The Letters of Robert E. Howard

The Letters of Robert E. Howard collects the correspondence of pulp fiction author Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian and other characters. This comprehensive volume spans from Howard's teenage years until his death in 1936, presenting letters to friends, fellow writers, and publishing contacts. The collection reveals Howard's creative process and business dealings as he built his career writing for magazines like Weird Tales. Through his exchanges with H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, and other contemporaries, readers gain insight into the pulp fiction industry of the 1920s and 1930s. Howard's letters discuss his interests in boxing, Texas history, Celtic mythology, and other subjects that influenced his fiction. The correspondence also documents his relationship with his parents and life in the small Texas town of Cross Plains during the oil boom era. The letters paint a portrait of a complex writer grappling with artistic ambition, commercial pressures, and personal struggles in early 20th century America. This collection serves as both a biographical resource and a window into the development of weird fiction and sword-and-sorcery genres.

Readers appreciate the personal insights into Howard's life, relationships, and creative process revealed through his correspondence. Many note the value of his letters with H.P. Lovecraft discussing writing craft and weird fiction. REHupa member Damon Sasser called the collection "a treasure trove of information about Howard's daily life." Multiple reviews highlight the historical context the letters provide about Depression-era Texas and Howard's perspective on economic hardship. Several readers found Howard's exchanges with female pen pals Novalyne Price and Tevis Clyde Smith compelling. Common criticisms include the high price of the two-volume set and occasional gaps in correspondence chains where recipient letters are missing. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (12 ratings) The scarcity of public reviews stems from the book's limited print run and academic focus. Most detailed reviews appear in Howard fan publications and sword-and-sorcery discussion forums rather than mainstream review sites.

Selected Letters of H. P. Lovecraft by H. P. Lovecraft, August Derleth This collection of letters between Lovecraft and fellow writers reveals the development of the Cthulhu Mythos and pulp fiction writing in the 1920s and 1930s.

The Collected Letters of Robert E. Howard: 1923-1929 by Rob Roehm These early letters showcase Howard's formative years as a writer and his connection to the pulp magazine industry.

Letters to Carl J. Dittmar by Robert E. Howard and Carl J. Dittmar The correspondence between Howard and his friend Dittmar provides insight into Howard's thoughts on boxing, writing, and life in Texas during the Great Depression.

The Dark Man: The Journal of Robert E. Howard Studies by Various Authors This academic journal contains letters, essays, and analysis of Howard's work and correspondence with contemporaries.

Shadow Kingdoms: The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard by Robert E. Howard, Paul Herman This collection includes Howard's letters and drafts alongside his published works, showing the evolution of his stories from concept to completion.

📚 Robert E. Howard wrote approximately 350 poems during his lifetime, many of which were shared in his extensive letter correspondence with fellow writers H.P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. 🖋️ The letters reveal Howard's deep research into Celtic folklore and Texan history, which he used extensively in creating his fictional characters, including the famous Conan the Barbarian. 🏠 Through his correspondence, Howard provided vivid descriptions of life in rural Texas during the oil boom of the 1920s and early 1930s, offering valuable historical insights into this period. ✉️ The collection includes letters spanning from 1923 to 1936, showing Howard's evolution as a writer from his teenage years until his death at age 30. 💌 Howard's letters to his long-time girlfriend Novalyne Price Ellis formed the basis for the 1996 biographical film "The Whole Wide World," starring Vincent D'Onofrio and Renée Zellweger.