Monday, December 14, 2009

Amelia Reynolds Long

I now have proof that I'm not the only person on the internets with an interest in celebrating obscure pulp science fiction writers. Richard Simms has created A Tribute to Amelia Reynolds Long, dedicated to the Pennsylvania-born poet, science fiction writer and mystery novelist.

Miss Long (1904 - 1978) published twenty-two science fiction and fantasy stories between 1928 and 1940, mostly in Weird Tales and Astounding Stories (her story "When the Half Gods Go--" appeared in the July 1939 issue of Astounding alongside A. E. van Vogt's "Black Destroyer" and Isaac Asimov's "Trends"). She also began writing mysteries in the late 1930s, publishing thirty-one novels and seven short stories between 1936 and 1952. After 1952 she ceased writing fiction and devoted the rest of her life to poetry.

Simms' website includes a complete bibliography of Long's works, book and magazine covers, her obituary from the Harrisburg Patriot-News, links to Simms' other writer tribute pages, and an interview with Long from 1976. Sadly, none of Long's stories are currently available online, except for the first half of "The Dimension Drug", which appeared in the first two issues of a science fiction fanzine called Spaceways in 1938.

We here at the Johnny Pez blog salute Simms for his dedication to bringing Long's life and works to the attention of the world at large.

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