PULP ARK 2013 AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

Nominations for the PULP ARK 2013 Awards are now open and will close at 5 PM CST on January 15^th, 2013. The awards are given in conjunction with Pulp Ark, the convention/creators' conference and the official New Pulp Convention to be held in Springdale, AR, April 26-28, 2013!  The Awards are given for excellence in the field of Pulp, including books, stories, comic books, magazines, and characters as well as creators. 

To determine if a work or creator qualifies for these awards the definition for works that qualify is as follows-New Pulp is fast-paced, plot-oriented storytelling of a linear nature with clearly defined, larger than life protagonists and antagonists, creative descriptions, clever use of turns of phrase and other aspects of writing that add to the intensity and pacing of the story.

Tommy Hancock, Coordinator of Pulp Ark explains something that has become a tradition of the Pulp Ark Awards-adding categories for which awards are given.  “There will be one additional award this year added to the Pulp Ark Awards roster.  A point that is often debated within fiction circles is just what qualifies as a short story, a novella, and a novel.  Usually this argument centers around word length.   It has become increasingly apparent that stories that are longer than short, but not quite novel length are a primary part of New Pulp.  To that end, Pulp Ark will be adding an award for Best Novella of the Year as of the 2013 awards.”

“For the purposes of the Pulp Ark Awards,” Hancock continued, “A Short Story is any tale consisting of 17,500 words or less.  A Novella is any tale consisting of 17,500 words to 40,000 words.  A Novel is any work of 40,000 + words.  As with all Pulp Ark award categories, these works can be print or in ebook form or both.”

Hancock also states, “We will also give a Lifetime Achievement Award again this year as well.  A Ten Person committee selected from well-known Creators in New Pulp currently will decide the recipient of this award.  This award is given to someone who has contributed to Pulp, not necessarily just New Pulp, but to the continuation of the interest and promotion of Pulp in all its forms.” Last year’s winner of the Pulp Ark Lifetime Achievement Award was Howard Hopkins.

The only works eligible for the Pulp Ark 2013 Awards are those produced between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. Anyone can make a nomination and anyone that makes a nomination will receive a ballot on January 15^th, 2013 and voting will be open until 5 PM CST on February 15, 2013. The only people voting in these eleven awards will be those who made a minimum of one nomination. Also, each individual is allowed only ONE NOMINATION PER CATEGORY. A person may nominate someone in all nine categories, but may only nominate once in each category. All nominations are confidential and sources of nominations will not be revealed. All nominations should be mailed to Tommy Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net.The categories open for nomination are (in no particular order and this can be cut and pasted for your nominations ballot):

1. Best Novel (This includes E-books as well as print books and length must be 40,000 + words)

2. Best Collection/Anthology (This includes single author story collections and multi author anthologies.  This includes E-publications as well as print books)

3. Best short story (this includes stories that appear in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and e magazines. If from an e-mag, the story must appear on a site identified as an e-magazine, not simply be posted on a site or blog. It includes e-publications as well as traditionally printed works. Length must be 17,500 words or less.)

4.  Best Novella (this includes stories that appear in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and e magazines. If from an e-mag, the story must appear on a site identified as an e-magazine, not simply be posted on a site or blog. It includes e-publications as well as traditionally printed works.  Length must be 17,500- 40,000 words)

5. Best Cover Art (This is restricted to prose book publications, including e-books)

6. Best Interior Art (This is restricted to prose book publications, including e-books)

7. Best Pulp Related Comic (This refers to a series, complete run, one shot, etc. This award is for art, writing, and all other work associated with the nominated comics and the winner. This includes e-publications as well. )

8. Best Pulp Magazine (This award is for art, writing, and all other work associated with the nominated comics and the winner. This includes e-publications as well, but the e-publication must be identified as an e-magazine on the site supporting it. )

9. Best Pulp Revival (The Revival nominated must be published within the calendar year of 2012 and relates specifically to characters featured in Pulps when they were originally created. This includes epublications as well.)

10.  Best New Character (This must be a character that debuts in a New Pulp work published in 2012.  This included e-publications as well)

11. Best Author (This reward refers to the author and any author with work published in 2012 is eligible, including novels, short stories, etc. This includes e-publications as well).

12. Best New Writer (To be nominated, a writer must have been published for the first time in the pulp field in the calendar year of 2012. This includes e-publications as well).

Send all nominations to Hancock via email at proseproductions@earthlink.net

For More information on how to attend Pulp Ark 2013 as Guest, Vendor, or fan, go to www.pulpark.blogspot.com for regular updates!

