A Forgotten Classic Comes to Lurid-lit

The 19th century poem with 20th century art is on www.lurid-lit.com NOW.

THE HOLE has been published

In tomorrow's SCHLOCK! WEBZINE. It's nice to be on the marquee with Mr. Poe.

Classic Book Review: POE AND CHIVERS by Landon C. Bell, 1931.

This is a classic and probably an unknown classic to most. Here is the 'inside baseball' view of the claims made by minor poet THOMAS HOLLEY CHIVERS against Edgar Allan Poe for plagiarism involving several works including THE RAVEN.

Very technical but very much worth reading.

So this is all you can come up with for 400?

As I was running errands today I stopped at a Tag Sale. From time to time I do looking for other peoples' junk that I feel will enhance my junk. My big find today is a spittoon embossed with the name 'Lovecraft'.

Now I don't believe for an instant that this collector of saliva actually belonged to the king of horror, but with the name 'Lovecraft emblazoned on it well, it must be worth something right?

Yeah of course. This brass jewel is probably worth a couple of hundred or even a couple of thousand dollars to horror fans. Yeah, just think how fast I can turn this baby around on eBay.......

Yeah, if it existed.

My point is why are all H P Lovecraft books more expensive than other horror writers? Even his contemporaries/ Why do book dealers feel they have to pick the pocket of the literary class for the opportunity to view stories that are in the public domain?

Surely it has to do with the absolute reverence of the man and his writings; that collectors, much as they have done with Poe, believe that if they possess these volumes published long ago, in their offices and libraries, the 'mojo' will wear off  on their own keyboards.

Fine. But books were meant to be read; authors studied and their tales dissected for genius. When he cease to delve into the psyche of those who paved away and treat their volumes like religious artifacts we run the risk of devaluing their work making it akin to a spittoon and rendering ourselves functionally illiterate.

Happy 400 and hope to have 400 and more to come.

And then Edgar says:

"Do you like my hat? I got it yesterday for my birthday..." ME: "I think we drank too much tequila." POE: "Yeah, but I got this hat."

Edgar Allan Poe: The Interview Part, we forgot the number and are too lazy to look it up

ME: Have you been following this fake dead girlfriend story involving Notre Dame football standout Manti Te'o? POE: Can't help it. That story interrupted my following of Lance Armstrong? ME: We'll get to him in a second. But where did they go wrong in the telling of their tale? You have written extensively about fake dead chicks and you've pulled it off. Where did they go wrong in their narrative? POE: Writing involves a rhythm to the language and the imagery. This tale was just too damn sappy to be believable. WE: Agreed. I thought it jumped the shark early on with all the melodrama. By the way, nice hat. POE: Thank you. ME: So what is your reaction on Lance Armstrong? POE: Lance Armstrong, don't let me get started! ME: Okay we won't. Thank you.

Meanwhile He's Still Thinking.........

ME: Take your time, I know this is a difficult one. POE: I did enjoy the double episode with Jenna Elfman. ME: Me too but I think that was because it was Jenna Elfman. POE: Yeah, right.

Edgar Allan Poe Interview Part 2

ME: You were born in Boston? POE: Yes. ME: But you spent a considerable amount of time and died in Baltimore? POE: Yes, a great town. The nightlife was hopping. ME: So let me ask you; Patriots or Ravens this Sunday? POE: You have to ask? While I respect Tom Brady and his offense I think Ed Reed is going to have a big game. Ravens 27 Patriots 24. ME: "The Raven", "The Bells", "The Tell-Tale Heart","The Black Cat", so many chilling tales and verses of terror and horror. Tell me, 'Two and a Half Men' with Sheen or Kutcher? POE:(silent),I thought the story arc involving Jenna Elfman was interesting. ME: Yeah, she is a good actress.

The Interview PART 1

Today we meet with a man who is a great influence on my philosophy of literature; on my thematic view of the world; and who was a great speller. Today we begin a series of interviews with a giant of letters; a man who truly was the 'scariest man alive'; and a man with a great alto-baritone singing voice. Ladies and Gentlemen, with great apologies to Monty Python, the late, great EDGAR ALLAN POE. ME: Mr. Poe, or can I call you Edgar? POE: You can can me Edgar. ME: What about Ed or Eddie? POE: Edgar is fine. ME: EA? POE: Mr. Poe will suffice. ME: Thank you. Edgar, what is with the spelling of Allan? I see it with an 'a' and with an 'e'. Is it either or both or something unique like Liza with a 'Z'? POE: Liza with a what? ME: A 'Z' like xylophone. PART 2 next Wednesday.....Wednesdays with Edgar.....

We were remiss...

in not marking the death of Edgar Allan Poe yesterday. Ironic that work and life got in the way. This is the 163rd anniversary of Mr. Poe's death from what apparently is now being reported as rabies. Whatever the cause we salute the man many of us owe so much too.