author
H. D. (Herman Daniel) Umbstaetter
1851–1913
Best known as the founder of The Black Cat, he helped shape a lively corner of American magazine fiction at the turn of the 20th century. His own writing and editorial eye were closely tied to the short-story boom that introduced readers to fresh, unusual tales.
1 Audiobook
The red-hot dollar, and other stories from the Black Cat
by H. D. (Herman Daniel) Umbstaetter
About the author
Herman Daniel Umbstaetter (1851–1913) was an American businessman, editor, publisher, and writer. He was born in Parma, Ohio, and worked in newspaper and advertising circles before building a career in publishing.
He is most closely associated with The Black Cat, the short-story magazine he founded in Boston in 1895. The magazine became known for its focus on original, entertaining fiction and for giving space to writers whose work stood out from the ordinary. Umbstaetter later also published The Red-Hot Dollar, and Other Stories from the Black Cat, a 1911 collection linked to the magazine's success.
Although he is remembered mainly as a publisher rather than as a major literary celebrity, his influence came from recognizing what readers wanted and helping distinctive short fiction reach a wide audience. That makes him an interesting figure in the history of American popular literature and magazine publishing.