Background to The Friends

The Friends of Arthur Machen grew out of the remains of the British Arthur Machen Society, which was originally formed in the 1980s. The current membership of the Friends is very diverse, reflecting the very diverse currents which have drawn it together. Interest in mysticism, in the occult, in both paganism and Christianity, in the decadence of the 1890s, in the landscapes of Gwent, not to mention love of good reading and good living, are all very variously represented: in fact all that really unites the membership is admiration for a writer who has qualities not found elsewhere. Most members are English speaking, but membership is truly worldwide. The only necessary qualification for membership is an enthusiasm for the work of this most unusual writer.

The Friends of Arthur Machen has a written constitution, and holds regular meetings which all members may attend if they so wish.

Aims and Objectives of The Friends

  • To encourage a wider recognition for Machen's work.
  • To foster familiarity with Machen's work, both through 'in house' publication and through acting as a point of information about matters such as the availability of texts and critical work.
  • To provide a focus for critical debate.
  • To enhance the social lives of members.

    • Publications

    Faunus, the literary journal of the Friends, has appeared twice yearly since the inauguration of The Friends. Contents are both articles of interest to admirers of Machen and examples of his work, often articles and pieces not easily available in any other form.
    Machenalia, the Friends' newsletter, is more informal, less literary in tone and style. It deals with items of topical interest, about Machen, and about the Friends. It too appears twice yearly.

    FoAM Committee

    Patron: Janet Machen
    Chair: Ray Russell
    Secretary: Mark Samuels
    Treasurer./ Correspondence Secretary: Jeremy Cantwell
    Website Administrator: Adrian Eckersley
    US Representative: T.E.D.Klein
    Member Without Portfolio: Godfrey Brangham
    Faunus Editors: Ray Russell/ Mark Valentine
    Machenalia Editor: Gwilym Games

    Correspondence addresses for Faunus, Machenalia and other committee matters can be found on the Links Page of this site. Go to Contact List Now

    We are searching...

    ...for new members, both in the UK and in the United States and the wider English-speaking world. If you would like to know more about the Friends or about Machen himself, you can email adrian@machensoc.demon.co.uk or Jeremy Cantwell (see below).

    Alternatively, if you'd like to join the society right away, you could send a cheque, money order, or even cash. UK membership is £17 per annum. Overseas membership is £20UK or $36US, or any currency equivalent to either of these. We accept cheques or IMOs in dollars or sterling. However, there are no facilities at present for paying your subscription online. Please use good oldfashioned (safe) snailmail to the address below.

    NB please make cheques payable to FRIENDS OF ARTHUR MACHEN. Send to:-
    Jeremy Cantwell, Treasurer
    Apt 5,
    26 Hervey Road,
    Blackheath,
    LONDON, SE3 8BS

    email: jcantwell@ndo.co.uk

    Caermaen Newsgroup

    The "Caermaen" Newsgroup gives you the opportunity to discuss ongoing issues and enthusiasms with (we hope) like-minded people. This will not overwhelm your system, as it amounts to only a handful of emails a day, and not every day at that. If you'd like to join up, fill in your details in the form you can scroll to below: an acknowledgement (and some chat) will follow. If you have a difficult Machen question to resolve come ask it here. Although the list is mainly devoted to Machen, discussion of other related topics of interest to Machenphiles will also be welcome.  These obviously include weird, decadent and gothic writings in general, the fin-de-siecle, Arthuriana, Forteana, the Occult, psychogeography, mystical musings on the nature of reality, and of course consideration of the true nature of taverns.

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