Pathfinder 1E [Paizo Publishing] Introducing Planet Stories: Classic Science Fantasy Novels

Introducing Planet Stories: Classic Science Fantasy Novels

New Paizo Novel Line to Feature Moorcock, Howard, Gygax

March 30, 2007 (BELLEVUE, Wash.) – Paizo Publishing®, LLC announced the creation of a new line of classic science fantasy novel reprints called Planet Stories. With large printing houses distancing themselves from backlisted novels, Planet Stories brings back some of the long forgotten classic inspirations for much of today's science fiction and fantasy genres. Planet Stories will be available at your local book or hobby store and will retail for around $12.99 each.

This August, Planet Stories launches with two venerable titles from classic veterans of the science fiction and fantasy genres:

Almuric, by Robert E. Howard, is a savage planet of crumbling stone ruins and debased, near-human inhabitants. Into this world comes Esau Cairn, Earthman, swordsman, murderer. Only he can overthrow the terrible devils that enslave Almuric, but to do so he must first defeat the inner demons that forced him to abandon Earth. Filled with vile beasts and thrilling adventure in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Almuric is one of Howard’s few novels, and an excellent yarn from one of America’s most distinct literary voices. Robert E. Howard is most known for creating the fictional character, Conan the Cimmerian (a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian), who has been featured in comic books, short stories, novels, and feature films for over 70 years. Howard's work is often credited as the source of the sword-and-sorcery genre and influenced everyone from J.R.R. Tolkien to George R.R. Martin.

The Anubis Murders, by Gary Gygax, weaves a fantastic tale of warring wizards that spans the world from the pyramids of ancient Egypt to the mist-shrouded towns of medieval England. Someone is murdering the world’s most powerful sorcerers, and the trail of blood leads straight to Anubis, the solemn god known by most as the Master of Jackals. Can Magister Setne Inhetep, personal philosopher-wizard to the Pharaoh, reach the distant kingdom of Avillonia and put an end to the Anubis Murders, or will he be claimed as the latest victim? Gary Gygax co-created the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS roleplaying game over 30 years ago and has watched it grow to become one of the largest entertainment sources in the hobby gaming industry. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS has been played by tens of millions worldwide and the name Gygax is instantly recognizable to any fans of the game, past or present.

Planet Stories will release one classic science fantasy novel each month beginning this September. Additional planned releases include:

City of the Beast/Warriors of Mars, by Michael Moorcock, features the return of Moorcock's Eternal Champion, Kane of Old Mars, a brilliant American physicist whose strange experiments in matter transmission catapult him across space and time to the Red Planet. Kane’s is a Mars of the distant past, a place of romantic civilizations, fabulous many-spired cities, and the gorgeous princess Shizala. To win her hand and bring peace to Mars, Kane must defeat the terrible Blue Giants of the Argzoon, whose ravaging hordes threaten the whole planet! Adventure in the Edgar Rice Burroughs tradition from the creator of Elric of Melniboné. The first stand-alone American printing since 1979, City of the Beast/Warrior of Mars will be available this September.

Black God's Kiss, by C.L. Moore, was first published in the pages of Weird Tales in 1934. C.L. Moore’s Jirel of Joiry is the first significant female sword-and-sorcery protagonist and one of the most exciting and evocative characters the genre has ever known. Published alongside seminal works by H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard, the five classic fantasy tales included in this volume easily stand the test of time and often overshadow the storytelling power and emotional impact of stories by Moore’s more famous contemporaries. A seminal work from one of fantasy’s most important authors, Black God’s Kiss is an essential addition to any fantasy library and will be available this October.

To learn more, visit Planet Stories online at paizo.com/planetstories.

ABOUT PAIZO PUBLISHING

Paizo Publishing®, LLC is a leading publisher of fantasy roleplaying games, accessories, and board games. Paizo's GameMastery line offers game masters fun and useful tools to improve their fantasy roleplaying experience. Titanic Games, Paizo's board game division, unites the greatest game designers to create compelling, challenging games like Kill Doctor Lucky and Stonehenge, the world's first Anthology Board Game™. Paizo.com is the leading online hobby retail store, offering tens of thousands of products from a variety of publishers to customers all over the world. In the five years since it's founding, Paizo Publishing has received more than a dozen major awards and has grown to become one of the most influential companies in the hobby games industry.

