Newsletter

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The Robert E. Howard Foundation Newsletter v17 #4

Robert E. Howard Foundation

2023

Publication type

Newsletter Periodical

Contains

Poetry Stories

Publication date: Winter 2023/2024 (mailed April 2024)

Introduction

The newsletter opens with a cover feature about a Christmas card from Robert E. Howard, sent to Clark Ashton Smith on December 30, 1933. It details the publication journey of Howard's first Conan story, "The Phoenix on the Sword," emphasizing its origins as a rewrite of an unpublished Kull story, "By This Axe I Rule!" The article explains that the second draft of "The Phoenix on the Sword" incorporated suggestions from Farnsworth Wright, the editor who rejected the first submission due to a lackluster opening and a weak last page. The article mentions that the rejected first draft was eventually published in 2002 in "The Complete Conan of Cimmeria, Vol. One" by Wandering Star, indicating the availability of these typescripts for the interested readers.

The newsletter also references a typed letter from Howard to Novalyne Price (married name Ellis), his sometimes girlfriend, revealing a complicated relationship that involved mutual friend Truett Vinson. The relationship dynamics are described, touching on emotional and social complexities, including Novalyne's aspirations and Howard's emotional dependency on his mother.

Additionally, the newsletter describes four poems by Howard: "The Baron and the Wench," "The Bell of Morni," "The Bride of Cuchulain," and "Land of the Pioneer," noting the first three are typed and the last is handwritten.

Finally, the newsletter announces the upcoming "Howard Days" celebration in Howard's hometown of Cross Plains, Texas, inviting attendees to honor his legacy.

Notes

editor who rejected the first submission due to a lackluster opening and a weak last page

Edition and production details

Language: English

Edition format: Periodical (8.5 x 11, saddle-stapled)
Publication date: Winter 2023/2024 (mailed April 2024)
Pages: 36 including front and back covers
Publisher / imprint: The Robert E. Howard Foundation
Cover art: Picture of a copy of aChristmas card from Robert E. Howard to Clark Ashton Smith
Illustrations: None
Media details: Newsletter/fanzine

6 linked Howard works

Land of the Pioneer verse Publications
The Baron and the Wench verse Publications
The Bell of Morni verse Publications
The Bride of Cuchulain verse Publications
The Phoenix on the Sword story Howard writing Publications
The Phoenix on the Sword story Howard writing Publications

2 Letters in this publication

Letter to Clark Ashton Smith, postmarked, December 20, 1933 Excerpt · p. fc
View Letter
Letter to Novalyne Price, July 8, 1935 Complete Transcription · p. 27
View Letter

18 contents entries

"Letter from the Board"
Christmas card from Robert E. Howard, sent to Clark Ashton Smith on December 30, 1933. fc
" The Phoenix on the Sword" - Typescript (First draft, See Notes)
"Letter from the Board" - Gain insights from the Foundation's board members on recent activities and upcoming initiatives - • by Lee A. Breakiron 2 · letter
"Notes on Names in The Phoenix on the Sword" - Typescript
"The Phoenix on the Sword" - Typescript (first draft): Dive into an original typescript of Howard's first draft of this intriguing tale, shedding light on his creative process. 3
Letter to Novalyne Price, dated July 8, 1935, "Thank you for your invitation to call . . . " - Typescript
"The Baron and the Wench" - Typescript (poem)
Letter to Novalyne Price from July 9, 1935.. 27 · letter
"The Bell of Morni" - Typescript (poem)
"The Baron and the Wench" - verse (typescript) by Robert E. Howard 28 · poem
"The Bride of Cuchulain" - Typescript (poem)
"The Bell of Morni" - verse (typescript) by Robert E. Howard 29 · poem
"Land of the Pioneer" - Handwritten (poem)
"The Bride of Cuchulain" - verse (typescript) by Robert E. Howard 30 · poem
News & Events
"Land of the Pioneer" - verse (handwritten) by Robert E. Howard 31 · poem
News and Events - Robert E. Howard Days 2024 35

Characters / Featuring

Conan

Additional related terms

Preserved from the former REH World tagging system; these terms have not yet been assigned as contributors, characters or subjects.