PRO SE LICENSES CREATIONS OF AWARD WINNING AUTHOR DERRICK FERGUSON FOR NEW STORIES AND UNPUBLISHED WORKS!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On April 4, 2021, Genre Fiction in general and the New Pulp Movement specifically lost one of its most creative and beloved voices. On that date, Derrick Ferguson, the creator of Dillon and other fantastic characters, passed away. Pro Se Productions, the publisher of Derrick’s Dillon at the time of his passing, had in the months prior given Derrick his own author imprint-DERRICK FERGUSON’S POWER PLAY.  Pro Se Productions is now honored and privileged to announce that not only will the imprint continue, but new stories, digest novels, anthologies, and novels based on Derrick’s works as well unpublished works by Derrick will be produced, thanks to a licensing agreement between Pro Se and Derrick Ferguson’s estate, as represented by his wife Patricia.

“I literally owe my writing and publishing career to Derrick Ferguson,” says Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions. “Meeting through fan fiction, Derrick showed an appreciation for the way I wrote and when he saw an opportunity for me to propose something to an anthology that he felt would be perfect for me, he not only suggested, but he in his way also demanded that I submit something. I did that, got accepted and published and now I have the unquestionable honor of being allowed to do something that, while bittersweet, is precious to me. Pro Se will continue to publish not only Derrick’s remaining unpublished stories, but we will also be making calls for anthologies, short stories, and novels featuring Derrick’s prolific cast of characters. From Mongrel to Diamondback to Sebastian Red to so many others, writers touched by Derrick’s kindness through the years as well as his presence as an author will now have the chance to add their voices to the worlds Derrick created. And yes, this also most assuredly includes Dillon.”

For many readers and authors in the New Pulp Movement, Dillon is the penultimate New Pulp creation, due in large part to the various influences wrapped up in the character as well as Derrick’s passionate, out-of-the-box storytelling.  

Thanks to this licensing arrangement, two works under the POWER PLAY imprint will be out before the end of the year for certain-DERRICK FERGUSON’S DILLON: THE ODD JOBS VOLUME TWO featuring short stories focused on Dillon’s supporting cast written by other authors and WE ALL RISE, an anthology tribute to Derrick’s impact on multiple New Pulp creators. Other works are also in the queue, including a series written by Derrick Ferguson and author Joel Jenkins that will be published by Pro Se as a single collection.

DERRICK FERGUSON’S POWER PLAY logo And OLD SCHOOL NEW PULP phrase created by Sean E. Ali.

For more information on this imprint, interviews with the author, or more, email Tommy Hancock at editorinchief@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.

New Releases from Pro Se!

NEW PULP’S MOST EXCITING HERO FINDS A NEW HOME -- DERRICK FERGUSON’S ‘DILLON’ MAKES PRO SE DEBUT WITH 2018 ANNUAL!

When fans of modern Pulp Fiction discuss characters that have made their mark, Derrick Ferguson’s Dillon tops the list. While hitting all the expectations a hero should, Dillon also stands out as a unique character, thanks largely to Ferguson’s skill as a writer. And now, in a showcase of great stories, Pro Se marks Dillon’s first appearance under its banner with DILLON ANNUAL COLLECTION 2018, now available in trade paperback, hardcover, and digital formats.

A soldier of fortune gifted with an astonishing range of remarkable talents and skills that make him respected and feared in the secret world of mercenaries, spies and adventurers. A world inhabited by amazing men and women of fabulous abilities that most of us are unaware even exists. Fueled by a taste for excitement, driven by an overpowering desire to protect the innocent, see that wrongs are righted and assisted by a worldwide network of extraordinary men and women, all experts in their fields, DILLON spans the globe in a never-ending quest for the wildest and most breathtaking adventures of all.

