The Howard Reader #8, published in August 2003 and edited by Joe and Mona Marek, is the final issue of this fanzine series dedicated to Robert E. Howard’s work. Filled with a rich collection of Howard’s content—including rare poems, story fragments, personal letters, and essays—this edition offers a deep dive into his literary world. Featuring cover art by Richard Pace, the issue also marks a change in the publication’s title by dropping “New” from “The ‘New’ Howard Reader” used in previous installments. As the concluding issue, it serves as a fitting culmination of the fanzine’s commitment to exploring and celebrating Howard’s legacy, making it a noteworthy addition to any enthusiast’s collection.
Contents
- 1 • Ecstasy • (1975) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 1 • The Slave-Princess (fragment & synopsis) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 9 • Men Build Them Houses • (1975) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 9 • Taverel Manor (fragment) • (1978) • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 18 • A Hairy Chested Idealist Sings • (1975) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 18 • Letter to “The Eyrie” in Weird Tales Magazine (“Enthusiasm impels me to pause from burning spines…”) • [Letters to Weird Tales] • essay by Robert E. Howard (variant of Letter (Weird Tales, June 1936): Concise Comments 1936)
- 18 • The Adventurer • (1976) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 19 • The House • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 22 • To a Woman (“Ages ago I came to woo…”) • (1982) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 22 • Sailor Dorgan and the Turkish Menace • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 25 • The Grim Land • (1976) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 26 • Letter to Emil Petaja, December 17, 1934 (“Dear Mr. Petaja: / Thank you very much for the splendid sonnet…”) • essay by Robert E. Howard (variant of Letter: Robert E. Howard to Emil Petaja, December 17, 1934 1965)
- 26 • Shadows from Yesterday • (1982) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 26 • The Mystery of Tannernoe Lodge (fragment) • [Steve Harrison] • short fiction by Robert E. Howard
- 29 • The Gods of the Jungle Drums • (1976) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 29 • When the Glaciers Rumbled South • (1982) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 30 • The Guardian of the Idol • [James Allison] • short story by Robert E. Howard
- 30 • Nectar • (1976) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 31 • To the Evangelists • (1982) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 31 • Letter to Novalyne Price, February 25, 1936 (Dear Novalyne: / I’m sorry but I won’t be able to keep the date…”) • [Letters to Novalyne Price] • (1986) • essay by Robert E. Howard
- 31 • The Outgoing of Sigurd the Jerusalem-Farer • (1975) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 32 • The Ghost Ocean • (1982) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 32 • A Touch of Trivia • (1976) • essay by Robert E. Howard
- 34 • De Ole River Ox • (1976) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 34 • The Road to Yesterday • (1976) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 34 • An Autobiography • (1976) • essay by Robert E. Howard
- 35 • Man Am I • (1982) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 35 • Alien • (1975) • poem by Robert E. Howard
- 35 • Letters of Comment (The Howard Reader #8) • essay by uncredited
- 35 • Afterword (The “New” Howard Reader #1) • (1998) • essay by Joe Marek
| Publisher: | Joe & Mona Marek |
| Year : | August 2003 |
| Book No. : | None |
| Edition : | 1st |
| Format : | Periodical (8.5 x 11, saddle-stapled) |
| Pages : | 40 including covers |
| Cover : | Richard Pace |
| Illustrations : | Not credited |
Notes
Selected and compiled by Joe Marek
Associate Editor: Rusty Burke
Limited print run of 60 copies.
Formerly titled THE “NEW” HOWARD READER.
Limited to one year of distribution.
Saddle stapled, wraps.
This issue features Howard fragments that later became “posthumous collaborations”.