PRO SE AND NOTED CRIME AUTHOR ANNOUNCE LICENSING DEAL!

Pro Se Productions, a Publisher specializing in Heroic Fiction, New Pulp and multiple genres, announces today the licensing of a modern hard boiled PI Character originally appearing in a DC Vertigo mini series and created by one of the leading writers of modern Crime Pulp Fiction.

Angeltown
The Nate Hollis Investigations
Moonstone 2011

“Pulp is associated with many genres,” Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se stated. “None, though, probably as much as the Crime/Mystery field, particularly the PI tale.   That’s why Pro Se is proud to announce that Nate Hollis, a character created by Gary Phillips for the 2005 Vertigo miniseries ANGELTOWN is now a part of Pro Se’s future prose lineup.”

A noted crime and mystery writer, Gary Phillips is the creative mind behind the Ivan Monk series as well as books featuring Las Vegas’ showgirl-turned- courier, Martha Chaney.  Phillips has also contributed to multiple collections, including one of Moonstone’s AVENGER CHRONICLES, and is one of the two driving forces, along with Hancock, behind Pro Se’s upcoming major release BLACK PULP.

“ANGELTOWN,” said Hancock, “introduced the world to Nate Hollis, as hard boiled and two fisted as any detective that came before him.  Not only does Nate have all the classic attributes of a Pulp PI, but he’s set squarely in the modern era and is also enhanced by all that comes with that.   Pro Se is excited about the future of Nate Hollis, including new anthologies and even novels written by the best authors in New Pulp, including Gary himself.”

Nate Hollis Creator
Gary Phillips

Hollis’ creator, Gary Phillips added, “I’m jazzed that Tommy and the fine folks at Pro Se Press have taken on producing the further outings of Nate Hollis and the other characters in his orbit.  Tough customers such as shotgun-wielding female bounty hunter Irma Ducett aka Irma Deuce, and Nate’s ex-pro football playing granddad, Obadiah "Clutch" Hollis, current owner of a neighborhood dive frequented by the squares and the strange.  Certainly I’m looking forward to seeing how other writers will devise cases for Nate and, of course, I’ll be penning some new stories too.  It’s going to be a blast.”

Hancock stated that announcements would be forthcoming concerning publication of the first Nate Hollis book from Pro Se, fully expecting a book to be published in the first half of 2013.

Nate Hollis originally debuted in Angeltown, a five-part miniseries from DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, January-May 2005.  The strip was then collected and reprinted in hardcover graphic novel form as Angeltown: The Nate Hollis Investigations, with two new prose short stories added, by Moonstone Books in 2011. 

For more information concerning Nate Hollis and Pro Se, email Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net.

Gary Phillips – www.gdphillips.com

Pro Se Productions- www.prosepulp.com

                                 www.pulpmachine.blogspot.com

PRO SE LICENSES PIONEERING INDEPENDENT COMIC PUBLISHER'S CHARACTERS!

Two Companies known for independent creations and innovative storytelling in two different media combine their ideas and creators together for one fantastic series of books!  Pro Se Productions, a leader in New Pulp and Action/Adventure Fiction, and Heroic Publishing, a force in independent comics since the mid-1980s, have announced that beginning in 2013, new adventures as well as adaptations of past comic books featuring Heroic flagship characters Liberty Girl, Flare, and Eternity Smith will be written and published by Pro Se!

Tommy Hancock, Partner and Editor in Chief of Pro Se stated, “Pro Se is always interested in crafting new tales of concepts that deserve them and the universe that Heroic Publishing has created more than qualifies.   Eternity Smith is a character that has always occupied a space in my comic collection, and one of those that I’ve always wanted to take a crack at writing.   Thanks to the effort of Pro Se Submissions Editor Barry Reese and the man behind Heroic, Dennis Mallonee, that dream is coming true.   Not only with Eternity Smith, but with two stellar heroines from Heroic:-Flare and the Liberty Girl!”

Liberty Girl, a World War II heroine ripped from her glory days and rocketed forward in time to today, where she’s needed more than ever!   Flare, fashion model and brightly shining super heroine!  Eternity Smith, time-tossed scientific genius fighting against a future full of horror!  These legendary characters from Heroic will be featured in prose novels and anthologies, both adapting past comic work into prose as well as new stories, written by some of today’s newest and best talents in New Pulp!

“Some writers,” Hancock said, “have already been attached to specific projects.  Others have been approached.  There will also be opportunities for open calls as well, to bring in writers who have an interest in these characters.   And after the first year, there exists the possibility of bringing even more Heroic characters into HEROIC PROSE!, the Pro Se/Heroic line , such as the Champions and other popular characters.”