In this oversized omnibus of past adventures, Dillon faces new enemies, battles a phantom buccaneer on the shores of Xonira, runs a deadly jungle race against a criminal overlord, battles dangerous agents on a speeding train in an attempt to prevent a kidnapping and spends an unexpected wild night out with celebrity rocker SLY GANTLET, whose life offstage holds some surprising secrets. Pro Se proudly presents its debut of Derrick Ferguson's International Instigator in some of his wildest adventures in the first ever DILLON ANNUAL COLLECTION!

With an exciting cover, logo design, and print formatting by Sean Ali, DILLON ANNUAL COLLECTION 2018 is available now at Amazon for 18.00.

This book is also available for $35.99 in hardcover.

Dillon’s Pro Se debut is also available as an Ebook, designed and formatted by Antonino Lo Iacono and Marzia Marina for only $3.99 for the Kindle. Kindle Unlimited Members can read for free.

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I. A. WATSON’S ‘BYZANTIUM’ SINGLE SHOT SIGNATURE SERIES CONCLUDES WITH ‘SHATTERED BONDS’ -- ONLY 99 CENTS!

Award Winning Author I. A. Watson, one of the most prolific voices in New Pulp, takes readers one final time to a world of history of fantasy, one marred with magic, monsters, and mystery in the fifth and final chapter his exclusive original Pro Se Single Shot Signatures Series BYZANTIUM.

In a world where Christianity never arose to sweep away the old magics, where sorcerer-guilds and necromancer-kings rule amidst the Roman ruins, Kirkgrim the Wanderer joins a caravan train across war-torn wasteland to the world's most corrupt city. The reluctant hero finds himself trapped with travelers, refugee orphans, deserter soldiers, a beautiful hunted sorceress, and one mad Viking, amidst civil war, religious zealots, brutal reavers, and a growing zombie army -- guarding a secret that could bring the last vestiges of civilization crashing down in flames.

In Byzantium Book Five: SHATTERED BONDS, we learn the fates of the travelers beset by civil war, undead hordes, mage mysteries, treasure-driven treacheries and violent siege, and review the exploits of Kirkgrim the Wanderer, Lady Mirabelle de Castile, Sigroth Sigrothson, Fitz the Guide, and Fred the fighting truffle-pig, those who survived... and those who did not.

BYZANTIUM by I. A. Watson. From Pro Se Productions

With a haunting cover and logo design by Jeffrey Hayes and logo design and digital formatting by Antonino lo Iacono and Marzia Marina, BYZANTIUM BOOK FIVE: SHATTERED BONDS is available now at Amazon for only 99 cents. Kindle Unlimited Members can read for free.

For more information on this title, interviews with the author, or digital copies to review this book, contact Pro Se Productions’ Director of Corporate Operations, Kristi King-Morgan at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

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

[Link] BLOOD AND INK: 25 NEW PULP BOOKS TO GET YOU STARTED [GUESS WHO MADE THE LIST]

Over on his blog, author Derrick Ferguson, along with Lucas Garrett, Barry Reese, and Andrew Salmon, compiled a list of good intro books to the world of New Pulp.

This is a nice list the guys put together. I'm honored to have The Ruby Files, which I co-created with Bobby Nash, listed.

You can read the full list of the 25 New Pulp Books To Get You Started here.

Learn more about The Ruby Files here.

TWO COMPANIES, ONE PULP HERO AS HE'S NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE- YOUNG DILLON!

One of the most popular characters in the New Pulp Movement comes to life a whole new way, thanks to Pro Se Productions, a leading Publisher in cutting edge Genre Fiction.  In conjunction with Pulpwork Press, an independent publishing house responsible for fantastic genre works ranging from guitar pulp to the weird western and beyond, Pro Se Productions proudly presents YOUNG DILLON IN THE HALLS OF SHAMBALLAH.

Dillon.  A character created by noted Award Winning New Pulp Author Derrick Ferguson and a name that means many thing to many people. Adventurer. Hero. Rogue. Nemesis. Friend.

But even a man who is a legend in his own time started somewhere.  Even Dillon was young once. And now the story of Young Dillon begins as a part of Pro Se’s Youngpulp! imprint.

