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Rudy Ruiz
BornRodolfo Ruiz
Brownsville, Texas
OccupationAuthor, entrepreneur
NationalityAmerican
Education
Notable worksAdelante, Seven for the Revolution, The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez, Valley of Shadows
Notable awards
  • International Latino Book Award for Best Popular Fiction
  • International Latino Book Award for Best First Book (Fiction)
  • Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction
  • Rudolfo Anaya Award for Best Latino Focused Fiction Book
  • International Latino Book Award for Best Audiobook
  • Texas Institute of Letters Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Book of Fiction
  • International Latino Book Award for Best Mystery
  • Member of the Texas Institute of Letters
Website
rudyruiz.com

Rudy Ruiz is an American writer, advocate, and social entrepreneur. Ruiz is known for writing The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez and Valley of Shadows, magical realism novels which received critical acclaim and literary awards.[1][2] In 2014, Ruiz authored Seven for the Revolution, a book that explores the "hard lives of Latinos and the fraught relations between their native and adoptive countries."[3] The book won Best Popular Fiction–English and Best First Book in Fiction at the 2014 International Latino Book Awards.[4] Ruiz is also a regular special contributor to CNN[5][6] and co-founder of Interlex, an advertising and marketing agency whose work is focused on "public sector, non-profit, and socially conscientious marketing for multicultural audiences." Interlex is one of the 50 largest U.S. Hispanic advertising agencies, according to AdAge.[7]

Early life

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Rudy Ruiz was born in Brownsville, Texas, a bilingual and multicultural city along the border of Mexico.[8] He is the son and grandson of Mexican immigrants.[9][10] After graduating from St. Joseph Academy in 1986, Ruiz went on to Harvard University.[10][11] He graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in government and a master's degree in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government.[10][8] While at Harvard, Ruiz participated in Raza, Harvard's Chicano students organization.[12] He was also part of Harvard's Undergraduate Council.[13]

Career

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In 1995, Ruiz co-founded Interlex with his wife Heather in San Antonio, Texas.[14] Interlex is an advocacy and cause-related advertising and marketing firm that has worked with clients such as the Pan American Development Foundation, Tracfone Wireless’ SafeLink brand, American Express, Texas Department of Transportation, AARP, American Heart Association and Center for Science in the Public Interest.[15][16][17][18] Interlex is one of the 50 largest U.S. Hispanic advertising agencies.[7] Ruiz is the president and chief executive officer of the firm.[19]

Interlex acquired Californian advertising agency SenaReider in 2012.[17] SenaReider was relocated to San Antonio and spun off from Interlex in 2013.[20] Heather Ruiz is SenaReider's CEO.[20]

Literary career

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Ruiz's first works were published in literary publications while he attended Harvard. His first book, ¡Adelante!, was published in 2003 by Random House. Ruiz also wrote an essay covering stereotypes and eating disorders called "Ghost of Gordolfo Gelatino," which was published in the book Going Hungry. In 2014, Ruiz authored Seven for the Revolution, a collection of short stories about the experiences of seven characters as they immigrate to the United States. The book was named as one of "The Top Ten Fiction Books by Latino Authors for 2014,"[8] and received four prizes at the 2014 International Latino Book Awards,[21] along with another three awards at the Latino Books into Movies Awards including first place in the Action & Adventure category.[22] Ruiz's fiction writing has also appeared in literary journals such as the Pushcart Prize-winning Ninth Letter.[23] In 2017, Ruiz was awarded the Gulf Coast Prize for fiction.[24]

During the Fall of 2018, the Notre Dame Review published Ruiz's short story, "Vexing Gifts." Reviewed as "vivid" and "palpable," the magical realism satire is highly critical of President Trump's border and immigration policies.[25]

In December 2018 it was announced that Blackstone Publishing signed a multi-book contract with Ruiz. His first novel, titled The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez, explores "not just the physical border between two countries, but borders between life and death … and past and present."[26]

In 2019, New Texas, a Journal of Literature and Culture, published two of Ruiz's short stories, "Ports of Entry" and "The Limes." The stories are both installments in a border bildungsroman Ruiz is writing.[27][28]

In 2020, Ruiz's short story, "The Limes," originally published in New Texas, was named a Finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters’ Kay Cattarulla Best Short Story Award.[29] Also, his short story, "Oblivious," was selected – and published – as a Finalist for the Texas Observer Annual Short Story Award.[30] In September 2020, his novel, The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez, was released by Blackstone Publishing. The novel won two Gold Medals at the 2021 International Latino Book Awards.[31]

