Mundy quickly turned his energies to writing, and an article, "Pig Sticking in India," was accepted and published in the April 1911 issue of Adventure Magazine, itself only a few months old. Another article and his first story, "The Phantom Battery" soon appeared. For years thereafter, Adventure had short stories, novelettes, novels, and serials by this master teller of tales in most of the issues that were printed.
The motif and locale of the stories and very infrequent articles usually stemmed from the areas, people, and occult knowledge previously mentioned. The manly art of self defense must have occupied some of Mundy's attention during his early career. A series of stories about Billy Blain, pugilist, appeared under the pen-name of Walter Gait, beginning with the February 1912 issue of Adventure. Two articles were also printed under this pseudonym.
Scribners of New York produced his first book, "Rung Ho" in 1914, then apparently forgot him. In 1916, Bobbs-Merrill of Indianapolis published one of his most famous stories, "King—of the Khyber Rifles," and Cassell and Company of London brought out "The Winds of the World." Both were well received, and Mundy's career to a moderate renown was on its way.
In succeeding years he continued to write for Adventure and other magazines, most of the stories being snapped up by various book publishers. Many of the books were reprinted in several editions by different companies, and, confusing to a bibliophile, the English publications ware often re-titled.
During the 1920's Mundy bought a part of the Point Loma estate in
California, called The Cliffs. He settled there for several years and
became a member of the Theosophical Society presided over by Katherine
Tingley. A half-dozen of his books were written there and, "Om; the
Secret of Ahbor Valley," shows the influence of this occult society.
He contributed many articles to Tingley's theosophical magazines, her most noted publication being the Theosophical Path. After her death in 1929, Mundy left Point Loma but always retained his interest in and sympathy with Theosophy.
Mundy continued writing almost to the time of his death on August 5, 1940. In all, forty-nine books were produced under his name, thirty-nine of which were original works. At least one-hundred and fifty stories and articles appeared in magazines; most of these, perhaps nearly all, are listed in this bibliography. None of the theosophical articles are included here, though, as the intent of this listing is to stress his mastery of the fantasy-high adventure tale.
It is still too soon to properly evaluate Mundy's importance in the stream of literature. His style of writing, choice of language, is smoothly readable. One "fault," if such it be, is a sometimes too carefully contrived buildup to plot situations. This careful skill did result in glowing word-pictures and living characters.
Considerable assistance was given on this project by friends and fellow enthusiasts. My grateful thanks to all as they come to mind:
Dr. J. Lloyd Eaton—Berkeley, California
John C. Nitka—Richmond Hill, New York
James A. Strand—Portland, Oregon
Walter A. Carrithers, Jr.—Fresno, California
Robert Resch—Reading, Pennsylvania
Richard Witter, Donald Grant, and some others
for appreciated words of caution and advice.