Tagged: Editor

Dennis O’Neil: A Difference of Opinion

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Back then, when the universe was trying to create justice from whatever scraps of phantom it could find, I was working for one of the all-time excellent comic book editors, writing stories about a superheroic archer. I once gave this archer a line that conflated a politician with… I don’t remember the exact wording, but it had something to do with corruption or the like. The editor seldom asked me for rewrites. He was not the kind of fellow would impose his ego on the work of others by demanding unnecessary revisions But in this instance, he asked for a tiny couple of changes: he wanted me to make “politician” plural and add “some” to modify that same “politician.” So our hero said that only some politicians were corrupt and hence not all of them were.

Big deal? Huh uh. At least it shouldn’t be. In such a situation, the person being edited can a) quietly make the change(s) and go find something useful to do, or b) holler and smash the windows and cry that his First Amendment Rights are being shredded by some crass son of a bitch who picks his nose with a tuning fork, or c) mention the disagreement to the editor and make the changes. Preferably, mention it politely…

Let’s end the story, not that we must. I made the changes and kept my mouth shut and did not, as far as I can remember, feel persecuted. For the record, I did not agree with the editor. The editor was acting from the values of a generation that had recently survived a war and before that a protracted depression. Leave my own politics aside, and put the editor’s right beside them. This was a matter of courtesy – you did not insult people in public, even if they were drooling blackguards who you personally saw mug the vicar – and it was a matter of fairness. Innocent until proven guilty and all that. Maybe fear of being offensive played some part in this, too.

But the editor was (slightly) wrong because, in the honest opinion of the guy calling the fictional shots – me – the archer/hero would not have softened his opinion; he was not that kind of guy, at least not as he was then interpreted, and so we were committing the itsy-tiny offense of not being true to the character. This is seldom considered a cardinal sin and I would not expect to be lynched for it.

We are reminded of an occasional confusion that occurs when a reader believes that what a character says is what the author is saying. Sometimes that’s the case, but not always. So, hey, could we just relax and enjoy the prose?

Oh, and remember to always work for excellent editors.

PRO SE EXPANDS AND WELCOMES GLOBAL RELATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY COORDINATOR!

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Pro Se Productions, a continually expanding and growing company focusing on Genre Fiction, New Pulp, and cutting edge Action and Adventure Books and Anthologies, announced today the addition of a new position within Pro Se Administration- Global Relations and Accountability Coordinator.

“Pro Se,” Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se, states, “has grown tremendously since opening our doors so to speak in early 2010.   We have every single writer, artist, editor, and administrative person that’s done even one little thing to thank for that.  With the fact that we intend to produce the most books we have yet in our history this year and next year as well, it’s become necessary to bring in others to help handle the growth.  To that end, we created a position that actually has two duties- Marketing and Social Networking as well as managing day to day affairs from the Editor in Chief’s office.  Essentially, making sure I get my myriad projects and jobs done successfully.”

The Global Relations and Accountability Coordinator will act as executive assistant to the Editor in Chief and will handle daily operations outside of the Editorial/Writing/Creative Staff.  The GRAC will also assist the Editor in Chief in creation of and distribution of press releases, setting up blog and podcast appearances, and utilizing Social Media of all types to its fullest extent.

“Pro Se,” Hancock says, “has a great catalogue that will continue to grow and be even greater.  We’ve spent three years intentionally growing our personal library of books and now it’s time to promote them, old and new, from the first book published to the latest and greatest, with every technique and tool we can come up with.  And as our Global Relations and Accountability Coordinator, Beth Alvarez will help us do that and we are proud to welcome her to Pro Se Productions!”

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Beth Alvarez is a previously self-published author residing in Memphis, Tennessee with her growing family. A voracious reader in her free time, Alvarez specialized in the study of fine arts with a focus on visual arts and teaching. An accomplished programmer, she has spent time working as a freelance web development specialist and graphics designer since 2005 and now adds Global Relations and Accountability Coordinator for Pro Se to her accomplishments.

Beth can be contacted at BethAlvarezProSe@gmail.com and will in the future be making contact with reviewers, bloggers, websites, other publishers, and other parties related to Pro Se business.

