Tagged: Derrick Ferguson

Percy Constantine’s new novel THE MYTH HUNTER from Pulpwork Press (http://www.pulpwork.com/) hits the streets today!  The author takes some time out of his busy promoting schedule to do some…ah…promotion with ALL PULP!  Stay tuned for a couple of more tidbits related to THE MYTH HUNTER throughout the day!

AP:  Perry, welcome to ALL PULP!  First, share  a little bit about yourself with us.
PC: Well, I’m a writer in his late twenties (going to hold onto that tidbit for as long as possible). A native Chicagoan who has been residing in Japan for the past few years. I first entered the world of publishing in 2005 as a comic book editor and then in 2007 as a novelist. In 2010, my first pulp novel, LOVE & BULLETS, was released through Pulpwork Press. I’m also a professional comic book letterer and writer and have a few small press credits to my name in those areas. Other than that, I’m obsessed with movies, which is where I draw most of my inspiration from.
AP:  Your newest book, THE MYTH HUNTER debuts today.  What wonderful adventure awaits within its pages?
PC: With THE MYTH HUNTER, you are looking at an action-packed tale bringing mythology from various regions and eras into the modern age. You’ve got shadowy organizations, legendary creatures, lost continents, and a heroine who can both kick your ass and outsmart you.
AP:  Now, this project has taken some time to actually see print.  What can you say about that?
PC: THE MYTH HUNTER first began with Elisa Hill, the main character. I’ve always been drawn to heroines who can hold their own against the classic hero archetypes and I wanted to create one of my own. Derrick Ferguson (creator of the brilliant Dillon series) helped me with some of the initial ideas that really led to the character’s first incarnation.
At first, THE MYTH HUNTER was intended to begin life as a comic book that Derrick and I were going to collaborate on with whatever artist we could locate. It didn’t quite work out that way and after a few setbacks, I decided to just do it as a book series. I had two artists who contributed some character designs, which will appear on my blog (percivalconstantine.wordpress.com).
AP:  You’ve created a character in Elisa Hill that is multifaceted and seems to, while being your creation, draw from several ‘muses’.  What were your influences in creating her and why is it important that a lead character have such variety within its personality?
PC: I’d say my primary influences for the character were Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, as far as initial inspiration. Visually, I’ve always imagined Elisa as being similar to actress Kate Beckinsale. Her name was inspired by someone I knew in high school who’s a very strong woman. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was also a source of influence, as I’ve found her to be a very positive, very strong heroine and she was really the first heroine who had a massive influence on me.
Other than that, I draw influence from wherever I can find them. Elisa, like many of my characters, are drawn from a hodgepodge of influences. But the ones I mentioned are really the major ones.
AP:  You’re known for writing strong female characters, particularly as leads.  Do you prefer female leads and if so, why? Or does the story just sort of write its own participants in as you go?
PC: I appreciate the fact that I’ve become known for strong female characters, as that’s important to me. I’ve felt heroines are either under-represented or portrayed as inferior to the heroes. I guess part of that is because I’ve known a lot of strong women in my life, and so I want to give them their due. 
I don’t have a preference for either gender, though. My first two novels featured male leads. And the next book in my Infernum series, OUTLAW BLUES (due for a release either later this year or early next year) will feature a male lead.
I’m attracted to aspects of both types and I enjoy writing them both. It’s more the characters themselves that speak to me and when they first come to me in my mind, they come with their gender already predetermined. I never thought of Elisa Hill or Angela Lockhart (of LOVE & BULLETS) as anything other than female, just as I never thought of Riker Stone (of CHASING THE DRAGON) or Gabriel (of FALLEN) as anything other than male. That’s just how they were when they first approached me.
AP:  THE MYTH HUNTER treads familiar ground for Pulp fans, that of the explorer finding strange artifacts, etc.  But you focus on the dichotomy of doing this for profit as opposed to doing it for betterment of mankind. Care to discuss that?
PC: The idea of profit vs. betterment of mankind has always interested me. And I know that the two aren’t mutually exclusive, which is something you see a little bit of in the book. I don’t think there’s a black and white way to look at the two. I’m someone who believes in a balance and I think I try to get that across in the book. You see aspects of both in the characters on either side of the issue. Some are doing it for profit and are completely selfish. But some aren’t doing it for profit but are still equally selfish. And some fall to a place in the middle. 
Dichotomy in general is something I really love to explore as a writer. To be, the best heroes and villains are the ones that are two sides of the same coin. So that’s why I try to focus on those things in my writing whenever I can.
AP:  This novel is peppered with a ton of interesting supporting characters as well.  What makes a good supporting character for a Pulp tale?  And why does a strong lead like Elisa even need supporting cast?
PC: It’s often been said that you can’t have a good hero without a good villain, and that’s true. But you need more than that–you need good supporting characters. The supporting characters are not just there to support the hero, they’re also there to challenge him or her in ways that the villain can’t. 
The various supporting characters are there to explore different facets of the hero. With Elisa, I think you see that a lot with her supporting players because they reflect different aspects of her. Max Finch is her experience and knowledge, Laki is her innocence, Lucas is her rebellious nature and Asami is her desire for adventure. Each of them are great characters in their own right, but when they interact with Elisa, it really helps to round her out as a better character.
AP:  You’re in the ranks of the New Pulp writers.  What is New Pulp to you?
PC: New Pulp to me is taking these classic techniques and aspects that made “old” pulp so great and seeing how we can add to them. I think New Pulp isn’t just doing what Lester Dent, Robert Howard, and others did back in their time. It’s taking what they did as an inspiration and building on it, incorporating influences from other writers who followed a similar path. 
As Bob Dylan said, the times they are a’changing. And we have to change with them. We can’t just copy what the pulp founders did, because what they did was influenced from what they knew at that time. We have to build on it. We have to take what they did, incorporate what we’ve learned since then, and use it to create something that’s different, that’s relatable to modern audiences (regardless of the time period the story is set in) but still recognizable as pulp. One of the brilliant things about Indiana Jones is that even though the films were set in the age of pulps, they were still relatable to modern audiences.
And this can be done in a number of different ways. As Indiana Jones and authors like Barry Reese have proven, you can set these stories in the age of pulps and make them relatable to modern audiences because you have the benefit of hindsight or because you understand the tastes of modern audiences. Or you can take the route that the James Bond series or authors like Derrick Ferguson have done, which is take that style of storytelling and apply it to the modern day. 
There are some people who believe that it has to be either or. You can’t appeal to modern audiences without alienating fans of the past or vice versa. And this kind of thinking is really lazy and uncreative. I was born in 1983 and yet Casablanca, a movie that was made decades before I was born, remains one of my favorite films of all time, and I know many people my age who feel the same. So to say that the past holds no appeal for the present shows creative bankruptcy in my opinion.
AP:  Any future plans for Elisa and company to return in future works?
PC: Oh absolutely. The sequel, DRAGON KINGS OF THE ORIENT, already has a draft that’s been completed. There’s no tentative release date for it yet, but it will be a bit of a wait. I’ve got some other tales in mind for Elisa and friends following that.
AP:  Speaking of future, anything else coming from you that ALL PULP should be on the lookout for?
PC: A few things. OUTLAW BLUES, a follow-up to LOVE & BULLETS and the second book in the Infernum series, is due for a release either the end of this year or early next year. As I’ve also mentioned I’ve got DRAGON KINGS OF THE ORIENT, the sequel to THE MYTH HUNTER.
Other than that, I’m writing a Domino Lady comic story for Airship 27’s All-Star Pulp Comics anthology and Tommy Hancock and I are developing a project called THE ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS SAINT.
I also have a few other things in mind, but it’s a bit too early to talk about those at the moment.
AP:  Thanks again for stopping by and great work on THE MYTH HUNTER!
PC: It’s been an absolute pleasure and I hope everyone enjoys it! Also, please keep an eye on my site, percivalconstantine.wordpress.com, because we’ll soon have some announcement about giveaways to be associated with the release of THE MYTH HUNTER!

