AP: Bobby, you’re a guest at Pulp Ark. Tell us about your work in pulp that brings you to this convention.

BN: I am a writer of novels, comic books, novellas, short stories, graphic novels, and even dabble in the occasional screenplay. Much of my work has a pulp feel to it, such as my work on Lance Star: Sky Ranger Vol. 1 and 2 plus the upcoming vol. 3, Startling Stories Magazine, Full Throttle Space Tales Vol. 2: Space Sirens, Sentinels: Alternate Visions, Domino Lady: Sex As A Weapon, A Fistful of Legends, Ravenwood: Stepson of Mystery, Secret Agent X, and more.

I will be at Pulp Ark to meet fellow pulp creators and fans, introduce new readers to my work, and maybe even sell a book or twenty.

AP: Now you’re known for being a convention presence around the country. Why do you work them so hard and why are conventions important to pulp specifically, but to any form of literature in general as well?

BN: I have a great time at the conventions. Not only do you meet interesting people with the same interests as I do, but it also allows me the opportunity to introduce my work to potential readers that may not be familiar with it.

Plus, on a purely creative note, I find the conventions to be a nice creative boost. I always come home from them exhausted, but eager to get back to work.

AP: PULP ARK is billed as a convention/conference. This is a little different than most conventions. Do you think this is a good thing? Is there a need for such events?

BN: Diversity is a great thing in conventions. If all of the conventions were exactly alike I’d only need to do one of them a year. Having cons that are unique to themselves is great for me and the fans.

AP:You meet someone on the streets of Batesville, Arkansas who thinks pulp is what you find at the bottom of an orange juice bottle. How do you sell them on going inside and checking out PULP ARK?

BN: I would start by asking them what they like to read, what type of movies do they like, or what TV shows do they watch. Whatever the answer, I can probably recommend a pulp book for them. Pulp is more than Doc Savage and the Shadow. Pulp is action, adventure, westerns, sci fi, drama, romance, danger, intrigue. You name it and there’s probably a pulp connection.

RF: Basically we hope to discuss what has been a natural progression for these new writers now doing pulps.  For over fifty years all fans had were reprints of the classic stories to read over and over and over again. Thanks to this new renaissance we are experiencing, publishers are bringing forth “new” pulp stories of classic heroes.  Good, bad or ugly?  That’s what we’re going to hash out.

AP:  You’ve got several people helping you out on that panel.  What do your guests bring to the table for this topic?

RF: Considering the topic, I couldn’t very well recruit non-writers.  No, the fun of hosting this panel was inviting on board a handful of some of the best professional published new writers working in the field today.   Hearing their personal motivations for following in the footsteps of the great pulp writers of the 30s should be highly informative and entertaining.

 AP: Do we need new pulp adventures?  What makes new pulp works viable in the modern era? Is there a market or is this more of a hobby?

RF: Well, tricky question that.  You see pulps have really never left the book market.  They just evolved with the times and became lots more sophisticated in their execution.  Writers like Clive Cussler, Dean Koontz, James Rollins, Lee Child and Douglas Preston are all best-selling modern day pulp writers.  So we already have new pulps being produced every single day.  As for those of us writing tales of the classic pulp heroes, that’s a whole other arm of the pulp world.  And yes, I believe there’s a need for these as well, if only to keep alive the marvelous legacy established by those early publishers.  When you can read new Secret Agent X stories, you walk away with a much better grasp of the literary heritage that produced a James Bond.   Read the Suicide Squad and you understand where TV shows like Mission Impossible and the current Leverage came from.  This may have well started as a hobby, but today it is a viable branch of the pulp world.

AP:  What about the general public?  What might they learn from your panel?

RF: I mentioned that in my last response.  Folks with no understanding of pulps or its history will be surprised at its relevancy to today’s modern thrillers and action adventure movies and TV shows.  The panel will clearly delineate that history of what the pulps gave us and still continue to provide.

RF: Well I started writing pulp material almost twenty years ago when I wrote a Moon Man vs Doctor Satan novella with writer Gordon Linzner.  About six  years ago I started up Airship 27 Productions with artist Rob Davis and ever since we’ve been producing new pulp anthologies and novels featuring some of the finest writers & illustrators in the business today.  Rob and I will both be representing Airship 27 Productions at the show.  I’ll also be there as the Moderator of the well known Pulp Factory Yahoos Group.

