Karl Edward Wagner American writer Date of Birth: 12.12.1945 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Medical Career and Writing Beginnings
3. Literary Breakthrough
4. Karcosa Press and Anthologies
5. Shift to Contemporary Horror
6. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Karl Wagner was born on December 12, 1945, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Aubrey Joseph Wagner and Dorothea Huber. He was the youngest of four children. His father was a descendant of German immigrants and became the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1960.

In 1963, Wagner graduated with honors from Central High School in Knoxville, earning a scholarship to attend Kenyon College. He graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

Medical Career and Writing Beginnings

After college, Wagner enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, partially due to his admiration for writer Manly Wade Wellman, who lived in the same city. He earned his Doctor of Medicine in Neurobiology in 1974.

During his medical education, Wagner published his first works: the novel "Web of Darkness" (1970) and the collection "The Shadow of the Death Angel" (1973).

Literary Breakthrough

In 1975, Wagner's novel "The Bloody Stone" was published by Warner Paperback, featuring an illustration by Frank Frazetta. This publication marked the beginning of Wagner's full-time writing career. He abandoned his medical practice to focus on writing and attending conventions.

Through networking, he became the editor of three books on Robert E. Howard's character Conan in 1977 and penned novels continuing Howard's "Conan" and "Bran Mak Morn" series.

Karcosa Press and Anthologies

From 1972 to 1981, Wagner and his friends David Drake and Jim Grose published four anthologies under their own imprint, Carcosa Press. The collections featured illustrations by artists from the renowned magazine Weird Tales.

In 1976, Wagner became the principal compiler of the anthology "The Year's Best Horror Stories," which continued until his death. He also edited three anthologies of classic sword and sorcery and sword and planet stories from 1987 to 1991.

Shift to Contemporary Horror

In the 1980s, Wagner gradually shifted from heroic fantasy to contemporary horror, writing stories set in his hometown of Knoxville and familiar settings such as medical institutions and writer's conventions. These stories appeared in magazines and anthologies, and were later collected in two author's collections: "In a Lonely Place" (1983) and "Why Not You and I?" (1987).

Legacy

Karl Wagner passed away on October 13, 1994, at the age of 48, due to a heart attack. His work continues to be influential in the genres of horror and heroic fantasy. The "Kane" cycle, one of his most notable contributions, has become a beloved series among fans of the genre. Wagner's legacy as a writer, editor, and anthologist cements his place as a significant figure in the worlds of literature and entertainment.