Pro Se Productions- www.prosepulp.com

ALL PULP LIVES! AND A MYSTERY ENSUES!

  • News
  • April 6, 2013

Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of and one of the founding members of All Pulp, announced today that since his announcement on April 1, 2013, concerning the closing of All Pulp if someone did not assume his duties, which he submitted his resignation from approximately a month ago, several interested individuals have applied.  And as of today, Hancock has made a decision as to who will be in charge of continuing the great legacy of Pulp Coverage All Pulp has maintained since opening in September, 2010.

“This,” Hancock states, “is truly a great day for All Pulp.  Although I’m not currently at liberty to reveal who the new ramrods of the outfit will be, I promise that the quality from All Pulp will not only continue, but will most likely improve with a whole new host of possible contributors.  Also, this move will carry All Pulp to multiple audiences, including not only our wonderful readers who fill the New Pulp Movement, but to fans of all sorts of Pop Culture goodness.”

Hancock states that even though he is in no way rescinding his resignation as Editor-in-Chief, the new development has inspired him to maintain with All Pulp as a contributor beyond the occasional book review he originally promised.  “I’ll be a presence in the continuation of All Pulp,” he explains.  “Not the guy in the Captain’s chair, but with where All Pulp is going, I’ll definitely be a regular part of things.”

Stay tuned to All Pulp, continuing in its normal fashion until further developments are announced.

ALL PULP TO CLOSE END OF THIS WEEK!

  • News
  • April 1, 2013

Approximately four weeks ago, Tommy Hancock, one of the original founding members of All Pulp as well as Editor in Chief, announced that he was stepping down from All Pulp, except as an incidental contributor.  At that point, Hancock stated that the position of Editor in Chief was open if anyone was interested in taking it on.  Although some have considered it, none have come forward.

“Based upon the fact,” Hancock says in a statement today, “that the Editor in Chief position at All Pulp remains open and that the site will not function in the same capacity at all without not only a body, but an active person in that position, I must announce today that, unless that position is filled by Saturday, April 6th, 2013, All Pulp will cease operation.”
Anyone interested in the position of Editor in Chief of All Pulp should contact Hancock at allpulp@yahoo.com or proseproductions@earthlink.net or at 870-834-4022.

REESE UNLIMITED DEBUTS THE LATEST HERO IN SOVEREIGN CITY-THE ADVENTURES OF GRAVEDIGGER!

  • News
  • March 26, 2013

Pro Se Productions, a leader in Action Adventure and Genre Fiction, proudly announces the latest release from its first author centered imprint and one of the best Pulp writers today!  Multiple award winning author Barry Reese has created yet another hero to add to his own modern Pulp Pantheon, which already includes such New Pulp standards as The Rook and Lazarus Gray.  Reese Unlimited, an imprint of Pro Se, presents THE ADVENTURES OF GRAVEDIGGER VOLUME ONE, the latest entry into Pro Se’s Sovereign City Project.

Her Life Began…The Day She Died. 

 The Adventures of Gravedigger introduces the latest masked warrior to inherit the mantle of Gravedigger. A lost soul who has returned from the grave to take up a mission of justice and vengeance, Gravedigger stalks the streets of Sovereign City assisted by her faithful agents and surprising familiar allies! She is the last defense against the criminals, madmen, and bizarre creatures that prowl in the shadows! 

According to Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se, “Barry consistently brings his best to each new project.  What makes GRAVEDIGGER more than just the next Reese Unlimited title, though, is the fact that it’s a new tale he’s telling, new to him and to us.  Very few people instill personal excitement and passion for a concept into their work the way Barry does and it definitely carries over onto the written page.”

“I wanted,” Reese states, “to create something that would continue the theme of personal rebirth that populates a lot of my work but I also wanted to do something a little bit different from The Rook and Lazarus Gray. I think I accomplished both with Gravedigger. She and her allies were really near and dear to my heart… by the end of the book, I considered them all to be personal friends. I hope readers will react in the same way.”

