M. P. SHIEL: THE MIDDLE YEARS, 1897-1923 by (Shiel, Matthew Phipps) Billings, Harold - 2010

Austin: Roger Beacham Publisher, 2010. Octavo, pp. [1-13] 14-357 [358: "The Author"] [359: colophon] [360: blank], illustrations, pictorial wrappers. First edition. This copy is signed by Billings on the half title page. Biography of the middle years of West Indian born British writer Matthew Phipps Shiel which focuses on his career as an author of serial fiction, supernatural short stories, and prophetic novels by which he is recalled today. Extensive transcriptions of previously unpublished letters and documents from family members, archives of his publishers, literary agents, and fellow authors provide the basis for a deeper look into this man whose publisher, Grant Richards, described as "extraordinarily clever and a little mad." Trade paperback format; only 100 copies produced. A fine "as new" copy. (#156883)