claim that a historical Jesus did not exist. Price is the author of a number of books on bi ...
. The contents included stories by
L. Sprague de Camp Lyon Sprague de Camp (; November 27, 1907 – November 6, 2000) was an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and works of non-fiction, including biog ...
,
Richard Lupoff Richard Allen Lupoff (February 21, 1935 – October 22, 2020) was an American science-fiction and mystery author, who also wrote humor, satire, nonfiction and reviews. In addition to his two dozen novels and more than 40 short stories, he a ...
, and
John Betancourt John Gregory Betancourt (born October 25, 1963) is an American writer of science fiction, fantasy and mystery novels, as well as short stories. He is also known as the founder and publisher, with his wife Kim Betancourt, of Wildside Press in 1 ...
, and a reprint of "The Devil's Crypt", a story by E. Hoffmann Price that had appeared in ''
Strange Detective Stories Strange may refer to: Fiction * Strange (comic book), a comic book limited series by Marvel Comics * Strange (Marvel Comics), one of a pair of Marvel Comics characters known as The Strangers * Adam Strange, a DC Comics superhero * The title char ...
''.


Bibliographic details

The full title was ''Strange Tales of Mystery and Terror'', and the magazine is sometimes indexed under this title. Each issue was 144 pages long and priced at . The seven issues were divided into two volumes of three and a final volume of a single issue. A reprint anthology in
facsimile A facsimile (from Latin ''fac simile'', "to make alike") is a copy or reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, Old master print, art print, or other item of historical value that is as true to the original source as possible. It differs from ...
format, also titled ''Strange Tales'', appeared in 1976 from
Odyssey Press The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the ''Iliad'', the ...
, edited by Diane Howard, William H. Desmond, John Howard, and Robert K. Wiener. In addition, all stories from the first four issues, and most from the next two, were reprinted in four magazines edited by
Robert A.W. Lowndes Robert Augustine Ward "Doc" Lowndes (September 4, 1916 – July 14, 1998) was an American science fiction author, editing, editor and science fiction fandom, fan. He was known best as the editor of ''Future Science Fiction'', ''Science Fiction (A ...
from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s: ''
Magazine of Horror A magazine is a periodical literature, periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content (media), content. They are generally financed by advertising, newsagent's shop, ...
'', ''
Startling Mystery Stories Startling may refer to: * " Pandemic 2: The Startling", an episode of ''South Park'' * Startling Stories, an American pulp science fiction magazine 1939-1955 * Startling Music, a record label founded by Ringo Starr ** Startling Studios Titte ...
'', ''
Weird Terror Tales Weird derives from the Anglo-Saxon word Wyrd, meaning fate or destiny. In modern English it has acquired the meaning of “strange or uncanny”. It may also refer to: Places * Weird Lake, a lake in Minnesota, U.S. People *"Weird Al" Yankovic (b ...
'', and ''
Bizarre Fantasy Tales Bizarre may refer to: *Bizarre (rapper) (born 1976), an American rapper and member of hip hop group D12 *Bizarre (band), a Spanish rock band * ''Bizarre'' (TV series), a Canadian sketch comedy television series * ''Bizarre'' (magazine), a sister ...
''. The three Wildside Press revival issues were 112 pages, 92 pages, and 58 pages long, respectively; the size increased with each issue, from small pulp size, to a slightly larger format, to a full size pulp layout. They were not printed on pulp paper. Between 2004 and 2008 Wildside also reissued three of the original magazines in facsimile format; the issues chosen were dated March and October 1932, and January 1933.Bates (2004); Bates (2005); Bates (2008).


References


Sources

* * * * * Bates, Harry. (2004). ''Strange Tales January 1933''. Rockville Maryland: Wildside Press. . * Bates, Harry. (2005). ''Strange Tales March 1932''. Rockville Maryland: Wildside Press. . * Bates, Harry. (2008). ''Strange Tales October 1932''. Rockville Maryland: Wildside Press. . * * * * * * * * * * {{Good article Pulp magazines Fantasy fiction magazines Magazines established in 1931 Magazines disestablished in 1933 Magazines published in New York City Magazines published in Pennsylvania Magazines published in Maryland Defunct science fiction magazines published in the United States Weird fiction