Black Cat Magazine~Pulp Fiction from the Witch City

The Black Cat Magazine was started in 1895 in Boston  under the editorial eye of Herman Daniel (H.D.) Umbstaetter of  Salem , Massachusetts. It initially focused on strange fantasy stories and welcomed contributions from first-time writers. Science fiction writer Clark Ashton Smith first got his start in its pages. The most notable neophyte writer to launch his career in The Black Cat was Jack London, whose short story A Thousand Deaths was published in May 1899 and earned him $40.

In 1912 the Black Cat was moved to Salem as the city was transforming into the Witch City. What better timing. Umbstaetter died in 1913 and the editorial reigns passed through a few more hands before resting in those of Harold E. Bessom in 1915. At the start of 1919, Black Cat announced the beginning of the Black Cat Club. BCC membership allowed subscribers to submit critiques of stories that appeared in the magazine, and would pay one penny a word in return. The club folded by the end of the year.

Henry Miller first learned of this "club" when he happened to purchase a 15-cent copy of the January 1919 issue of The Black Cat.  Although Henry Miller did not write any stories for the magazine, he did have 5 critiques published. Upon payment of his first critique he was so happy he threw his hat in the air. It landed in traffic and that was the end of that hat....

The last issue of the Black Cat was published in 1922 in NYC. Although this is not the end of clever short stories with gripping illustrations. In Oct 2013 Salem House Press published Arkham: Tales from the Flipside . Pulp fiction covering sci-fi, horror, humorous narrative, and fantasy. They are offering emagazine subscriptions on their website. On their page they also give offer a free audio cast of stories by Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Isac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, and more.

 ~Chris

To find out more about Chris and his peculiar habits visit his page filled with fun games and animation. Then check out his publishers page to see a list of his books and the works of his friends at Salem House Press. Also check out the cool site dedicated to The Salem Trilogy!