Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 27

A LITTLE LESS SALT, A BIT MORE FLAVOR

FOOD (and cooking) is something everyone, including me, can appreciate. Where do I go for the latest and best food and cooking suggestions? Three places: (1) my 1950’s Betty Crocker Cookbook (yes, I still have my mother’s original); (2) The Moosewood Cookbook (a “must” if you’re an interested, partial or wholly vegetarian); and (3) The Nine Books of William Maltese’s “The Traveling Gourmand.” Yep, that last one is a standard reference by Mr. Erotica himself, soon to be a film star in the K. Simmons Productions William Maltese bio-documentary.

As for THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 — think “Soyalent Green” or worse, the ultimate solution in THE RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE, or simply the best in totally artificial food synthesizer recipes a la “Star Trek.” Ever wonder how totally vegan “bacon” or “hamburger” chefs know what “bacon” or “hamburger” tastes like? And why should vegan food taste like animal flesh and muscle anyway? What will artificial seafood taste like after a generation in which there are no more wild fish? Will the “gold standard” become goldfish? Are we losing our minds from prions transferred from animals to humans via “domestic meat?” Or will humanity simply disappear as a result of the long anticipated Malthusian food wars? Or simply abandon Mother Earth altogether and with it all memory of “natural” food (don’t get me started on what to eat on Mars Colony)?

Years ago, as Daniel S. Janik, I worked for the National Academic of Science/National Research Council, and while on assignment to NASA, developed a way to embrace the millennium-old relationship between plants and humans, using their products as was meant to be for both our benefit without ever killing the plants. In fact, I proposed before NASA that it very well might be that plants domesticated humans rather than the other way around. What better way to survive and thrive, than convincing another more agile species to selectively cultivate your own over others. Clever, those plants. Interested? Check out https://glykineroresearch.yolasite.com.

…AND BEYOND?

THIS one’s a no brainer: “Prophecy,” the sequel to the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, and it’s edgy, naughty prequel, TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese. Currently “in writing” and over 2/3 finished, “Prophecy” promises to deliver a story that will knock your socks off and unite all three books into one epic.

Hey, did you know that William Maltese, my personal friend and authoring colleague, has a bio-documentary in pre-production as I write? Yep, the “renaissance” man: “Pioneering author, artist, model, explorer, escort, military man, businessman, clothing designer, and worldwide celebrity William Maltese is a Pacific Northwesterner whose authorial career spans four decades. From men’s pulp magazines to Harlequin Romances to children’s book to erotic man-love and, yes, to gourmet cookbooks, Maltese has penned more than 200 fiction and non-fiction books. Well known as a vanguard of pulp m/m fiction that launched its “Golden Age” in the sixties, he’s earned, among many accolades, several Lambda Literary Award nominations and listings in various Marquis WHO’S WHO reference books.” A “reprise to William Maltese’s many inspirations, his achievements, and his lifelong support of erotica, LGBTQ authors and readers,” the bio-documentary by K. Simmons Productions and Dallen Taylor Productions is scheduled to begin filming in the immediate future, and interested folks can make a crowdfunding or personal donation to help with the production at https://themaltesecollection.wedid.it... (tax deductible, of course).

But back to Prophecy. If you haven’t already, now is the time to enjoy THE EDGE OF MADNESS as a printed, digital or audiobook at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...

WHAT REALLY LIES AT “THE EDGE OF MADNESS,” HUMMM?

I just wrote in answer to a Goodread’s question, “What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?” that “All my life, I seem to have had the unique ability to look 25 years or so into the future in direct contradistinction to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes point to his dear friend Dr. Watson, “You see, but do not observe.” When I look into the future, I am rewarded with a clarity of observation, the result being my personal penchant for science futuring rather than science fiction or fantasy. It’s this ability that is central to the plot of the sequel to my Amazon genre bestseller THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, called tentatively “Prophecy” that would (and I believe) will prove to be a singularly intriguing plot, namely, the result of looking into the future of the future.” Hence, in answer to the greater question, “What really lies at ‘THE EDGE OF MADNESS'” the answer is the sequel I’m working on called “Prophecy,” a look into the future of the future.

THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859, in it’s simplest form, takes up “where TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese — https://www.amazon.com/dp/1434403556 — left off, [where] NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, provides a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live.” Prophecy reaches back to the prequel, TOTAL MELTDOWN, to provide a “back to the future” look at what is to some a delightful and to others frightening, all-too-plausible future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...

THE EDGE OF MADNESS has been purchased for manga, animation and/or cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.

IS THAT THE EDGE OF MADNESS IN YOUR POCKET OR ARE YOU HAPPY TO READ ME?

