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b'Clark Ashton Smith (1893\\u20131961) was an American writer and artist known for his unique contributions to literature and art. - Born on January 13, 1893, in Long Valley, California, Smith came from a family of English and New England heritage.- He spent most of his life in Auburn, California, where he lived in a cabin built by his parents, Fanny and Timeus Smith.- Due to psychological disorders, Smith\'s formal education was limited, and he was taught at home after attending eight years of grammar school.- Smith was an insatiable reader with an extraordinary eidetic memory, and he read voraciously, including works by Edgar Allan Poe, Hans Christian Andersen, and others.- He even read the entire 11th edition of the Encyclop\\xe6dia Britannica twice.- Smith\'s early literary efforts included fairy tales and imitations of the Arabian Nights, which he began writing at the age of 11.- He sold several tales to "The Black Cat," a magazine specializing in unusual stories, at the age of 17.- Smith\'s poetic talents blossomed, leading to acclaimed volumes like "The Star-Treader and Other Poems" and "Odes and Sonnets."- He was mentored by San Francisco poet George Sterling and gained international acclaim for his poetry.**Weird Fiction Phase: 1926\\u20131935**- Smith transitioned to weird fiction during this period, possibly influenced by H.P. Lovecraft.- He created a plethora of imaginative creatures and wrote stories set in various fictional lands like Averoigne, Hyperborea, and Zothique.**Sculpture Period: 1935\\u20131961**- Smith\'s interest in fiction waned, and he turned to sculpture, primarily using soft rock materials like soapstone.**Notable Literary Friendships:**- Smith was a part of the Lovecraft circle and had a lasting literary friendship with H.P. Lovecraft.- He corresponded with fellow writers like Robert E. Howard and E. Hoffmann Price.**Legacy and Unique Contributions:**- Clark Ashton Smith\'s work is celebrated for its rich vocabulary, cosmic perspective, and sardonic humor.- His weird fiction has been compared to the Dying Earth sequence of Jack Vance.- Smith\'s writing style aimed to captivate readers by using a variety of stylistic resources, akin to incantations.**Later Life and Marriage:**- In 1954, at the age of 61, Smith married Carol(yn) Jones Dorman, a woman with experience in Hollywood and radio public relations.- They lived in Pacific Grove, California, and Smith continued sculpting during this period.**Passing and Legacy:**- In 1961, Smith passed away quietly in his sleep at the age of 68.- His ashes were buried near his childhood home, and plaques recognizing his contributions have been erected in Auburn, California.Clark Ashton Smith\'s life was marked by a fascinating blend of artistic pursuits, from poetry and weird fiction to sculpture. His imaginative worlds and unique style continue to captivate readers and stand as a testament to his enduring legacy in the realms of literature and art.\\nNew Patreon Request\\nBuzzsprout - Let\'s get your podcast launched!\\xa0Start for FREE\\nSupport the showVisit us here: www.ghostpod.orgBuy me a coffee if you\'re glad I do this: https://ko-fi.com/tonywalkerIf you really want to help me, become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/barcudMusic by The Heartwood Institute: https://bit.ly/somecomeback\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'