NEW PULP GIVEAWAY-THE FIRST PULPTRESS STORY EVER!

Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions and member of the New Pulp Movement announced today that the first ever tale of THE PULPTRESS, 21st Century Pulp Heroine and spokesperson for Pro Se and New Pulp, would be available for anyone interested for FREE for a period of one week.

“The Pulptress,” Hancock said in his statement, “is a concept and a figure that has already drawn much interest since her debut two weeks ago at Pulp Ark. But she’s more than that.   She is just a hint at all that New Pulp has to offer any reader, from the uninitiated person to the avid, obsessed Pulp fan.  There’s a vibrance, an excitement to The Pulptress that draws directly from the vibrant exciting pace and and action that New Pulp is rifled with.  And to celebrate that connection as well as to put a little more New Pulp out there, we’d like to offer this first tale of The Pulptress for free to any takers for a limited time.  And New Pulp fans take note-There is a special guest star in this first tale that many New Pulpsters may recognize.”

The tale, written by Hancock, is one of a collection that is being written and will be printed by Pro Se Productions when complete.  Other writers currently participating in this collection include Derrick Ferguson, Robin Bailey, Ron Fortier, and Barry Reese.  

In order to get your free copy, email Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net between now and Sunday, June 5th, 2011 and the story will be emailed to you directly.

“This is an opportunity,” Hancock pointed out, “to introduce your friends who may know nothing of New Pulp to the Movement and get others interested in the heroic fiction some of today’s best writers are producing!”

ALL PULP INTERVIEWS THE FACE OF NEW PULP-THE PULPTRESS!