In 2021, Ruiz’s short story, “Allegiance,” received Honorable Mention for the Dillydoun Review’s International Fiction Prize. It was subsequently published in the Dillydoun Review International Fiction Prize Anthology.[32]

In 2022, Ruiz’s novel, Valley of Shadows, was released by Blackstone Publishing.[33] Valley of Shadows was selected as the winner of the 2023 Texas Institute of Letters' Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Book of Fiction.[34] The novel went on to win Ruiz’s seventh and eighth International Latino Book Awards.[35]

Ruiz was elected as a member of the Texas Institute of Letters in 2024.[36]

Advocacy

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As an advocate, Ruiz has regularly contributed to CNN on issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, and tighter regulation and taxes on sugary drinks and unhealthy foods.[5][6] He served on the board of directors of Center for Science in the Public Interest, a leading non-profit nutrition advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.[37]

He was also the founding editor of RedBrownandBlue.com, a multicultural political commentary website.[5]

In support of diverse communities and perspectives, Ruiz created the Harvard College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Fund and is an active member of PEN America, the International Society of Latino Authors, Writer’s League of Texas, Harvardwood, and the Texas Institute of Letters.[36][38]

Bibliography

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  • ¡ADELANTE!: una guía personal del éxito para usted y su familia (2003) – A guide for success for immigrants.[39]
  • Going Hungry: writers on desire, self-denial, and overcoming anorexia (2008) (Contributor) – A collection of essays about anorexia.[40]
  • Seven for the Revolution (2014) – A series of short stories that explore the lives of Latinos in America.[3] Winner of Best Popular Fiction–English and Best First Book in Fiction at the 2014 International Latino Book Awards.[4] Also won second place Most Inspirational Fiction Book and Honorable Mention Best Cover Design.[41] According to Kirkus Reviews, the book contains "[w]ell-executed stories that offer fresh perspectives on long-standing societal problems."[3]
  • The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez: A Novel (2020) – A novel, largely inspired by the stories of Ruiz's father, about a son of immigrants in a border town during the 1950s.[42] The American Library Association's Booklist named it one of the Ten Best Debut Novels of 2020.[43] In February 2021, it was longlisted for the Reading the West Book Awards.[44] It was also named a Finalist for the 2021 Spur Award for Best Contemporary Novel by the Western Writers of America.[45] The novel won two Gold Medals at the 2021 International Latino Book Awards: the Rudolfo Anaya Best Latino Focused Fiction Book and Best Audiobook.[31]
  • Valley of Shadows (2022) – A magical realism novel set in West Texas in the 1880s.[46] It was released in September 2022 by Blackstone Publishing. ALA’s Booklist gave it a starred review, and LitHub’s CrimeReads named it one of the Best Horror Novels of 2022.[47][48] The novel was awarded the 2023 Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Book of Fiction by the Texas Institute of Letters.[34] It also received two International Latino Book Awards, for Best Mystery Novel and Best Audio Book.[35] It was named a New York Times Book Review Paperback Row Selection and was included in the Los Angeles Times' Map of Great American Novels.[49][50]
  • The Border Between Us: (2024) - A Bildungsroman set along the U.S-Mexico border and in New York City, due for release in September 2024 by Blackstone Publishing.[51]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rudy Ruiz.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Rudy Ruiz.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "San Antonio author Rudy Ruiz talks about his debut novel 'The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez'". San Antonio Express-News. September 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Watch: Rudy Ruiz discusses his new book, The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez". Rio Grande Guardian. August 28, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Seven for the Revolution". Kirkus Reviews. September 4, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Victoria Brito (July 20, 2014). "Local author wins big at Latino book articles". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Rudy Ruiz (October 5, 2014). "Commentary: A fat tax is a healthy idea". CNN. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Rudy Ruiz (July 24, 2014). "Opinion: Shift U.S. priorities closer to home". CNN. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "50 Largest Hispanic Agencies". Adage. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Thompson, Nicole Akoukou (April 16, 2015). "Award-Winning Author Rudy Ruiz Finds Inspiration By Offering Slices and Snapshots of the Latino Experience". Latin Post. