Raymond Gaynor's Blog, page 40

...A MULTI-MEDIA HIT THERE

I was so pleased to receive an option for purchase of THE EDGE OF MADNESS from K. Simmons Productions LLC for manga, animated and cinematic treatment. Despite my reservations regarding incorporation of some of the elements (the characters, for example, are largely unclothed in the work), I was assured that production plans were already underway. To the point that yesterday, the option was exercised and now THE EDGE OF MADNESS has moved over the edge into the multi-media world.

The Edge of Madness

Soon to be an Audible audiobook read by the incomparable Peter Pollock

An Excited Raymond Gaynor
Author of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor
Co-author with A. G. Hayes of QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) and with William Maltese of TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009)
Author website at https://garymartine.yolasite.com/raym...
Author Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/raymond.gayn...
Author Twitter site at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/Raymond-Gaynor...
Amazon Goodreads author page at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Savant Books and Publications | Aignos Publishing author page at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Distributed by Savant Distribution at https://www.savantdistribution.com/

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

A FLIC HERE…

The Edge of Madness

IN continuation of yesterday’s post on eroticism, consider the SweetSixteen. Yet another of the many facets of coming-of-age in NewAmerica:

“For modern lovers, SweetSixteenSalsaSex, when it really clicked, especially when virginal and alternative as in the case of Draff and Billie, offered the enactors a further reward: that all-time most sought-after prize of publiczed intimacy, the exceptional, elusive, once-in-a-lifetime “FirstLoveIConsumated” pop emotag, FLIC. While the best in human literature for the last 2,000 years was replete with tales of persistent love, affection and romance—with only occasional consummation, and even rarer ribald sex—it was only during the last decade that transitioning NewAmerica, unquestionably in the throes of the greatest socio-technological changes of any time in history that sex became acknowledged for its own, as both the reason for and outcome of affection and romance. In the process, the public came to know and passionately embrace FLICs as a new interplanetary obsession. The pre-Jacksonian equivalent of a FLIC—unrequited first love—had, for centuries, besotted the written annals of common, everyday romance books with a typically unsavory outcome. Only recently had NewAmericans elevated such stories above romance to an entirely new plane, and, more recently, a new art form. In spite of what people might say in front of one another or in a familiar crowd, it was the opportunity to see and experience a FLIC first hand that drew everyone irresistibly to the various seemingly spontaneous SweetSixteenSalsaSex exhibitions that popped up in the streets, and, as in the case of Draff and Billie, attended by the participants’ entire social group.“

FLIC, anyone? Only one per person; only once in a lifetime; only during SweetSixteen!

Printed book at 10% off Suggested Retail Price using "ONLINE" discount code at checkout from Savant Boosktores (Hawaii, Pacific, Midwest or Atlantic):
https://checkout.square.site/buy/4MI5...

Printed and Kindle editions from Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859 - Kindle edition only $2.99 through 30 September 2020 (regularly $7.95)

Printed book from The Book Depository with international free shipping: https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Ed...

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

ADDING A BIT OF THE EROTIC TO LOVE AND ROMANCE

Romance is a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love, accompanied by a feeling of remoteness from everyday life. Love on the other hand Is an intense feeling of deep affection, generating both interest and pleasure, often surrounding potential sexual attachment. Erotic refers to arousal of actual sexual desire. It is easy to say that humans typically follow romance with love and finally eroticism, but we're also stimulated by the unusual so any progression through or simple appearance of any of the Magical Three, written well, can more than suffice.

By these definitions, THE EDGE OF MADNESS is a romance, a love story and an erotic escapade. Set in the future, it affords the reader the opportunity to experience, enjoy and reflect on romance, love and eroticism as they might exist in the future. Or, equally, as exists in present avant garde society through a “mirror to the future.” Are love, romance and eroticism subject to time and cultural change? I think...yes! And this is why, collectively, I personally think of THE EDGE OF MADNESS a relationship rather than a love, romance and/or erotic novel per se, though strong elements of each appear in plenty.

Taking up where TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese left off, NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, provides a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live.

By far the most profound and dangerous challenges are those surrounding relationships, romance, love, eroticism and sex. And explore, they do, sometimes even holographically, begging the question of what, if anything, now or in the plausible future is “real.” Put on your CandyShades, breathe in a little ContraSpray, open a copy of THE EDGE OF MADNESS and settle back for a T-rip like never before.

The Edge of Madness

THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor- Excerpt #3

(This Excerpt is PG-13-rated)

"The entire foray celebrated his continued ascent into adulthood. Billie smelled and looked unfazed. Andry smelled and looked stunned, then incredulous, then annoyed, aggravated and finally disgusted. What is with Simi? Draff wondered, raising his eyebrows at the staccato olfactory slaps he sensed coming from her, all seeming aimed directly at him. Why did he feel so hurt? More important, why should her reactions bother him so deeply, or at all for that matter?

"Draff noticed Billie staring at Simi. And what's with those two? he thought before his better judgment kicked in and he dismissed his conflicting thoughts, reburying himself in the tsunami of forearm-clasps, hugs and well-wishes.

