You can buy Jonathan Bowden’s Pulp Fascism here.
3,635 words
Edited by Greg Johnson
Editor’s Note
What follows is the second of two collections of my extant correspondence with Jonathan Bowden from 2011. Once he started sending me articles for Counter-Currents, Jonathan would typically send the entire article as an email. For brevity, I have included just the titles. The articles themselves are found on Counter-Currents.
Aside from the routine back and forth of author and publisher, this correspondence deals with the death of Bill Hopkins, inquiries toward republishing his novel The Divine and the Decay/The Leap, travel plans to the United States, and the inception of Jonathan’s first Counter-Currents book Pulp Fascism.
This correspondence is complete, as far as I can determine. There are no replies to some of Jonathan’s submission emails, but at a certain point, such formalities were unnecessary, especially if I put Jonathan’s articles online promptly.
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2011 5:02 AM
Subject: Future Articles
Dear Greg,
First of all, my apologies for not being in contact for quite a long period. I gather that the putative conference in California at the end of July will not take place. I’m sure that there will be many future such opportunities. What I’m e-mailing you about is that I would like to start writing for Counter-Currents again under my own name. I don’t know whether you would like to re-format the “Clockwork Orange” article under my own name rather than that of J. Arthur Wyn or whatever pseudonym was used at the time. It could provide a bridge between the old articles and the new — if you see what I mean? I shall (hopefully) send you the first new article in about a week or so.
I have moved house and have a new landline/terrestrial phone number. Given the expense and the ten-hour time difference it’s probably not much use to you, but still, I’ve appended it to the bottom of this letter for what it’s worth. I would be grateful if you kept it under your hat and didn’t give it to anyone else. In extremis, it always gives you an instant way of contacting me should that prove necessary. The number is:
++44 (0) xxxx xxxxxx.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
6/5/2011, 10:39 AM
Future Articles
Here is Richard Spencer’s email address:
richardbspencer@xxxxxxxx
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
6/5/2011, 10:37 AM
Future Articles
Dear Jonathan,
Thanks so much for your email. I changed the name on the Clockwork Orange piece as you requested.
I am very excited that you wish to write for us again.
The conference in California in July had to be scaled down to a small retreat. We really do not have the money to fly you over I am afraid. But next year we should be able to.
Did you get in touch with Richard Spencer about going to the conference he is planning in Washington DC in September? I know he would love to have you there.
Thanks for your phone number. I will keep it between us.
Do you have a computer of your own now, or are you still using a library computer?
How goes your book project on the extreme right?
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
6/7/2011, 12:22 PM
Article
BILL HOPKINS: AN OBITUARY (1928-2011)
A GREAT MAN IS DEAD…
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
6/7/2011, 7:59 PM
Article
Thank you for this. I am so glad to have you back!
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
6/7/2011
Images of Bill Hopkins
Dear Greg,
There are three very usable images of Bill Hopkins which can be pressed into service as accompaniments for my piece. They are by the photographer Ida Kar and hail from the nineteen fifties. If you go to the Wikipedia page for Bill Hopkins (writer) and scroll down to the bottom you will see a link for three photographs of Bill Hopkins by Ida Kar at the National Portrait Gallery. Click on this and then enlarge/cut-and-paste the resultant images.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2011 23:10:36 -0700
Subject: Re: IMAGES FOR BILL HOPKINS
Dear Jonathan,
I would love to reprint THE DIVINE AND THE DECAY with your Introduction. Would you be willing to contact Hopkins’ estate and give them my contact information?
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 3:43 AM
Subject: RE: IMAGES FOR BILL HOPKINS
Dear Greg,
Yes, the decision essentially rests with Carla Hopkins. I will give it a little time—seeing as how Bill has just died—but I think that a personal approach by me would be the best one to use. I shall phone Carla in the next week or so to see how the land lies. It might be best for me to act as a broker or a literary agent here in England. Carla is strictly apolitical and never really agreed with Bill about things—so the line to pursue, in my estimation, is a strictly literary one, the importance of the Angry Young Men, existentialism and ‘fifties literature, et cetera. . . . If you like, I shall try and get back to you about this matter within two weeks.
