29 replies to this topic

[Grimmer]

I would be interested to see what writers like Abercrombie and Rothfuss could come up with. I'd also read one from Moorcock.

Edited by Grimmer, 08 January 2013 - 10:00 PM.

[constantine]

The only way I'd be interested in new Conan stories at this point is if they went the "Lovecraft Unbound" route: that is, a collection of short stories by established authors celebrating the original. No attempts to imitate Howard's prose style, no pretensions of "canon," just some of the cream of today's writers spinning some yarns inspired by Howard.

I fully agree. I'd also add that I would be interested to see a few tales attempting to deal with Conan's rise in the kingdom of Aquilonia (Wagner could have done so in a differently written RoK), but not much more about the Cimmerian would be necessary. I would love to see some yarns about Shevatas or other Hyborian Age characters, barbarians or civilized ones.

[amster]

The only way I'd be interested in new Conan stories at this point is if they went the "Lovecraft Unbound" route: that is, a collection of short stories by established authors celebrating the original. No attempts to imitate Howard's prose style, no pretensions of "canon," just some of the cream of today's writers spinning some yarns inspired by Howard.

Last year I read Under the Moons of Mars, a collection of short stories by established authors based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series. Most of them were horrible. In fact, some were so horrible that I question whether the author even read the original Burroughs series. Be careful what you wish for.

Outside of comics and films, I no longer have much interest in Conan pastiches. As far as literature is concerned, I'm satisfied with the real thing.

Theres only so much times you can re-read a story before it gets old..

Having been a fan for 35 years, I'm happy to say that it's not happened yet.

[thedarkman]

I would still like to see new pastiche Conan tales, maybe not another 40-50 pouring out willy-nilly, but a few every year. I enjoyed Stackpole's novelization of Conan 2011, and I would read more from Hocking or Roberts. Even more, I would love to see a few attempts at Bran, Cormac, Kull, Kane, and El Borak! Done with care and an understanding of the original material, this could be a good thing.

[docpod]

I looked at that Under the Moons of Mars anthology last year and decided to pass after thumbing through it and scanning some pages. Glad to see my initial impression was correct. The Lovecraft Unbound route could be interesting. Key is to opening it up to more than just fantasy writers. A whole lot of crime, action, and western writers who are Howard fans. Crime writer Charles Willeford (Miami Blues) for example had Howard books in his personal library.

Morgan

Last year I read Under the Moons of Mars, a collection of short stories by established authors based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series. Most of them were horrible. In fact, some were so horrible that I question whether the author even read the original Burroughs series. Be careful what you wish for.

Outside of comics and films, I no longer have much interest in Conan pastiches. As far as literature is concerned, I'm satisfied with the real thing.

Having been a fan for 35 years, I'm happy to say that it's not happened yet.

[Albannach]

How about tales of fellow Hyborians such as Taurus "Prince of Thieves", Belit, Balthus and Valeria?

[Malchiel]

I, for one, would love for other characters and aspects of Howard's Hyboria to be explored. As a long time game master (more than 30 years) I have been able to spend a great deal of time in my favorite fictional setting, but would love to have others play in the pool. And not just established REH characters, either. The sweep of Hyboria is such that it could easily support numerous epic heroes from different periods and places.

[Pictish Scout]

Before another pastiche first I would like to have an Hyborian Age Encyclopedia (based only on REH stories). This Encyclopedia would help a lot to the quality of Conan pastiches in the future.

Edited by Pictish Scout, 06 February 2013 - 04:16 AM.

[Taran]

Last year I read Under the Moons of Mars, a collection of short stories by established authors based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series. Most of them were horrible. In fact, some were so horrible that I question whether the author even read the original Burroughs series. Be careful what you wish for.

I remember being intrigued by that collection until I saw the author lineup. Because whatever the merits of Cat Valente, a penchant for planetary romance isn't one of them.

[sherlock]

This Elric collection was a mixed bag, but it was worth reading. I would buy a similar collection for Conan.

http://www.amazon.co...c/dp/1565041747


I was just looking over my Sherlock Holmes bookshelf last night. I'd guess that I have at least 500 stories. And some are really bad. The advantage to a lot of pastiches is that you can find some good ones just based on percentages. Quite a few I've only read once and don't plan on reading again.

And Michael Moorcock's The Dorset Street Lodger is a mundane Holmes story that doesn't stand out. Even being a great author doesn't mean a quality pastiche of somebody else's character.