"Everything is going so well, he reflected happily.

"Everything isn't quite coming together as I'd hoped, Simi reflected with concern.

"Everything is going to hell, Billie reflected angrily."

About this Book:
It is my pleasure to present the long awaited sequel to my and William Maltese's pop sexual-political-thriller TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009), entitled THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020). NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, is now leaner and meaner. Once again commanding wealth and power thanks to a series of sociopolitical advances and technical innovations like Eugitors, ShimmerSuits, ContraSpray, T-rips, CandyShades and CandyCable, NewAmerica a challenging and dangerous place for three young firebrands to live "on the edge of madness."

Set in the near future, THE EDGE OF MADNESS explores the evolving relationships between three friends, all of whom know little to nothing about their past and even less about their futures. What they do know is that each is unusually gifted: Rob, an uber-conscious male with an enhanced sense of smell; Frann, an ostentatious gay male with an Olympian physique; and Andry, a brilliant moon-child and professional acronymeur with a taste for Wicca...and her two male friends.

THE EDGE OF MADNESS is an exploration of a possible future, where every hedonistic pleasure is available -- if one can afford it. People work in order to purchase the newest technologies promising ultimate pleasure. But as in Aldous Huxley's BRAVE NEW WORLD and George Orwell's 1984, citizens are watched carefully by emotionless “Enforcers” who show up anytime unusual events occur. 
 
Like Huxley and Orwell's works, THE EDGE OF MADNESS has something to say about almost everything present and future. But it's also a love triangle and a coming-of-age story of three youths in a future where anything and everything goes. The ultimate question for them is: Can true love or sanity be found in such a world? 
 
This story will make some excited about what the future may hold while others may recoil at a world of such extremes. Either way, it's an engaging ride in a world where, for example, teachers and students appear holographically together in instructional classrooms while remaining safely at home, begging the question of what, if anything, in this future world is “real." Put on your CandyShades, breathe in a little ContraSpray and settle back for a T-rip like never before.

About the Author:
Raymond Gaynor is the pen-name of the multi-award-winning, reclusive writer-artist-photographer-videographer, who, in his own words, "lives and breathes" San Francisco. He co-authored with William Maltese on the Tripler and Clarke gay political thriller, TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) and with A. G. Hayes on the fifth Koski & Falk adventure, QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016). He is the author of numerous fiction and non-fiction works published under a variety of different pseudonyms. THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) is his first wholly authored work.

The Edge of Madness

THE EDGE OF MADNESS
by Raymond Gaynor
257 pages - 5.25 x 8" B&W Pocket Book with Color Softcover
ISBN 978-0-9996938-5-8 Suggested retail price $16.95
Released by Aignos Publishing, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Available directly from the publisher via the Publisher's Store with FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE WITHIN THE USA INCLUDING ALASKA AND HAWAII at
https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ...

Also available from Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859, Amazon affiliate sites worldwide, Savant Bookstores (Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific, Honolulu) and other fine online sites worldwide.

Now available with free worldwide shipping from The Book Depository at https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Ed...

Raymond Gaynor,
Multi-award-winning Author of
THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020)
Co-Author with A. G. Hayes of
QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016)
Co-Author with William Maltese of
TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 209)

Amazon Author Central Site at https://www.amazon.com/Raymond-Gaynor...

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

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

THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor - Excerpt #2

(This Excerpt is PG-rated)

"Clothes? Jackson, now there was an interesting anachronism. Until SweetSixteen, clothes were strongly frowned upon though in some distinctly retro circles still tolerated, but with general public disgust and distrust. Afterwards, adult clothing was even more strongly discouraged, being outright prohibited in all public and many private spaces. The contemporary drift was that the absence of clothing imparted a feeling of security to passersby, given that nakedness was a way of demonstrating that one was weaponless and need not be feared. It also allowed bodies to more clearly broadcast and receive emotional signals of interest and intent. Only Enforcers these days always wore clothes, and that was primarily to broadcast their authoritative status and, of course, to intimidate."

The Edge of Madness

Raymond Gaynor is the pen-name of the multi-award-winning, reclusive writer-artist-photographer-videographer, who, in his own words, "lives and breathes" San Francisco. He co-authored with William Maltese on the Tripler and Clarke gay political thriller, TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) and with A. G. Hayes on the fifth Koski & Falk adventure, QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016). He is the author of numerous fiction and non-fiction works published under a number of different pseudonyms.

"If you've ever wondered what the world and relationships will be like in the future," says Gaynor, "this book is for you. Though set in the future, it is a plausible one, whether it ends up exciting or horrifying for you. Get hold of a copy of THE EDGE OF MADNESS, peer over the edge and see if I'm not right."

THE EDGE OF MADNESS
by Raymond Gaynor
257 pages - 5.25 x 8" B&W Pocket Book with Color Softcover
ISBN 978-0-9996938-5-8 Suggested retail price $16.95
Released by Aignos Publishing, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Available internationally from Amazon.com at
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999693859
and
The Book Depository with free international shipping at
https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Ed...