On a practical level, what deal would you offer her/the estate of Bill Hopkins, et cetera . . . ? The usual package would be ten per cent of the cover price of all copies sold or an advance in lieu of the same. Let me know by e-mail . . . and I’ll be in touch once I’ve had a word with Carla.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
6/10/2011, 8:15 AM
Hopkins Project
Dear Jonathan,
Thanks for helping out with this. I can offer her a 10% royalty on the cover price of the book. We can’t afford an advance. We can, however, offer her assurances that the book will be well designed and edited, and that it will stay in print indefinitely given that we have a print on demand service, so as long as there is interest, the book can be purchased. Your introduction could stress the historical, philosophical, and literary context along the apolitical lines you suggest. It would also be good if you could also secure the widow’s cooperation in providing a good photo of her husband for the cover.
Let me know what happens.
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
6/17/2011, 6:49 PM
A Review
MEL GIBSON’S THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST; a REVIEW
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
6/17/2011, 8:40 PM
A Review
Thank you. It is now online.
GJ
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 8:29 AM
Subject: An Article
THE SOUND OF HIS HORN by SARBAN; a Review
by Jonathan Bowden
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
6/23/2011, 9:45 PM
An Article
Jonathan,
Thank you for this. This is brilliant, a real gem.
If you would write up your thoughts on Robert E. Howard, I would love to publish them.
Someday let’s discuss publishing a collection of your essays.
Best,
Greg
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:03:21 -0700
Subject: An Idea for a Collection of Essays
Jonathan,
One possible collection of your articles could fall under the title Pulp Fascism: The Dark Side in Comics, Film, and Popular Fiction (or something to that effect) and could include the following pieces:
The Sound of his Horn
Lovecraft
Robert E. Howard
The Divine and the Decay
A Clockwork Orange
Moreau’s Other Island
Batman and the Joker
Arkham Asylum
The Portage to San Christobal of AH
Blind Cyclops
Childermass
Frank Frazetta
No Orchids for Miss Blandish
Some of these might be dropped if they do not quite fit the focus.
Your Nosferatu and Syberberg essays might also be made to fit.
That is 13 essays averaging about 1500 words each. A good length to aim for would be 20 essays averaging that length, for a book of 30,000 words, which would be 150 pages of text, plus some front and back matter for 160—five signatures, which is what we aim for at CC.
I wanted to float this idea, since if you like it, it might give you new ideas for additional essays that could round out that theme. When you think about it, it is an absolutely IMMENSE topic.
We would of course pay you a royalty and make sure that the book is attractively designed and available world-wide.
Give it some thought.
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 3:27 AM
Subject: RE: An Idea for a Collection of Essays
Dear Greg,
Yes, I like this idea. I will try and provide another five, six or seven essays to round out the volume along the lines that you suggest. If I try and arrange to do one essay a week (or so) then that should mean that we have enough material for such a book by the end of the summer. I also agree with your other remarks about the book. It would be good to see if we can have it done by the end of the year (say). All the best.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
6/24/2011, 10:13 PM
Dear Jonathan,
I am delighted to hear this, and I look forward to your new essays.
Best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Subject: A Review
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 10:52:45 +0100
George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four; a review
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
7/6/2011, 5:44 PM
A Review
JUDGE DREDD “The Vendetta,” Titan Books, sometime during the 1980s
‘The Executioner’ in Judge Dredd #4, Titan Books, 1985
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
7/9/2011, 1:19 PM
A Review
THE INCREDIBLE HULK
THE LEADER AND THE LED
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 10:20 AM
Subject: A Review
CONAN THE BARBARIAN AND ROBERT E. HOWARD
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
7/15/2011, 7:59 PM
A Review
Brilliant!
I would love an overview article/portrait of Howard and his work.
Best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:10 AM
Subject: A Review
THE APES OF GOD BY WYNDHAM LEWIS; a review by Jonathan Bowden
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:04:03 -0700
Subject: Re: A Review
Thanks for this.
Any news on the Bill Hopkins project?
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
7/22/2011, 12:09 PM
Bill Hopkins
Dear Greg,
Bill Hopkins’ literary estate has been entrusted to his long-term literary associate Colin Wilson. He is the literary agent per se. This means that Colin is in charge of The Divine and the Decay and Ways Without a Precedent. I now need to liaise with him to see how the land lies. Things are complicated by the fact that Colin is around eighty and in poor health.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
7/23/2011, 2:41 PM
A Review
SOLOMON KANE AND ROBERT E. HOWARD
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
7/29/2011, 6:04 PM
A Review
T.S. Eliot; ultra-conservative dandy
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
8/3/2011, 5:44 PM
A Review
Aeschylus’ Agamemnon
The Multiple Uses of Greek Tragedy
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
8/3/2011, 9:19 PM
A Review
Thanks, it is now online!
