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Born in Miami, Florida, the only child of Layton and Virginia Mae Ruse,
Gary Alan Ruse has been a professional science fiction and mystery writer since 1972, and a professional illustrator and graphic artist since 1969. Educated in the Miami area, Gary earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of Commercial Art/Graphic Design at the University of Miami at Coral Gables, Florida in 1968, minoring in Mass Communications. He studied television production and scriptwriting as part of his minor. While at the U. of M., Gary worked in student publications, doing writing, photography and artwork for the student magazine and newspaper, and served as Graphics Editor for the magazine during his senior year. Gary also was employed in the graphics department of the U.M. television studio, producing materials used in televised classes.
Just before graduation from college, Gary was hired by Morrow Junior Books in New York to illustrate several of a series of children's educational books written by Dr. Herbert S. Zim and James R. Skelly, and had just completed the second book when he was called to military service. Gary served in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Republic of Vietnam 1969-1970, as a Public Information Specialist (reporter, photographer, and editor of the Group level newspaper, editing and polishing materials from the Battalion level offices).
Gary began writing fiction intensively after he returned home from Vietnam, and sold his first story to Analog Science Fiction Magazine in 1972. Numerous other short stories and five novels followed. The first two novels, HOUNDSTOOTH and A GAME OF TITANS, were large-scale techno-thrillers (ten years before Tom Clancy started doing them). THE GODS OF CERUS MAJOR was science fiction adventure. MORLAC: THE QUEST OF THE GREEN MAGICIAN was an epic fantasy novel, and DEATH HUNT ON A DYING PLANET was a science fiction adventure.
After working as a freelance writer and illustrator for awhile, Gary also worked at a large art supply store in Miami for about fifteen years, starting in the framing department. Then he was put in charge of the book department, created special store displays, and eventually became manager of the Graphic Services department, presiding over a color copy center, stat camera, graphics supplies and a small staff. Gary finally left the art store to once again pursue a full time writing career.
Gary has worked at the Community Newspapers in Miami for more than six years as a reporter and contributing editor, covering everything from local politics and "positive people" stories to new business openings.
Gary has recently worked on a new techno-thriller novel and on a grand adventure/suspense novel with an archeological theme. Gary is currently writing a new mystery novel set in 1939, and a large scale space adventure "prequel" to his earlier novel, THE GODS OF CERUS MAJOR. He is also developing the plot for a sequel to his fantasy novel, MORLAC, and is working on several new film/television projects which he plans to submit soon.
Gary Alan Ruse has been a professional science fiction and mystery writer since 1972, and a professional illustrator and graphic artist since 1969. Educated in the Miami area, Gary earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of Commercial Art/Graphic Design at the University of Miami at Coral Gables, Florida in 1968, minoring in Mass Communications. He studied television production and scriptwriting as part of his minor. While at the U. of M., Gary worked in student publications, doing writing, photography and artwork for the student magazine and newspaper, and served as Graphics Editor for the magazine during his senior year. Gary also was employed in the graphics department of the U.M. television studio, producing materials used in televised classes.
Just before graduation from college, Gary was hired by Morrow Junior Books in New York to illustrate several of a series of children's educational books written by Dr. Herbert S. Zim and James R. Skelly, and had just completed the second book when he was called to military service. Gary served in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Republic of Vietnam 1969-1970, as a Public Information Specialist (reporter, photographer, and editor of the Group level newspaper, editing and polishing materials from the Battalion level offices).
Gary began writing fiction intensively after he returned home from Vietnam, and sold his first story to Analog Science Fiction Magazine in 1972. Numerous other short stories and five novels followed. The first two novels, HOUNDSTOOTH and A GAME OF TITANS, were large-scale techno-thrillers (ten years before Tom Clancy started doing them). THE GODS OF CERUS MAJOR was science fiction adventure. MORLAC: THE QUEST OF THE GREEN MAGICIAN was an epic fantasy novel, and DEATH HUNT ON A DYING PLANET was a science fiction adventure.
After working as a freelance writer and illustrator for awhile, Gary also worked at a large art supply store in Miami for about fifteen years, starting in the framing department. Then he was put in charge of the book department, created special store displays, and eventually became manager of the Graphic Services department, presiding over a color copy center, stat camera, graphics supplies and a small staff. Gary finally left the art store to once again pursue a full time writing career.