AP:  It is indeed a pleasure to have you at ALL PULP today!  I’m fairly sure this will be a short answer, but can you tell us something about you personally?  Some background maybe?
PULPTRESS: (laughs) Sorry, but the mask is my free pass on most of that question.  Let’s see, I’m twenty something…maybe.   I have august red hair…unless I don’t.   My eyes are brown with hints of green…except when they aren’t.  I’m just your every day average girl…who can use any weapon put in her pretty porcelain hands.  I will say that I came into the world much like everyone else did, even though things changed dramatically not long after my auspicious beginnings.   But looking back on it, I don’t think I’d change a day.  Except maybe one, my ninety third one, so I’ve been told.
AP:  Your…when you were three months old.  That would be when your parents…
PULPTRESS:  Yes, when they disappeared.    They were well known in the Pulp crime fighting circle, probably the best known.  I haven’t been told much about them, only that they had made a plan in case something like….them disappearing happened.  Which it did, so I’m thankful they planned ahead.
AP:  Best known?  Many people speculate that your parents weren’t just any crimefighters, but-
THE PULPTRESS as drawn by
Rob Davis
PULPTRESS:  Ah, ah, ah. (shaking a single red nail tipped finger playfully) Not something to discuss on, off, or even to break a record.  I didn’t have them at all that I can remember, but they gave me the next best thing.  A family like none anyone has ever had.
AP:  Yes, you had a particularly interesting raising.  Can you talk about that at all?
PULPTRESS:  Enough just to tease your readers, certainly.  The plan that my parents had devised in case of their…being unable to raise me was basically the next best possible option.  I was left with one of my parents’ closest confidantes until I was able to walk and talk. At that point, my training began.  I have lived with Cherokee Indians, Inuit tribesmen, Shinto priests, and any other group of experts in anything you can think of.  I’ve been taught every style of fighting by the fiercest warriors, academics by today’s greatest minds, science and other disciplines by people that most only believe are legend and rumor.  From my first steps until my 18th birthday, I was steeped in disguise, strategy, espionage, and every learnable skill, field, and technique that the world had an expert in. 
AP:  Really?  To what purpose?
PULPTRESS:  That’s another thing wrapped in innuendo and smoke.  Some say that there’s a greater good I’m being prepared for, something my parents knew I would have to be ready to face.  Others say it wasn’t so grand, that they just wanted to groom me to follow in their footsteps.  (Chuckles)  There’s a few who think that I was brought up that way because it was the only life my parents ever knew.  Regardless, I consider myself the luckiest gal in the world for the way I came up in the world.
AP:  And now that you’ve survived until adulthood, you seem to actually have taken up where your parents left off.  Why?
PULPTRESS:  Not just my parents, but most of my foster family as well.  And the why is fairly simple.  Even though I learned many different things from all the teachers and mentors I had around the world, they each imparted one common idea to me, almost a mantra.  ‘Regardless of how the world changes, it will always need a Hero.”  I had other options, choices I could have made.  Any career I wanted was an open door.  But those words were etched in my heart and wear heavy on my mind every day.  And there’s not a truer statement.  So, yeah, that’s why.
THE PULPTRESS as drawn by
Ralf van der Hoeven
AP:  Interesting.  All right, what is it you do, then?  How do you describe your chosen vocation?
PULPTRESS:  Adventurer, Explorer, Problem Solver, a gal who likes a good fight and is good at fighting?  All of those fit and a few more.  Basically I’m the person that Henry Fonda described even better than Steinbeck himself wrote it.  Wherever someone is need, wherever someone is hurt and abused, wherever there’s absolutely no chance to survive, no way out, no justice at all, I am there.  I do all I can to meet the need, fix the hurt, save all I can, cut a door where there isn’t any, and bring justice in the prettiest package ever.  That’s what I do.
AP:  And on top of that, you recently debuted as the public face and voice for Pro Se Productions and even more than that, for the New Pulp Movement at the recent first PULP ARK Convention/Conference.  How did that happen?
PULPTRESS:  Have you met Tommy Hancock?  That man could talk the North Wind into blowing from the South if he wanted to.  (Laughs) Among many of the attributes that I picked up through the years was reading.  I often would rather read than eat and sleep and almost more than punching bad guys.  (Grins) Almost.   I’ve read thousands and thousands of volumes, tomes, and manifestos, but my favorite genre has always been Pulp.  I know, right?   But it has.  The classic heroic fiction rendered by Gibson, Burroughs, Dent, and others has a special place in my heart.  Part of that has to do with it being so reminiscent of people I have known throughout my life, heroes who lived Pulp lives all their own.
When I got to know Tommy due to our paths crossing, and that’s a tale someone should one day write, he exposed me to the writers and artists that have made New Pulp the force it is today.  And he brought up the fact that many consider me the New Pulp Heroine of the 21st Century and that New Pulp, while continuing the traditions established by the classics, is its own Movement, so there’s a relationship of sorts between the two.  And it doesn’t hurt a girl, even one in a mask, to be associated with the best stories told today for the readers of tomorrow!
AP:  So, you signed on just because you liked to read Pulp?  Or is there more, does New Pulp have an importance all its own?
PULPTRESS:  Of course it does.  Actually, it’s the same importance, the same mission that I feel like I have.  Regardless of how the world changes, it will always need stories about Heroes.  New Pulp provides that in spades and aces.   You don’t just get a rapid action high adventure tale with New Pulp stories.  You get ideals to reach, models to follow, and the reassuring fact that no matter how dark reality gets, the light eventually shines through.  You can’t get more important than that. 
AP:  What about your stories?  Any plans for a New Pulp writer to tackle the life and times of The Pulptress?  Or are you more of a to yourself kind of girl?
PULPTRESS:  Are you kidding?  The lady who, depending on what the adventure is, comes dressed as a cowgirl, a space explorer, pirate, or whatever fits being a to herself kind of girl?  Yeah, right.  Stories are not only underway, but multiple authors, like Barry Reese, Derrick Ferguson, Ron Fortier, and Robin Bailey, are already committed to a collection spotlighting me and my rollicking adventures. The collection, when ready, will be available from Pro Se Productions. And, on the ball as he is, Tommy has already completed one story about me in the Big Apple and is hard at work on another one…one about me at home. 

