DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Phantagraph, v. 4, issue 2, November-December 1935

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Phantagraph, v. 4, issue 2, November-December 1935

HOW I GET MY INSPIRATION
by A Weird Tales Author
There is a vague, unfounded rumor current that in order to indite a story for Weird Tales, it is necessary to write with a pen dipped in human blood. That is a liW [lie]. I know, because I once wrote a sory [story] with a pen dipped in chimpanzee blood, and the editor accepted it. He never knew the difference.
A fundamental requisite, however, is the possession of some antique book. At present the ancient manuscripts used are these: The Book of Eibon. The Necronemicon. The Mysteries of the Worm, Unaussprechlichen Kulten, Cultes des Goules, and the Black Boook. All these may be purchased from Panurge Press for $1.49, prepaid. They will be sent to you in a plain sealed wrapper.
Other references are indispensable. Suppose you are writing a story about tailsmans [talismans] and prophecies. You will need to refer to such magazines as Signs and Intervention or The Omen's Hom [Home] Companion.
Then, too, you must exercise a vocabulary. Practice using such words as ANTHROPOLITH, VIVISEPULTURE, NACROCOMIC TERATOLOGICAL, ANTHROPOMORPHOSIS, NOCTAMBULIST, NYCTAPHOBIA, NYCTALOPTIC, etc. Fifteen minutes a day devoted to writing down such words will not only provide you with a vocabulary, but will also give you writer's cramp.
Always write your stories at midnight, preferably in a pitch-dark room. Stories should be written on the skin of a gander. That usually gives the readers goose flesh.
Follow the above rules and you can't go wrong. If, however, for some strang [strange] reason these hints fail you, always remember there is one more infallible way to break into the pages of Weird Tales.
Write a letter to the ELRIE.

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HOW I GET MY INSPIRATION by A Weird Tales Author There is a vague, unfounded rumor current that in order to indite a story for Weird Tales, it is necessary to write with a pen dipped in human blood. That is a liW [lie]. I know, because I once wrote a sory [story] with a pen dipped in chimpanzee blood, and the editor accepted it. He never knew the difference. A fundamental requisite, however, is the possession of some antique book. At present the ancient manuscripts used are these: The Book of Eibon. The Necronemicon. The Mysteries of the Worm, Unaussprechlichen Kulten, Cultes des Goules, and the Black Boook. All these may be purchased from Panurge Press for $1.49, prepaid. They will be sent to you in a plain sealed wrapper. Other references are indispensable. Suppose you are writing a story about tailsmans [talismans] and prophecies. You will need to refer to such magazines as Signs and Intervention or The Omen's Hom [Home] Companion. Then, too, you must exercise a vocabulary. Practice using such words as ANTHROPOLITH, VIVISEPULTURE, NACROCOMIC TERATOLOGICAL, ANTHROPOMORPHOSIS, NOCTAMBULIST, NYCTAPHOBIA, NYCTALOPTIC, etc. Fifteen minutes a day devoted to writing down such words will not only provide you with a vocabulary, but will also give you writer's cramp. Always write your stories at midnight, preferably in a pitch-dark room. Stories should be written on the skin of a gander. That usually gives the readers goose flesh. Follow the above rules and you can't go wrong. If, however, for some strang [strange] reason these hints fail you, always remember there is one more infallible way to break into the pages of Weird Tales. Write a letter to the ELRIE.