AN admittedly poor paraphrasing of the delightfully clever “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you happy to see me?” allegedly spoken by the incomparable Mae West. If you don’t have a printed copy rolled up in your pocket, then won’t you consider a digital or audio book copy? NOTE: The Audible audiobook is read by the equally incomparable Peter Pollock!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859

Purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions

THE WILLIAM MALTESE COLLECTION

CLEAR the decks! K. Simmons Productions has just announced "The William Maltese Collection," a bio-documentary reprise to author William Maltese’s many inspirations, achievements, and lifelong support of erotica and LGBTQ authors and readers. Setsuko Tsuchiya (my partner, dancer, actress and author) and I (aka Daniel S. Janik, actor, author and Executive Director of twice Telly-awarded documentary, “Clean Water, Common Ground — https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ...) are Executive Producers (https://themaltesecollection.wedid.it...).

William and I co-authored TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) in which President-Elect Mathias “Alexander the Great” Jackson learns on election eve that the current President has resigned taking over a trillion dollars in petroleum securities, leaving the US leaderless and facing an economic crisis of unparalleled proportions. President Jackson, wrongly accused of manufacturing the crisis, turns to his two must trusted political aides, Adelphous Tripler and Shawn Clarke. Committed lovers, Tripler and Clarke must reluctantly separate to carry out a series of incredibly challenging tasks for their discredited leader that takes them around the globe. With murder and mayhem facing them every step of the way, will they manage to get back to each other alive?

Savant Books and Publications author William Maltese is also author of DARE TO LOVE IN OZ (Savant 2009 — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984117547), WILLIAM MALTESE’S FLICKER #1 (Savant 2010 — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0984555242) and WILLIAM MALTESE’S FLICKER #2 (Savant 2020 — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693875), all purchased for cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1434403556

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH “RECOVERY”?

RECOVERY is a nice, contemporary catch word, and I’m hearing it more and more these days in every aspect of life. But I fear that the word, re-covery, is being used in its meaning to re-cover [up] what hasn’t yet been fully addressed. Let me explain.

The Great Pandemic, in my opinion, was a shot across our bow, warning us that our current infrastructure system is already way beyond simple update and repair. In the broadest sense, we’ve been called to relook at and largely abandon our old “crowd-product-sales” venue for an “individual-service-provision” venue. How successful has that change been? Few businesses have made the change. Some have, often reluctantly, made the change at least for the moment, until they can revert back to the “old ways.” Others either refuse to change or even refuse to believe in change, ignoring the impact on life and climate.

Education, transportation (airlines, ships, trains and buses in particular), health care (particularly hospitals), sports, large corporations and the tourism industry have been especially reticent to make the change in a positive, progressive manner. Until we “make the paradigm change” and open the necessary doors for technology to make it happen to our benefit, we will continue suffering in what I see as simply a continuation of the Great Pandemic and a closed door to a new age of space travel.

In the Amazon genre bestseller, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 — available in printed, digital and audio formats –I speak directly to these issues and offer both suggestions and tests to see if those suggestions are working correctly in benefit of life, always remembering that our planet, by many definitions is now, if it hasn’t already been for a long time, a living organism. Won’t you join me in the greatest revolution ever in support of our very existence as part of one growing, living, multi-planetary organism?

Video Book Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...

CELEBRITIES CAUGHT PAINTING THE CITY “STATIC” – 2

AS promised, today’s post is about the second half of my (Raymond Gaynor aka Daniel S. Janik playing “Will Gardner” in “The STATIC Movie”) and my partner’s (Setsuko Tsuchiya playing “Edna” in “The STATIC Movie”) day off. Yesterday, I mentioned our amazing meal at the Kahala Hotel and Resort; today is about our overnight and sleep in at the new Hilton Garden Inn in Waikiki. Quiet, unassuming, a mere two blocks from the beach and the famously “out there” Kalakaua Avenue promenade, it was just what the doctor ordered (and, yes, I’m a retired physician)! Ah, peace. Or, if you prefer, the eye of the storm, as Setsuko and I are Executive Producers for two upcoming K. Simmons Productions projects: “Finding Kate” and a William Maltese bio-documentary. The Hawaiiwood filmmaking storm raging about us, this was our moment of total recreation and rebalance.

It was also the chance to reconsider “Prophecy,” the sequel to THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, and reconsider it I did, in thought and dream. Suddenly resolved major conundrum at a key point of tension in the work. Now I’m ready to proceed, listening to the voices of the characters calling out to me about what they need, want and desire. Back home, I’ve already fingers to the computer, typing out chapter after chapter “like raindrops down an endless well,” with “Prophecy” proceeding like gangbusters. You’re gonna like this book. I feel it in my bones, because, well, I like it and I’ve always been my greatest critic, be it authoring or acting.

