
author
1893–1956
A tireless force in early pulp publishing, this American editor and writer helped shape the fast-moving magazine world of the 1920s and 1930s. He worked across adventure, mystery, romance, and science fiction, leaving a clear mark on popular fiction in its pulp era.

by Milo Hastings, Harold Hersey
Born in 1893, Harold Hersey was an American pulp magazine editor, publisher, writer, and poet whose career was closely tied to the rise of mass-market fiction magazines. He became known for his energy and range, working not just as a contributor but also as a hands-on builder of magazines and publishing ventures.
Hersey is especially remembered for his editorial work in the pulp field, including magazines connected with adventure, mystery, and early science fiction. He was involved with Thrill Book and later with titles such as Miracle Science and Fantasy Stories, and his career reflected the restless, experimental spirit of pulp publishing in the first half of the twentieth century.
He died in 1956, but his name still appears in histories of pulp fiction because of how many corners of the field he touched. For listeners interested in popular literature, magazine culture, and the roots of genre storytelling, his life offers a glimpse into the fast, competitive world that helped shape modern entertainment reading.