The first Heroic Prose book is scheduled for early 2013, an adaptation of the first Liberty Girl comic book by noted author Barry Reese.  Hancock will be helming an adaptation of as well as new tales of Eternity Smith.  Other titles will be announced as they become reality for 2013 and beyond.

For more on Heroic Publishing, go to www.heroicmultiverse.com

To learn more about Pro Se, go to www.prosepulp.com

ALL SORTS OF PULP IN PRO SE PRESENTS #15!

Vigilantes! 

Dark Cookies! 

Ninjas! 

Cops! 

Dog Detectives! 



















All this and more available this month in PRO SE PRESENTS #15. Authors Aaron Smith, Brad Mengel, David White, Adam Lance Garcia, and A. M. Paulson bring you two fisted action, spine tingling suspense, and even family friendly adventure in this issue, showing that New Pulp has something for everyone! Pro Se Presents 15 features great design work and art by Sean E. Ali! Pro Se -Puttin' The Monthly Back into Pulp! Available now in print for $6.00 at Amazon and at Pro Se's Store!

PRO SE PRODUCTIONS-www.prosepulp.com

REVIEW OF PULP OBSCURA'S THE NEW ADVENTURES OF RICHARD KNIGHT!

INTO THAT GOOD KNIGHT

A Review of The New Adventures of Richard Knight

by Andrew Salmon

(Disclaimer: Andrew Salmon writes for Pulp Obscura) 

When Pro Se Press got together with Altus Press to create the Pulp Obscura line, it was a match made in Heaven. As Altus gave rabid pulp fans top-notch collections of forgotten heroes from the Golden Age of pulp, Pro Se wrangled together a bevy of New Pulp's finest authors to create anthologies containing new tales featuring these forgotten heroes - the perfect melding of past and future.

Submitted for your consideration is first release in the Pulp Obscura line: The New Adventures of Richard Knight. With Altus's first collection of original Knight tales comes this first volume of new Knight stories by some of New Pulp's best. And it does not disappoint.

But first a little background. For those of you who don't know, Richard Knight was a 1940s pulp hero in the rich playboy by day, ace pilot and secret spy designated Q by night. Created by Donald Keyhoe, Knight and his trusted assistant Larry Doyle worked for General Brett who gave them strange cases featuring science-fiction elements solved with espionage, aerial escapades and two-fisted action. A fine introduction by Tommy Hancock provides all the information you'll need before diving into the tales themselves.

In The New Adventures of Richard Knight, we get six brand new adventures to add to the original canon. New Pulp scribes Josh Reynolds, Barry Reese, Terry Alexander, I. A. Watson, Frank Schildiner and Adam Lance Garcia do the honors this time out and the result is a mixed bag of pulp goodies.

Reynolds gets things going with Hell's Hands, a tale featuring aerial pirates threatening European skies. There is a lot of great action in this first outing and the villain is well drawn. For all its merits, the tale does suffer from a little too much character set up since the tale wraps up without giving us a true look at the villain. I can't help thinking that Reynolds has plans for this baddie which will play out later. All well in good, but the absence of sufficient details in this story lessens one's enjoyment of it. The story more than makes up for it with its lightning pace and great action sequences and is a great way to get this party started.

Richard Knight and the Stones of Heaven by Barry Reese is next up. In this yarn, Knight goes up against a group of artifact-hunting Nazis bent on created a death ray for nefarious purposes by collecting the six stones of Heaven and harnessing their strange power. Most of the action takes place on the ground, rather than in the air, but the tale moves well and is an enjoyable traditional pulp actioner that would not be out of place in Knight's original run. Good writing and clear characterization are on display here as well, making for a fun read.

Terry Alexander gives us The Bapet, a tale with traditional horror elements as a small town is terrorized by a supernatural creature. All the makings of a good, scary action tale. However it doesn't quite gel here. It's as if Alexander is fitting Knight and his supporting cast to an existing plot rather than The Bapet reading like a true Knight tale. The result is a somewhat engaging read with gore and scares aplenty yet feels somehow out of place.

The Hostage Academy by I. A. Watson is another strong entry in this collection. The death of a senator in a plane crash barely crosses Knight's radar but when the love of his love, Benita, meets a similar fate, then it's time for this Knight to go on a crusade. Strong characterization highlight this very personal mission of Knight's and emotions run high as the airman tries to solve a compelling mystery in his search for vengeance.