“You don’t talk about New Pulp,” Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se Production stated, “and not discuss Dillon.  Not only has Derrick breathed life into a hero cast in the classic ‘all man, all adventure’ mold, but also he’s created a character with history, passion, and his own unique aspects.   Dillon has his own swagger and style and, although it reminds a reader of other characters, Derrick makes it all Dillon.   And now, with YOUNG DILLON, readers get to see the boy that grows into the man we all clamor for new stories about.  It’s really exciting to have Derrick bring the world of Dillon to our YoungPulp! line.   With its focus on introducing younger readers to the excitement of adventure Pulp like fiction, YoungPulp! is the perfect venue to tell the stories of Dillon’s early adventures.”

YOUNG DILLON IN THE HALLS OF SHAMBALLAH pulls back the curtain on the past of a modern day hero. Many are the legends that have been told about Dillon, but none are stranger than the whispers of his having been raised in the mythical and eternal city of Shamballah and his training by those deadliest of adepts in the martial arts, the Warmasters of Liguria.

Now, at last, the true story behind those legends can be told.

This is a story of a Dillon and the events and people who would forge him into the man we know.  This is a story of a Dillon in the days before his feet were set on the path that would lead him to the wildest adventures of them all.  And it is itself an incredible adventure in its own right.  This is the story of YOUNG DILLON IN THE HALLS OF SHAMBALLAH. And, once you’ve read it, you and Dillon will never be the same.

YOUNG DILLON IN THE HALLS OF SHAMBALLAH,  featuring an introduction by well known author Gary Philips, and a terrific cover by Sean E. Ali with logo and design work by Percival Constantine is now available on Amazon and at the Pro Se Store at http://tinyurl.com/n3fmj46 for $9.00. The digest novel is also available as an Ebook from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.smashwords.com for $2.99.

For interviews with the author or the staff involved with the book or for more information concerning YoungPulp! contact Morgan Minor, Pro Se’s Director of Corporate Operations, at MorganMinorProSe@yahoo.com

To learn more about Pulpwork Press, go to www.pulpwork.com

Discover Pro Se Productions at www.prose-press.com and like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

[Link] What Do I Think Goes Into Making Characters Interesting?

by Derrick Ferguson

Since I started this boulder rolling downhill with talking about how I create my characters I figured I’d keep right on going a talk for a bit about what I think goes into making characters interesting and how I do it. As always, feel free to steal any of this you think will help and anything you think is bullshit, keep it to yourself. Okay? Okay. Have a seat and we’ll jaw jack for a bit.

For me, a story begins and ends with character. If the characters aren't interesting and if what they're doing doesn't interest me I don't care how mind-blowing the ideas behind the story is. There are writers who can pull off an idea driven story and I've read many of those over the years but as a rule, those types of stories don't put the sugar in my coffee. I'm more drawn to character driven stories.

And the characters don't have to be likable  In fact, I'm more intrigued when a writer can present me with an unlikable character and during the course of the story I grow to sympathize with him or her. My DIAMONDBACK novel; “It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time” was partially an exercise to see if I could write a novel length story where 99% percent of the characters were backstabbing, unrepentant cold-blooded bastards (especially the lead character) and still make them compelling characters you wanted to know more about and find out what happens to them.

That's why most of the time when you start to read a story of mine, I'll open with the character doing whatever it is he does best. Dillon is a globetrotting adventurer so I'll usually start a story with him in the middle of an adventure. If I write a story where a murderer is the lead character, I'll start with him murdering somebody. For me, nothing gets you into a character faster than showing him or her doing whatever it is they do. And I can do that because before I sit down to write I know the lead character so well that a lot of the indecision about what they would do in a given situation is gone. And I sincerely believe you have to know your characters well before you sit down to write and you have to care about them one way or another because as a writer you're the first audience for your story and if it's not interesting and exciting to you then why should it excite or interest a reader?

Continue reading: http://dlferguson-bloodandink.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-do-i-think-goes-into-making.html?spref=fb