RUBY FILES AUTHOR BOBBY NASH INTERVIEWED

The Ruby Files co-creator and writer Bobby Nash was interviewed by Morgen Bailey for her writing blog site.

You can read the full in-depth interview at http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/author-interview-no-355-with-writer-bobby-nash

THE RUBY FILES CREATORS FREE COMIC BOOK DAY SIGNINGS!

The Ruby Files writers and co-creators Bobby Nash and Sean Taylor, Airship 27 publisher Ron Fortier, and cover artist Mark Wheatley are all attending various Free Comic Book Day celebrations on Saturday, May 5th around the country. You can meet them at the following locations:

Bobby Nash - Richard’s Comics and Collectables in Greenville, SC - www.richards-collectables.com
Ron Fortier  - Gryphon Games & Comics in Fort Collins, CO - www.gryphongamesandcomics.com
Sean Taylor - Galactic Quest Comics in Buford, GA - http://galacticquest.com
Mark Wheatley - Beyond Comics in Frederick, MD - www.beyondcomics.com

Learn more about Free Comic Book Day at www.freecomicbookday.com

JUDGING A BOOK...

The Ruby Files author and co-creator Bobby Nash is the guest blogger over at author Rachel Hunter’s Life Defined blog today. Bobby tackles an issue he faced recently, creating a compelling novel cover. He goes through the steps it took to create the cover to his latest thriller, Deadly Games!

You can read the entire post at http://rachel-m-hunter.blogspot.com/2012/04/guest-post-judging-book-by-bobby-nash.html

Raymond Chandler, "The Simple Art of Murder" (1950)

Editor's Note: This is perhaps the single finest essay on the art of writing pulp detectives, and we're thrilled to have found it available online. Enjoy! -- ST/BN

Fiction in any form has always intended to be realistic. Old-fashioned novels which now seem stilted and artificial to the point of burlesque did not appear that way to the people who first read them. Writers like Fielding and Smollett could seem realistic in the modern sense because they dealt largely with uninhibited characters, many of whom were about two jumps ahead of the police, but Jane Austen’s chronicles of highly inhibited people against a background of rural gentility seem real enough psychologically. There is plenty of that kind of social and emotional hypocrisy around today. Add to it a liberal dose of intellectual pretentiousness and you get the tone of the book page in your daily paper and the earnest and fatuous atmosphere breathed by discussion groups in little clubs. These are the people who make bestsellers, which are promotional jobs based on a sort of indirect snob-appeal, carefully escorted by the trained seals of the critical fraternity, and lovingly tended and watered by certain much too powerful pressure groups whose business is selling books, although they would like you to think they are fostering culture. Just get a little behind in your payments and you will find out how idealistic they are.

The detective story for a variety of reasons can seldom be promoted. It is usually about murder and hence lacks the element of uplift. Murder, which is a frustration of the individual and hence a frustration of the race, may have, and in fact has, a good deal of sociological implication. But it has been going on too long for it to be news. If the mystery novel is at all realistic (which it very seldom is) it is written in a certain spirit of detachment; otherwise nobody but a psychopath would want to write it or read it. The murder novel has also a depressing way of minding its own business, solving its own problems and answering its own questions. There is nothing left to discuss, except whether it was well enough written to be good fiction, and the people who make up the half-million sales wouldn’t know that anyway. The detection of quality in writing is difficult enough even for those who make a career of the job, without paying too much attention to the matter of advance sales.

The detective story (perhaps I had better call it that, since the English formula still dominates the trade) has to find its public by a slow process of distillation. That it does do this, and holds on thereafter with such tenacity, is a fact; the reasons for it are a study for more patient minds than mine. Nor is it any part of my thesis to maintain that it is a vital and significant form of art. There are no vital and significant forms of art; there is only art, and precious little of that. The growth of populations has in no way increased the amount; it has merely increased the adeptness with which substitutes can be produced and packaged.

Yet the detective story, even in its most conventional form, is difficult to write well. Good specimens of the art are much rarer than good serious novels. Rather second-rate items outlast most of the high velocity fiction, and a great many that should never have been born simply refuse to die at all. They are as durable as the statues in public parks and just about that dull. This is very annoying to people of what is called discernment. They do not like it that penetrating and important works of fiction of a few years back stand on their special shelf in the library marked "Best-Sellers of Yesteryear," and nobody goes near them but an occasional shortsighted customer who bends down, peers briefly and hurries away; while old ladies jostle each other at the mystery shelf to grab off some item of the same vintage with a title like The Triple Petunia Murder Case, or Inspector Pinchbottle to the Rescue. They do not like it that "really important books" get dusty on the reprint counter, while Death Wears Yellow Garters is put out in editions of fifty or one hundred thousand copies on the news-stands of the country, and is obviously not there just to say goodbye.

Continue reading: http://www.en.utexas.edu/amlit/amlitprivate/scans/chandlerart.html

Back in the Top 10 -- Rick Ruby Hits Hard!