Gravedigger walks the streets of Sovereign City with Barry’s Lazarus Gray and Derrick Ferguson’s Fortune McCall, but brings a whole new flavor to that project. Hancock, the creator of Sovereign City explains.  “Sovereign City is the best and worst of every large settlement of human beings you can imagine.  In that sort of mix, there has to be heroes and villains will pop up.  What Sovereign hasn’t had is an equalizer of sorts, someone who, while definitely a hero by definition, is not cast in the traditional Sovereign City mold for such. Barry delivers that with Gravedigger in spades, which will be needed to bury the bodies she leaves behind.”

Featuring a stunning cover by award winning Pulp Artist George Sellas and mind blowing interiors by renowned artist Will Meugniot. THE ADVENTURES OF GRAVEDIGGER is a stunning, horrifying new addition to Pulp! From Author Barry Reese, Edited by David White, with Format and Design by Sean Ali! THE ADVENTURES OF GRAVEDIGGER VOLUME ONE from Reese Unlimited and Pro Se Productions!

Available in print for $15.00 from Pro Se at https://www.createspace.com/4216431 and via Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/cnelfld !  Coming soon in digital format!

PRO SE PRESENTS 18-DOUBLE SIZED ISSUE OF ACTION!

  • News
  • March 19, 2013



Pro Se Productions announces the latest issue of the Pulp Ark Pulp  Magazine  of the year two years in a row, PRO SE PRESENTS 18! 
The March 2013 issue of Pro Se Presents comes out shooting, punching, and fighting with five great tales of action, adventure, intrigue, and all out Pulp, so much so that it’s packed into an EXTRA SIZED ISSUE!


“One of the things,” Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of and Partner in Pro Se, “that our magazine is most noted for is variety.  Each issue is different from the previous one, both usually in number of stories and genres.  This nearly double sized issue is no exception to that.”
Featuring three winners of the 2012 Pro Se sponsored White County Arkansas Writers Competition, Pro Se Presents 18 opens up with Six Guns, Desperadoes, and men willing to die for what’s right in tales written by Jim Barton, Gary R Hoffman, and Del Garrett!

This two fisted action packed issue also includes the debut story of author Jaime Ramos! And the first adventure of a pair of new characters destined to be a force in New Pulp- STONE KOLDE by Alyssa Swift and Tommy Hancock- premieres in PRO SE PRESENTS 18! Featuring a stunning cover by Marc Guerrero and Format and Design by Sean Ali, get all the Pulp You can handle in the latest issue of PRO SE PRESENTS!


EIC TENDERS RESIGNATION FROM ALL PULP

  • News
  • March 11, 2013

Tommy Hancock, one of the seven founders and Editor in Chief of All Pulp since its inception submitted the following statement-

“This is a statement I didn’t think I’d ever write when we started ALL PULP just slightly less than three years ago.   At that time, we were seven strong and we were going to bring a new voice to how Pulp news was delivered.  Not that we thought anything was wrong with other sites delivering it at the time – Coming Attractions was a large part of the inspiration for what ALL PULP is now – but we wanted to bring ourselves into the spreading of the Pulp Gospel, not just our work or New Pulp, but anything and everything we could find that was Pulp News.  And I think we did that from the get – go and although some of the Seven have faded into the sunset and other names have taken bylines as guest reviewers or interviewers, I think that same mission is still in place.  All Pulp is still innovative, creative, and – based on the emails and messages I get – still a vital part of how so many Pulp fans get their news.

ALL PULP also has done something else, ALL PULP and a few other things.   In the last three years, I have met many creators, fans, publishers, and more people who are interested in Pulp than I could have ever imagined.  Out of those connections have come many opportunities for me as a Pulp Writer, a Publisher, a Commentator, and Event Organizer.  Now, my typical mode of operation has been to just stack one job on top of the other, paid and unpaid alike, and bore ahead.   The advice of many over the years has been not to do that, but I’ve done fairly well at keeping up with it.

But things have finally gotten to the point that not only do I need more time, but the truly necessary, important parts of what I do within Publishing, Writing, and New Pulp also need more attention than I’ve given in the past.  Several projects I am working on are on the verge of breaking out in a variety of ways, but they won’t without the right care and attention.  I do have others helping me, I’m not alone in any of them really, but I am the driver of many of the cars we have in the race.  So, to that end, some decisions have been made.  As of today, March 11, 2013, I am formally offering my resignation as Editor in Chief and regular staff member from All Pulp.

