Well... it's possible....

[j d worthington]

I'm not really sure where to put this, as it isn't a publication announcement per se; nor is it about writing advice; nor "future" projects... but I've been sitting on the news for almost a week now, in part just adjusting to the situation and in part not entirely sure whether I should say anything until I have more definite information, but... what the heck. I'm excited, and decided to share my good news anyway.

This past Monday I received an email from Derrick Hussey of Hippocampus Press, replying to a query I had sent him about some HPL-related materials; and in the course of the reply he asked me to put together a selection of my writings on Lovecraft and send them along to be considered for publication as a book. Now, this is nothing definite, and I still have to get all the contents sorted out (including making choices among the numerous things I've got written but not submitted; making revisions on a few of the pieces I definitely want to include; and writing at least a couple of fairly sizable new pieces to go with this as a sort of keynote to the whole)... but it is nonetheless, I feel, one heck of an encouraging note. Especially as this was not in response to anything on my part concerning my work... though Wilum did drop a bug in his ear on the subject; so I owe Mr. Pugmire a very big one....

Anyhoo, for those interested, just thought I'd pass this along. It may not pan out but, for the moment at least, it has definitely done something to turn around a year which had been, so far, an absolute monster from the get-go....

 

[Warren_Paul]

Congratulations, fingers crossed then aye? I think there is a post down in the lounge for news and exciting things isn't there?

I would definitely find it encouraging to get a request for more material back from a query, shows you have something they are interested in, good luck!

 

[dask]

Well, it's about time the outside world found out about the treasure trove we have here at the Chrons. Congratulations in the biggest way.

 

[j d worthington]

Thank you both.

I had thought of putting it in the Lounge, but even to me -- who basically encouraged the rather eclectic nature of that place -- this seemed... not quite appropriate for the sort of free-wheeling luna.... ummm, playfulness of that domain....

One clarification, though... my query was about some things I wished to receive from their catalogue; it in no way related to my own writings (save as far as those items would be used for research); making the surprise of the invitation all the greater....

And I've spent the bulk of the day plowing through a large chunk of this thing, discarding quite a few things, setting aside others... and working on, as I said, a fairly substantial new piece on works of his that have received veeerrrry little attention heretofore....

(Dask: You're the third person to say something like that to me in the past few days; you guys keep this up, and I won't be able to get my head through the door... not even that for the TR following one of Hoops' little "flings".... (Hi, there, Newt!))

 

[Parson]

J.D. This is really fantastic news. I consider you near a perfect source for anything odd and/or old in S.F. And to may way of thinking Lovecraft qualifies in both the Odd and Old categories.

 

[HoopyFrood]

(Dask: You're the third person to say something like that to me in the past few days; you guys keep this up, and I won't be able to get my head through the door... not even that for the TR following one of Hoops' little "flings".... (Hi, there, Newt!))

I dunno, all those nice congratulations I give you and this is my repayment. I'll revoke them, you know! I'll do it!

But in the meantime, seeing as you've heard it all, I'll just add another "woot!"

 

[The Judge]

Congratulations, jd, and undoubtedly not before time! Fingers firmly crossed that they love everything you submit -- and ask for more for a second volume!

I agree this isn't really GWD, though. As and when it's finalised and ready it'll be a Press Release, but in the meantime I think this is one for the HPL section itself -- and I imagine there are some who haunt its dark and dismal passages who never frequent the glorious uplands of Aspiring Writers, so best to get it over there so they know of your success! Shall I leave you to do the heavy lifting?

 

[Flugel Meister]

Great news, jd. Congratulations!

 

[Toby Frost]

That's very exciting. I hope it works out well!

Can I put in a request? I think you should do an article/essay on "Why you should read Lovecraft". While I have read a fair bit of his work, I've come to something of a dead end and feel that, now that I've got the "Greatest hits", it's hard to know where to go. I wonder if there are more people in that situation, and whether we need general guidance on where to look now. I think you'd be good at it.

 

[ctg]

Congratulations JD. Well done. That is fantastic news.

You said that you'd need write a coupe of stories before you send it out, but does it mean that poor fellow cannot read most part of the package, before you send it in?

 

[MemoryTale]

Congratulations, I hope this pans out for you

 

[Moonbat]

Yes, well done JD.

It always surprises me how far Lovecraft's influence has reached, I have just read a Conan graphic novel (vol 4 - the hall of the dead) and it seemed (to me anyway) that there was a bunch of Lovecraft inspired langauge used by the frogs. Words like 'Nugoth' 'Athum' and phrases like 'Goth Et emm Raa' or 'Nugoth emm ett' not too far from HP's alien languages.

