Bibliography: pulps in general

Listed below is bibliographic information for books and articles dealing with pulps in general. If you know of a book or an article not listed, please let us know by e-mailing ThePulp.Net.

Comments regarding entries appear below the bibliographic information. Unsigned comments are those of ThePulp.Net staff; comments by contributors are credited.

Agnew, Jeremy. The Age of Dimes and Pulps: A History of Sensationalist Literature, 1830-1960. MacFarland Books, 2018.

Ashley, Mike. The Complete Index to Astounding/Analog Robert Weinberg Publications, 1981.

Described inside as an index to the 50 years of Astounding Stories, Astounding Science Fiction, and Analog (January 1930-December 1979), with the Analog Annual, the Analog Yearbook, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Anthology, this 252-page guide was compiled by Ashley, with the assistance of Terry Jeeves.

Ashley, Mike, ed. Introduction, “Spectral Memories,” to Phantom Perfumes and Other Shades: Memories of ‘Ghost Stories’ Magazine Ash-Tree Press, 2000.

This collection of 17 short stories from the pulp includes a forward, “Looking Back,” by Hugh B. Cave; information about the authors, including Frank Belknap Long Jr. and Ethel Watts Mumford; a Ghost Stories checklist; and index of contributors.

Barbour, Alan G. Cliffhanger: A Pictorial History of the Motion Picture Serial Citadel Press, 1979.

There’s a chapter on pulp characters who made the jump from page to screen, plus other chapters touch on Tarzan and other pulp characters.

Beaumont, Charles. “The Bloody Pulps,” Playboy magazine September 1962.

A PDF version of this article is available at the defunct Science Fiction 101 site. Beaumont wrote several novels and stories that appeared in Amazing Stories and other sf digests in the early 1950s, but is probably best known for his TV work, particularly his contributions to The Twilight Zone.

Bedford-Jones, H. The Graduate Fictioneer Author & Journalist Publishing Co., 1932.

Bedford-Jones, H. This Fiction Business Covici-Fried Publishers 1929.

Bleiler, Richard J. The Annotated Index to the ‘Thrill Book’: Complete Indexes to and Descriptions of Everything Published in Street & Smith’s ‘Thrill Book’ Starmont Reference Guides. Starmont House, 1991.

Bleiler, Richard J. The Index to ‘Adventure Magazine’ Starmont House, 1990.

According to Richard Bleiler, this reference work opens with a 20,000-word history of the magazine, then continues with a thorough index of authors and illustrators, complete with biographical information.

Bowman, Ray F. An Index: ‘Famous Fantastic Mysteries’ and ‘Fantastic Novels’ Ray F. Bowman, 1991.

Bowman, Ray F., ed. An Index to ‘Galaxy Science Fiction’ Ray F. Bowman, 1987.

Bowman, Ray F. An Index to ‘Planet Stories’ Ray F. Bowman, 1990.

Brown, Brian Earl. Bibliopulpica: The Mother of All Indexes Brian Earl Brown, 2004.

Brown, Lindsay; and Jade Chen, eds. The Incredible Pulps: A Gallery of Fiction Magazine Art Collectors Press Inc., 2006.

This diminutive book recycles pulp cover art from Collectors Press’ other pulp art books, but includes a new introduction by Frank M. Robinson.

Cottrill, Tim. Bookery Fantasy’s Ultimate Guide to the Pulps and Related Magazines 1896-1959 Bookery Press, 2001, 2005; (retitled and revised as Bookery’s Guide to Pulps & Related Magazines) Ivy Press, 2020.

At 540 pages, the Ultimate Guide puts a handy reference at your fingertips. We can’t vouch for the price estimates, but the Guide provides a great source for cover artists and authors for particular issues of many pulps.

Carr, Wooda “Nick”. Master of the Pulps: The Collected Essays of Nick Carr Wild Cat Books, 2006.

Carr, Wooda N. The Other Detective Pulp Heroes Tattered Pages Press, 1992.

Clear, Richard E. Old Magazines: Identification & Value Guide Collector Books, 2007.

Cook, Fred. Starmont Index to Argosy 1930-43 Borgo Press, 1994.

Daniels, Les. Batman: The Complete History Chronicle Books, 1999.

Though the book is about Batman, it includes details of how pulp characters — The Shadow, The Phantom Detective, the Bat, and others — influenced the creation of the comic-book hero.