Fear From Above by Frank Schildiner has Richard Knight going it alone in an intriguing adventure slightly hampered by its wordiness. The strange disappearance of the crew of a ship out of Jack London's The Sea Wolf leads Knight on an adventure that sets itself apart from the norm. Some great action and vivid description make for a rousing adventure in the air, on the ground and on the high seas.

Crimes of the Ancients by Adam Lance Garcia is my personal favorite in this fine collection. It starts with a bang and the pace does not let up. A character-driven tale, it features Knight going toe-to-toe and quip-to-quip with a former love interest. The plot is never fully explained but given that classic pulp tales generally featured the simple Good vs Evil plot to begin with, it's interesting to see a detailed breakdown of the situation Knight finds himself in being left to the readers. It's as if Garcia is saying to pulp fans: "You've read enough of these great action yarns, you already know what the story is here." Although the banter did get annoying in spots, this new approach to a traditional pulp tale, the ending in particular, left a pleasant taste in this reader's mouth after closing the book.

The New Adventures of Richard Knight is sure to please pulp fans, old and new, as well as any action junkie. It's available in print and as an ebook so they've got your preferred method of reading covered. If you're a fan of action fiction, then this book is for you. Don't miss it!

PRO SE ANNOUNCES FIRST 'WRITE TO THE COVER' DIGEST!

Pro Se Productions, a publisher of Heroic Fiction and New Pulp, announces a different sort of project for 2013 as well as adding a new artist to its already top notch team of cover creators.

"It's always great," Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, states, "when you come across tremendously talented people who not only are good at what they do, but have a passion for Pulp.   That's Adam Shaw to a T."

Shaw, an artist living in Memphis, Tennessee, met Hancock at Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention in early November and expressed an interest in providing covers for upcoming Pro Se titles.  "I was immediately impressed with his work," Hancock stated, "and glad to be able to arrange for Adam to be a part of the great books Pro Se has coming up.  I was also quite taken with one particular image that Adam showed me from his portfolio.  An image that just screams for a story."

With Shaw's permission, Pro Se Productions announces what could be the first in a new series of imprints.  Tentatively under the title of 'Write To The Cover', the submission process for this digest anthology is simple enough.    

1.  The story must be based on the following image created by Adam Shaw.  This scene MUST be included in the story.

Property of Adam Shaw, 2012

2.  The story must be 5,000 minimum to 10,000 maximum words.  A 1-3 paragraph proposal must be submitted to Proseproductions@earthlink.net by December 10th, 2012 to be considered. 

3.  If accepted, submitted stories will be given a first come, first print deadline.  When a total of 30,000 words has been received, then the digest will go to publication.  Any other stories received after 30,000 words will go into a second digest, if required.  

4.  Pay for this anthology will be royalty based and percentages will be discussed with accepted writers.  Please note that Pro Se pays agreed upon percentages on every dollar made from the sale of its books.

Hancock points out that this idea was inspired by suggestions and comments made by several writers and players in the Pulp field, including Jeff Deischer, David White, and Derrick Ferguson.  One of those suggestions even inspired a completely different, yet similar project coming from Pro Se in 2013! 

Any questions or comments as well as proposals for the 'Write To The Cover' Digest based on the art work of Adam Shaw should be emailed to proseproductions@earthlink.net.  And stay tuned for further announcements very soon concerning books featuring Adam Shaw's Pulp themed artwork.

THE ROOK VOLUME 1 PRO SE SPECIAL EDITION NOW AVAILABLE!

Pro Se Productions, a cutting edge Publisher of Heroic Fiction and New Pulp, is proud to announce the perfect jumping-on point for fans of adventure – The Rook Volume One Special Edition!

Created by author Barry Reese, The Rook has become one of the most famous New Pulp heroes. Originally published by Wild Cat Books, The Rook joined Pro Se prior to the release of Volume Six. Now Pro Se begins the process of bringing books 1-5 back into print.

"I'm thrilled,” said Reese, “to have The Rook Volume One back in print. This is the book that kicks off the entire series and is really the beginning of my greater interconnected pulp universe. The work that was done on the book has left it significantly improved - the editing is much tighter now, Sean Ali knocked it out of the park on the design aspect and George Sellas brought out the big guns with his artwork. Max Davies has been living with me for nearly a decade now.. and he's never looked better!"

“It’s our honor,” stated Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se, “to not only have Barry as a major part of our lineup, but also to have the opportunity to really put our brand on the whole Rook franchise from the start.  This volume is the first of making sure that The Rook’s entire written history has a classic, uniform look.  One that will be a great literary and visual addition to any bookshelf.”