 AP:  That brings up a good final question.  Where is home?  Who are you when you hang up the mask on the hook beside your fedora?  Who are you when you’re not The Pulptress?

PULPTRESS:  Home is…the only place where The Pulptress isn’t.  Other than there, I can’t be…don’t want to be anything other than The Pulptress.
AP:  And the New Pulp Movement and the world are thankful for that.  Thank you so much for taking time to talk to ALL PULP.
PULPTRESS:  Hey, anytime.  It’s not often bullets stop flying and villains stop trying to conquer the world long enough for me just to visit. So thank you!


(Want to follow The Pulptress daily?  Then join ‘The Pulptress’ Page on Facebook!!!  And follow her here at ALL PULP, as well as at pulpmachine.blogspot.com and http://www.newpulpfiction.com/!)

TIPPIN’ HANCOCKS HAT-Reviews of All Things Pulp by Tommy Hancock
HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD: VOL II-
Barry Reese, David Boop, Ian Taylor, Joel Jenkins, Ron Fortier, Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Deja, Desmond Reddick, Grahm Eberhardt, Dale W. Glaser, Ian Mileham, Stacy Dooks, Mark Mousquet, Matthew P. Mayo, Kevin Thornton, David Golightly, Tommy Hancock, Tony Wilson, Derrick Ferguson, Mike McGee
Edited by Russ Anderson
Published by Pulpwork Press
A truly American genre, the Western story holds so much meaning, so much emotion, so much raw action for anyone who reads it.  It also holds a whole passle of potential that until recent years, people were afraid to explore.  Due to the impact of western movies and such iconic luminaries as Louis L’Amour (one known to put the genre on its ear every now and again himself), the Western had for many years this ‘Oh, you can’t go outside the established boundaries’ unspoken rule.   And I’ll be the first to say that there are still a ton of stories that can be told within those parameters.  But I’m also glad to say that there’s a group of writers, an entire movement known as New Pulp, that recognizes just where Westerns can go that they haven’t yet, and those writers are taking this genre there yet again.
HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD: VOL II, edited by Russ Anderson and published by Pulpwork Press, is a follow up collection to the very popular bestselling first volume, but stands on its own as a stellar collection of speculative Western fiction.  Not only are the traditional trappings strapped on for this rollicking rodeo of weirdness, but even the ‘supernatural’ or ‘strange’ elements seem to go beyond the ken in several of the stories.  This is a major positive because it shows that New Pulp can be different, can be enjoyable, and yet still hold on to the traditions and style that classic Pulps originated.
NOTE-As I review each story and the book overall, I will not be commenting on my story in this volume.  WEST OF FORT SMITH is my tale and that will be reviewed by others when they look at the collection, but I do not feel right talking about my work. 
DESIGN AND FORMAT-This is absolutely an exceptionally formatted book.  Easy to read, well laid out, and the Tamas Jakab designed cover, fantastically rendered by Jim Rugg adds that ‘new classic’ touch to this gorgeous looking paper back collection.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
EDITING-Anderson does a tremendous job at not only providing mostly error free editing, but also in how these tales were placed in the book.  Each one seemed to build on the ones previous to it in terms of tension and quality.  Determining placement in such a mixed bag anthology as this one is extremely difficult, so fedoras off to Russ for handling this extremely well.  FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
STORIES-
DESOLATION by BARRY REESE-This is a tale about family, about belief, and about just how crazy perception can be.  But it’s more than that, it’s a peek into the desperation that haunts every human soul, but must have been particularly strong in the wide open spaces of the West.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
THE RAG DOLL KID by DAVID BOOP-This is not just any ghost story, although it is a well crafted one of those.  This tale takes the reader on a journey of what makes a man who he is and how even at the end of his life, keeps him going until the job is done.  FIVE OUT FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
THEY CALL HIM PAT by IAN TAYLOR- This one falls into the weird category because of ‘Pat’ and is one of those that goes a little farther than most would think.  Saying that, this is one helluva classic western ‘Stranger in town’ tale and were Clint Eastwood prone to play weird parts, Pat was written for him.  FIVE OUT FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
THE LOST VALE by JOEL JENKINS-Mixing historical characters with Doyle influenced locations and creatures is something that sounds easy, but would actually take an artisan to pull off.  Joel Jenkins proves to be just the man for the job.  The story reads as it should, like a Western with weird sprinkled throughout it for good taste and measure.  The sheer number of characters to follow is a slight drawback, but Jenkins turns out one heckuva tale that would make a Challenger proud! FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
THE YELLOW DOG by RON FORTIER- This story goes into an area many Western writers haven’t gone, even traditionally and that’s the Western Animal subgenre.  Typified by such books as OL’ YELLER and the FLICKA series, writers tend to shy away from this direction because it’s a fine line between Western rawness and sentimentality.  Fortier walks that line well, dipping liberally from both sides and producing a hard edged Western tale that explores the connection between man and beast.  FIVE OUT FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
MR. BRASS AND THE DEVIL’S TEETH by JOSHUA REYNOLDS-Reynolds gets points right off the bat for teaming up his steampunk Pinkerton with one of the most underrated yet interesting outlaws that ever rode the West.  Frank James and Brass set out after a whole pack of owlhoots that have a bit of an advantage, thanks to cursed objects.  Reynolds keeps a distinctly Western flavor throughout, while still interspersing the conflict Brass feels about being more…or is that less…than human.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
THUNDER PURSUED by THOMAS DEJA-This was a fantastically fun tale that went a different direction than most of the others did.  Suffice it to say, seeing a Western character that had hints and glimmers of Doc Savage is not only something I enjoyed, but something I hope I see much more of.    Deja also deftly handled an exploration of Western family and friendship dynamics as well.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
