The Extended Mythos

H.P. Lovecraft has inspired many other writers over the years, leading to the creation of an extended mythos that expands upon the themes, creatures, and cosmic horror elements found in his original works. This extended mythos, while retaining thematic similarities to Lovecraft’s other works, often introduces new concepts and settings that do not directly reference the established elements of the Cthulhu Mythos or Dreamlands. Lovecraft’s influence permeates these stories, as his pioneering vision of cosmic dread, and the insignificance of humanity in the face of incomprehensible forces has become a foundational aspect of modern horror literature.

As H.P. Lovecraft was involved in a literary circle that included other writers such as Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, and August Derleth, he co-authored many stories and corresponded with these authors, leading to a shared universe of cosmic horror that has continued to grow and evolve over the years. This collaboration and mutual inspiration gave rise to a broader mythos that extends beyond Lovecraft’s solo works, enriching the tapestry of supernatural horror with diverse voices and imaginative expansions. These writers, while bringing their unique styles and perspectives, adhered to the core principles of Lovecraft’s vision: the fear of the unknown, the fragility of sanity, and the presence of ancient, malevolent entities lurking beyond the veil of reality.

This book contains a selection of stories from the extended mythos that showcase the diverse range of narratives and styles that emerged from Lovecraft’s creative mind and his collaborative circle. Included are tales that delve into the depths of forbidden knowledge, explore uncharted realms of terror, and present encounters with entities that defy human comprehension. For legal reasons, we have included only those stories that are in the public domain, ensuring that readers can enjoy these works without any copyright restrictions. Through these stories, readers will experience the richness of the extended Lovecraft Mythos, a testament to the enduring legacy of H.P. Lovecraft and his profound impact on the genre of horror.

List of stories in the Extended Lovecraft Mythos

Title	Published	Description
Memory	1919	(with C.M. Eddy Jr.) A brief prose-poem reflecting on the fleeting nature of human civilization and the enduring qualities of the natural world, narrated by a demon and a genie.
The Very Old Folk	1940	In a dream set in ancient Rome, a man witnesses a ritual to prevent the rise of malevolent forces.
Poetry and the Gods	1920	A young girl dreams of being visited by the gods of ancient Greece, who reveal to her the power and importance of poetry.
The Tree	1921	Set in ancient Greece, this story follows two sculptors and the eerie supernatural events that occur after one dies and a strange tree grows from his grave.
The Moon-Bog	1926	An Irishman drains a bog to build a castle, only to incur the wrath of the ancient beings that dwell within.
The Street	1919	The history of a New England street is recounted, revealing how it reacts to changes and events, culminating in supernatural retribution.
The Terrible Old Man	1921	Three robbers attempt to steal from an old man, only to face supernatural retribution.
The Tomb	1922	A young man becomes obsessed with an ancestral tomb, uncovering dark family secrets and experiencing supernatural phenomena.
The Picture in the House	1921	A traveler seeks refuge in a remote house and discovers the dark obsession of its elderly inhabitant with a gruesome illustration.
The Music of Erich Zann	1922	A musician plays otherworldly music to keep cosmic horrors at bay.
The Thing in the Moonlight	1941	A man experiences a nightmarish vision in which he encounters a monstrous figure in a desolate landscape under the moonlight.
Pickman’s Model	1927	An artist discovers the horrifying truth behind his friend’s disturbing artwork.
The Temple	1925	A German U-boat crew discovers a sunken city inhabited by ancient, malevolent beings.
Under the Pyramids	1924	Harry Houdini is captured and thrown into an underground labyrinth beneath the Egyptian pyramids, encountering ancient gods and monstrous creatures.
Medusa’s Coil	1939	(with Zealia Bishop) An artist becomes entangled with a sinister woman whose true, monstrous nature leads to horrific consequences.
The Challenge from Beyond	1935	(with C.L. Moore, A. Merritt, Robert E. Howard, and Frank Belknap Long) The science fiction half of the story involves a man who finds an ancient crystal that transports his mind into the body of an alien creature.
The Electric Executioner	1930	(with Adolphe de Castro) A tale of a scientist who creates a mechanical executioner that gains a life of its own, leading to tragic consequences.
Herbert West—Reanimator	1922-1926	A serialized story about a medical student who experiments with reanimating the dead, leading to disastrous results.
The Hoard of the Wizard-Beast	1933	(with R.H. Barlow) A story of a treasure hunter who seeks a fabled hoard guarded by a monstrous creature in a remote jungle.
The Night Ocean	1936	A man becomes increasingly obsessed with the mysterious and possibly supernatural aspects of the ocean during his summer retreat.
Ashes	1923	(co-authored by C.M. Eddy Jr.) A macabre tale of a scientist’s experiment gone wrong, resulting in horrifying consequences.
In the Walls of Eryx	1936	(with Kenneth Sterling) A science fiction story about a prospector, who explores the Venus’ jungles in search of valuable crystals.
What the Moon Brings	1923	A dreamlike narrative where the protagonist encounters bizarre and horrifying visions in a moonlit landscape.
Winged Death	1934	A scientist discovers a way to control deadly tsetse flies, using them for nefarious purposes with horrific consequences.
Till A’ the Seas	1935	In a distant future where Earth has become an arid wasteland, the last surviving humans struggle to cope with the desolate environment and inevitable extinction.

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