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
8/11/2011, 5:23 PM
A Review
Francis Pollini’s Night; a review
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Aug 18.2011
A Review
Wyndham Lewis’ Tarr; an exercise in rightwing psychology . . .
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
8/25/2011, 4:02 PM
A Review
ROBERT E. HOWARD; an Overview
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
8/25/2011, 11:19 PM
The Counter-Currents Vanguard Forum
Dear Jonathan,
I would like to invite you to join Counter-Currents’ Vanguard Forum, which is a private, discreet, invitation-only forum for Counter-Currents writers, donors, and selected guests.
The purpose of the forum is specifically to allow members to contribute to the creative process of editing Counter-Currents and North American New Right. More detailed explanations of the forum’s purpose and rules can be found on the forum itself.
. . .
I hope I will talk to you next at the Forum.
All the best,
Greg Johnson
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
9/1/2011, 12:32 PM
A Review
Robert E. Howard and ‘The Hour of the Dragon’
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2011 13:42:05 -0700
Subject: computer equipment
Dear Jonathan,
Are you still in the UK?
Am I right that you still do not have a computer? If you don’t, would you like one?
I still want to buy Medusa Now Ventrix from you. Maybe we could do a barter for art.
I have the funds to get you a good laptop or desktop, as well as an internet account and “podcasting” equipment (basically just a professional microphone and headset that can plug into a laptop).
Around the first of October, CC will begin doing weekly podcasts. I think it would be wonderful if you could record the edited versions of your essays and include them in the weekly podcasts.
Having your own computer would also, I imagine, be useful for you as a writer.
I hope all is well and that you enjoy coming to the US for NPI.
I am planning some gatherings next year: one in February and the other in August. Our retreat in August went VERY well, and I am now confident enough of the model that I am sure that we can fly you out for one or both of them next year if you are interested. I think that you would enjoy California as well as the people you would meet. We have a lot of interesting artistic types in our circle.
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
9/8/2011, 4:08 PM
Computer Equipment
Dear Greg,
Thanks for your e-mail to which I am now replying. Yes — on both counts — I am still in the United Kingdom, and I would like a laptop computer replete with a microphone and head-set for pod-casting. (Somebody would have to show me how to use the pod-casting equipment first, though).
Unfortunately, I cannot attend NPI due to an important family commitment here in the UK. I gave the organizers a month and a half notice, so hopefully I cannot be accused of letting people down close to the event.
I would be delighted to attend an event at one of your counter-cultural retreats in California next February. Perhaps we could think about an art swap for a lap-top computer (plus add ons) then? You would also be in a position to show me briefly how the equipment works. All the best.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
9/12/2011, 5:00 PM
A Review
DOC SAVAGE AND CRIMINOLOGY
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
9/15/2011, 5:36 PM
A Review
CONAN THE CONQUEROR (PART TWO) by Robert E. Howard
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
9/22/2011, 4:54 PM
A Review
THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON (CONAN THE CONQUEROR) PART THREE
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
10/1/2011, 1:10 PM
Re: computer equipment
Dear Jonathan,
I am delighted you are interested in the computer project. Let me speak to some people about it. Ideally, we could get something to you sooner than next Feb., but if not before then, it would definitely be possible in February.
I always look forward to your latest works!
I hope all is well.
Best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
10/1/2011, 3:45 PM
A Review
CONAN THE CONQUEROR (THE HOUR OF THE DRAGON); PART FOUR
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2011 01:42:28 -0700
Subject: Counter-Currents Artist Retreat
Dear Jonathan,
I want to make sure that you can come out to the US next February for a Counter-Currents retreat that will focus on artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, and other creative types, as well as the usual writers and publishers.
The two days of the retreat are Sat. Feb. 25 and Sun. Feb. 26. People will arrive on the evening of the 24th and there will be informal socializing then.
We would like you to give a speech on the afternoon of Sat. the 25th.
We will cover your air fare, room and board, and transportation.
You can, of course, make a longer trip of it. You are welcome to stay with us in San Francisco around the time of the event. It might also be possible to arrange other events for you while you are over here. All that can be determined later.
For now, I would like to just get your agreement to be speaking at the event, since I believe that your participation would be sufficient to get some of the fence-sitters committed.
More in a separate email soon on the computer project.