WALKER ON THE WIND by DESMOND REDDICK-Reddick takes the reader to the far West, using members of the Mounted Police, and plunges them all into the desolate, frozen West and all the horrors that and a man’s mind may hide.  The suspense built well, the character narration was engaging, and the end result extremely and appropriately disturbing.  Although putting together the pieces of the story seemed to be a bit slow, Reddick definitely knows how to make one’s hair stand up and never hear the wind blowing the same way again.  FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
THE VELVET SCOURGE by GRAHM EBERHARDT-This story so intrigued me I had to immediately read it again.  Eberhardt must have been channeling Sergio Leone with a liberal dash of Poe and Hitchcock to boot.  A totally reprehensible character takes the lead and by the end of it becomes the only one I was cheering for.  Characterization was top notch, establishment of atmosphere was unbelievable, and I’d be more than happy to see more from this author and this character in the near future.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
THE DEMON WRESTLER by DALE W. GLASER-This story took a little bit to get into, but as the smoke cleared, what remained in whole was a fantastic story of just what people will believe and what others will go through to benefit from those beliefs.  FOUR OUT FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
TELL ME YOU LOVE ME AND THAT’LL BE AN END TO IT by IAN MILEHAM-Mileham does two things in this tale:  He delivers one heck of an atmospheric telling of just how a murder might be handled in the Old West; and He drifts into the psychological as well as supernatural thriller realm as smoothly as silk and leaves the reader happily frighteningly chilled.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
UNHALLOWED GROUND by STACY DOOKS-Going back North for this Western tale, Dooks creates two memorable leads that basically fit the ‘buddy cop’ motif Old West style and then promptly throws them into a psychedelic Hell.  Even with that twist, this story holds up as a wonderfully written Western because, after all, Westerns are about ordinary men facing extraordinary challenges.  And Dooks definitely provides all of that in spades.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
TRAIN COMES A-BURNIN’ by MARK BOUSQUET-I don’t know how to summarize this tale except to say that I hope there’s a novel that rises out of it in the future.  Two women board a train, each with a shared, yet their own distinct missions to complete.  Throw in a special forces type outfit, some monsters, and kids and their teddy bears, and you have one wild Western roundup.  It very much felt like the middle of a story, though, and sorting things out was a bit jarring, but as I opened with, I want the novel.  Now.  FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
THE WITCH HOLE by MATTHEW P. MAYO-Let me admit, this type of tale is not usually my favorite.  I can’t really tell you why, except that I wasn’t the kid who was into the mystery comics and such when I was young.  And this one reads as if it would fit perfectly in an old DC House of Mystery or an EC comic.   That, however, is the reason that I liked it as much as I did-because as I read it, I could see the artwork, I could see the creepy green and black coloring.  The set up, the premise, and the characters smack heavily and enjoyably of that 1950s and 60s weird tale comic story, even though it’s in prose.  FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
THE TESTIMONY OF CONSTABLE FRASER by KEVIN THORNTON-It’s interesting that in this volume of Western tales, so many writers chose to explore the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for stories.  And thankfully so.  Thornton not only paints a great image of a central character in Fraser, but he tells a story that simultaneously is serial killer/Western/ancient history mystery and it all blends together like hardtack and coffee at a campfire.  And yes, that’s good.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
RAID AT RAZORFANG RANCH by DAVID GOLIGHTLY-This was refreshing in the midst and toward the end of the book. Golightly takes us not only into the Weird West, but into ranch life and shows how hard both the work and that sort of living can be in general.  Combining that with the peculiar livestock the ranch deals in, Golightly delivers a quick draw blast of action and characterization.  FIVE OUT FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
WEST OF FORT SMITH by TOMMY HANCOCK-As said before, skipping this one.
BEAST OF THE BLACK HILLS by TONY WILSON-Yes, this is a weird tale, involving everything from green glowing severed heads to hairy bipeds and more, but Wilson does something even more fantastic.  The two main characters in this story could just as well be in any John Wayne buddy western or Larry McMurtry’s LONESOME DOVE or Robert B. Parker’s turn at Western series.  They are men fully realized, strengths and flaws and bonds between them included.  The internal voice of one of them that Wilson uses for narration is absolutely dead on.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
STORMS OF BLOOD AND SNOW by DERRICK FERGUSON-Derrick Ferguson has a gift.  That is to take aspects and traits and render whole cloth full blown love and hate ‘em characters from varied pieces and parts.  Sebastian Red and the cast he leads through Derrick’s multilayered Western tale, that is part ‘man in pursuit,’ ‘blood feud’ and ‘Act of God versus Man’ all rolled together, are real people by the time you finish the story, real enough you want to see them again.  And often.  FIVE OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT
TERROR IN TOYLAND by Mike McGee-Now, for me, this story just didn’t fit.  It’s a modern tale, which is all right with me, but I didn’t get that it had a Western feel to it.  It was, however, a fantastic slice of life after some apocalyptic event had changed at least the part of the world it’s set in.  McGee tells a great story and the narration was fun and equally creepy, which I feel like was the intent.  As a matter of fact, the strength of the story itself overcomes a little of my discombulation about its inclusion in this collection.  FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT.
HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD: VOLUME II will be out  July 1st, 2011.  You’re a dagnabbed fool if you don’t get it as soon as it splits the batwing doors of your favorite online book outlet.  Stay tuned at http://www.pulpwork.com/ for more details and get it on your wish list today, Pard. Or Else.
OVERALL RATING-FOUR OUT OF FIVE TIPS OF THE HAT-Yeehaw, indeed!
FULL PULP ARK AWARD CEREMONY VIDEO!

