Tag Archives: pro se

Asian Pulp debuts!

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Asian Pulp

In April 2013, Pro Se Productions released ‘Black Pulp’, a collection of stories written in classic pulp genres featuring lead characters of African descent. Not only were readers captivated by the cast of characters featured in the book, they also saw the potential of future volumes, both of ‘Black Pulp’, and collections featuring other ethnicities in much the same way. Pro Se Productions proudly announces the release of ‘Asian Pulp’, featuring seventeen of today’s best authors, in both print and digital format.

Leonard Chang, novelist and writer and co-producer of the TV crime drama ‘Justified’, states in his introduction to ‘Asian Pulp’, “The world of pulp fiction was a world that I understood—it was a reaction to trauma, both as art and as catharsis. Personal trauma. Emotional trauma. Physical trauma. National trauma. This is why I responded to it, why I immersed myself in it. And why, whenever I was in a personal and artistic crisis, it saved me. Fiction is a reflection of and commentary on life, and I needed to find a reflection of and commentary on my life.

That there weren’t any Asian Americans in the pulp I was reading wasn’t a problem (or if there were Asians they tended to be dismissible stereotypes) — no, not a problem at all, but actually an opportunity. I’ve always viewed writing as providing myself with more reading material. I write what I can’t find out there. Why not have a Korean American act as a private eye, and infuse in his character all the traits I wanted to see but haven’t? Why not write about Korean American gangsters, criminals, and detectives? And this is where we, as writers, all began moving toward: writing about people we want to see on the page, in lives and stories that speak to us.”

Following in the tradition of the best selling ‘Black Pulp’, from Today’s Best Authors and up and coming writers comes ‘Asian Pulp’ from Pro Se Productions! A collection of stories featuring characters of Asian origin or descent in stories that run the gamut of genre fiction!

‘Asian Pulp’ includes works from Don Lee, Naomi Hirahara, Kimberly Richardson, Percival Constantine, William F. Wu, Gary Phillips, Calvin McMillin, Mark Finn, Dale Furutani, Steph Cha, Henry Chang, Sean Taylor, Gigi Pandian, Louise Herring-Jones, Alan J. Porter, and David C. Smith. The anthology opens with an introduction from Leonard Chang.

“As an author of color who writes genre fiction,” says Gigi Pandian, “I love finding books where there are diverse characters in exciting stories. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved reading mystery and adventure stories, but characters in the types of stories I enjoy rarely reflect my own ethnic heritage or the diversity around me (my father is an immigrant from India, and I grew up in California). When I became a writer, I naturally created characters that were part of my own life experience. I enjoyed ‘Black Pulp’, so it was an honor to be invited to contribute a story for this new anthology. ‘Black Pulp’ was first and foremost a great collection of fiction–but I also loved how black writers and characters were brought into the spotlight. I hope ‘Asian Pulp’ does the same thing for Asian writers and characters.”

Mysteries, westerns, stories of crime and noir, and more, all with Asian characters in the lead! Between these covers are 17 tales of action, adventure, and thrills featuring heroes and heroines of a different shade that will appeal to audiences everywhere. ‘Asian Pulp’. From Pro Se Productions.

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Announcing Pro Se Single Shots!

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Luther-Cross-logoPro Se Productions has just announced a new line, the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures.

The line features thirty-eight writers who will be producing stories, ranging between 3000-15000 words, on a consistent basis. They will either be an original series featuring recurring characters, or individual stand-alone tales with the unifying title of “From The Pen of…” followed by the author’s name. These short tales will be released in digital format only (print collections at a later date are a possibility, though) at a price point of 99¢ per story.

When Tommy Hancock, Pro Se Editor-in-Chief, invited me to this line, I wasn’t sure I would say yes. I’m already planning on doing something similar on my own, with the Vanguard series I’m currently writing and with other ideas waiting in the wings. However, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and experiment with a different publisher.

To that end, I’m happy to announce that I will be writing Luther Cross, one of the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures!

Luther Cross is a demon/human half-breed, who has grown into a paranormal investigator. Possessing some degree of demonic abilities as well as knowledge of magic and the occult, Cross makes his living hunting down demons, ghosts, and other creatures of the night.

I originally conceived of Luther Cross several years ago and I began work on an introductory novel featuring the character. Unfortunately, the novel was never completed, but Luther stuck in my head and I always wanted the opportunity to get back to writing him at some point in the future.

I’m very excited to have the opportunity to revisit him in this new format. It’s one that I think suits the kind of stories I’m planning to tell with Luther far better than the format of a novel. In fact, I’ve already completed the first tale and sent it off.

Below you can read the full press release from Pro Se Productions. More information will definitely come:

PRO SE PRODUCTIONS TAKES SHORT FICTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

A leading independent publisher of Genre Fiction, Pro Se Productions announces an innovative new Fiction line today.

