This podcast episode features William R. Cox, a prolific author of over 1,000 pulp stories known for his crime-fiction, sports, and western novels. It also includes a review of a 1967 vintage suspense-thriller by John Farris. Listen today! 

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In this episode, Eric explores the transition of vintage pulp stories and heroes from magazine format to mass market paperbacks in the 1960s and 1970s. He also celebrates GarbAugust by highlighting three of the worst books he’s ever read.

Be sure to follow all of the Paperback Warrior reviews, articles, and links at Paperback Warrior.

Eric collaborates with Nick from The Book Graveyard BookTube channel to review the 1971 gothic paperback The Shadow Guest. They also explore the gothic paperback scene of the 1960s–80s, focusing on its mix of supernatural and mystery elements. The discussion is available as a podcast and as a video on The Book Graveyard channel HERE.

In this double-feature episode, Eric investigates the mysterious life and work of crime-fiction and boxing-story writer Jack Karney, while also spotlighting S.S. Rafferty, a regular contributor to Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazines. The episode also includes a segment on a non-fiction book about MGM Studios, a look at this summer's conventions, and fiction's first colonial continental op.

Check out thousands of book reviews and articles about vintage fiction and crime-noir at Paperback Warrior. Visit me on X, FaceBook, and YouTube.

It's a book premier right here on Paperback Warrior! I narrate the new 75-page novella GUNS DRAWN by Thomas Hyland, a violent, tightly-knit character piece involving bad guys, sexy women, gunplay, and bloodshed. It's a stylish 1950ish potboiler...and it's free for you.

SYNOPSIS:

Daisy Mae married mob accountant Abner Little to escape the wrong side of the tracks. Her escape turned into a short-cut to Hell. Abner prefers other women. He rubs it in her face. So Daisy opens her heart to handsome Dwayne Duncan, who agrees to kill Abner for her. Has Daisy Mae gone from the frying pan to the fire?

Dwayne Duncan turns out may have some baggage of his own. Dwayne is  right hand man to big shot Harvey Bishop, Abner's boss. Dwayne decides to frame Abner and one of his girlfriends.
 Easy peasy, right? Abner's girlfriend is seeing the boss' volatile son Flynn. Simple goes out the door. As Dwayne connives, Bishop dies creating a power vacuum that turns the city into a bloodbath.

C'est la vie.

Praise for GUNS DRAWN:

"Guns Drawn is a fast-paced homage to noir crime; violence, betrayal, and existential emptiness spiraling into chaotic ruin. If the pulps were still printing then surely Thomas Hyland would be a contributor."-ERIC COMPTON (PAPERBACK WARRIOR)

Get the ebook or print edition HERE.

In this episode, Eric embarks on a globe-trotting nautical adventure with a spotlight on Arthur Catherall, exploring his World War II-era series set in exotic locales. He also dives into a recent western discovery, reviews a thrilling novel about a runaway rollercoaster, and shares his thoughts on the latest short story collection from Bruce Elliott, newly released by Stark House Press.

You can watch this episode on YouTube HERE. Be sure to follow on Facebook and on the blog at Paperback Warrior for hundreds and hundreds of reviews, posts, videos, shorts, and more.

In this episode, Eric explores the life and career of Lou Cameron, a comic book artist who became a prolific paperback writer and pioneer in the adult western genre. He also reviews a Booktuber, showcases his latest used book acquisitions, and discusses the newest issue of Men's Adventure Quarterly.

Be sure to follow Paperback Warrior online for thousands of reviews on vintage fiction including video links for book shopping across America, podcast episodes, and a multitude of exciting original articles about authors and artists.

In this podcast episode, Eric explores the infamous Amityville murders and their impact on pop culture through a deep dive into The Amityville Horror and its many paperback sequels and spinoffs that shaped haunted house fiction in the '80s and '90s. He also reviews Grady Hendrix’s novel How to Sell a Haunted House.

Be sure to visit Paperback Warrior to read thousands of reviews for vintage books, comics, magazines, pulps, and features on authors and artists. Additionally, you can listen to over 100 episodes of the podcast and watch hundreds of videos dedicated to paperback fiction.

Acclaimed author, editor, and podcast host Paul Bishop joins Eric for a lively conversation about his latest book, 52 Weeks 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels. In this engaging discussion, Paul offers a thoughtful introduction to Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary detective, sharing tips on where newcomers should start, exploring why Sherlock Holmes remains timeless, and delving into the wide world of adaptations—from classic stories and novels to films, TV series, comics, and anime—that have kept the great sleuth alive for nearly 140 years. Watch the video on YT HERE.

Over the last seven years, Paperback Warrior has discussed, reviewed, promoted, and contributed to Stark House Press publications. In this exclusive interview, Greg Shepard, Stark House's founder and editor, sits down with Eric to discuss his career in publishing, including Zebra's mass-market paperbacks in the 1980s and early 1990s, the humble beginnings of the Stark House name, working with the estates of heavyweight crime-fiction icons like Harry Whittington, Carter Brown, Lionel White, and the multiple series titles that he published and continues to publish. This insightful interview peers into the paperback publishing process from start to finish and offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the book business. To watch the side by side video click HERE.