According to Petaja, approximately 40 to 50 copies were printed with many 'given to friends and well wishers.' Some of these early pieces were later collected in As Dream and Shadow (SISU, 1972). The chapbook marked the first book publication for each author. Brief Candle contained cover art and illustrations by Petaja's friend, Hannes Bok, whom he had met that same year.

Much of Petaja's early literary efforts were verse – and according to the author, he won a 'couple of minor regional poetry contests.' In 1936, Petaja self-published a chapbook of poems, Brief Candle, running-off copies on the mimeograph machine at Montana State University, where he was a student majoring in creative writing. Other short fiction and verse was published in The Californian (alongside the efforts of Lovecraft), Futuria Fantasia, The Acolyte, and other small press and regional publications. Rimel), appeared in 1936 in The Phantagraph. Another early work, 'Weird Music' (written with Duane W. The author's first published writings date from 1935 with the short story, 'Two Doors,' for the semi-prozine Unusual Stories.

Petaja and Lovecraft continued corresponding until the latter's death in 1937. However, the magazine never materialized.

Rimel to form a fan magazine, The Fantaisiste's Mirror, that would resume serializing Lovecraft's Supernatural Horror in Literature from the point it had left off in the defunct Fantasy Fan. He was also a member of First Fandom – a group which honors fans from the time when science fiction was known as 'scientification.' Petaja corresponded with Lovecraft in late 1934, and the next year proposed teaming with Duane W. Notably, Petaja is part of a unique group of individuals in the history of the genres who turned their fandom into literature. During this time, Petaja also struck-up correspondence with, and sometimes befriended, such early luminaries as H. Petaja started out as a fan and immersed himself in the genres by befriending other interested individuals, by collecting pulp and science fiction magazines, and by forming clubs and associations.

Reading the magazine changed his life, and he became a lifelong devotee of fantasy and science fiction. The future author attended schools in Bonner and Missoula, Montana.Īccording to an autobiographical account, Petaja's introduction to fantastic literature came in 1931 when he came across a copy of Weird Tales. He was the youngest of 10 children born to John and Hanna Petaja. Emil Petaja (pronounced PET-a-ya) was born on Apin Milltown, Montana – a small lumber town in the western part of the state.

Saga of Lost Earths by Emil Petaja