This week we'll be talking about Gold Medal Paperbacks. Founded in 1950 by Fawcett publications, this company was the first successful publisher of paperback originals. That means they didn't reprint already published hardback books which every other paperback publisher did, but original works of fiction. And they were incredibly successful.
We begin the show however with a brief note of recent paperback reads of British Library publications. The library re-prints and creates original collections of mysteries, science fiction, and horror in their collection. Their selections are excellent as is the design of the covers.
There is an abundance of research material on Gold Medal paperback history. I found the most interesting information in Gary Lovisi's Paperback Parade #33 which includes "Gold Medal Books", "Gold Medal at the Movies", and an interview with Gold Medal editor Know Burger. You can find back issues of Paperback Parade on Ebay and Amazon.com.
I also found fascinating info in Two-Bit Culture: The Paperbacking of America by Kenneth Davis. It's a great general history of paperbacks as well.
The Ed Gorman list of best Gold Medal writers that I mention in the podcast is found in The Big Book of Noir which also has outstanding articles on noir films, paperbacks, radio and television, and more.
Check our other post on Episode 5 for a bunch of Gold Medal covers that I'm sure you will love.
LINKS
- British Library Publications
- Gold Medal history (wikipedia)
- Gary Lovisi Gold Medal video
- Bookscans Gold Medal section
- Cover Browser Gold Medal covers
- Gold Medal Corner by Bill Crider
- Ed Gorman's blog on Gold Medal paperbacks
