Some time ago, someone on the Forum here mentioned
how time does run out for some of the best authors
et. al., as for us all. And, we/people should take
advantage of the existing time afforded us concerning
them. Recently, it dawned on me how "old" I am
becoming, hence, the physical ages of Artists I so
admire.

I propose we all here pool our various resources,
talents, knowledge and experiences to take the needed
action to get a biography book of sorts on the Master
Donald Sydney-Fryer out, while he is still here, so he
is on hand for "us" to talk to/interact with on such a
project. Of course, it would be an even greater honor/
homage if Donald could see and be given the actual
finished publication in his lifetime.

I would help in any way I could as Donald and I have
been "friends" for many years. For example, I could
add some of my experiences/knowledge concerning this
creative soul and highly talented poet. Briefly,
some of the items I could share:

1969 is when I first encountered Donald, I was at
the last day of an "honors" course I was in at
Calif. State University, Sacramento. It was held in
one of the professors' homes. As a special treat for us
students, there was this amazing individual in full
"costume" reciting Spencer/from the book SONGS & SONNETS
ATLANTEAN...He did so much more than just recite; he
created a magical world and made it real that day and
never broke "character"! I had encountered Donald Sydney-
Fryer in his full glory.

Not too long after, thanks to a mutual friend, as well as,
my engineer for my radio drama program ARKHAM THEATRE, I
was introduced to the human being I had met in that home
earlier in time. Donald was house-sitting in Sacramento.

Eventually, Donald found time to appear/perform on the
radio show. He did some of his own work as well as some
material by CAS. But, he did more, Donald came in full
Romantic bard outfit, took over the broadcast booth with
candles, incense and special musical instruments.

Time passed, through my position as the Regional Editor
and literary columnist for, at the time, one of Northern
California's leading "Arts" magazine, ON THE WING, I made
sure this so talented artist and true gentleman was
presented the magazine's respected "Poet of the Month"
award.

I interviewed, by now my friend, Donald, sort of
bio-piece for the double issue of the zine NYCTALOPS.

I rode up to and back with Donald to a special plaque
ceremony honoring Clark Ashton Smith at the Auburn city
library.

One of the greatest honors in my career was the slightly
rainy day in the California State Capital gardens. I
almost ran literally into Donald. From his, then,
trademark brown paper bag, he gave me my copy of
the self-published, limited edition of SONGS & SONNETS
ATLANTEAN (a new series begins)...and, he signed it "one
poet to another"! (It is so special to me that I brought
it with me to South Korea).

This is just a brief recounting of my time spent involved
with the Master Poet. I am sure there is so much more
like stories/working experiences out there that if all
brought together would make a fantastic recounting/study
of one of the world's, sadly at times, under rated/unknown
poetic greats of our time...while also presenting a real
human face on such a caring, giving individual!

So how about it? Comments concerning producing such a book?

I'd be delighted to publish such a book, as most small presses in the field would, I suppose.

Phil

[www.silverkeypress.org]

Phil,

Sounds fantastic that you be "delighted to publish
such a book"!

You did an excellent job concerning CAS bio book by
Donald!

I live in South Korea, so I'm not sure what I can add
other than my "memories." However, I would not mine
taking on something like being an editor/helping to
edit said project...as I do have some professional
experience with such work, i.e. I was the editor/
introduction writer for such individuals as Joseph
Paynr Brennan's WEB OF TIME, H. Warner Munn's THE
BOOK OF MUNN and George Clayton Johnson's WRITING FOR
THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

Thank you for responding so quickly to the project
idea! But, now, let's hope and see others who would
be very much needed to get involved with it :)