IN THE PULP TRENCHES

 

IN THE PULP FICTION TRENCHES

A Memoir by Len Levinson

Rough Edges Press

292 pgs

 

We first met paperback writer Len Levinson at the Windy City Pulp & Paper convention several years ago. Then in his early eighties, he was there as the major Star Guest of the show. This was due totally to his amazing career in pulp writing which ultimately saw him write 86 published novels. He’s a little guy with a white goatee and twinkle in his eyes that threatens instant mischief at any moment.

 

This wonderful book is Len’s looking back on his writing career through the good times and the bad. Be forewarned, he’s brutally honest and not above adding events that aren’t truly relevant to writing but remain crucial elements of who Len is. These includes reprinting a scathing article he wrote about the New York Child Services agency and details on his later medical woes from prostate cancer to a severe heart attack. Though we could have easily done without either, there’s no way Len would ever shy away from those moments in time he’d just as soon forget.  

His tales of editors, publishers, literary agents and fellow pulp scribes is the real core of this wonderful book. His memory of meeting the late John Lennon is particularly touching. In the end, Len never achieved the status of a Stephen King or John Grisham, but at the same time he actually conquered the summit of the pulp genre, satisfying lots and lots of readers along the way. This reviewer included. Thanks Len, for showing us how it was done.

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