ABOUT PLANET STORIES

Planet Stories™ presents classic fantasy, science fiction, and science fantasy novels and short story collections to a generation of new readers and lifelong fans. Unforgettable tales from acknowledged masters like Michael Moorcock, Leigh Brackett, C.L. Moore, and Henry Kuttner stand side by side with lesser known but no less worthy yarns from tomorrow’s superstars. Introductions from popular modern authors like Joe R. Lansdale, Ben Bova, and Michael Moorcock provide amusing and informative entry points to each book. With new releases every month, Planet Stories promises a master class in the genre aimed at building the greatest fantasy and science fiction library ever assembled.

COVER IMAGES:

Almuric, by Robert E. Howard
The Anubis Murders, by Gary Gygax
City of the Beast/Warriors of Mars, by Michael Moorcock
Black God's Kiss, by C.L. Moore

Hello everyone,

Congratulations to Paizo on their new venture and much success!!!

As an avid reader of "weird pulp fiction" I have copies of and have read three of the four titles being offered. (I have not read Mr. Gygax's novel at this time). I recommend each of them HIGHLY, especially REH's Almuric which I read in my teens and still remember vividly.

It is a shame that you can't or are not using Margaret Brundage's evocative cover to the Weird Tales issue that featured 'The Black God's Kiss" but I'm sure your new one will just as compelling. For those that may not be aware of this little gem, it features what may be the first Sword and Sorcery heroine ala' Red Sonja in a series of stories that are great fun to read.

Again, congrats! I look forward to getting my hands on these new editions!!!

Best,

Henry Lopez
President
PCI
www.paradigmconcepts.com

I knew you were a man of taste, Henry, but this is ridiculous.

--Erik

PS: Jirel of Joiry isn't the only C.L. Moore character we'll be publishing...

Wow, you guys are republishing Almuric? That is so cool. I remember finding a copy when I was seventeen, reading it, and loving it. I lost that copy years ago, and I haven't been able to find another since.

I'll definitely be picking that up.

BD

*twitch*

I'm so happy I'm nearly speechless. What about E.R. Burroughs' works?

The Mars and Tarzan stuff is fairly well in print, so we're focusing more on works by other authors working in his tradition. Moorcock's "Kane of Old Mars" trilogy is an excellent example (as is Almuric, actually), and there are several more on the way. If Mars is your thing, you'll want to check out "The Secret of Sinharat," by Leigh Brackett, which is scheduled to hit in December. Eric John Stark is one of the greatest characters in science fantasy, and Brackett is one hell of a writer.

--Erik

Hello Erik,

Erik Mona said:

I knew you were a man of taste, Henry, but this is ridiculous.
--Erik
PS: Jirel of Joiry isn't the only C.L. Moore character we'll be publishing...

Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment! ;-)

I'm glad you'll be doing more of Ms (or Mrs.) Moore's works.

As a side note, after looking through your Lemuria's Press blog, if you're on a REH kick, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Skull-Face. It must be one the most bizarre and thrilling tale REH wrote and I would place it alongside of any of the Conan, Solomon Kane, and Kull stories. While the story is a bit dated as far as idioms and perspectives on non-western peoples, it certainly is a good yarn.

Ah to be a teenager again with nothing to worry about other than what novel to read next!

Best,

Henry Lopez
President
PCI
www.paradigmconcepts.com

BLACKDIRGE said:

Wow, you guys are republishing Almuric? That is so cool. I remember finding a copy when I was seventeen, reading it, and loving it. I lost that copy years ago, and I haven't been able to find another since.

Click to expand...

As with Lovecraft, there's considerable confusion about the copyright status of Howard's works, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't find it in the public domain by now.

http://www.robert-e-howard.org/AnotherThought4ws02.html

Looks like great stuff! I do have one question: Why the name "Planet Stories?"

We named the line after the (in)famous pulp magazine of the same name, which regularly featured authors like Brackett, Phillip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury, Gardner F. Fox, etc. This type of "sword and planet" and sword and sorcery fiction was heavily influential on the folks who created D&D, which is how Paizo got its start. Lin Carter once called it "trashy" in a book introduction, which sealed the deal.

The following URL has a good overview of covers, which I find hilarious and endlessly inspiring.

http://www.noosfere.com/showcase/planet_stories_page_1.htm

--Erik