Darrach, Brad. “Back to the Gore of Yore,” Time July 5, 1971, 72-73.

Brad Darrach’s article recalls the bloody pulps.

Davis, Norbert. The Adventures of Max Latin Mysterious Press, 1988.

The item of interest here is the eight-page introduction by John D. MacDonald, who also wrote 39 stories for Dime Detective between 1946-1952. This introduction covers not only the Max Latin character but Norbert Davis’ life and some of MacDonald’s pulp career. An interesting introduction, more so than most I have seen. — Monte Herridge

DeForest, Tim. Storytelling in the Pulps, Comics and Radio: How Technology Changed Popular Fiction in America McFarland & Co., 2004.

DeWalt, John, ed. Keys to Other Doors: Some Lists for a Pulp Collector’s Notebook Morris Publishing, 1995, 1998.

John DeWalt’s book collects a variety of checklists, including current and discontinued — at the time of publication — fanzines, pulp reprints, and pulp heroes, into one volume. Also included is a list of the Pulpcons, with locations, guests of honor, and winners of the Lamont Award.

Dinan, John. “Thrilling Detective” Paper Collectors’ Marketplace January 2001, 12-13, 64.

Dinan presents a short history of Thrilling Detective magazine, with particular interest in editor Leo Marguiles.

Durie, Alistair. Weird Tales Jupiter, 1979.

“Not the greatest printing quality, but about 120 pages of Weird Tales covers (16 in color) with brief commentary.” — John DeWalt

Dziemianowicz, Stefan R. The Annotated Guide to ‘Unknown’ and ‘Unknown Worlds’ Starmont Studies in Literary Criticism. Starmont House, 1991.

Ellis, Doug; and Deb Fulton, eds. Pulp Vault No. 12/13, Tattered Pages Press (1996).

With our focus on books and magazines, we typically avoid listing fanzines in ThePulp.Net’s bibliography section simply because of their proliferation. But, we felt we could make an exception with this issue of Pulp Vault. It is more along the lines of one of James Van Hise’s books. This combined issue of Pulp Vault is over 150 pages and has a color cover and binding so it appears to be a trade paperback book. Among the articles included are:

• “Memories of Frank Belknap Long,” Mike Ashley.
• “My Life in the Pulps: Guest of Honor Speech, Pulpcon 23,” Bruce Cassiday.
• “Richard Sale,” Will Murray.
• “Len Siringo and the Villains,” Nick Carr.
• “Flash Gordon,” Everett F. Bleiler.
• “All Right, Which One of You Is Maxwell Grant?” Curt Ladnier.
• “Published Pulp Stories by Hugh B. Cave,” Hugh B. Cave.
• “The Pulp Magazine Index,” John Locke.

Ellis, Doug; Ed Hulse; and Robert Weinberg. The Art of the Pulps: An Illustrated History IDW Publishing, 2017.

Ellis, Doug; John Locke; and John Gunnison. The Adventure House Guide to the Pulps: The Checklist of the Pulp Magazine Era Adventure House, 2000.

This exhaustive pulp listing pulls together checklist information from contributors such as Robert Weinberg, Leonard Robbins, William Contento, Steve Miller, Frank Robinson, Jim Steranko, and more. Though the checklist takes up the majority of the 300-plus page book, there’s more. The authors include a “Two Minute History” of the pulps and articles on pulp collecting, grading, preservation, and pricing.

Frye, Todd, ed. Amazing! Astonishing! Weird!: The Complete Pulp Magazine Covers, Vol. 2, Todd Frye, 2017.

Frye, Todd, ed. Fantastic Planets: The Complete Pulp Magazine Covers, Vol. 1, Todd Frye, 2016.

Gallagher, Edward J. The Annotated Guide to ‘Fantastic Adventures’ Starmont Reference Guides, Starmont House, 1985.

Gammell, Leon. The Annotated Guide to ‘Startling Stories’ Starmont Reference Guides, Starmont House, 1986.

Goodstone, Tony, ed. The Pulps Chelsea House, 1970.

“Your life is incomplete without this book…” — John DeWalt

Goulart, Ron. Cheap Thrills: An Informal History of the Pulp Magazine Arlington House, 1972. (Also in paperback as An Informal History of the Pulp Magazine Ace Books, 1973.).

