The Original Solar Pons Returns, New Children's Book Page, and Sherlock Holmes Submissions

The covers to our new editions of the first four Solar Pons books by August Derleth

We have some exciting news at Belanger Books!  Once again, we are partnering with the Estate of August Derleth to bring you more Solar Pons collections. This time, we are publishing new editions of the long out of print original Solar Pons books by August Derleth.  Our plan is to publish the first four books in the series in June, and if all goes well, the remainder of the original seven books (plus an Apocrypha) sometime in the winter.  You can be the first person to get copies of the books (available as ebooks for the first time ever) by ordering from the Kickstarter link below!

Solar Pons, Sherlock Holmes of Praed Street, New Editions

“Solar Pons came into being out of Sherlock Holmes . . . .” – August Derleth 

 In 1928, college student August Derleth wrote to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, asking if any more Sherlock Holmes adventures were going to be published. Upon receiving a negative reply, Derleth decided to provide some of his own. However, rather than relating more tales of Holmes and Dr. Watson, he ended up introducing the world to Solar Pons and Dr. Lyndon Parker, living in London during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Pons solved crimes using deduction and ratiocination, often referring to Holmes as “The Master” or “My illustrious predecessor”. Since his first appearance, Pons has been a favorite with Sherlockians. Between the 1920’s and the early 1970’s, Derleth produced over seventy Pons short stories and novels, publishing them through his own imprint, Mycroft & Moran. The Pons stories were beloved within the Sherlockian community, but little known elsewhere. In the 1970’s, the books were reissued as Pinnacle Paperbacks, opening up the world of Solar Pons to a much wider audience. However, it’s been more than a generation since those inexpensive paperbacks were available. Since then, both they and the original Mycroft & Moran editions have become extremely difficult to find – and quite expensive as well. 

Now, the August Derleth Estate, Arkham House, and Belanger Books are pleased to present this new authorized collection of the original Solar Pons adventures, taken from the original Mycroft & Moran editions by editor David Marcum. Join Pons and Parker as they venture forth into the mysterious London fogs during that murky period between the two World Wars. Along the way, meet some old friends, and discover why Pons is called “The Sherlock Holmes of Praed Street”.

Back the project today by going to Kickstarter!

Belanger Books New Children and YA Page on Facebook

While Belanger Books is mainly known for our publications of new Sherlock Holmes stories, we also have a growing line of children and young adult books.  To showcase these publications, we've started a new page on Facebook dedicated just to our children's and YA lit.  

Here you will learn about our current children's books, some Sherlockian (The MacDougall Twins with Sherlock Holmes, Scones and Bones on Baker Street), and some not (Dragonella, The Tall Tales of Starman Steve).  

Dragonella by Elizabeth Varadan is a delightful picture book about a dragon learning about her talents

You will also learn about our upcoming Children and YA books including:

The Rascal in the Castle (A Sherlock Holmes Adventure) by Brenda Seabrooke

The Carnival of the Animals by Elizabeth Varadan

Albert's Voice by John Sutton

Look for more details and a Kickstarter coming soon! Join the Facebook page today!

Accepting Submissions for Two Anthologies

There's still time to submit to these projects!

Anthology #1 - Sherlock Holmes: Canonical Sequels

Continuing the success of recent Belanger Books Sherlock Holmes anthologies, “Holmes Away from Home” and “Sherlock Holmes: Before Baker Street”, both edited by David Marcum, stories are now being solicited for a new anthology that will consist of “Canonical Sequels” – stories continuing the events or characters from previous Holmes Tales from the original sixty-story Canon.

Important Points to Consider:

·         These stories can be narrated by either Holmes or Watson, or by someone else, or told in third person.

·         The stories should be approximately 6,000-10,000 words long – no fragments or novellas will be accepted.

·         The stories should be strictly Canonical: No parody; No anachronistic elements or modern-day settings; No science-fiction, steampunk, or actual supernatural elements; and absolutely no “Sherlock” or “John”.

IMPORTANT: In order to avoid having more than one sequel to a Canonical story in the book, prospective contributors MUST “reserve” a story beforehand. Several stories have already been chosen, so sign up early.

Authors will retain the rights to their stories, receive a portion of the net royalties for their participation, and also a receive a contributor copy of the book.

The deadline for submissions is May 31st, 2018, with expected publication in Autumn 2018. Earlier submissions are always appreciated.

Please refer any questions to David Marcum (editor) at thepapersofsherlockholmes@gmail.com, or to Derrick Belanger at Belanger Books. We look forward to hearing from you.

Before Baker Street is a Sherlock Holmes anthology edited by David Marcum

Anthology #2 - The Belanger Books Collection of New Solar Pons Stories (a fundraiser for the Jan Stauber Grant)

In mid-2017, for the first time in over twenty years, the August Derleth Estate authorized a new collection of Solar Pons adventures, “The Papers of Solar Pons” by David Marcum. Now, the Estate has authorized a new Pons anthology, featuring contributions from authors and fans of “The Sherlock Holmes of Praed Street”.

Solar Pons was created by August Derleth in the 1920’s to carry on Sherlock Holmes’s legacy in post-War London. Pons appeared in over 70 stories and novels from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. Following Derleth’s death, new adventures were authorized and written by Basil Copper. David Marcum has carried on the tradition, introducing Pons to the next generation with his volume of a dozen new adventures. Now, the next step: A Pons anthology, edited by David Marcum!

New Solar Pons stories will need to adhere to the following guidelines:

·         Be as close in tone and style to the originals as possible – No parodies, no anachronistic elements, no science-fiction or actual supernatural elements; and

·         6,000-10,000 words in length;

Royalties from this collection will be donated to the Jan Stauber Grant, a grant from the Beacon Society which donates funds to educators who introduce students to Sherlock Holmes. Contributors will retain the rights to their stories and receive a copy of the finished book.

Submission deadline is July 31st, 2018, with expected publication in Autumn 2018. Earlier submissions are always appreciated.

Please indicate your interest or refer any questions to David Marcum (editor) at thepapersofsherlockholmes@gmail.com, or to Derrick Belanger at Belanger Books. We look forward to hearing from you.


Belanger Books is a small press owned by artist Brian Belanger and author Derrick Belanger specializing in new Sherlock Holmes books, Children's books, Steampunk, and genre specific anthologies.  Some of our books have been #1 bestsellers in their categories on Amazon.