FULL PULP ARK AWARD CEREMONY VIDEO!

That’s right, Pulpsters…here’s just a bit more PULP ARK goodness provided by Derrick Ferguson.  This is an 18 minute video of the FIRST ANNUAL PULP ARK AWARDS Ceremony held on Saturday, May 14th…You will get to see acceptance speeches, laughs, giggles, and even The Pulptress herself!  Click and watch!

PULP ARK-AND THE DOORS OPENED!

NOTE-All PULP ARK reports during the next two-three days, unless otherwise noted, are written by Tommy Hancock, ALL PULP Editor in Chief and PULP ARK Organizer and Creator)

Friday, May 13th, 2011


Tommy Hancock, PULP ARK Founder and Coordinator
in front of the con location!

 Even though the first ever PULP ARK Creators Conference/Fan Convention didn’t officially open its doors until 12 Noon Friday, a few stalwart individuals made their appearance in the humble little burg of Batesville the night prior.  Bobby Nash, writer and Conventioneer extraordinaire was the first to appear at 151 West Main Street, formerly the Batesville Grand Opera House, currently the Cinnamon Stick Restaurant and Coffee Shoppe.  Not long after Bobby came Dr. Art Sippo, one half of the Book Cave Podcast duo and author of SUN KOH: HEIR OF ATLANTIS.  Art actually stayed until the set up and rehearsal for…well, that’ll come in a bit…



Pro Se writers Ken Janssens and Lee Houston Jr at PULP ARK!

 Following set up on Thursday night and meeting up with Joe Gentile from Moonstone and Nancy Hansen, Ken Janssens, and Lee Houston Jr. from Pro Se Productions, all grew quiet until the following morning.  Other faces showed up at the Comfort Suites for breakfast on Friday, including Rob Davis and Ron Fortier with Airship 27 Productions and veteran author Barry Reese and his fantastic family.  Good conversation was had by all, basically the how-are-yous and get-to-knows…then it was off to the venue!



Wayne Skiver of Age of Adventure getting ready for business!

 For those who did not come, even pictures won’t do much justice to how awesomely cool the building we held PULP ARK in was.  Originally built in the 1880s, much of the original woodwork and such is still there, but its not a pristine glowing artifice.  It’s a cool, old building with an awesome below ground room.  Lovingly called ‘the dungeon’ by PULP ARKers this weekend, this room was originally the dressing rooms and props area for the Opera House and the walls are the exposed original stone.  Also, the lighting is low and the air is just slightly musty, so it gave a great ‘cavern’ feel to the room, easily everyone’s favorite part of the venue.

Wayne Reinagel’s epic table for his epic tales!

Once set up was done that morning, we’d added Scott and Patrick Cranford, Scott being a writer with Age of Adventure, and Ric Croxton, the other half of the Book Cave, and unlocked and opened at 12 Noon.  Although business was slow from a ‘fan’ standpoint, some selling took place between those of us that made up the ‘Pulp crowd’ as well as people curious as to just what a ‘Pulp Ark’ was.  The biggest plus of the day…and of the entire weekend actually…was the opportunity to meet people most of us had never physically met before and the resulting fellowship.  Not to mention the ideas…ohhh, the ideas that blossomed.



Dr. Art Sippo (left) and Derrick Ferguson at PULP ARK

 Most of our other guests and such ventured in in the late evening, including Derrick Ferguson with Pulpwork Press, Carol Fuller Samelson, Bob Kennedy, Van Plexico with White Rocket Books, Wayne Reinagel with Knightraven Studios, writer Terry Alexander, artist Pete Cooper, Pulp Dealer David White, Springfield Comics’ Ron Hamilton, and Megan Smith, writer for Pro Se Productions.