“… or this one. It’s high time for a reprint by somebody.” — John DeWalt

Goulart, Ron, ed. The Encyclopedia of American Comics: From 1897 to the Present Facts On File, 1990.

You’ll find information on characters — such as Doc Savage, Conan, The Shadow, Sheena, Tarzan, and Flash Gordon — and writers — such as Otto Bender — that moved between the world of pulps and the world of comics and comic books during their heyday.

Hagemann, E.R. Comprehensive Index to ‘Black Mask’: 1920-1951 Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1982.

“236 pages of mostly author index, with series characters noted after each story title.” — John DeWalt

Haining, Peter. The Classic Era of American Pulp Magazines Chicago Review Press, 2001.

Hamilton, Frank; and Link Hullar. Favorites Tattered Pages Press.

Hasson, Moises. Hombres Audaces, A Comprehensive Guide and Index (to) Street & Smith Pulp Heroes in Spanish Moises Hasson, 1993.

“Many of the hero pulp stories were printed in Spanish in Spain and Argentina.” — Al Tonik

Hickman, Lynn, ed. The Collected ‘Pulp Era,’ Vol. 1 Mark Hickman, 2013.

This volume, with an introduction by Gary Zachrich, reprints Lynn Hickman’s early pulp fanzine, JD-Argassy No. 60 and The Pulp Era Nos. 61-67.

Hoppenstand, Gary, ed. Critical Insights: Pulp Fiction of the 1920s and 1930s Salem Press, 2013.

Hulse, Ed, ed. The Best of Blood ‘n’ Thunder Murania Press, 2011.

A collection of articles and columns from the first 10 issues of Blood ‘n’ Thunder.

Hulse, Ed, ed. The Best of Blood ‘n’ Thunder, Vol. 2 Murania Press, 2013.

A collection of articles and columns from the issues 11 through 21 of Blood ‘n’ Thunder.

Hulse, Ed, ed. The Blood ‘n’ Thunder Guide to Collecting Pulps Murania Press, 2007.

Hulse, Ed, ed. The Blood ‘n’ Thunder Guide to Pulp Fiction Murania Press, 2013; 2024.

The follow-up to “The Blood ‘n’ Thunder Guide to Collecting Pulps” refocuses and expands this handy reference for pulp collectors.

Jaffery, Sheldon; and Fred Cook. The Collector’s Index to ‘Weird Tales’ Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1985.

Jones, Robert Kenneth. The Lure of ‘Adventure’ Starmont Pulp and Dime Novel Studies. Starmont House, 1989; Wildside Press, 2007.

Lesser, Robert. Pulp Art: Original Cover Paintings for the Great American Pulp Magazines Gramercy, 1997.

This book is a collection of original paintings from Lesser’s collection by pulp artists such as Virgil Finlay, Rafael de Soto, J. Allen St. John, and George Rozen.

Locke, John. The Thing’s Incredible! The Secret Origins of ‘Weird Tales’ Off-Trail Publications, 2018.

Madison, Nathan Vernon. Anti-Foreign Imagery in American Pulps and Comic Books, 1920-1960 McFarland, 2013.

Maglio, Mitch. Fiction House: From Pulps to Panels, From Jungles to Space. Yoe Books, 2017.

Fiction House’s pulps are discussed in the first few sections of this book, which sets the stage for the remaining 95 percent that is spent covering the publishing firm’s comic books and reproducing comic-book pages.

McGinness, Neil. Pulp Power: The Shadow, Doc Savage, and the Art of the Street & Smith Universe. Abrams, 2022.

This nice looking book is mostly pulp-cover eye-candy, with an unhealthy dose of cross-promotion for Condé Nast’s new pulp-inspired fiction from the James Patterson book mill.

McKinstry, Lohr; and Robert Weinberg. The Hero-Pulp Index unknown, 1970; Opar Press, 1971.

“The Opar edition was actually the third (second official) printed. Weinberg and I did a mimeographed edition that we circulated for errors and inclusions from fans and dealers. That was incorporated into the first official edition. However, I did most of the indexing for the first edition. Weinberg did a second official edition with Opar and wrote thumbnail sketches of the characters.” – Lohr McKinstry

Metzger, Arthur. An Index and Short History of ‘Unknown’ T.K. Graphics, 1976.

