The Beast of Averoigne by Clark Ashton Smith

<p>Clark Ashton Smith (1893–1961) was an American writer and artist known for his unique contributions to literature and art. <br/><br/>- Born on January 13, 1893, in Long Valley, California, Smith came from a family of English and New England heritage.<br/>- He spent most of his life in Auburn, California, where he lived in a cabin built by his parents, Fanny and Timeus Smith.<br/><br/>- Due to psychological disorders, Smith&apos;s formal education was limited, and he was taught at home after attending eight years of grammar school.<br/>- 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.<br/>- He even read the entire 11th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica twice.<br/><br/>- Smith&apos;s early literary efforts included fairy tales and imitations of the Arabian Nights, which he began writing at the age of 11.<br/>- He sold several tales to &quot;The Black Cat,&quot; a magazine specializing in unusual stories, at the age of 17.<br/><br/>- Smith&apos;s poetic talents blossomed, leading to acclaimed volumes like &quot;The Star-Treader and Other Poems&quot; and &quot;Odes and Sonnets.&quot;<br/>- He was mentored by San Francisco poet George Sterling and gained international acclaim for his poetry.<br/><b><br/>**Weird Fiction Phase: 1926–1935**</b><br/>- Smith transitioned to weird fiction during this period, possibly influenced by H.P. Lovecraft.<br/>- He created a plethora of imaginative creatures and wrote stories set in various fictional lands like Averoigne, Hyperborea, and Zothique.<br/><br/><b>**Sculpture Period: 1935–1961**</b><br/>- Smith&apos;s interest in fiction waned, and he turned to sculpture, primarily using soft rock materials like soapstone.<br/><br/>**Notable Literary Friendships:**<br/>- Smith was a part of the Lovecraft circle and had a lasting literary friendship with H.P. Lovecraft.<br/>- He corresponded with fellow writers like Robert E. Howard and E. Hoffmann Price.<br/><br/>