One caveat to our wonderful day away: Of the hundreds of people strolling Kalakaua Avenue and the Beach at Waikiki, I was shocked to see that fewer than 20% appeared to be wearing masks and/or social distancing. It made me suddenly tense inside, leaving me to wonder what COVID might have in mind for it’s next lethal move. Like Jack the Ripper, I could imagine it prowling the light night streets, but then, I’m a thriller author and think like that. In the end, I’m glad to be away from being away.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the valet who, with a bit of prompting, “recognized” us from the film. Thank you for your kind comments. It makes authoring and acting truly rewarding.

https://i.postimg.cc/sXYd8Zft/Waikiki...

CELEBRITIES CAUGHT PAINTING THE CITY “STATIC” – 1

OKAY, maybe that’s a bit much; however, my partner, Setsuko Tsuchiya (“Edna” of “I won! I won! I won!” fame in “The STATIC Movie”) and I (“Will Gardner” of “Stand still so I can hit you!” fame in The STATIC Movie) decided it was time to take a day off from the Hawaii-wood scene to rest and…roar! Yep, with “The STATIC Movie” premieres finished and the after-interview by Gina Crabtree on THE ANSWER - AM 690/FM 94.3 (“Play it Safe,” from 29.40 through 41.10) aired, it was time to CELEBRATE!!!!

So what’s the first thing a body’s to do? A good dinner! And this one at the newly reopened-to-the-public Plumeria Beach House in the Kahala Hotel and Resort. What’s there to say, when a single photo tells it better. Lunch-ON!

https://i.postimg.cc/zBK8rc72/Kahala-...

Where to go next? That’s tomorrow’s topic.

AND IT’S BACK TO THE BOOKS, AT LEAST FOR NOW!

WITH “The STATIC Movie” premieres past, I’ve finally time to revert back to authoring. Trying to write while actively involved in filming is like trying to wash and wax a car in the fury of a hurricane. It’s nice to once again have “time” at my fingertips, and “Prophecy,” the prospective third book following TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese, and THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor is back in full swing.

And, don’t forget my other action/adventure novel, QUANTUM DEATH by A. G. Hayes and Raymond Gaynor, the fifth of nine books in the riveting Koski and Falk Series and the second in the Kate Keenan Special Assignment Series. After all, the widely acclaimed prequel, FINDING KATE (Savant 2016) by A. G. Hayes, has been purchased for cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions and is already in pre-production. Special note: I’m arguing for an acting role in this exciting film based in Hawaiiwood where long-ignored computer genius Kate Keenan has designed a computer program that threatens to put Hollywood and Bollywood out of business overnight. Suddenly everyone wants her…and her program. To stay alive, Kate goes into hiding, barely keeping ahead of a lethal hoard of pursuers with only one thing in mind: FINDING KATE and possessing or destroying the program.

And if that isn’t enough, well, how about re-reading all four, including THE EDGE OF MADNESS (video book preview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...)

WHAT’S IN A TITLE…EVERYTHING!

I’M often asked how I as an author (Daniel S. Janik aka Raymond Gaynor/Gary Martine) and publisher (Savant Books and Publications at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...) how I come up with titles for books, and if the title is really that important. My opin: It’s second only to a book’s cover image. Think of the cover image as a “first look” at someone you’ve never met before, and the title as that person’s name. First, it has to be memorable. Second, it has to be just uncommon enough to distinguish it from other works of a similar name. Third, each word in the title should be carefully considered for what it indirectly conveys. Fourth, it should be short; a good name, be it person or book title, should lend itself to a great nickname. Fifth, it should be sufficient in and of itself to convey the gist of the book. Sixth, whatever it does indirectly convey about the book will wholly prejudice the read. Finally, it should be concise. Always remember the three C’s of good writing: Clear, Complete, Concise (and, for those new to writing, grammatically and syntactically “Correct”).

It took me more than two months of discussion and consideration before THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 — was finally titled, and the title is everything I mentioned above. It was as long, complex and careful a choice as going on an adventurous hike, drive, bus trip, train ride, cruise or orbital trip, and the “hunt” was as, if not more rewarding than it’s final inception. That is, the research was as thrilling and rewarding as the “ah-ha” moment! Which is exactly what’s going on with the sequel to THE EDGE OF MADNESS, tentatively entitled, “Prophecy.” Right now, I’m meditating on that. Om Mani Padme Hum…

As an aside, as many of you know, I’m also an actor. I’ve recently been asked now that The STATIC Movie has premiered, what my next acting project will be. For those of you wondering, I’m considering one of two roles in an upcoming K. Simmons Productions’ project called “Finding Kate,” (https://kspllc.media/finding-kate) based on multi-award-winning author A. G. Hayes’ book of the same name. One role is that of a power-hungry corporate magnate. The other is the father of the leading character, Kate Keenan. And I have to admit to wanting to be present in formal attire with my competition dance partner, Setsuko Tsuchiya, in a posh cast-party dance scene. What fun to have choices, and even more fun to play in another K. Simmons Production.

Video Book Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je6CC...