Friday, April 1, 2016

A is for A.A. FAIR



PULP FICTION 
is my theme for the A-Z Challenge. Such fun with the titles and the graphics, not to mention the stories that readers eagerly bought.

A.A. Fair aka Erle Stanley Gardner, and best known for his Perry Mason series, created many stories for Pulp novels

Pulp fiction is a term that originated in the first half of the 20th Century in magazines that printed on cheap wood pulp paper, hence the term “pulp”. They cost a mere dime and these publications were so popular in the 1930’ & ‘40’s that every newsstand was blanketed with them. Most were weekly publications so writers of every ilk were in demand. 

The pulp fiction era provided a breeding ground for budding authors who could hone their skills and get a foot in the publishing market, also it provided an additional paycheck for more seasoned authors including Ray Bradbury, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Max Brand, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and others. Even revered authors such as Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, and Tennessee Williams contributed to Pulp.

The demand for new and unusual stories gave way to creative genres: Horror & Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Hardboiled Detective, Spicy, Mystery, Weird, Romance, Western, and Lesbian to name a few.

While the pages were on low-quality pulpwood paper, the covers were colorful and engaging, many showing half-clad women in distress or on the prowl, and fantastic creatures . 


Though Pulp Fiction was given a bad rap, readers craved the stories many of which were actually well-written.

Hope you enjoy this and all the other
letters of Pulp Fiction.

Always, 
Em-Musing


















18 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It was certainly a great time for writers and readers alike.

The Brown Recluse (TBR) said...

Very interesting piece of history I'm a little ashamed I didn't know. I would have liked that!

sage said...

and when April Fools day is on Friday it's ominous and maybe I should be careful :)

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Fascinating post. I had no idea that Ray Bradbury, Kipling, Jack London, Tennessee Williams, etc. had been published in pulp magazines. It's ansi hard to imagine being able to buy a magazine for a dime.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

That should be: It's also hard to imagine (not it's ansi hared to imagine)

Hart Johnson said...

Love your theme! Today they call pulp fiction "mass market paperback"--that is the world I've dabbled in. No hard backs yet... I hadn't realized Perry Mason was a book series before he was a TV show--I bet they're fun to read!

Huntress said...

I didn't know Jack London did pulp fiction. He is one of my earliest reads from long ago. Especially love Burning Daylight.

your post clears up the definition. Great one. I want to check out these authors now
Love you photo, btw. *G*

CD Coffelt, Unicorn Bell, http://unicornbell.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-to-z-challenge.html

Julie Flanders said...

What a fun and creative theme. I honestly don't know much about pulp fiction even though I've heard of it. Looking forward to learning more through your posts.

Cynthia said...

Hello, I'm a new follower. I'm glad that this era of writing allowed so many new and talented writers to enter the publishing scene.

Unknown said...

I had no idea that's where the term pulp fiction came from!

Timothy S. Brannan said...

Greetings Blog Challenge neighbor! I am a HUGE fan of the Pulps. Mostly Horror and Sci-fi, but it was a great time.

Looking forward to seeing what you post all month.

Tim
--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
2015 A to Z of Adventure!
http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/

Scarlett Braden said...

I love this! I didn't know this history of pulp fiction and it's so interesting. Thanks for sharing!
@ScarlettBraden from
Frankly Scarlett

C R Ward said...

They just don't write 'em like this anymore, do they?

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hello again, just stopping by to thank you for following my Victorian Scribbles blog. Have a nice day.

Karyn Good said...

I love it when I learn something new! Thanks for the peek into pulp fiction! Looking forward to reading more!

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