Pulp fiction is a popular and cheap way to produce books of low quality for mass consumption. In the early to mid-20th century popular pulp fiction titles included rather risqué publications about the sexual exploits of lesbian and gay couples.
Beginning in the 1930s, these pulp fiction books were sold in bus stations, newsstands, and general stores. Lesbian pulp fiction was far more popular than stories about gay men, due to their appeal to heterosexual men. The first original pulp nonfiction to feature male gay sex was in 1952, called Men Into Beasts, but it was more brutal and horrifying than the erotic and romantic fictions that followed.
In the 1960s gay press associations such as Guild Press, and Greenleaf Classics produced varied erotica and pornographic pulp fiction for and about homosexual men. Rather than being pieces of high literature the gay pulps were unashamedly created to titilate and arouse the reader. Each piece of pulp fiction of the time was produced with a colourful cover to catch the eye, and a provocative title.
We have gathered together some of the most amusing, shocking titles that were once available… Be warned- this is NOT safe for work!
10 Amusingly Titled Gay Pulp Fiction Novels
ANY SEX WILL DO
Evan Prinz
All Star AS66
1965
THE BEEFCAKE BOYS
Aaron Thomas
Nightstand Book NB1858
1967
BUFFY RIDES AGAIN
Chris Davidson
Adult Book AB454
1968
THE C.A.M.P. COOKBOOK
Don Holliday
Pleasure Reader PR220
1969
COLOR HIM GAY
Don Holliday
Leisure Book LB1158
1966
DADDY’S BOY
Gene North
Companion Book CB556
1968
THE DEVIL IS GAY
Frederick Colson
Brandon House 933
1965
DONNIE AND CLYDE
Sam Dodd
Late Hour Library LL760
1968
GAY BUT NOT HAPPY
Dick Dale
Companion Book CB552
1968
THE GAY DOGS
Don Holliday
Ember Library EL386
1967
Purchase your own retro gay pulp fiction here:
For more on gay pulp fiction visit Gay On The Range.
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Word of the Day – Nonpareil
The covers are too much! Not safe for work at all. They look like fin though. I am currently reading a fiction novel by Heath Daniels called Day of Judgement. Absolutely amazing. The story is not one that you read solely for entertainment, it’s so real and it’s just a great book. I highly recommend it.