 

[Vertigo]

Congratulations JD. I'm not a Lovecraft fan myself (maybe one day!) but I am aware of your extensive knowledge and it's good to see it being acknowledged.

 

[j d worthington]

Congratulations, jd, and undoubtedly not before time! Fingers firmly crossed that they love everything you submit -- and ask for more for a second volume!

Thank you... I wouldn't argue; as it is, I've got about 2500+ pp. of material now... and I've only scratched the surface!

I agree this isn't really GWD, though. As and when it's finalised and ready it'll be a Press Release, but in the meantime I think this is one for the HPL section itself -- and I imagine there are some who haunt its dark and dismal passages who never frequent the glorious uplands of Aspiring Writers, so best to get it over there so they know of your success! Shall I leave you to do the heavy lifting?

Done, and done.... Yes, I had at first considered that, but realized that there are many others where the reverse would be true, who might (or might not) be interested, hence it became something of a coin-toss....

As for the other comments:

Doug: You're not the only one! And thank you for the kind words... though these days, I feel as if my memory has decided to take a looooong vacation....

To the Newt: I'd like to see you try! Don't forget, I've still got that bill for damages from the old TR, let alone the Asylum, TR Mk. III, Mk. IV.... (Blackmail?! Such a nasssty word....)

Flugel Meister: Thank you. Much appreciated.

Toby: An interesting idea; I'll have to give it some thought, but it sounds like it might be fun to do... though heaven only knows what it'll be like once I get through with it!!!

ctg: A couple of pieces... not stories, in this case. These are essays examining his work from a variety of perspectives... basically whichever hits me (or seems most fruitful out of those which hit me) as I go through particular works; which means it can be just about anything! (Which is rather neat, as it means I get to be surprised myself, quite a bit of the time....) And yes, he will; but I think Derrick has more than enough on his plate for that to not be a hardship....

Memory Tale: Thank you. Time will tell... but I'm a stubborn one, and not likely to give up....

Moonbat: Yes, his influence has reached into some very odd corners these days; there are genuine cults practicing rites based on their reading of his work (and work by others inspired by him). As for that particular instance... it wouldn't at all surprise me; Howard himself did a few Mythos tales, was a friend and correspondent of HPL's, and frequently included nods to his work in his heroic fantasies. A lot of the people adapting REH's work have continued this tradition, as well.

Vertigo: Thank you; much appreciated! And it is, needless to say, quite a boost to a person's ego to get such a message. As for not being a fan... well, he isn't to everyone's taste, and with others, it has to hit them at a particular time. I have a neighbor who had tried his work different times with indifference; then, a few years ago, happened to have nothing else to read, picked up a volume of his work... and ended up being hooked by the third short tale and went through his entire (fictional) corpus. So you just never know....

Anyway, thank you, one and all, for the good wishes. As I said, I don't want to present it as more than it is... it is just a request to see the material, at this point, with no obligation either way. But it certainly boosted my spirits, and for that I remain thankful....

 

[Ningauble]

Congratulations, JD! I'm keeping my tentacles crossed.

 

[Vertigo]

Well to follow your title JD anything's possible I have expanded the authors I'm reading enormously since joining the Chrons (Lord is it only 18 months ago!) from Mieville to Conan Doyle. Who knows what direction I'll head next!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

It's brilliant news, JD and I hope it all works out for you.

 

[j d worthington]

Congratulations, JD! I'm keeping my tentacles crossed.

Thanks, Martin! I very much appreciate that, especially from a Lovecraftian textual scholar such as yourself!

Well to follow your title JD anything's possible I have expanded the authors I'm reading enormously since joining the Chrons (Lord is it only 18 months ago!) from Mieville to Conan Doyle. Who knows what direction I'll head next!

Well, as the saying goes, "when the stars are right...."

It's brilliant news, JD and I hope it all works out for you.

Thank'ee. I do, too.... In the meantime, working on hammering it into shape is (so far, anyway) proving to be a lot of fun... hard work, but fun, nonetheless....

 

[The Judge]

Yes, I had at first considered that, but realized that there are many others where the reverse would be true, who might (or might not) be interested, hence it became something of a coin-toss....

Ha! Now I see your cunning plan! To take this into every corner of the Chrons, so none shall escape the thread. (Watch out for those beggars in the GRR Martin forum, though, they're vicious in there... )

 

[HoopyFrood]

To the Newt: I'd like to see you try! Don't forget, I've still got that bill for damages from the old TR, let alone the Asylum, TR Mk. III, Mk. IV.... (Blackmail?! Such a nasssty word....)

Oh, I see. Bribing people now. Whell!