>> Ron Clinton wrote to me, in essence:
>>
>>
>> Sorry, I'm not sure I quite followed (your
explanation of the Hugh Cave collection of
>> Black Mask stories you are working on with Doug
Greene , publisher of Crippen&
>> Landru and the edition you say will eventually
come out in a Black Mask book line).
>> If you could clarify, I'd sure appreciate it
(i.e. is this the same book as the upcoming
>> collection of noir tales by Cave that Crippen
& Landru is soon publishing...or
>> slightly different...or different
altogether...or ??? Is C&L still doing their
>> version or...???) My purpose to clarify is
twofold: one, I'm a huge fan of
>> Cave and would like to know for obvious selfish
reasons, and 2). I'm
>> conducting an interview with Hugh in the next
few weeks and would like to be
>> as up-to-date as possible on his upcoming future
releases.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Ron
>>
r-and-jclinton@msn.com
>>
> Dear Ron,
Doug Greene is publishing the collection of Hugh's stories
from Black Mask. He had it all planned, but discovered I was
the owner of the magazine and claimed various rights. After
we came to the agreement that I do own the rights to the
stories proposed for the book, I offered to permit
publication without any remuneration so Hugh could benefit
and enjoy his birthday present edition. I also offered to
license the use of Black Mask name and logo and some illos,
and to write an introduction /interview for the collection
with Hugh. if Doug so desired.
Doug and I and Hugh became close friends very quickly by
working on this project. I told Doug of my interest in doing
the Black Mask Book line and a Black Mask periodical, and
other projects in negotiations. Doug became interested in
publishing some other Black Mask single author collections
(with continuing exposure to my enthusiasm and desire to
continue working with him--a hell of a nice guy.
Doug and I now plan to publish a series of SINGLE AUTHOR
collections of Black Mask authors in the Black Mask book
line, starting late this summer, probably with a Jo Gar
collection (the little island detective series character
created by Raoul Whitfield writing as Ramon DeColta). Doug
and I are both Whitfield fans--as was his pal Hammett.
Whitfield wrote for Black Mask before Hammett and mentored
him in various ways all through their long friendship.
I am also planning different kinds of books for the Black
Mask line with other publishing associates--novels,
multi-author collections, etc. The Black Mask Books,
including those Doug works on with me, will all feature Black
Mask cover art, original Black Mask interior illustrations,
and other graphic/visual format elements from the
magazine.
Hugh's birthday collection, although it may have some
original visual material from the magazine, and will use the
logo Black Mask in its title, will not be a Black Mask Book.
It is a Crippen & Landru publication. HOWEVER, Doug and I
have agreed that after its run in the Crippen & Landru
edition, I may add it to the Black Mask Book line, in the
Black Mask Book visual format.
When this happens, Hugh and I shall probably expand the
interview material for that edition because he and I are
working up much more historical/biographical material than is
appropriate for the Crippen & Landru format.
But if I have the golden opportunity to produce a collection
of all the stories that appeared in Black Mask Magazine with
a living author, like the great Hugh Cave who wrote for the
publication from 1934 to 1941 (and for so many other markets
in so many genres) I intend to include as much of the
material we generate in my Black Mask edition of his work.
Hell, I might also include some examples of Hugh's great work
from Horror Stories and Terror Tales, too....or even do a
series of Hugh's darker work from those and similar Popular
Publications titles, if all the necessary arrangements can be
made.
I DO NOT INTEND TO LIMIT MY BLACK MASK BOOK LINE TO MATERIAL
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN BLACK MASK.
Hugh Cave also has a collection of stories coming out with a
different publisher...and two new novels. But I recommend
you, or any one else interested in Hugh, contact his
publisher, Doug Greene at crippen@pilot.infi.net.
I shall ask Hugh if I may release his email address to
RARA-AVIS fans. And send Hugh a forward of this posting and
let him speak for himself--should he fancy.
Keith
keithdeutsch@earthlink.net
>
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