Desperate to uncover horrors no writer has ever imagined, a young man searches for forbidden knowledge buried in the pages of an ancient book. But when its secrets are spoken aloud, something that has lurked among the stars for untold ages answers the call. The Shambler From the Stars by Robert Bloch. That’s next on The Weird Tales Reborn Podcast. As a teenager, Robert Bloch became fascinated with the terrifying fiction of H. P. Lovecraft. He began corresponding with the legendary horror writer, and their friendship eventually led to one of the most unusual exchanges in the history of horror fiction. In The Shambler From the Stars, Bloch introduced a mysterious, reclusive writer from Providence, Rhode Island, who possessed a book containing forbidden knowledge. The character was deliberately based on Lovecraft himself, and Bloch had something particularly gruesome in mind for him. But before killing off his literary hero, Bloch did something extraordinary. He actually asked Lovecraft for permission! Lovecraft responded with a mock legal document, granting the young author permission to murder him in fiction in whatever horrible manner he wished. Bloch accepted the invitation, and Lovecraft’s fictional counterpart met a truly dreadful end. And the exchange didn’t end there. The following year, Lovecraft wrote The Haunter of the Dark, introducing a horror writer named Robert Blake, a character inspired by Robert Bloch. This time, it was Lovecraft’s turn to send his young friend to a horrifying death. Two horror writers, each turning the other into a fictional victim. It’s difficult to imagine a more appropriate friendship for the pages of Weird Tales. Bloch would eventually become internationally famous as the author of Psycho, the novel that inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 film. But when today’s tale appeared in 1935, he was still a young writer whose imagination was already producing nightmares that would outlive both men. From the September 1935 issue of Weird Tales, turn to page 368, The Shambler From the Stars by Robert Bloch… Next on The Weird Tales Reborn Podcast, Born with wings no human was ever meant to possess, a boy grows up caught between the world of men and the skies that beckon him. But his extraordinary gift carries a terrible price, and the choice between love and freedom may cost him everything. He That Hath Wings by Edmond Hamilton. Lost Sci-Fi Premium - https://lostscifi.supercast.com/ Buy Me a Coffee - https://lostscifi.com/coffee Newsletter - https://lostscifi.com/free/ Facebook - https://lostscifi.com/facebook YouTube - https://lostscifi.com/youtube X - http://Lostscifi.com/x Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lostscifiguy Merchandise - https://lostscifi.creator-spring.com/ Thanks to Our Listeners Who Bought Us a Coffee $200 Someone $100 Josh Jennings, Tony from the Future $75 James Van Maanenberg $50 Tony Ciak, Ryan and Kait, James Van Maanenberg, MizzBassie, Anonymous Listener $25 Fintan Quigley, Curious Jon, David Bell, Steve, Miriam, Someone, Someone, Eaten by a Grue, Jeff Lussenden, Fred Sieber, Anne, Craig Hamilton, Dave Wiseman, Bromite Thrip, Marwin de Haan, Future Space Engineer, Fressie, Kevin Eckert, Stephen Kagan, James Van Maanenberg, Irma Stolfo, Josh Jennings, Leber8tr, Conrad Chaffee, Anonymous Listener $15 Every Month Someone $15 Tina Godby, Steve, Someone, SueTheLibrarian, Joannie West, Amy Özkan, Someone, Carolyn Guthleben, Patrick McLendon, Curious Jon, Buz C., Fressie, Anonymous Listener $10 David, Anonymous Listener $5 Every Month Eaten by a Grue $5 Tammy, Owen, Bruce, Someone, TLD, David, Denis Kalinin, Timothy Buckley, Andre'a, Martin Brown, Ron McFarlan, Tif Love, Chrystene, Richard Hoffman, Anonymous Listener Listen without commercials and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes every month with Lost Sci-Fi Premium—start your free 7-day trial today. https://lostscifi.supercast.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
