Search Results for: 1934 novem

A Witch Shall Be Born

A WITCH SHALL BE BORN is one of the original sword and sorcery novellas by Robert E. Howard about Conan the Cimmerian. It was written in only a few days in the spring of 1934 and first published in Weird Tales in December 1934. 

Queen Taramis of Khauran awakens one day to find her identical twin sister, Salome, staring her in the face. As an infant, Salome was deemed a witch due to a crescent-shaped birthmark on her chest. This birthmark was believed to be a sign of evil, so she was left in the desert to die. However, a magician from Khitai (China) found Salome, brought her up, and instructed her in the art of sorcery.

The Tomb’s Secret

The Tomb’s Secret. Under the name: Patrick Ervin. Featuring Steve Harrison.

The February 1934 issue of STRANGE DETECTIVE STORIES carried two stories by REH: “The Tomb’s Secret” and “Fangs of Gold”. It appears that the story titles were inadvertently switched. Howard’s agent, Otis Adelbert Kline, kept a list of titles and the magazines that purchased them.

Sluggers of the Beach

“Sluggers of the Beach” is a high-octane tale featuring Sailor Steve Costigan and a cast of colorful characters embroiled in a quest for a hidden treasure. The story is marked by a mix of action, humor, and a twist that upends expectations. It was originally published in the August 1934 issue of Jack Dempsey’s Fight Magazine. The story was sold for $35.00.

The Slugger’s Game

The Slugger’s Game is a Sailor Steve Costigan short story by Robert E. Howard. It was originally published in the May 1934 issue of Jack Dempsey’s Fight Magazine. 

Shadows in the Moonlight

“Iron Shadows in the Moon” is one of the original short stories starring Conan. First published in Weird Tales magazine in April 1934, but then under the name “Shadows in the Moonlight”. Howard originally named his story “Iron Shadows in the Moon”. It’s set in the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age and concerns Conan escaping to a remote island in the Vilayet Sea where he encounters the Red Brotherhood, a skulking creature, and mysterious iron statues.

Alternate title: IRON SHADOWS IN THE MOON.

The Shadow of the Vulture

“The Shadow of the Vulture” is a short story by Howard, first published in The Magic Carpet Magazine, in January 1934. The story introduces the character of Red Sonya of Rogatino, who later became the inspiration for the popular character Red Sonja, the archetype of the chainmail-bikini-clad female warrior.

Sailor Costigan and the Jade Monkey

Sailor Costigan and the Jade Monkey. Patrick Ervin was used as a pseudonym. Three drafts exist for this story; One early shorter untitled draft; A draft in final form told in the 3rd person; A draft in final form told in the 1st person.

The 3rd party draft was prepared a couple of years before the 1st. person version. The 1st. person version is the one sent to Otis Adelbert Kline, who proceeded to mark it up with changes to try to make it a Dennis Dorgan story. Kline then sold the story to THE MAGIC CARPET MAGAZINE and it was announced in the last issue (January 1934). THE MAGIC CARPET MAGAZINE then went under and it was never published. OAK listed the story in his records as “Sailor Costigan and the Jade Monkey.”

Rogues in the House

“Rogues in the House” is one of the original short stories starring Conan. First published in Weird Tales magazine in January 1934. It is set in the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age and concerns Conan inadvertently becoming involved in the struggle between two powerful men fighting for control of a city-state. It was the seventh Conan story Howard had published. It features a fight between Conan and an intelligent ape-like hominid.

It is famous for the fight scene between Conan and an ape, often known as the cover by artist Frank Frazetta.

Queen of the Black Coast

“Queen of the Black Coast” is one of the original short stories about Conan the Cimmerian. First published in Weird Tales magazine in May 1934. Conan becomes a notorious pirate and plunders the coastal villages of Kush alongside Bêlit, a head-strong femme fatale.