AP: PULP ARK is billed as a convention/conference. Do you feel like there’s a need for an event like this, part opportunity to meet fans and part opportunity to work on skills as creators?

RF: That’s one of the major reasons this show has me so excited. That it is going to focus on both the wonderful fandom of pulps at the same time shining a light on how pulps are drawn and written, for both pros and younger talent wishing to enter the field. That can only strengthen the pulp community and keep it going strong.

AP: What about pulp appeals to the modern reader?  What do events like PULP ARK offer to both the hardcore fan and the person who has never read a pulp tale?

RF: Pulps provide pure escapist literature to the weary reader who is tired of complex, convoluted characters and plots that prevail in today’s modern thrillers.  In pulps there is no blur between the hero and the villain and the action is non-stop start to finish.  Gathering such a Pulp Ark provide a base for hard core fans to congregate and share their hobby.  Whereas they also provide a wonderful entry point to those readers curious as to what pulp fandom is all about.  Going to a show like Pulp Ark is the best way to find out.

PULP ARK PUTS OUT CALL FOR PUBLISHER PANELS AND SPONSORSHIPS!

PULP ARK, the Writer’s Conference and Convention being held in Batesville, AR May 13-15 is putting out the call for PUBLISHING COMPANIES, OUTFITS, AND OTHERWISE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PUT OUT PULP BOOKS, MAGAZINES, AND PUBLICATIONS to reserve their spots for Publisher Panels at ALL PULP. These panels will be opportunities for Publishers to talk about their companies, to push upcoming projects, and to spotlight their writers, artists, and future tales and stories. Any Publishers interested should contact Tommy Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net as soon as possible for scheduling purposes!

Also, PULP ARK is seeking sponsorships for the convention/conference. Any writer, artist, creator, publisher, or vendor interested in having their names and logos included in all advertising and correspondence concerning PULP ARK, contact Tommy Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net to discuss financial sponsorships. These opportunities will be extremely reasonable and will add exposure for not only PULP ARK, but for your individual efforts!

Finally, PULP ARK is wanting to put together FAN PACKETS for each customer that comes through the door! If you have freebies of any sort you’d like to have included in these packets, contact Tommy Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net and inform him of what you plan to include. To have your material included, Hancock stated it needs to be in the hands of PULP ARK staff by Thursday, May 12, 2011, 8 PM. Be sure to inform Hancock via email, however, what you intend to add to the packet in advance so he knows what to expect.

PULP ARK, the Pulp Convention/Creators’ Conference debuting May 13-15, 2011 in Batesville, AR, is proud to announce that the event will be held in a location that is a primary part of local history in the historic Arkansas town. Built in 1880, the three story building that will be the home of the first PULP ARK enjoyed life as Batesville’s Opera House for eight years. It was renovated and made into a mercantile store after that and then later was home to various other enterprises. It currently houses THE CINNAMON STICK, a coffee and sandwich restaurant. The over 6,000 square feet of space provides not only ample places for tables, displays and guests, but access to the lower level provides an onsite location for panels and classrooms. The lower level, largely untouched since the building’s construction, except for electricity being added, served as the dressing area for the various opera stars and performers in the building’s original incarnation.

A hotspot of activity, The Cinnamon Stick plays host to musicians, artists, and performers on a weekly basis as well as to customers ranging in age from high school kids to senior citizens. The location, 151 W. Main Street in Downtown Batesville, is surrounded by various amenities. Currently there are three restaurants on the street; The Cinnamon Stick, Elizabeth’s, and The Greasy Spoon. These three offer a variety of food and if that were not enough, various other restaurants are within a 1-5 mile radius of the location. Various antique stores, an used book store, a gym, and various other types of businesses line Batesville’s historic downtown area.