In 2010, Pro Se Productions debuted as a small press focused on ‘Puttin’ The Monthly Back into Pulp!’ The company originally produced a line of three magazines that featured ‘New Pulp’ short stories, that is stories written by modern writers very much in the style and feel of tales featured in classic Pulp magazines in the early 20th Century. When Pro Se made the move into publishing novels and short story anthologies, it closed the magazine line, only to restart the concept as a single magazine title due to popular demand. PRO SE PRESENTS grew into an award winning magazine that ran for 20 issues, its final installment released in February 2014. With the end of the magazine, Pro Se Productions closes one era to enter another, one that readers got a taste of in December of 2013.

“We are always,” says Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor-in-Chief of Pro Se, “focused on producing the very best in New Pulp and Genre Fiction in all aspects, including the format which we present it in. It’s no secret that Publishing in the last five years, particularly for independent presses such as Pro Se, has moved more and more into the digital realm. Not only can readers carry more books around on their Ereaders or their phones, but the price point is tremendously better in most cases over print books. Digital publishing also affords writers and publishers to produce any size work they wish, including single short stories that can be offered for less than a dollar each. Pro Se Productions decided to dip its foot in that pool and in December we held a grand opening of sorts for our new imprint- Pro Se Single Shots.

“The success we had,” continues Hancock, “with the first volley of Single Shots was quite amazing. No one’s getting rich on them, but the interest readers showed in being able to drop 99 cents and get a good, solid short story that they could read in a single sitting was staggering to us right out of the gate. This combined with the fact that our second magazine line had run its course we felt in its current format, gave us a few ideas. Chief among them was the fact that we could take each story that would have appeared in a PRO SE PRESENTS and offer it individually to readers in a digital format. That way a mystery fan could pick up the mystery stories he or she wanted for a reasonable price without having to feel like they were buying other stories they may not enjoy. But an even more intriguing idea presented itself rather quickly.

“The concept of digital singles affords Pro Se the ability to really bring the concept of Pulp storytelling and even, in a indirect way, the idea of recurring tales from a consistent stable of authors on a regular schedule –much like classic Pulps did- into the 21st Century. This kernel of an idea took root with us rather quickly and brings us now to possibly the most exciting announcement Pro Se has made in a long time. Pro Se Single Shot Signatures.”

The Pro Se Single Shot Signature line brings together 38 writers from across the spectrum of Genre Fiction. Each of these authors will be producing either an original series of his/her creation featuring recurring characters and concepts or writing an imprint of individual stand alone stories entitled ‘From The Pen of…’ and the author’s name. Multiple genres are represented, from jungle tales to horror stories to some that defy description.

Regardless if an author is doing a series or imprint, they will all be working on a regular production schedule established based on their own ability to produce quality work. Some will produce stories on a bi weekly, monthly, bi monthly, quarterly, or bi annual schedule. Each story will range in length from 3,000 to 15,000 words. Also, debuts of the individual series and/or imprints will be spread out over the remaining months of 2014, with at least three titles debuting in April.

Pro Se Productions proudly announces the inaugural cast of authors in the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures line. They include:
David Foster
PJ Lozito
Russ Anderson
Sean Taylor
Teel James Glenn
Fuller Bumpers
Tommy Hancock
Morgan Minor
Mark Bousquet
Philip Athans
Jim Beard
I. A. Watson
Joshua Reynolds
Bobby Nash
Greg Norgaard
Mark Gelineau
J. Walt Layne
Nikki Nelson-Hicks
D. Alan Lewis
H. David Blalock
Gary Phillips
Sean E. Ali
Barry Reese
Percival Constantine
Jeremy Hicks
Logan L. Masterson
Chuck Miller
Alexander S. Brown
Adam Lance Garcia
David White
Kevin Rodgers
Derrick Ferguson
Aaron Smith
Frank Schildiner
Brad Mengel
Richard White
Terry Alexander
Terrence McCauley

Each Pro Se Single Shot Signature Series and Imprint will feature cover art by Artist Jeffrey Hayes.

If the author of a series or imprint chooses to, print collections of his or her stories will be produced at later dates as agreed upon by Pro Se and the individual creator. Hancock also stated that Pro Se will continue to produce stand alone Single Shots as they did in December and again in March.

“The Signature line,” Hancock says, “is a very exciting prospect for Pro Se, the authors and artist involved, and the readers I believe. It puts these fantastic New Pulp tales in a quick, easy to digest format, makes them inexpensive, and opens readers up to a whole host of ideas and authors that they may never have been exposed to otherwise for whatever reason. It may not be the same feel as having a paper magazine to fold up in your hand, but the Pro Se Single Shot Signatures line definitely makes Puttin’ The Monthly Back into Pulp something Pro Se can do in a big way.”

In coming days, news concerning the individual authors and the series and/or imprints they are working on as well as production schedules will be released from Pro Se Productions.

For More information on Pro Se Single Shot Signatures, to be placed on a review list for upcoming releases, or for interviews with the authors involved, please contact Morgan Minor, Director of Corporate Operations for Pro Se, at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com and like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

Back to School

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backtoschoolSeptember has brought about a return to school on two fronts for me. At the beginning of this month, I began my new day job. I’m still teaching English in public schools here in southern Kyushu, but now I’m working for a private company instead of the JET Program (which imposes a limit of five years). The other major difference is that before, I taught at elementary and junior high schools, whereas now I’m teaching at only elementary schools. I’ve also got a much longer commute, around forty minutes to an hour and a half depending on the school (I have a lot of schools to visit). The good thing with that is I’ve gotten a chance to catch up on a lot of podcasts, as well as discovered some others.

