Publications:

• Paperback Parade is the leading 'zine devoted to paperback publication and collecting.  It considers no subject too worthless, no genre beneath notice, no author too obscure; articles in the recent issues have included interviews with such authors as Guy N. Smith, E.C. Tubb, Mike Avallone, and Pat Hawk; reviews of "Dark Shadows" books and Manhunt magazine and a history of Sci-fi cover art; issue #46 is a special issue devoted to Micky Spillane. Paperback Parade is available from Gryphon Publications, PO Box 280-209, Brooklyn, New York, 11228-1209, at the price of $7.00 a copy or 6 issues for $35.
• Smut Peddler!, Vol. 1, Nos. 1 & 2 - Smut Peddler! is the only publication I am aware of exclusively addressing such books as are presented in this site, and is written and published by the amazingly productive Miriam Linna, former drummer for the Cramps and the A-Bones, who also publishes El Loco (devoted to the Mexican masked professional wrestling scene) and writes for other publications and, with Billy Miller, runs Norton Records (carrying an astonishing catalog of rockabilly, punk, lounge, and other obscure music) and publishes Kicks (focusing on obscure rock n' roll) and Bad Seed (reviewing Juvenile Delinquent paperbacks.)  Information on ordering all of the above may be obtained from M. Linna, PO Box 646, Cooper Station, New York, New York  10003 (include stamped, self-addressed envelope; the Norton Records catalog is $1.00)
• Murder Can Be Fun is an ongoing, erratically published but highly regarded 'zine primarily covering murder, disaster, and other human misadventures, but he also covers disreputable literature of various kinds, especially, in his earlier issues, such then-obscure literature as Willeford and Thompson, as well as the dark side of teenage books.  He has published two special editions devoted to books -- (Anti-) Sex Tips for Teens - the Teenage Advice Book: 1897-1987 and Obscure Crime Books.

• Geoffery O'Brien, Hardboiled America - Lurid Paperbacks and the Masters of Noir (expanded edition (c) 1997, Da Capo Press) - This book was out of print for years but has recently been republished in an expanded and updated edition, covering the history of paperback publishing, the major paperback publishers and the most worthy authors.  As a source of information, this book is yet unequaled.
• Lee Server, Over My Dead Body-The Sensational Age of the American Paperback: 1945-55 (Chronicle Books, (c) 1994 - This coffee-table-sized book is a wonderful introduction to the world of early paperbacks, giving a good overall view of publishing history and also covering specific genres (crime, sex, beats, etc.) and beautifully reproduces hundreds of covers in full color.  Mr. Server covers all aspects of the early paperback industry, but betrays a bias toward the more lurid stuff. NOT TO BE MISSED.
• Jon Warren, Official Price Guide - Paperbacks (House of Collectibles/Random House, (c) 1991) - Although out of date, this books is still a valuable source of information about the books in different series, paperback publishers, cover artists, etc., and is still generally considered to be the best price guide for paperbacks yet published.
• Rose Idlet, Vintage Paperback Collecting - Black Ace Books, one of the best-known dealers in vintage paperbacks, publishes this little booklet that covers all of the basics of collecting.  The section entititled "Book Grading and Condition (Or Why "Good" Isn't)" is required reading and, as they only charge $2.00 for a copy, how far wrong can you go?  (Black Ace Books, 1658 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA  90026.)
• Gorgon Books, Collectable Vintage Paperbacks at Auction - 1995 - An exhaustive list of prices realized at paperback auctions of thousands of books across the country from 1991-94; also includes separate lists of the most valuable books and the books of Frederic Brown, Philip K. Dick, David Goodis, Day Keene, John D. MacDonald, Jim Thompson, Charles Williams, Charles Willeford and Ed Wood, Jr.
• Bob and Sharon Huxford, Huxford's Paperback Value Guide (Schroeder Publishing Co., 1994).
• Rudolph Grey, Nightmare of Ecstasy - The Life and Art of Ed Wood, Jr. - although primarily concerned with Wood's film career, it includes a bibliography, including pictures, summaries of and quotes from, of Wood's paperback creations.