OK, so Domino Lady on the right…
But who is that masked adventuress with her? hmmmm…

 Also, PULP ARK had a couple of visitors on this first day, visitors of the female AND masked variety.  One was very familiar to most Pulp fans in her black DOMINO mask and her LADY like dress and cape.  The other, however, was a mystery for much of the convention….one that revealed its bubbly, actiony adventury self later…

The official programming began at 4:30 PM with…well, that’ll wait until the next report, now won’t it?  Not long, kiddoes, not long!

ALL PULP NEWSSTAND BULLDOG EDITION 4/5/11

  • News
  • April 5, 2011
ALL PULP NEWSSTAND
BULLDOG EDITION
4/5/11
PULPWORK PRESS MAKES THE WEST EVEN WEIRDER!
From Pulpwork Press’s site-http://www.pulpwork.com/2011/04/weird-in-west.html?spref=fb

WEIRD IN THE WEST

The TOC for How the West was Weird 2 looks to have been finalized, with ALL of the stories now in editor Russ Anderson’s hands. Included among the roster of contributing authors are Ron Fortier, Tommy Hancock, and Barry Reese, as well as Derrick Ferguson and Joel Jenkins! And with TWENTY-ONE tall tales of western weirdness, this volume doubles the fun of the previous one.

HOW THE WEST WAS WEIRD VOL 1
Be sure to check back soon for a sneak peek of the cover, as well as a look at the stories inside! Too, there’ll be an awesome little pre-order incentive coming in the next month or so, so make ready to crack your wallets wide, weird western fans, because it’ll be a hum-dinger!
Oh, and How the West was Weird 2 has a release date of July 1st, so you have plenty of time to order yourself a copy of How the West was Weird 1 in order to wet your whistle for what’s coming.
 OLD TIME RADIO GOODNESS FOR PULP FANS!
From Tom Johnson-
For those of you that remember the AFRN, and the nights they would play Old Time Radio programs, Don Leary of Seymour has set up a website that you can listen to daily. There is a listing on the Main Page for the weekly schedule (program only, not the title of the episode). The same episode will play in three different  time periods. The hours are listed (Central Standard Time – Texas). There are buttons at the top of the screen for the listening format. Right now, Don doesn’t have it set up for you to download the shows. Some other programs are THE LONE RANGER, JOHNNY DOLLAR, X MINUS ONE, GUNSMOKE, SHERLOCK HOLMES, SUSPENSE, DIMENSION X, and so many more! http://theiotrs.com/ Check out the schedule.

FLYING GLORY-THE LATEST FROM KPSB!

FLYING GLORY AND THE HOUNDS OF GLORY
Special Issue 0 Page 2
You, um, missed the fireworks about that… Debra runs off to tell her band members in the Hounds of Glory the news, only to find something else has happened. What’s going on? Find out in the next page of the prelude story, “Generational Glory,” at http://www.flying-glory.com/ !

 

ALL PULP NEWSSTAND NIGHTHAWK EDITION 3/1/11

  • News
  • March 1, 2011
ALL PULP NEWSSTAND
NIGHTHAWK EDITION
3/1/11
DILLON HITS THE BLOGOSPHERE!
Derrick Ferguson, noted Pulp Author and contributing writer to various publishers, has finally heeded the call of fans of his work and started a blog.  Ferguson is not telling the world about his pets, his trips to the grocery store, or his latest thoughts on political doings.  No, this is a blog dedicated to a character that Ferguson is known for.  Dillon.  This is a blog about the heroic pulp actioneer that has appeared thus far in DILLON AND THE VOICE OF ODIN and DILLON AND THE GOLDEN BELL as well as a Dillon short story.   A fan favorite, Dillon embodies aspects of various pulp heroes into one finely tuned, well defined expression of adventure, intrigue, and fun.  And now, thanks to his creator, Derrick Ferguson, fans new and old alike will always know what Dillon is up to.  
RADIO WESTERN ADVENTURES SPECIAL EDITION READY FOR PREORDER!
From Pulp 2.0 Press-

RADIO WESTERN ADVENTURES Volume 1 is now available for signed edition pre-order.

You can own one of the first copies hot off the press, signed by Donald F. Glut and delivered to you via post for only $13.99.

Just go here and click on the paypal button to order your copy today.

http://pulp2ohpress.com/pulp/radio-western-adventures/

You can also see all of the bonus features of the book here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=316374832771&aid=286770

RWA is a unique blend of nostalgia and hard-hitting western pulp action from the pen of DONALD F. GLUT (THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, BROTHER BLOOD, and TV’s TRANSFORMERS) and pulp celebrity LESTER DENT (DOC SAVAGE, THE AVENGER).

The book features the novella “Who Really Was That Masked Man?” — a tall tale about what happens when all of the classic western stars from those thrilling days of yesteryear encounter one another and embark on a six-shooting, whip-cracking adventure. This is the story that fans of western pulp, serials, comics and old time radio have been waiting for years to read!