Nevins, Jess. The Pulps: A Yearly Guide. Jess Nevins, 2016.

Jess Nevins takes a novel approach to his history of the pulp magazines. Rather than a traditional history, he interweaves charts and statistics of annual pulp magazine title counts and genres with short passages that place the pulps in context of the times.

Nieminski, John. EQMM 350: Author/Title Index to ‘Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine,’ Fall 1941 through January 1973 The Armchair Detective Press, 1974.

Nummelin, Juri. Pulpografia Nummelin, 2000.

The book “is in Finnish and focuses on the American hardboiled writers published in Finnish translations.” — Juri Nummelin

Pendergast, Tom; and Sara Pendergast, eds. St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Vols. 1-5, St. James Press, 2000.

This five-volume set includes entries for a number of pulp magazines and characters, along with information on editors and fictioneers.

Reynolds, Quentin. Fiction Factory: From Pulp Road to Quality Street Random House, 1956.

“Some serious gaffs and omissions. I’ve heard Reynolds wouldn’t take time to do his homework at the Street & Smith offices.” — John DeWalt

Robbins, Leonard A. The Pulp Magazine Index Starmont, 1989.

There are six volumes in this series. — John DeWalt

Robinson, Frank M. The Incredible Pulps: A Gallery of Fiction Magazine Art Collector Press, 2006.

Robinson, Frank M. “The Story Behind the Original All-Story” Zoetrope: All-Story Vol. 4 No. 1 (Spring 2000), 55-56.

Robinson’s article about The All-Story is part of an issue of Francis Ford Coppola’s short-story magazine devoted to fiction in the style of the pulps. Though most of the stories are original, the magazine also includes an excerpt from Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs which first serialized in the original All-Story. The magazine’s content is available online through an archived version on the Wayback Machine at Archive.org.

Robinson, Frank M.; and Lawrence Davidson. Pulp Culture: The Art of Fiction Magazines Collector’s Press 1998.

“Pulp Culture celebrates the (pulp) genre with style,” writes David Middleton in a review in January Magazine .

Robinson, Frank M.; Robert Weinberg; and Randy Broecker. Art of the Imagination: 20th Century Visions of Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy Collectors Press, 2002.

Rogers, Alva. A Requiem for ‘Astounding’ Advent Publishers, 1964.

Features editorial comments by Harry Bates, F. Orlin Tremaine, and John W. Campbell. “(Includes) close looks at most issues; comment on fiction, covers, etc.” — John DeWalt

Roy, John Flint. A Guide to Barsoom: The Mars of Edgar Rice Burroughs Ballantine Books, 1976; ReAnimus Press, 2012.

Sampson, Robert. Deadly Excitements, Shadows, and Phantoms Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1989.

“A collections of 24 articles written about characters in the pulps with connectng material to make a book. Sampson is by far the best author to write about the pulps.” — Al Tonik

Server, Lee. Danger Is My Business: An Illustrated History of the Fabulous Pulp Magazines 1896-1953 Chronicle Books, 1993.

Silberman, Vanessa. “Art That Pushes the Envelope: Sensational, Colorful, and Slightly Suggestive, the Eye-popping Pulp Art of the 1920s Through the 1950s Has Become a Hot Collector’s Item” Art Business News, February 2002.

Smith, Erin A. Hard-Boiled: Working-Class Readers and Pulp Magazines Temple University Press, 2000.

Sweet, Jonathan W. The Beginner’s Guide to Pulp Fiction, Vol. 1: The Heroes, The Villains, and the Writers Brick Pickle Media, 2019.

As Sweet writes in an introduction, this is a “101-level course on the pulp magazines and heroes.” He provides a few paragraphs that profile a number of pulp fictioneers and characters. The slim book ends with “Lester Dent’s Pulp Master Fiction Plot” and a short bibliography of pulp references.

Syracuse University Library. Orange Pulp Syracuse University Library Special Collections, 2011.

This slim volume was the guide book for “Orange Pulp,” an exhibition showcasing the university’s Street & Smith archive, and offers an overview of pulp magazines and profiles of a handful of pulp authors, editors, artists, and characters.

Tefertillar, Robert L. “Clandestine Reading: The Gone but not Forgotten Pulps,” Antiques and Collecting Magazine Vol. 99, No. 3 (May 1994), 47, 58-59.