Rick Ruby rockets back into the top 10 new pulp books at Amazon with one of his best weeks yet. Thanks to all of you who have purchased a copy and a great big "Whatareyouwaitingfor?" to the rest of you. 

To purchase a copy of your very own, click here.  

Continue reading: http://barryreese.net/2012/04/23/new-pulp-best-seller-list-based-on-amazon-sales-ranks-42312/

MEET RUBY FILES CREATORS AT WINDY CITY PULP AND PAPER CON APRIL 27 - 29

Meet The Ruby Files writer William Patrick Maynard, Airship 27 publisher Ron Fortier, and Airship 27 designer/artist Rob Davis at Windy City Pulp and Paper Con on April 27 - 29 in Chicago, IL.

Learn more about Windy City Pulp and Paper Con www.windycitypulpandpaper.com.

MEET RUBY FILES CREATORS THIS WEEKEND AT PULP ARK

Meet The Ruby Files co-creator/writer Sean Taylor and Airship 27 designer/artist Rob Davis at Pulp Ark this weekend, April 20 - 22 in Batesville, AR.

Learn more about Pulp Ark 2012 at http://www.pulpark.blogspot.com/

Bobby Nash and Sean Taylor talk Rick Ruby and The Ruby Files at Hunting Monsters

In March, Airship 27 launched its 45th title (the 4th of 2012) about a 1930’s pulp detective named Rick Ruby. Co-created and written by Bobby Nash and Sean Taylor, The Ruby Files also sports tales from writers Andrew Salmon and William Patrick Maynard. Interior art by Rob Moran. Cover art by Mark Wheatley.

Sean and Bobby answered a few questions to help you get to know Rick Ruby...

Continue reading: http://joshuamreynolds.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/who-is-rick-ruby.html

RUBY FILES CREATOR APPEARANCES POSTED

THE RUBY FILES CREATOR APPEARANCES 

The Ruby Files creators often attend conventions and make signing appearances. You can meet the following creators at these great events:

Pulp Ark - April 20 - 22 in Batesville, AR
http://www.pulpark.blogspot.com/
Rob Davis (Saturday and Sunday only)
Sean Taylor

Windy City Pulp and Paper Con - April 27 - 29 in Chicago, IL
http://www.windycitypulpandpaper.com/
Ron Fortier
Rob Davis
William Maynard

Free Comic Book Day (Nationwide)
Bobby Nash - Richard’s Comics and Collectables in Greenville, SC
http://www.richards-collectables.com/
Ron Fortier - Gryphon Games & Comics in Fort Collins, CO
http://www.gryphongamesandcomics.com/
Sean Taylor - Galactic Quest Comics in Buford, GA
http://galacticquest.com/
Mark Wheatley - Beyond Comics in Frederick, MD
http://www.beyondcomics.com/

Spectrum Fantastic Arts Live! - May 18-20 in Kansas City, MO
www.spectrumfantasticart.com/spectrumfantasticartlive
Mark Wheatley

Showcon - May 19 - 20, 2012 in Murfreesboro, TN
http://showcon.net/
Bobby Nash

Alabama Phoenix Festival - May 25-27 in Birmingham, AL
http://www.alabamaphoenixfestival.com/
Bobby Nash
Sean Taylor

San Diego Comic Con - July 11-15 in San Diego, CA
http://www.comic-con.org/
Mark Wheatley (Booth #2308)

Anime Blues Con - June 15-17 in Memphis, TN
http://animeblues.com/
Sean Taylor

FandomFest (Mid America Comic Con) - June 29-July 1 in Louisville, KY
http://www.fandomfest.com/
Sean Taylor

DragonCon - August 31 - September 3, in Atlanta, GA.
http://dragoncon.org/
Bobby Nash

Nashville Comic and Horror Festival - October 6 - 7, 2012 in Nashville, TN.
http://www.comiccitytn/
Bobby Nash

FandomFest (Bamacon) - November 2 - 4 in Birmingham, AL
http://www.fandomfest.com/
Sean Taylor
Bobby Nash

Meet The Ruby Files Creators At The Atlanta Comic Convention!

The best one day show in the south returns to Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, April 15th. The Ruby Files Creators Sean Taylor and Bobby Nash will be on hand with copies of The Ruby Files. Come on by and say hello.

The Atlanta Comic Convention runs from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Marriott at Century Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Check out the full guest list at http://www.atlantacomicconvention.com/.

THE RUBY FILES GETS PULPED!

Cover Art: Mark Wheatley

PULPED! The Official New Pulp Podcast presents: THE RUBY FILES GETS PULPED!

Host Tommy Hancock brings on a whole herd of Pulp Cats to talk about Airship 27 Productions' latest original anthology - THE RUBY FILES! Listen as Ron Fortier, Rob Davis, Bobby Nash, Sean Taylor, William Patrick Maynard, Mark Wheatley, and Andrew Salmon discuss noir, hard boiledness, gumshoes, dames, and more! Learn about the creation, writing, and art behind this brand new chapter in the history of Private Eye Pulp!

