This is the personal website, sometimes blog, mostly just filler, for the author and educator Daniel Jose Ruiz. He’s a man of many hats, most of them ill-fitting if he is honest about it all, but he does his best.
Hey, why you’re here, maybe you want to check out my books? I mean, since you are here after all.
Jump, Rig, and Gig:
A gripping triptych of novellas, Jump, Gig, and Rig serves as a mirror reflecting our present-day struggles with the nature of work, the grasp of capitalism, and the scars of trauma. Puddle-Jumper: Nathan pirates the future's technologies for avaricious corporations. Commuter: Ride along with a Gen Z freelancer whose typical day involves more than just running errands—it's about battling beasts in a society that values profit over people. Rig and Spool: In a distant future where humans are not only an endangered species, but are prized for their warlike nature and resilience to trauma, Nora weaves through the chaos of battle toward the possibility of peace. Jump, Gig, and Rig isn’t just a series of stories—it's a provocative look at the human condition under the pressure of societal forces. With its darkly imaginative premises and deep human insight, this collection is a must-read for anyone who's ever wondered what lies beyond the stars—and within ourselves.
You can order it here from Android Press.
The Life of Jian Ciervo:
The captain of the salvage crew takes pity on him and offers work and lodgings, and Jian slowly learns to navigate life as a free man – a life not without danger as the Keepers send out patrollers to catch and return escapees.
With a thriving legal practice and money in the bank, Jian grows complacent – until he realizes that his purpose in life is not only to live his own life in freedom but to help other Kindred do the same.
Preorder and purchase here: Pegasus Publishing
Coconut Versus:
Miguel Reyes is a coconut, at least, that’s what people call him. He doesn’t really know what to call himself, so that tends to get him in a lot of trouble. Whether it be in the orange groves of Exeter, Califonia, the heat of Tempe, Arizona, or the ever shifting world of Los Angeles, Miguel finds himself an oddity, and while he is sure that he’ll leave behind a great story, he is just not sure if that’s a good thing or not.
You can purchase this here from Floricanto Press.
PS:
Go read books, and go buy books from small presses. Bonus points if you buy them from an independent bookstore.
Daniel Ruiz 