Tefertillar recalls being a kid growing up reading the pulps. Also included is a short box on the history of the pulps and pulp pricing.

Traylor, James, ed. “Dime Detective” Companion Altus Press, 2011.

This appears to be an expanded, revised version of the “Dime Detective” Index (see just below).

Traylor, James, ed. “Dime Detective” Index Pulp Collectors Press, 1986.

“Contains lists by table of contents, by author, by character and biographies for some authors.” — Al Tonik

Underwood, Tim; Arnie Feener; and Cathy Feener, eds. Savage Art: 20th Century Genre and the Artists that Defined It Underwood Books, 2010.

There’s a nice intro by the perennial Frank M. Robinson and nice reproduction, but what this book lacks is context. Artists are identified, but no such luck knowing for what pulp a specific painting was used. (Curiously, there are even a few Jerome Rozen reproductions of his brother George Rozen’s pulp paintings.)

(Unsigned). “The 50 Rarest Pulps” Mediascene No. 18 (March-April 1976), 22-25.

James Steranko’s magazine asked a panel of pulp veterans and historians, including Robert Weinberg, Fred Cook, Joe Goggin; and Ernest Toth, to help it select this collector’s list.

(Unsigned). From “Amazing Stories” to “Weird Tales”: Covering Pulp Fiction William Benton Museum of Art, 2010.

This booklet was issued for the Connecticut museum’s 2010 exhibition of the same name.

(Unsigned). Index to British Science Fiction Magazines, 1934-1953 seven parts, Australian Science Fiction Association, 1968-1975.

(Unsigned). “The Pulps Are Coming Out of The Shadow,” Washington Post-L.A. Times Wire Service, May 8, 1977.

A look at the revival in the popularity of the pulps, with comments by Popular Publications founder Henry Steeger and The Shadow author Walter B. Gibson.

Van Hise, James, ed. Pulp Heroes of the Thirties Midnight Graffiti Publications, 1994/1997.

A collection of articles on pulp characters, writers, and artists, as well as three works of fiction. It features reprinted articles and original works, including:

• “Sex and The Spider,” Robert Sampson.
• “The Top 10 Spider Novels — and One Stinker,” Will Murray, et al.
• “Twenty Years of Murder,” Don Hutchison.
• “A Penny a Word.”
• “Hardboiled Detectibles,” Rex Miller.
• “The Pulp Heroes and the Death Syndrome, or a Death-Defying Act.”

The second edition of this book includes 44 additional pages and includes additional articles.

Van Hise, James, ed. Pulp Magazine Thrillers: Heroes and Horrors of the ’30s and ’40s Midnight Graffiti Publications, 1998.

Van Hise again has collected a mixture of articles that includes some new and many reprinted from fanzines and magazines. Among the articles:

• “Contemplating Sex and Torture in the Pulps,” Nick Carr.
• “The Top 10 Doc Savage Novels — and One Stinker,” Will Murray, et al.
• “Me and My Shadow,” Sam Moskowitz.
• “Saga of the Secret Six,” Wooda N. Carr.
• “The Robert E. Howard Conan Stories Never Published in Weird Tales,” James Van Hise.
• “The Thrill Book,” Bob Jones.

Van Hise, James, ed. PulpMasters Midnight Graffiti Publications, 1996.

Another collection of articles on pulp characters, writers, and artists. It features reprinted articles and original works, including:

• “Pulps — Television of the 1930s,” Erika Fensley.
• “The Top 25 Shadow Novels — and One Stinker,” Will Murray, et al.
• “Modern Pulp Fandom.”
• “How I Write,” Norvell W. Page.
• “Robert E. Howard: Master of the Dark Fantastic,” James Van Hise.
• “Margaret Brundage: The Great Lady of Weird Tales,” James Van Hise.

Weinberg, Robert. The ‘Weird Tales’ Story FAX, 1977.

Interviews with artists and authors are the foundation for a study of the fantasy and horror magazine.

Wilkinson, Richard Hill. “Whatever Happened to the Pulps?” Saturday Review Feb. 10, 1962, 60-61, 67.

Wilkinson, who wrote chiefly western fiction under the names of R.R. Meredith, Thomas Christie, and Lt. Harlan Hayford, discusses writing pulps and offers his opinions on what killed them off.