Join us at the 36th Annual Los Angeles Vintage Paperback Show. We’ll be signing and selling the latest books from Cycatrix Press, Jason V Brock, and William F. Nolan.
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Los Angeles Morgue Files: “Twilight Zone” Writer Charles Beaumont 1967…
Charles Beaumont (January 2, 1929 – February 21, 1967) was a prolific American author of speculative fiction, including short stories in the horror and science fiction subgenres. He is remembered as a writer of classic Twilight Zone episodes, such as “The Howling Man,” “Miniature,” and “Printer’s Devil,” but also penned the screenplays for several films, among them 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, The Intruder and The Masque of the Red Death. As best-selling novelist Dean R. Koontz has said, “[Charles Beaumont was] one of the seminal influences on writers of the fantastic and macabre.” Beaumont is also the subject of a documentary, Charles Beaumont: The Life of Twilight Zone’s Magic Man, by Jason V Brock.
Illness and death
When Beaumont was 34 and overwhelmed by numerous writing commitments, he began to suffer the effects of what has been called “a mysterious brain disease.” He began to age rapidly. His speech slowed and his ability to concentrate diminished.
“He was rarely well,” his friend and colleague William F. Nolan (who went on to co-write the science fiction novel Logan’s Run) would later recall. “He was almost always thin, and with a headache. He used Bromo-Seltzer like most people use water. He had a big Bromo bottle with him all the time.” Other symptoms were of the professional as well as physical persuasion, Nolan went on: “He could barely sell stories, much less write. He would go unshaven to meetings with producers, which would end in disaster. You’ve got to be able to think on your feet [as a script writer], which Chuck couldn’t do anymore; and so the producers would just go, ‘We’re sorry, Mr. Beaumont, but we don’t like the script.'”
Some (including friend and early agent Forrest J Ackerman) have asserted that Beaumont suffered simultaneously from Alzheimer’s and Pick’s diseases, but it has also been speculated that the condition was related to the spinal meningitis he suffered as a child. The former diagnosis was echoed by the UCLA Medical Staff, who subjected Beaumont to a battery of tests in the mid-1960s. As recalled by Nolan, the UCLA doctors sent Beaumont home with a death sentence: “There’s absolutely no treatment for this disease. It’s permanent and it’s terminal. He’ll probably live from six months to three years with it. He’ll decline and get to where he can’t stand up. He won’t feel any pain. In fact, he won’t even know this is happening.” Nolan himself sums up what happened: “Like his character ‘Walter Jameson,’ Chuck just dusted away.”
Several fellow writers, including Nolan and friend Jerry Sohl, began ghostwriting for Beaumont in his final years, so that he could meet his many writing obligations. Privately, he insisted on splitting these fees.
Charles Beaumont died in Woodland Hills, California at the age of 38. But at that time, said his son Christopher later, “he looked ninety-five and was, in fact, ninety-five by every calendar except the one on your watch.” Beaumont’s last residence was in nearby Valley Village, California. He left behind his devoted wife Helen, and two sons and two daughters. One son died in 2004 of eerily similar circumstances. The other, Christopher, is a successful writer in his own right.
Charles Beaumont is buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetery.
Like a Dead Man Walking, by William F. Nolan, Centipede Press,…
Like a Dead Man Walking, by William F. Nolan, Centipede Press, 2014. Cover art by David Ho, info and preview: centipedepress.com.
“Sherlock Holmes…Interdimensional demons…Aliens…Killers and child predators…Time travelers…Vampires…Even the end of the world, in more ways than one…All are contained within these pages. From the darkest corners of imagination to the precipice of human achievement, William F. Nolan delivers the goods in this assortment of recent works: his first all-new collection in his long and storied career. Working with editor Jason V Brock (Milton’s Children), Nolan brings to shocking life not only debauched murderers and depraved loners, but also fascinating portraits of personal reflection; the heroes of yore in poetry; pages from Nolan’s notebook; and an exclusive, intimate interview with his beloved friend, the late Richard Matheson (I Am Legend). Centipede Press is pleased and proud to offer this fantastic new assemblage of tales from an acknowledged master of the dark fantasy and science fiction genres, complete with insights into the stories, and a probing intrtoduction from editor Brock: This is not only Nolan’s most recent collection, but likely his very best. Come along for the ride and discover things that may (or may not) be Like a Dead Man Walking…You are sure to enjoy the journey. This signed limited edition is just 300 copies. The dustjacket is the work of David Ho. Each copy is signed by William F. Nolan, Jason V Brock, and David Ho.”
10:00 am |
Gennaio 26 2014
| 2 note
Weird Fiction Review #4, November 2013, edited by S.T. Joshi,…
Weird Fiction Review #4, November 2013, edited by S.T. Joshi, Centipede Press, 2014. Cover art by Bob Eggleton, info and previews: centipedepress.com.
“The Weird Fiction Review is an annual periodical devoted to the study of weird and supernatural fiction. It is edited by S.T. Joshi. This fourth issue contains fiction, poetry, and reviews from leading writers and promising newcomers. It features original stories and essays by J. C. Hemphill, Donald Tyson, Mark Fuller Dillon, Ann K. Schwader, Michael Washburn, James Goho; a lengthy interview with Patrick McGrath; an 8-page full-color gallery of art by Bob Eggleton; regular columns by Danel Olson and John Pelan and much more.”
Contents:
Rare Breeds, Short fiction by J.C. Hemphill
Lunguistica Obscura, Short fiction by Lynne Jamneck
HPL and WHH: Ships in the Night, Essay by Sam Gafford
Stranger On a Bus, Short fiction by Donald Tyson
The Pukey, Classic short story by Nigel Dennis
The Twilight Zone: American Alien-Nation, Article by Christopher Cappelluti
The Vast Impatience of the Night, Fiction by Mark Fuller Dilon
Halsey and the Padre: A Fourteen-Year Old’s Perspective on Henry S. Whitehead, Article by David Goudsward
Wales and the Weird Tale, Article by Mark Howard Jones
Heh, Heh, It’s Jack Davis, A look at the classic E.C. Illustrator by John Butler
This Red Night, Fiction by Michael Kelly
The Tell-Tale Offal, Fiction by Clint Smith
The Haunted Wood: Algernon Blackwood’s Canadian Stories, Article by James Goho
Artist Portfolio, Eight pages of stunning full-color works by Bob Eggleton
The New Monster Magazines, Article by John Butler
Forrest J Ackerman: Fan Zero, Article by Jason V. Brock
An Offer You Can’t Refuse, Fiction by Michael Washburn
Dennis Etchison’s The Dark Country: After Bradbury, Article by Simon MacCulloch
Through Haunted Minds: An Interview with Patrick McGrath by Danel Olson
Casket Letters, The Gothic Year in Review by Daniel Olson
Forgotten Masters of thr Weird Tale, John Pelan talks about Edmund Snell
Notes on Contributors
Poetry:
Leigh Blackmore
Philip A. Ellis
Angelee Sailer Anderson
Charles Lovecraft
Ann K. Schwader
Sam Middleton
Fred Phillips
Wade German
8:00 am |
Febbraio 4 2014
| 3 note
