Books · Published · Ongoing
First Cuts: The Drafts and Fragments
Robert E. Howard’s working texts, from early drafts to unfinished fragments. I compile and transcribe the material, prepare notes and design the printed books.
Breckinridge Elkins
Four hardcover volumes collecting the surviving story drafts and drafts of A Gent from Bear Creek, with scholarly essays. Released 11 March 2026.
The Veiled Manuscripts
Howard’s spicy adventure drafts, synopses and fragments, with story notes, publication history and pulp illustrations. Paperback and slipcased hardcover, released in 2026.
The Hardboiled Manuscripts
Detective and crime drafts in two volumes, including Steve Harrison, with an essay by Dierk Günther. Paperbacks are available; the hardcover collector’s edition is forthcoming.
Reading the drafts
These books follow Howard’s writing as it developed, rather than presenting only the finished stories. Transcription preserves the source texts, while notes explain corrections, missing passages and publication details where known.
My part in the books
My work covers compilation, typescript transcription, editorial notes, interior layout and preparation for print, with help from Paul Herman and John Bullard on proofreading and other parts of the work. These are physical editions; the Ultimate Editions have their own project page.