Pulp Links

Pulp newsgroups

Pulp newsgroupsNewsgroups had been popular online gathering spots for pulp fans since the early 1990s. But, boy, have times changed.

Back in 2015, we put together a comprehensive list of pulp newsgroups, with participation rankings. By then, social media was already booming and most users migrated from Usenet, Google Groups, and the now-defunct Yahoo Groups.

Most of the original posts from the pulp-related Usenet groups linger on the internet, but the majority of current posts are spam. The groups are still useful by searching for information in historical posts.

At one point, there were at least 30 pulp-related groups on Yahoo Groups. But after over 20 years, Yahoo shuttered all groups in late 2020. Some of the groups migrated to Groups.io; those that we are aware of are listed below.

Other pulp groups on Yahoo moved to Facebook. Pulp-related groups have proliferated on Facebook in recent years, so we’re not going to try to maintain a listing here. Just keep in mind that if you use Facebook, you can quickly search for groups there.

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of newsgroups from a variety of locations — Usenet, Yahoo Groups and Google Groups — to help make it easier for you to find other fans interested in the topics you’re interested in. To participate in groups on Yahoo or Google, you will need to have a free account. Many of the Yahoo Groups are moderated (to help prevent spam) and may require approval by the moderator to participate.

In addition to the web-based groups on Usenet, Yahoo and Google, we’ve also included a section devoted to pulp groups on the social network Facebook.

If you know of a pulp-related newsgroup not listed here, please let us know about it.

Usenet groups

alt.fan.doc-savage
Topic: Doc Savage
Comments: This Usenet group also can be accessed through Google Groups.
alt.fantasy.conan
Topic: Robert E. Howard’s Conan
It also can be accessed through Google Groups.
alt.fantasy.er-burroughs
Topic: Author Edgar Rice Burroughs
It also can be accessed through Google Groups.
alt.horror.cthulhu
Topic: H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos
It also can be accessed through Google Groups.
alt.pulp
Topic: The pulps
This Usenet group was the hub of the online pulp community in the late ’90s and early 2000s. It also can be accessed through Google Groups.

Groups.io groups

Fictionmags
Topic: All fiction magazines, plus other related discussions. This group maintained its robust activity despite the move to Groups.io.
JohnstonMcCulleyZorro
Topic: Author McCulley and his characters
Pulp Magazines
Topic: Pulp magazines
Pulp Scans
Topic: Preserving pulp magazines by scanning
WesternPulps
Topic: Western pulp fiction

Facebook groups

Most of these groups are “public” in the sense that anyone on Facebook can join and participate, but a Facebook account is required. For “private” groups, you will need to request to join.

If you know of a pulp-related group on Facebook not listed here, please let us know about it.

Agents of The Shadow
Topic: The Shadow.
Comments: This group is affiliated with the old Cobalt Club website run by James Trimm.
Bronze Pastiches
Topic: High adventure heroes inspired by Doc Savage of the pulps.
Edgar Rice Burroughs: Worlds of Adventure
Topic: For fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs and his fantastic worlds of Tarzan, Barsoom and Pellucidar, as well as other ERB creations.
Emperor of Dreams: Devotees of Clark Ashton Smith
Topic: A group devoted to “the life and works of Clark Ashton Smith, last of the great romantic poets and author of many SF and weird tales in the golden age of the pulps.”
Flearun – A Doc Savage Group
Topic: Doc Savage.
Comments: If the name Flearun rings a bell, it’s no surprise. Chuck Welch’s Hidalgo Trading Company runs this Facebook group that’s devoted to the Man of Bronze. It’s affiliated with Chuck’s other HTC pages on the web and the Flearun group at Yahoo.
G-8, Operator #5, The Red Falcon, Philip Strange, Richard Knight
Topic: This group focuses on the pulp heroes mentioned in its title.
H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society
Topic: “Chronicling the strange goings on of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society.”
The International Robert E Howard Fan Association
Topic: “We celebrate not only the barbaric writings of Robert E. Howard, but his impact and influence in pop culture.”
The Pulp Adventure League
Topic: All types and genres of pulp, including classic and New Pulp.
The Pulp Heroes
Topic: As the name implies, heroes from the pulp magazines, including The Shadow, Doc Savage, The Spider, The Phantom, Tarzan, Captain Future and others.
Pulp Magazine Authors and Literature Fans
Topic: All aspects and genres of the pulp magazines from the 1920s through ’50s.
Pulp Talk
Topic: Pulp stories of all varieties.
Pulpera
Topic: Mostly on New Pulp, but occasionally include classic pulp magazine topics.
Robert E. Howard Readers
Topic: The life and literary works of Robert E. Howard.
The Shadow Knows!
Topic: The Shadow and The Avenger.
Comments: The full name of this group is “The Shadow Knows! The Master of Darkness and Justice, Inc. — Richard Benson.”
Southern Pulpsters
Topic: A new group for pulp magazine fans who live in the Southeastern United States.
The Spider — Master of Men
Topic: The Spider.
Two Gun Bob — The Worlds of Robert E. Howard
Topic: The works of Robert E. Howard.

Pulp events

Events are subject to change.

March 24, 2024: The Paperback & Pulp Fair at Bloomsbury Ephemera Fair, London, U.K.

April 5-7, 2024: Windy City Pulp and Paper Convention, Lombard, Ill.

June 1, 2024: Fantastic Pulps Show & Sale, Toronto, ON, Canada.

June 7-8, 2024: Howard Days, Cross Plains, Texas

Aug. 1-4, 2024: PulpFest 2024, Pittsburgh, Pa.

On–going:
• Gotham Pulp Collectors Club, 1 p.m. the third Saturday of each month via Zoom. Check its website for location.