I will remain on board for a month and work with those who are still involved with ALL PULP to determine who the leadership will be and how it will be handled.  If someone is found or a decision is made before the month is up, then I’ll take my fedora off the hook and put on my trenchcoat and be on my way.  I do hope to continue to be a contributor here with a more regular review column (TIPPIN’ HANCOCK’S HAT) as being a reviewer is one of the opportunities I have been encouraged to explore on other levels, if the new bosses will have me, that is.   But as for being a leader and a regular here, I’ll simply be another person who checks the site about three or four times a day.

I can’t begin to thank everyone who has been a part of ALL PULP’s success.  The Spectacled Seven who started it all (Ron Fortier, Barry Reese, Bobby Nash, Derrick Ferguson, Sarge Portera, and Van Plexico, and some hack named Hancock) had a vision and I thank my six cohorts for making that vision happen.  The creators of Pulp as well as the fans also have made ALL PULP not only a news site, but a repository collecting the history of the last few years of Pulpdom.  The fact that I was allowed to be a part of that is just too cool.

So, that’s it.  There’ll be other announcements about changes for me and maybe the new regime at ALL PULP will run them. If you want to say bye or complain finally about all the things I’ve done here that you don’t like or whatever, then drop me a line at allpulp@yahoo.com or post on our Facebook page.  And stay tuned to here to see just who’s going to be driving this madcap crazy train in the future.

A Tip of My Fedora to Each and Everyone of You,
Tommy Hancock
3.11.13

LEADING NEW PULP PUBLISHER LICENSES PIONEERING INDEPENDENT COMIC PUBLISHER’S CHARACTERS!

  • Uncategorized
  • December 5, 2012

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.

Pro Se Productions-www.prosepulp.com

Heroic Publishing- www.heroicmultiverse.com

PRO SE ANNOUNCES ‘WRITE TO THE COVER’ DIGEST AND WELCOMES NEW ARTIST!

  • News
  • November 18, 2012

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.

PULP ARK 2012 AWARDS ANNOUNCED!

  • News
  • February 26, 2012

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Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions and Pulp Ark Coordinator, announces that voting has closed for the 2012 Pulp Ark Awards, the first awards given in association with this inaugural Pulp creators’ conference/convention.

The Winners of the 2012 Pulp Ark Awards are-
BEST NOVEL-Yesteryear by Tommy Hancock (Pro Se Productions)

BEST COLLECTION/ANTHOLOGY-Four Bullets for Dillon (Pulpwork Press)

BEST SHORT STORY- The Devil’s Workmen by Barry Reese-The Avenger: The Justice Inc Files (Moonstone)

BEST COVER ART-Hugh Monn, Private Detective-by David Russell (Pro Se Productions)

BEST INTERIOR ART-The Adventures of Lazarus Gray-George Sellas (Pro Se Productions)

BEST PULP RELATED COMIC-All Star Pulp Comics #1 (Airship 27 Productions)

BEST PULP MAGAZINE-Pro Se Presents (Pro Se Productions)

BEST PULP REVIVAL-The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage by Will Murray (Altus Press)

BEST NEW PULP CHARACTER- John Blackthorn Created by Van Allen Plexico (White Rocket Books)

BEST AUTHOR-Teel James Glenn

BEST NEW WRITER-TIE Sean Taylor And Chuck Miller

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD-Howard Hopkins

The awards, 8X10 engraved wooden plaques, will be awarded in the middle of Pulp Ark, the evening of Saturday, April 21, 2012. Hancock stated that all winners as well as nominees are encouraged to attend, but any winners who could not would receive their awards by mail. Pulp Ark thanks all who nominated, all who voted, and congratulations to all the nominees and especially to the winners of the Pulp Ark 2012 Awards!

For any questions concerning Pulp Ark, contact Hancock at proseproductions@earthlink.net or follow Pulp Ark news at www.pulpark.blogspot.com

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