Unlike many crime-fiction collections that have come out of late, the Alec Cizak-edited PULP MODERN: AUTUM 2011 is a bit different, in the sense that it’s divided into three distinct genres: crime, fantasy and Westerns, each of which had a foothold in the pulps of old.
The 170-page inaugural issue begins with a reprint of a Lawrence Block story, “Murder Is My Business.” While it’s a great way to kick it all off, most readers will see exactly where it’s going. But then, that might have been the point, since the rest of the collection is no by-the-numbers affair.
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Love. Exciting and new.
There’s the love I have for a delicious meal. There’s the love I have for a good movie. There’s the love I have for good music. There’s the love I have for finely crafted literature. And then there’s … well, I’ll get to that.
In addition, there’s a special place in my heart for the small press. I love that there are places where literature that does not necessarily appeal to the general reading masses can still find a home and be enjoyed by those of us who like the offbeat. And generally when I speak about “offbeat,” I’m talking about genre fiction, specifically stuff that falls somewhere out on the fringes of such.
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This is a tough time to be launching a new print periodical, especially one that caters to a niche market. While many print magazines and newspapers are struggling to stay in business, there are many that are simply closing up shop (R.I.P. WIZARD) or going to a strictly online publication format.
Or, as in the case of THE COMICS JOURNAL, are doing regular online publishing with an annual print edition. Even the webzines are struggling; R.I.P ThugLit … although it did last five years, which is damn good stamina in a market dominated by YA fiction and paranormal romance.
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A new magazine catering to crime short fiction is a tough enterprise. I mean, you really have to deliver the goods with your opening shot, because if you limp along with lackluster material, you can forget about ever seeing issue two.
The debut issue of NEEDLE: A MAGAZINE OF NOIR is lean, mean and all about the dark world of crime. (Yes, they’re up to #3 now, so we’re behind.) This ain’t for pussies. With a lineup of names that have been working the short-fiction circles, you know these people will deliver like a fist to the gut. Put together by editor Steve Weddle, this debut blows away a certain anthology series that is barely treading water in whatever city they are using to cash in.
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Unearthing buried treasures from pulp literature’s yesteryear!
“It’s The Man Who Rides Alone Who Meets Danger In The Most Dramatic Fashion … The Lone Rider Carries Excitement Wherever He Goes! Follow The Adventures Of The Lone Ranger In Every Thrilling Issue Of This Magazine.”
Well, it wouldn’t take you long to read “Every Thrilling Issue of This Magazine,” because THE LONE RANGER MAGAZINE lasted only eight issues before morphing into ROMANTIC WESTERN. Because of its short run, it’s a tough pulp to track down. Recently, a copy sold for almost $800 on eBay. I wonder how many silver bullets you’d have to melt down to raise that kind of cash?
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