Gary has worked at the Community Newspapers in Miami for more than six years as a reporter and contributing editor, covering everything from local politics and "positive people" stories to new business openings.
Gary has recently worked on a new techno-thriller novel and on a grand adventure/suspense novel with an archeological theme. Gary is currently writing a new mystery novel set in 1939, and a large scale space adventure "prequel" to his earlier novel, THE GODS OF CERUS MAJOR. He is also developing the plot for a sequel to his fantasy novel, MORLAC, and is working on several new film/television projects which he plans to submit soon.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Summer Memories,
By Michael Meade "MJM" (British Columbia, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Morlac, Quest of the Green Magician (Mass Market Paperback)
Summer vacation for the school aged child is a miricle filledtime spent in endless sunshine. It was in that circumstance that I fell in love with this novel. I was about twelve years old and I read it furiously on an extended camping trip spent skipping around the national park system of my native West Coast of Canada. I must admit that this was my first foray into serious adult fantasy. I was transfixed, I was mesmorized and even fifteen years later I still remember that book with the fondness that I reserve for first kisses and first love. Is it a great novel? I admit to far too much rosy nostalgia, but it changed and formed my reading habits ever since.Ps Was there ever a sequel?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sword & Sorcery fantasy at its finest.,
By
This review is from: Morlac, Quest of the Green Magician (Mass Market Paperback)
Morlac - The Quest of the Green Magician is a high fantasy tale along the lines of Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian. The story centers around Morlac, a warrior created from dark sorcery of the sea. He is conjured by an evil wizard named Sordros (The Green Magician) as the guard captain and defender of his coastal village. Morlac is a fusion between a former human and a sea turtle. While this sounds rather odd, it works quite well with the story. Morlac carries a magicked blood-drinking sword named Shark and uses the turtle shell that once was on his back as a shield. He has other unique travelling companions such as Broct (a name combination of brave and octopus), a large 6 armed man and fellow magical transmutant. Broct has 8 limbs total like the octopus and carries a ring that can emit an inky cloud of darkness, all of which is fitting considering his human/octopus fusion. Morlac's other companions are three females Kadrana (Sordros' daughter, also a human/sea serpent fusion), Glendauna a female dervish warrior cursed with lycanthropy and finally Rila a fiery red haired rogue. Each of the characters embark on various quests together at different points in the book all of which are extremely entertaining to read. The majority of the story focuses on Morlac's quest for his own identity as well as finding Sordros for further answers. Here are my thoughts;Pros + Great cast of well balanced main characters. Each one was unique in their own way and were easy to visualize throughout their adventures in the book. Honestly the only characters in the book I didn't care for were the Southern jungle natives at the very end. However, they occupied such a small portion of the story it didn't really change my opinion of the book. + Book consists of 3 individual stories each of which are extremely well written, cleverly told and filled with everything a high fantasy reader would expect and enjoy. Everything from swords, sorcery, demons and other magical creatures, items and locations. + Each chapter is titled detailing exactly what it's about, are not overly long and very easy to follow. + Engaging story that makes you feel the plight of what each of the characters are facing. + Numerous and well described action sequences. + Beautiful old school 80's style Boris Vallejo-esque cover art. Cons (Are rather minor and may contain some <SPOILERS>!) - Ending seemed a little bit rushed and ended too abruptly. - Story moved from point A to point B too fast at times. A bit more time could have been spent on the journeys between locations. - Some villains were defeated way too easily and quickly. The tension of the fights could have been built up a lot more. - Rila T'Faen's character arrived way too late in the story. The perfect place for an introduction would have been in the city of wizards where a thief was petrified and placed as decoration in the demon temple, which later the rest of the party had to later infiltrate. They could have rescued Rila from her stony prison making her even more enamored with Broct. Just my 2 cents of course. - Map (a very close replica of Europe and Northern Africa) could have been a little bit more creative considering the originality of the story. I have to admit, Morlac - The Quest of the Green Magician was one of the best fantasy books I've read in years. Not since Robert E. Vardeman's "War of the Powers and Swords of Raemylln" series have I come across a high fantasy story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone fond of stories about Conan, Tiana (War of the Wizards), Sonja, Kull, Gath of Baal (Deathdealer series) or any number of Forgotten Realms novels. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up the book but I was incredibly pleased by the end. I am however disappointed that there's no follow up title. Gary, if you read this please give us a sequel!
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