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  9. ^ Steve Bennett (August 1, 2014). "S.A. writer's stories inspired by border issues". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c Victoria Brito. "Brownsville author recognized as award finalist". The Monitor. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  11. ^ Richard Diaz (November 16, 1994). "Contemporary duo keeps Eye on success". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  12. ^ Steven J. Glick (November 3, 1988). "Chicano Students Fast For Nationwide Protest". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  13. ^ "Undergraduate Council". The Harvard Crimson. October 10, 1989. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  14. ^ "Interlex Communications". NSIDE Texas. July 2010. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  15. ^ Danielle Drolet (March 22, 2011). "Advocacy group taps Interlex to combat sugary drink consumption". PR Week US.
  16. ^ Andi Rodriguez (November 18, 2011). "Meals on Wheels TV is seeking to capture Thanksgiving spirit". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  17. ^ a b W. Scott Bailey (September 26, 2012). "Interlex acquires California advertising agency". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  18. ^ W. Scott Bailey (March 23, 2011). "Alamo City's Interlex to help D.C. group fight beverage battle". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  19. ^ Andi Rodriguez (June 6, 2014). "SAMA wants to put a little Matisse in your life". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  20. ^ a b Andi Rodriguez (December 6, 2013). "Turf's up at Generations Federal Credit Union". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  21. ^ Seven for the Revolution "Books into Movies" Award-Winner. November 27, 2015. Latin Heat Entertainment. December 29, 2015
  22. ^ 'Seven for the Revolution' Author Rudy Ruiz Honored at LA Latino Book & Family Festival. Nicole Akoukou Thompson. November 16, 2015. Latin Post. December 29, 2015.
  23. ^ "Fiction Summer 216". Ninth Letter. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  24. ^ "Announcing the Winners of the 2017 Gulf Coast Prizes". Gulf Coast Magazine. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  25. ^ "Review: "Vexing Gifts" by Rudy Ruiz". Rio Grande Guardian. November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  26. ^ Frank, Nicholas (December 30, 2018). "San Antonio Author Rudy Ruiz Seeks to Build Bridges, Not Walls, Through Fiction".
  27. ^ "The Limes".
  28. ^ "Ports of Entry".
  29. ^ "The Limes". March 2020.
  30. ^ "Oblivious". October 14, 2020.
  31. ^ a b "International Latino Book Awards 2021" (PDF).
  32. ^ "Allegiance". The Dillydoun Review.
  33. ^ "20 New Mystery And Thriller Novels Coming Out This Fall". Buzzfeed. September 8, 2022.
  34. ^ a b "TEXAS INSTITUTE OF LETTERS ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2023 LITERARY AWARDS" (PDF). Texas Institute of Letters.
  35. ^ a b Kirk Whisler. "The 25th Annual International Latino Book Awards Recognized A Record Number of Books" (PDF). International Latino Book Awards.
  36. ^ a b "Twelve New Members Elected to TIL". Texas Institute of Letters. March 3, 2024.
  37. ^ "Board Members – Center for Science in the Public Interest". Center for Science in the Public Interest. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  38. ^ "Rudy Ruiz". Hasty Book List.
  39. ^ Adelante! : una guía personal del éxito para usted y su familia. WorldCat.org. OCLC 51931772. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  40. ^ Gina Bellafonte (September 19, 2008). "Disappearing to Be Seen". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  41. ^ "2014 Int'l Latino Book Award Winners PR.pdf". International Latino Book Awards. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  42. ^ Terrazas, Lauren; Martinez, Norma (March 29, 2019). "Rudy Ruiz Asks Readers To 'Walk In Someone Else's Shoes For A Few Pages'". www.tpr.org.
  43. ^ "Top Ten First Novels | York County, VA".
  44. ^ "Nominees – Reading the West".
  45. ^ "Western Writers of America announces 2021 Spur Award winners". Western Writers of America. March 8, 2021.
  46. ^ Decuir, Marissa (September 13, 2021). "INTERNATIONAL LATINO BOOK AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR RELEASING NEWEST WORK OF MAGICAL REALISM IN PAPERBACK THIS FALL".
  47. ^ "Valley of Shadows". Booklist.
  48. ^ Molly Odintz (December 21, 2022). "THE BEST HORROR FICTION OF 2022". Crimereads.
  49. ^ Shreya Chattopadhyay (September 8, 2023). "6 Paperbacks to Read This Week". New York Times.
  50. ^ Susan Straight (May 28, 2023). "Opinion: A map of 1,001 novels to show us where to find the real America". Los Angeles Times.
  51. ^ Peter L. Scarmardo II (August 20, 2023). "Rudy Ruiz's new book reflects on growing up along Texas-Mexico border". My San Antonio.
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