William F. Nolan

synopsis

Sixty-five years ago, the August 1954 issue of If was published. Not only did it include fiction by Raymond F. Jones, Poul Anderson and Theodore Cogswell, Philip K. Dick, Robert Sheckley, and Richard Matheson, as well as artwork by Ed Emshwiller, Virgil Finlay, and Frank Kelly Freas, but also a short story entitled “The Joy of Living” by one William F. Nolan.
       The first professional sale for Nolan, it was nearly overlooked among such a star-studded line-up. Over the next six decades, Nolan would continue to refine and improve his craft to the point that within a few short years he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Matheson, Ray Bradbury and George Clayton Johnson as one of the “Southern California Sorcerers” as likely to be found as the writer of a screenplay for The Twilight Zone or a feature film as he was to appear on a magazine cover or the jacket of an anthology.
       Equally at home with crime, science fiction, and horror, Nolan has particularly excelled as a master of the macabre tale. Herein you will find collected over 750 pages of his best work (over 75 stories!), showcasing his career as it has stretched and grown over nearly seventy years. Masters of the Weird Tale: William F. Nolan is a cornerstone volume for any serious collection of modern weird fiction. This collection includes all of Nolan’s classics: “The Small World of Lewis Stilman,” “The Party” (here reprinted under Nolan’s preferred title of “Ashland”), “Death Call,” “Saturday’s Shadow,” “A Lonely Train a’Comin,” “Boyfren’” and dozens of others.
       This fine volume is enclosed in a handsome slipcase with ribbon marker and includes 11 full page illustrations by Rodger Gerberding, a frontispiece, title page, and dustjacket by David Ho, a fine introduction by Jason V Brock, a new preface by Nolan himself, and appreciations by Ray Garton, Thomas F. Monteleone, S.T. Joshi, Lisa Morton, and others.
       The edition is limited to just 200 signed and numbered copies, and the book is signed by William F. Nolan, David Ho, and Rodger Gerberding.

edition information

Limited to 200 copies, each signed by William F. Nolan, Rodger Gerberding, and David Ho.
Oversize at 7½ × 11 inches.
Over 750 pages.
New preface by William F. Nolan.
New introduction by Jason V Brock.
Author appreciations by Joe R. Lansdale, Lisa Morton, Richard Christian Matheson, Ray Garton, S.T. Joshi, and others.
Many photographs of William F. Nolan.
One handsome volume in a slipcase.
Extensive bibliography of stories.
Slipcase, ribbon marker, head and tail bands, full color wraparound dustjacket art.
Original book price: $250.
Published June 2019.
ISBN 978-1-61347-210-1.

pricing

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