An important figure in horror publishing history, August Derleth wrote, edited and published hundreds of books from his home office in Sauk City, Wis. Derleth had his first story published in Weird Tales magazine (“Bat’s Belfry,” 1926), and began a correspondence with one of his fellow Weird Tales colleagues, horror icon H.P. Lovecraft. After Lovecraft’s death in 1937, Derleth took out a loan to publish the first collection of Lovecraft’s stories from Weird Tales and other magazines under an imprint he named Arkham House.
Derleth went on to publish early works of several noteworthy authors through Arkham House—the first books by science-fiction legend Ray Bradbury and horror writer Robert Bloch (who went on to author Psycho) as well as titles by Robert E. Howard (creator of Conan the Barbarian) and others.
Derleth, who died in 1971, was also a prolific writer, penning over 150 titles. He had works published in a wide variety of genres including poetry, biography, mystery, children’s books and a fair body of horror writing.
To celebrate this Wisconsin grown horror legacy, Voyageur Book Shop is featuring a Halloween Eve night of tribute to Derleth, starring Milwaukee’s David Schweitzer, an August Derleth “interpreter,” who has been championing Derleth’s legacy for the last 16 years. “My mission is bringing the works of August Derleth to as many people as I possibly can,” Schweitzer says, adding that he will reading some works from Derleth’s nature writings as well as his tales of the macabre.
“I hope to build a bridge for the lovers of both genres, by exploring the best of both worlds,” Schweitzer says.
Stay on top of the news of the day
Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays.
6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Voyageur Book Shop, 2212 S Kinnickinnic Ave. The event is free.