SCHEDULE FOR PULP ARK
NOTE-This is the schedule as of today.  Changes may occur.  If a timeslot has ‘PANELS/CLASSROOM’ in it, that means it is an open spot for a panel or classroom.  If these are not filled, then there will be no set aside panel or classroom at that time.  The activity in the Main Hall will be available.
　
THURSDAY MAY 12, 2011-Noon-?
Guests and vendors MAY begin setting up in the Main Hall (Upstairs) if they wish to come in early and do so after 12 noon.
700PM-Mixer Event, Pro Se offices, for Early Guests/Vendors
　
FRIDAY MAY 13, 2011
8-1200-Further Set up of Vendors and Guests/Registration
1200-600 PM-Main Hall will be open to the Public
1:00-2:00PM-Panel/Classroom
2:00-3:00PM-Panel/Classroom
3:00-4:00 PM-ALL PULP PANEL-Moderator-Tommy Hancock
Guests-Ron Fortier
Sarge Portera
Barry Reese
Derrick Ferguson
Bobby Nash
Van Allen Plexico
4:00-5:00 PM-Classroom-DAVE BOOP-Slang is @#$&*%! Useful-An exploration of slang in regards to fiction. How is it used effectively to flavor a period piece and not go overboard. Join as we discuss how slang evolves, is regionalized and expands into the collective consciousness.
5:00-6:00 PM Panel-Creating New Pulp Heroes-Moderator Barry Reese-Panelists TBA
800 PM-?-Guest/Vendor Mixer-Pro Se Offices
　
SATURDAY MAY 14, 2011
8AM-500 PM-Main Hall open (open during all the following events)
9-1000 AM-Panel/Classroom
10-1100 AM-Panel-MEET PRO SE PRODUCTIONS! Moderator-Tommy Hancock
Guests -Fuller Bumpers
Barry Reese
Derrick Ferguson
Lee Houston, Jr.
Ken Janssens
Robert Butt
Nancy Hansen
Megan Smith
Erwin K. Roberts
Others TBA
11-12 Noon-Classroom-BARRY REESE-Balancing ‘Real Life’ with Pulp Writing
1-200 PM-Panel/Classroom
2-300 PM-AIRSHIP 27 PANEL Writing New Classic Pulp AdventuresModerator – Ron Fortier
Van Plexico
Frank Schildiner
Robert Kennedy
David Boop
Barry Reese
Eric Jones
3-400 PM-Classroom-WAYNE SKIVER-All You Ever Wanted to Know About Doc Savage!
4-500 PM-Panel-SUPER HERO PULP-Van Allen Plexico, Moderator. Guests-TBA
700PM-Evening Event-Still being planned

PULP ARK AWARDS WILL BE GIVEN ON SATURDAY, TIME TBA
　
SUNDAY MAY 15,2011
8AM-Noon-Main Hall Open (open during all the following events)
8-900 AM-Panel/Classroom
9-1000 AM-PULP FACTORY PANEL Why The Current New Interest in PulpsModerator – Ron Fortier
Tommy Hancock
Mike Bullock
Bobby Nash
Mark Halegua
Wayne Reinagel
Joe Gentile
10-1100 AM-Classroom-ART SIPPO-All You Ever Wanted to know about Sun Koh!
11-12 Noon-Panel/Classroom
12-1230PM-Closing/goodbyes
　
THE BLOODY PULP, an interactive pulp play/adventure run throughout PULP ARK! More information on this to come!

An Alternative Schedule of Events is being developed for family members of Guests and Vendors which will include shopping excursions, tours of the area, and other activities.

THE BOOK CAVE is the official podcast of PULP ARK and will be covering the entire event from on location!

Tommy Hancock, Pulp Ark Coordinator and Pro Se Productions Editor in Chief, announced today that ’PULP IS GOOD FOR YOU’ a benefit book is being organized in conjunction with Pulp Ark, the convention/creators’ convention held in Batesville, Arkansas next May 13-15, 2011 is still in the works, but could use a few more stories.

“Our intent,” Hancock commented, “is to have this book be filled with excellent pulp stories and art and then to sell it to make enough money to buy copies of it AND other pulp works and then distribute them to various libraries around the country. We also would love to use funds from this, if it proved extremely successful, to develop an ongoing organization or campaign to promote the inclusion of pulp works, both classic and modern, in libraries.”

The book, now entitled ‘PULP IS GOOD FOR YOU’, has openings for stories and artists. Each story must be 15,000 words in length if authors wish to contribute. Eleven spaces for stories remain as of today. “We can do pulp fiction without artists, but they are a mainstay to the field and we definitely want them involved.” Each story can contain up to two illustrations, but with this being a benefit book, Hancock stated he would accept whatever writers and artists will be willing to do.  The deadline for contributions, originally January 1, 2011 is now MARCH 1, 2011.  No contributions will be accepted beyond this date.

Any writer or artist interested in contributing to this benefit book can contact Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net or 870-834-4022.