Red Nails (ePub)

Robert Ervin Howard (1906-1936) was a seminal figure in the genre of sword and sorcery fantasy, his writings having cast a long shadow over modern fantasy literature. Born in Peaster, Texas, and spending most of his life in the Lone Star State, Howard displayed a fascination with the written word from an early age, devouring historical and mythological tales that would later inform his own creations. His most famous character, Conan the Barbarian, has become synonymous with the might-and-magic storytelling that Howard pioneered. 'Red Nails,' one of the last Conan stories, and widely regarded as one of his best, encapsulates the dark, brooding atmosphere characteristic of his work and was published posthumously in 'Weird Tales' magazine in 1936. A hallmark of Howard's literary style is his vivid sensory description and brisk pacing, coupled with a rich infusion of history and legend. While Howard's life was tragically cut short by his suicide at the age of 30, his literary output was prolific, contributing to pulp magazines of the era and establishing a legacy that would inspire future generations of writers and filmmakers. Howard's oeuvre is not limited to Conan; other creations include Solomon Kane, King Kull, and Bran Mak Morn, solidifying Howard's place as an architect of fantasy literature's early landscape.