With a beautiful new cover and four interior pieces by George Sellas, The Rook Volume One Special Edition has been completely re-edited and gorgeously packaged by Pro Se designer Sean Ali.

THE ROOK VOLUME ONE SPECIAL EDITION is available at Pro Se's Createspace store by clicking HERE.

Get your copy from Amazon by clicking HERE.

HALLOWEEN HORRORS BEWARE-MONSTER ACES DEBUTS FROM PRO SE!

Pro Se Productions, a cutting edge Publisher of Heroic Fiction and New Pulp, introduces a concept that plunges a Team of Adventurers headlong into cataclysmic conflict with classic horror creatures!  They don’t just hunt Monsters… They Destroy Them! They are the MONSTER ACES!

 Having selflessly abandoned their identities, their pasts and their futures, the Monster Aces are all that stand between humanity and the fell creatures that lurk in the shadows. Four men and one woman use their amazing abilities as a team to scour the globe for monsters and bring an end to their unholy existence - whatever the danger, whatever the cost. Through five thrilling tales crafted by some of Heroic Fiction’s most engaging authors you will ride alongside the Aces on the trail of monsters both classic and new. No environment is too severe nor too remote for these adventurers to seek their prey and destroy them forever. The team, lead by a mysterious military veteran, uncover evil in mysterious European villages, in dark forests and fetid swamps, in ancient rivers and on the high seas…monsters are everywhere, but so too are the Monster Aces. Concept creator Jim Beard is joined by writers Ron Fortier, Barry Reese, and Van Plexico for a new twist on the classic monster stories of yore, a unique melding of horror and driving pulp action that will thrill and chill you.

Featuring appropriately creepy and stunning cover art by Terry Pavlet and the always exemplary design and logo work of Sean Ali, MONSTER ACES is equal parts action, horror, and mayhem as Man versus Monster in five titanic tales of terror!

MONSTER ACES is available at Pro Se's Createspace store by clicking HERE!

Get your copy of MONSTER ACES at Amazon by clicking HERE!

Ebook coming SOON!

And join Creator Jim Beard and Contributor Barry Reese at Pro Se's Promotional Party for MONSTER ACES via Shindig on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 2 to 3:30 PM at http://www.shindig.com/event/prose2 .  RSVP Today!

FEAR, MYSTERY, AND THE OCCULT-THIS MONTH IN PRO SE PRESENTS #14!

Pro Se Productions, a leading Publisher of New Pulp, Heroic Fiction, and Genre Adventure continues its excellent tradition of terrific short stories with the latest issue of its award winning magazine- PRO SE PRESENTS #14!

Fear and Fantasy reign in PRO SE PRESENTS #14! First, an exclusive excerpt of James Palmer's Occult Mystery novel- SLOW DJINN! Then Kevin Rodgers explores what fear really means in CLAUSTROPHOBIA! Finally, Pro Se introduces the world to Kristy Zebell and her debut tale WARMTH OF THE ICY SOUL!

Featuring Stunning Cover Art as well as Interior Art by Sean E. Ali, this issue is a sight to see!

PRO SE PRESENTS #14 available at Pro Se's store HERE! And at Amazon HERE! for $6.00!  Coming soon as an Ebook!

Guns, Terror, Swords, and more in this month's PRO SE PRESENTS from PRO SE PRODUCTIONS- Puttin' The Monthly Back into Pulp!

PRO SE PROMO PARTY ONLINE! THE ROOK VOLUME 1 SPECIAL EDITION AND MONSTER ACES!

Following the tremendous success of its first online promotion party with Shindig, Pro Se Productions proudly announces its next Promo Party for upcoming releases!

October 27- From 2:00 PM- 3:30 PM EST
PRO SE PRODUCTIONS PROMO EVENT- THE ROOK VOLUME 1 SPECIAL EDITION
AND MONSTER ACES!

Professional Author Barry Reese is perhaps best known for his seminal New Pulp Creation, The Rook! Join Barry as he discusses all things Rook to promote the re release of The Rook Volume 1 as a Pro Se Productions Special Edition! Giveaways, readings, and more! Also, Join Barry Reese as well as concept creator Jim Beard to talk about the all new MONSTER ACES anthology featuring great heroes against classic monsters out in time for HALLOWEEN!!

Get your mike ready and your webcam, too (if you have one) and enjoy the fun!
To RSVP, go to www.shindig.com/event/prose2 and sign up today!