Rudy Ruiz

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]

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.[35]

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