Will Murray Working to Publish New "Wild Adventures"
At the 2010 Pulpfest author Will Murray spoke to a crowed room of Doc fans eager to hear news from the latest “Kenneth Robeson.” Murray, who wrote seven Doc adventures using materials from the Lester Dent archives, announced he had secured the rights to publish new Doc Savage novels.
Murray explained Conde Nast (copyright holders for the Doc Savage character) had given him the right to publish seven new novels and reprint his seven published novels. Murray is in negotiation with a publishing house to produce the novels in paperback form — either in traditional or trade paperback size. Citing ongoing negotiations, Murray refrained from naming the publisher other than to state it wasn’t Anthony Tollin’s Sanctum Books. Tollin’s publishing house currently reprints the original Doc Savage novels from the 1930s and 40s.
The real reason I do this is to salvage the Lester Dent experience. — Will Murray
Murray unveiled a proposed cover for the first of the new novels, The Desert Demons. The cover used original art by Joe DeVito, cover artist for Murray’s seven novels published by Bantam. Murray explained the cover used a painting of Doc commissioned by Jack Juka and applicable to Murray’s story.
Murray explained the new novel was based on material unearthed during his research into Lester Dent’s papers. In 2005, Murray found a discarded Dent chapter that “introduced Doc in a whole different way.” Murray explained the chapter fit into a Doc novel he was considering, but would take it into a new direction.
Murray explained he wanted his new novels to be “over the top.” “We’re trying to take Doc somewhat out of the envelope,” Murray added. He said the stories would be similar to adventures such as those found in The Spook Legion or Repel.
Murray concluded the presentation by answering audience questions about his working methods, writing philosophy and information about the proposed seven novels. Later this week, the Hidalgo Trading Company will publish additional information about the new novels.
At the 2010 Pulpfest, Will Murray announced he had inked a contract to produce seven new Doc Savage novels. In the 1990s, Murray published several Doc Savage novels for Bantam under the pseudonym Kenneth Robeson. He announced the new novels will…
This is good news for Doc fans. I really enjoyed Murray’s Doc novels for Bantam and was really cheezed off when Bantam canceled the series. Hopefully the new series will be published in traditional paperback format so i can put them on my bookshelf alongside the others.
i wish you would have shown the cover here.
A new Doc Savage story by Will Murray is always a welcome treat. WIl is probably the world expert on Doc Savage and the Shadow and he has unprecedented access to Lester Dent’s papers. With the success of the Doc Savage reprints and the plans for the upcoming movie, this is the time to publish new Doc stories. THE sooner the better!
This is fabulous news! I just finished reading “The Forgotten Realm,” which I think was will’s last DS novel, and was mightily impressed with how it captured the spirit of Lester Dent. What a fortunate circumstance that suh a talented writer has taken up the mantle!
Can’t wait for these new novals…
“)
kt
Eagerly awaiting Will’s new stories, with apologies to John-I love the trade paperback size for publishing the stories. You get an easier to read size, bigger and more attractive cover and the mag style form is easier to store for the collectors. I hope all pulp fans support the reprints from Anthony Tollin and Neil Mechem, hope Will’s new Doc Savage adventures will draw in new generations of fans.
Fantastic!
Can’t wait to read these.
BRING ‘EM ON!
- MB
John,
Will didn’t put the cover out on the net so that it would be fresh when the book is published. He also mentioned that the typeface and text on the cover wasn’t finalized.
fantastic news. really psyched to read the new stories. bravo! doc lives.
I could not believe it. DOC is backkkkkk with FAB FIVE!!!
Any clue as to the timeframe involved here? 2010? 2011?