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
October 14/2011, 3:29 PM
Dear Greg,
I should be delighted to attend your retreat next year on the dates you mention (Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of February). I am uncertain at this date whether I can stay any longer and extend the trip to San Francisco along the lines that you suggest — but I can definitely attend on the two or three days that you mention. All the best.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 04:35:46 -0700
Subject: your computer
Dear Jonathan,
We wrapped up a very successful fundraising campaign on the 31st, and the first thing we did with our new funds was to purchase a laptop computer and a podcasting kit for you. The computer will be delivered here, so Mike can load it up with software. Then we will mail it and the podcasting kit to you in England. You should have them inside two weeks.
We will also get you the necessary UK power adapter.
Do you have internet access where you currently live?
Mike will make himself available to tutor you in the use of the equipment.
As we discussed, we hope that this computer will help you become even more productive. We also think that with your amazing speaking skills, you would be a natural “podcaster.”
Later this month, we are planning to launch a weekly CC podcast, in which we will bring together the best material on the website, plus a recorded interview and some music breaks. We would love it if you would like to be a regular guest. If you want to do your own show, the Voice of Reason network people would be quite willing and able to help you with all the technical and organizational details. They are VERY professional.
Let me know that you have received this.
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
11/2/2011, 4:54 PM
Your Computer
Dear Greg,
Thanks very much for your efforts on my behalf. I am afraid to say that I’m not connected to the internet where I live — so a large amount of instruction will have to be given. With me, all I need is to be shown physically how to do things once only and then I get the hang of it. Thankfully we have the phone line, and I shall be seeing you in February in any case.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
Subject: Your Arkham Asylum piece
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2011 03:44:15 -0700
Dear Jonathan,
I want to include your Arkham Asylum essay in volume one of North American New Right, the print volume. I have pasted it below. Please look it over, incorporate any corrections, and send it back to me.
All the best,
Greg
PS: The laptop and podcasting gear arrived today. Mike will begin loading software and customizing it this weekend.
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
11/8/2011, 12:58 PM
RE: Your Arkham Asylum piece
Dear Greg,
I have looked over the Arkham Asylum piece which you have kindly sent me, and I cannot see anything which requires attention.
Would it be an idea to keep the new computer in your possession until next February — so that Michael can personally train me up on it? It’s just an idea.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
11/29/2011, 3:36 PM
Your Arkham Asylum Piece
Jonathan,
Yes, we can hold onto the computer until February.
All the best,
Greg
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
12/1/2011, 10:53 AM
Emma West/Bill Hopkins
Dear Jonathan,
I would love to run commentary on the Emma West controversy.
Any news of the possibility of reprinting The Divine and the Decay/The Leap?
All the best,
Greg
Jonathan Bowden to Greg Johnson
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 7:23 AM
Subject: Bill Hopkins’ Novel
Dear Greg,
I have written to Bill Hopkins’ widow, Carla, about the chance of publishing The Divine and the Decay. I have asked her to forward any such correspondence to the estate’s literary executor, Colin Wilson. Given that she has gone ex-directory at a new address, I do not have a contemporary phone number for her, but I am hopeful that my intervention will garner a reply even in an indirect way. I shall keep you informed of any developments.
On another front, could I have a number for you in San Francisco prior to my trip out to see you in February? It’s only as an insurance policy really — because, otherwise, I’ll be arriving in San Francisco blind without any way of contacting you. When I arrived in Atlanta to see you and Sam Dixon prior to the CMS conference — itself fraught with difficulties due to Sam’s non-appearance — I had two numbers, both yours and Sam’s, which proved vital at the time. Also, is there a special part of the airport where you intend to meet me? In Atlanta it was a drive by/pick-up point out outside the terminal where baggage was disgorged. I would be grateful if you could tell me where you intend to pick me up at SFO well in advance.
All the best this Yule.
Yours ever,
Jonathan Bowden
www.jonathanbowden.co.uk
Greg Johnson to Jonathan Bowden
12/17/2011, 11:22 PM
Bill Hopkins’ Novel
Dear Jonathan,
Here is my cell phone: 404-xxx-xxx
Here is Mike’s: 415-xxx-xxxx
We will pick you up outside the baggage claim area of the international terminal, which is where your plane should be landing. We will scout out a particular location (like a particular counter or kiosk) and let you know it in advance. Give us time to do that though. We would have to drive over there to see.
We will make sure your arrival in SF is as pleasant and stress-free as possible.
Thanks for your help with the Hopkins novel.
All the best,
Greg