If so, how was he? Has Poe influenced any other authors (preferably European)? Any help is welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks

Yes, he started reading Poe's stories at the age of 8. Poe appears as a character in the short story "The Exiles," and is mentioned in several of Ray's poems and his nostalgic Halloween article. "Usher II" is based on a Poe theme.

Poe was also a big influence on Jules Verne. Verne once wrote a novel, "The Sphinx of the Ice Fields", which was a sequel to Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym". He also wrote a critical assesment of Poe (contained in the book THE JULES VERNE SCRAPBOOK, edited by Peter Haining, now sadly out-of-print).

If you're lucky enough to live near LA, don't miss this.

Directed by my friend and Ray's, Stuart Gordon, it going to be a good one!

Don't forget Ray's lovely story "Last Rites."

Poe is (along with Wilde and Melville) one of the impoverished and seemingly faded writers that the time traveler visits on their deathbeds in order to reassure them of their literary value and immortality.

Ray was also influenced by our mutual friend (and Ray's fellow WEIRD TALES scribe) Robert Bloch, who "collaborated" with Poe by finishing the short story "The Lighthouse." Bob (who passed away in 1994) also paid tribute to Poe in his ghoulish tale "The Man Who Collected Poe."

Ray gave me great comments about Poe when DARK CARNIVAL was reissued and WHEN THE DUST RETURNED was first published. Much of that will appear in my book.

Terry Pace
pillaroffire@bellsouth.net

"God, here and there, makes madness a calling." -- Ray Bradbury

Terry, could you tell us more about your book?

Ray wrote a very touching and moving tribute to his dear friend Robert Bloch at the time of his passing. Ray's tribute was re-printed in the terrific Bloch collection, ROBERT BLOCH: APPRECIATIONS OF THE MASTER, edited by Richard Matheson and Ricia Mainhardt and published in 1995, shortly after Bloch's death. When I first read Ray's tribute, it almost brought tears to my eyes. For anyone who might be interested, here is a link to some more information about the book:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co...ations-of-master.htm

Be glad to, Phil. I'm working on a book on Ray's work in theatre, film, radio and television. I've already done some incredible interviews (with Ray and many, many others).

I'm also working on a related book WITH Ray, at his request (which is very exciting), but I'll have to hold off on those details till Ray's ready to divulge. Thanks for asking!

Terry Pace
pillaroffire@bellsouth.net

"God, here and there, makes madness a calling." -- Ray Bradbury