On that note, if you aren’t listening to Tommy Hancock’s excellent PULPED! and Pro Se Presents: The Podcast shows, then you need to jump over to iTunes right now and search for those. Every week, both are updated with Tommy speaking to a different New Pulp writer and they’re well worth a listen.

The other “back to school” front is I’ve begun the second semester of my online masters course at Southern New Hampshire University. The first semester was a difficult one. I took two classes with the assumption that I’d have plenty of time—after all, I was taking five classes a semester during my undergrad years, why couldn’t I be able to handle two? Famous last words, as those two classes took up a lot of my time and I was burning the candle at both ends. This semester I’ve only decided to take one class. Initially, I was enrolled in a Masters in English, but when registration time came around and I looked over the required classes, I realized they were pretty much identical to classes I took in my undergraduate years. Not wanting to just repeat myself, I changed my major slightly—I’m still going for a Masters in English, but now it’s more specific: a Masters in English and Creative Writing with a Screenwriting Concentration (man that’s a mouthful). Poetry doesn’t pose much of an interest to me (and I’m not very good at it) and while there’s no harm in improving my prose skills, screenwriting and film has always been one of my first loves, so I wanted to focus on that. This semester, I’m taking a class called Fiction Fundamentals and today’s the first day. I popped in on the message boards and introduced myself (as is customary at the beginning of these online classes), talked a little bit about myself, and was surprised to find someone who recognized me from my work with PulpWork Press! Always a nice feeling.

On the education front, last semester both of my final papers focused on pulp work. One of them was a linguistic analysis the language of Fleming’s Bond novels and how Fleming used that language to promote notions of British superiority. After a semester full of struggle and my professor getting really frustrated with me just not getting ig (although still disguising it with nearly endless patience), imagine my surprise when she sent me an email in response to my first draft and asked me to post it up on the class message board to serve as an example!

My other paper was comparing Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan to another jungle hero, Charles Saunders’ Mtimu, who made his debut in Black Pulp. As an editor for Pro Se, I’m entitled to digital comp copies of their entire library, so I emailed Tommy and asked him if I could get one of Black Pulp and explained why. Tommy was more than happy to provide me with a copy (and go pick up yours, it’s an excellent book). Once I finished the essay, I sent it to him and Tommy loved it to the point that he asked me if he could post it up on the Pro Se website as one of Pro Se’s Free Extras and I said sure, albeit with some trepidation. I hadn’t yet received a grade on it, nor feedback from my classmates, so the self-conscious part of me who has been out of college for about seven years kept telling me “this is crap, you don’t know what you’re doing.” But Tommy liked it and so I allowed him to post it up.

Nothing could prepare me for what would happen next. A few weeks ago, I received an email from Ron Fortier, who really needs no introduction (but go on over to Airship 27 if for some reason you do need one). Ron’s always an interesting guy with a story to tell (if you’ve ever heard him on any of the podcasts he’s appeared on, you know this, and he just did one for The Nocturne Travel Agency that you should listen to), and this was no exception. This time around, Ron told me about how he’d been trying to convince Charles Saunders for some time to write a jungle queen novel focused on the character of Lulama, who was at first an antagonist of sorts in the Mtimu story. Saunders gave it some thought, but once my essay was posted on Pro Se’s website, Ron took advantage of it and sent it to Charles. The essay apparently delighted Charles to the point that he decided to move ahead with the Lulama novel! You can read the full account on Airship 27’s press release. Needless to say, I was floored by this news. What turned out to be a simple essay (and writing about pulp in a positive light in an academic setting is a steep hill to climb) turned into something that served as inspiration for a great writer!

And yes, I got an A on the paper.

Things have now calmed down after I’ve moved into my new house and settled into my new job. I’ve managed to jump back on the writing horse. SoulQuest, my next novel, is close to print. My old friend and wonderful artist Brad Horton is handling the cover art this time, and from the concepts he’s shown me, this will probably be the best-looking book I’ve published to date.

After living with SoulQuest for far too long, I decided to recharge by doing some short story work. I’ve also finished two short stories for Pro Se, and I’m in the process of working on a third. I’m not sure if Tommy would like me to go into more specifics than that, so I’ll keep quiet about what those projects are until there’s a press release. I’ve also got another short story to work on for the 2013 PulpWork Christmas Special. This will be the first time I’ve participated in that anthology. I had to decline in the past because I was in the midst of other things and couldn’t get it ready in time. But this time, I had an idea for a great Christmas story. So rejoice, Myth Hunter fans, because this story will focus on Asami, Elisa Hill’s changeling partner!

Once I’m done with those stories, I can get back to my next novel project. I put it to the side for a while so I could recharge myself with these shorter projects. But now I’m chomping at the bit to get back to work on it. I won’t say much more about it than that. I’ve started using the Magic Spreadsheet to chart my progress, and you can find out more about that here.

That’s all for now. Hopefully with some more time, I’ll be able to post on here more frequently.