You can listen to THE RUBY FILES GETS PULPED! now at http://pulped.libsyn.com/webpage/pulped-the-official-new-pulp-podcast-the-ruby-files-gets-pulped-

THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE INTERVIEWS BOBBY NASH

One of the busiest people within the New Pulp movement is author Bobby Nash. Amongst his credits is co-creating and contributing to the new anthology from Airship 27: The Ruby Files. Bobby was nice enough to take a few minutes out of his busy schedule to grant The Free Choice E-zine an interview.

You can read the full interview at http://www.thefreechoice.info/2012/04/rick-ruby-and-bobby-nash.html

Visit Bobby at http://www.bobbynash.com/

The Random 10 - No: 1 The Bobby Nash Interview

Writer and The Ruby Files co-creator, Bobby Nash was the first guest for the new The Random 10 interview segment at the A Bit Too Old For Comics? blog.

You can read Bobby’s Random 10 questions and answers at http://toooldforcomics.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/random-10-no-1-bobby-nash-interview.html

Sean's Interview with Maw Productions

Kevin Williams of Maw Productions (for whom Sean is writing the upcoming Turra: Gun Angel comic book series) pulled The Ruby Files co-creator aside recently  to talk turkey with him about what it's like writing bad-@$$ ninja chicks, working for Gene Simmons, and writing in his favorite genre -- the blender amalgamation of pulp, action-adventure, and literature.

Read the interview: http://toshigawa.com/?p=2292

Sean Taylor talks Rick Ruby at the Bad Girls, Good Guys, and Two-Fisted Action blog!

In a Question of the Day about how all characters begin life as stereotypes, Sean writes about the genesis of your favorite new pulp P.I.

"As for starting points, every character begins life as a stereotype. All of them. It's only what the writer does with them beyond that moment of literary conception that makes them true characters rather than mere caricatures.

"Let's look at Rick Ruby, created by Bobby Nash and me for the new book The Ruby Files from Airship 27. Rick started out as a paper-thin pastiche of the hard-boiled noir private eye. Even his name hearkens to the stereotype. Rick Ruby, a send-up of the classic Richard Diamond. But after that, when Bobby and I got together over dinner one night and really started to put the screws to Rick's personality and life, he outgrew that one-note stereotype and became the literary equivalent of "real." Is regularly seeing three women who want him for different reasons. Was orphaned. Left the police force to become a drunk after a personal tragedy. Most of his best friends are black, and not white like himself (and this in the 1930s). And so on. Rick stopped being a stereotype and became a character. "

Read the full article here: http://seanhtaylor.blogspot.com/2012/04/writer-will-take-your-questions-now-134.html

Meet Ruby Files Creators At The Atlanta Comic Convention April 15th

The Ruby Files co-creators and writers Bobby Nash and Sean Taylor join a jam-packed list of talented guests for the next Atlanta Comic Convention on Sunday, April 15th in Atlanta, GA. The convention runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information on the Atlanta Comic Convention, visit them at http://www.atlantacomicconvention.com/.

Opening the Ruby Files -- Teaser #4

From "Die Giftig Lilie" by Sean Taylor

The woman’s accent was just German enough to get his attention, all dripping with sexy gutturals and thick vowels, just exotic enough to trick a man’s ears into thinking he was having a drink with Marlene Dietrich instead of some two-bit nightclub singer in a no-account New York dive like Belle’s. But the comparison stopped cold at the woman’s voice. She was attractive, of course, but lacked the sex appeal that would have brought sell-out crowds to the local bijou. Her skin was pale and almost sickly, and her figure—while a far sight better than that of the average woman with a nice apartment and radio in her living room—well, it was never going to get her silhouette painted on a playbill. But her eyes, her dark eyes that threatened to go solid black in just the right light, those were something special, and it was those eyes that had convinced him to listen to her story in the first place.

“So listen, honey,” he said, tapping a Camel from a pack of cigarettes then slipping it back inside his coat pocket.

“Gerta,” she said.

“Right. Gerta Stein. You said that.” He smiled and nodded as he lit the Camel. “So, what’s all this noise about your uncle?”

She shifted her weight in her seat, and he pretended to be gentleman enough not to overtly notice the way her dress slipped off the side of her thigh. “I think he’s in trouble, Mr. Ruby. I think he’s in the kind of trouble could get him killed.”

“What kind of trouble is that, honey?”

Want to see more? Click here.

THE RUBY FILES RISES!

Nice to see The Ruby Files on the list for a second week. We've been promoting the heck out of it and appreciate everyone who has picked up a copy.

Barry Reese produces a weekly list of New Pulp titles released each week via their Amazon ranking. For the second week, The Ruby Files has made the list. Check out the latest New Pulp Best Seller List (Based on

Amazon Sales Ranks 4/2/12) at http://barryreese.net/2012/04/02/new-pulp-best-seller-list-based-on-amazon-sales-ranks-4212/