In addition, the Legendary Lester Dent contributes a never-before-published story “Snare Savvy” featuring Haw Kain, a slow-talkin’, but quick-witted cowboy from Montana who runs afoul of some greedy land grabbers. There’s also a fast talkin’ gal who catches Haw’s eye, and makes his job of stopping the crooks all the tougher.

This one-of-a-kind western pulp features many exclusive extras:

A comprehensive article on the great radio, comic and serial western adventure heroes (GENE AUTRY, HOPALONG CASSIDY, ROY ROGERS, SUNSET CARSON et al) that influenced the creation of “Who Really Was That Masked Man?” This article is lavishly illustrated with stills of young Don in his childhood cowboy outfits roaming the range of boyish imagination in Chicago.
A tribute to Jim Harmon, the man to whom this book is dedicated. Jim Harmon was a good friend, author and ardent western radio fan, historian and wrote of many books on the subject including the definitive THE GREAT RADIO HEROES.
A gallery of RARE STILLS featuring iconic western stars and autographed to Don Glut.
A behind-the-scenes peek at “Snare savvy” by noted author and pulp historian Will Murray.
and much more!!!

BARRY REESE NOMINATED FOR GEORGIA AUTHOR OF THE YEAR!

Barry Reese, recent winner of the PULP ARK 2011 BEST AUTHOR award and Spectacled Seven member at ALL PULP,  has been  nominated for a Georgia Author of the Year Award. His novel RABBIT HEART (also a nominee for Best Book in the 2011 Pulp Ark Awards) is eligible in the Fiction category. This year’s awards will be handed out on June 11, 2011 at the Kennesaw State University Center.

From the Georgia Writers Association Website:

The Georgia Writers Association recognizes Georgia’s authors of excellence by presenting the Georgia Author of the Year Awards.  The GAYA has the distinction of being the oldest literary awards in the Southeastern United States while reflecting the current publishing world. The GAYA honors both independently published authors and those whose books are published by traditional publishing houses. The Awards have grown in prestige and participation since its inception in 1964 by the Dixie Council of Authors and Journalists. The GAYA changed hands in 1990 to Georgia Writers Association and in 2006 GWA began a strong affiliation with Kennesaw State University’s Department of Humanities.  In 2006 over 100 books were nominated for Georgia Author of the Year.  The GAYA covers the traditional categories of Poetry and Fiction, while accommodating the growing Creative Non-Fiction genre. The guidelines are revised each year to parallel the changing literary marketplace.

ALL PULP NEWSSTAND NIGHTHAWK EDITION 1/26/11

  • News
  • January 27, 2011
ALL PULP NEWSSTAND
NIGHTHAWK EDITION
1/26/11
PRO SE PRESENTS FANTASY & FEAR #3 AVAILABLE NOW!!!
Ready to escape to far away lands and fight dragons?? Want a good chilling horror tale to relieve some stress? Or just need a good ol’ fashion fright or thrill? Then PRO SE PRESENTS FANTASY AND FEAR #3 is the magazine for you! Thrill to stories from Aaron Smith, Nancy Hansen, Lee Houston, Jr., James Palmer and others! Action comes fast and hard with another SOVEREIGN CITY tale from Derrick Ferguson! And noted pulp author Joshua Reynolds begins a new Monster Hunter series IN THIS ISSUE! Want to be afraid? Want to be adventurous? Then you want to pick up PRO SE PRESENTS FANTASY AND FEAR # 3 today in PRINT or EBOOK!!! https://stores.lulu.com/proseproductions
CONTENTS INCLUDE-
“The Meteor Terror” by James Palmer
A Rub of the Lamp” by Tommy Hancock
“Citadel of the New Moon” by Kevin Rodgers
“Sign of the Salamander” by Joshua Reynolds
“Desire of the Apprentice” by C.W. Russette
“The Day of the Silent Death-a SOVEREIGN CITY tale” by Derrick Ferguson
 “A Tavern Tale” by Lee Houston, Jr.
“The Brothers Jade, Part 3” by Don Thomas
“The Sign of the Fourth” by Ken Janssens
“A Study in Shadows” by Aaron Smith
“Of Kin and Clan” by Nancy A. Hansen
“City of Nevermore” by Aaron Smith
Cover Illustration by Jody Hughes, Colors by John Palmer IV
Interior Illustrations by Debi Hammack and Clayton Hinkle.
Book Design, Layout, and additional graphics created by Ali

FnF Editor-Lee Houston, Jr.

BUY IT TODAY!!! EBOOK OR PRINT!!! https://stores.lulu.com/proseproductions

NOTED PULP AUTHOR’S DILLON HITS E-BOOKS!
From Derrick Ferguson, Pulpwork Press-

For those of you who have been waiting for Derrick Ferguson’s DILLON AND THE LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN BELL to be available as an E-book, the wait is over!  Right now you can bounce on over to Smashwords and for the low, low, low price of $2.99 get yourself a copy of the adventure that Ron Fortier (Captain Hazzard, Mr. Jigsaw) says has “more action and thrills than half a dozen other pulp thrillers I’ve read of late!” for your Kindle, Sony Reader or whatever new-fangled reading gadget you got!

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