Aignos Publishing, an imprint of Savant Books and Publications, offers avant garde, experimental and innovative works that "push the leading edge" of publishing. Savant Books and Publications publishes enduring, transformative literary works with a twist.

Raymond Gaynor, Multi-award-winning Author of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020)

Author website and blog at https://garymartine.yolasite.com/raym...

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

THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor - Excerpt #1

(This Excerpt is PG-rated)

The Edge of Madness

Although he wouldn't completely understand it until much later, it began well before he was born a pudgy-looking, seven and a half pound naked ball of flesh, fat, gristle and bone, screaming its head off. And why shouldn't he have protested? Every trusted thing he'd known had been ripped from him: the constant warmth; the gentle, protective floating feeling; the ruddy aura that had always surrounded and protected him, the ever-present thump-hiss, thump-hiss, thump-hiss in the background that, like a metronome, established the meter of his universe. Even the occasional, distant, often perplexing background sounds, a kind of symphony inexplicably directed at him by some higher, beneficent power whose sole reason for being was to watch over and protect him. Moments ago he was as he knew and imagined himself: the center of all that was, is, and would ever be. Now he was…he really didn't have a clue, except that every second he was fighting for his life.

-----

Taking up where TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009) by Raymond Gaynor and William Maltese left off, NewAmerica, a shadow of its former United States of America, provides a challenging and dangerous future place for three young firebrands to live.

THE EDGE OF MADNESS
(Aignos 2020)
by Raymond Gaynor
257 pp. - 5.25" x 8"
Softcover Pocket Book
ISBN 9780999693858
Suggested Retail Price (SRP) $16.95

Available directly from Savant Bookstores (Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific, Honolulu) at 10% off Suggested Retail Price with free shipping within the USA using discount code "ONLINE" at checkout or by direct purchase at https://savant-bookstore-honolulu.squ...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B1663ZZ

Aignos Publishing, an imprint of Savant Books and Publications, offers avant garde, experimental and innovative works that "push the leading edge" of publishing. Savant Books and Publications publishes enduring, transformative literary works with a twist.

Press Release at https://www.prlog.org/12825474

OVER THE EDGE OF MADNESS

Online Book Club Review of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor:

The Edge of Madness

“The Edge of Madness is a science fiction book written by Raymond Gaynor. It’s a sequel to another novel that was co-written by the author. The events in the book take place in the future. In the novel, the United States of America was forced into dissolution and has been resurrected into a smaller new country called “NewAmerica.” The main character in the story is Draff Rob Brie Septican-Smite. Rob is first shown in the book when he’s still in his mother’s womb, which is an event that he can recall. We are slowly introduced to Rob’s world and follow him until he is 20 years old. This future world is radically different from the one we know. Children in this world are always raised by individuals that are unrelated to them, and most people don’t wear clothes. There are also numerous technological advances. When he is around 2 years old, Rob is introduced to a boy named Billie and a girl named Andry. Both children become Rob’s lifelong friends. Rob always felt very different from other people because of his extraordinary sense of smell, which he was born with. His sense of smell is so powerful that he knows the places people visited and can tell if they’re lying to him because of the way they smell. He also has an eidetic memory and even remembers his birth. Rob gets romantically involved with Billie when they are both teenagers, but Andry also has strong feelings for Rob. Can Rob and Billie’s relationship last, or is it destined to fail because of Andry? What dark secret is Andry hiding from her friends? Can Rob’s powers actually hurt the people that are close to him? Find out in this futuristic and mysterious story.

“I really enjoyed the premise of the book and how the story was told. The way Rob was introduced was very intriguing because he was still in the womb but already had his heightened sense of smell, feelings, and thoughts. The fact that the book was set in the future was also entertaining, and it was interesting finding out about the way people lived and hearing about all of the technological advances. Some aspects of the future seemed implausible, and other aspects seemed realistic and very possible based on our current reality. The way the author told the story was very straightforward, but the gradual building of suspense could be felt. The pacing flowed together naturally.

“I also liked the air of mystery that was always surrounding Rob and Andry. Rob had his extreme intelligence, remarkable memory, and an extraordinary sense of smell. The latter was sort of a superpower, and it helped him determine who he could be friends with and trust based on their smell. There was also an intriguing question of whether people around Rob got hurt because of his power, and I was very curious about that. Andry was a mysterious character from the beginning, but something about her was revealed toward the end of the novel, and it was very surprising. It was great that the characters were so unpredictable.

“One issue that I had with the book was that it ended so abruptly that it didn’t give answers to the questions that I was looking for. I was expecting to see another chapter on the next page and was very surprised that this was the conclusion of the novel. People will have to wait to get the resolution to the story if the next book comes out. It was disappointing that the book ended on a cliffhanger. Another problem I had was that the novel was almost entirely from Rob’s perspective, and we don’t see things from Billie and Andry’s points of view until the end.

“I’m rating this book 3 out of 4 stars . I found the premise of the novel very interesting and entertaining. The book starting with Rob being in his mother’s womb was also exciting and different. I enjoyed the fact that there was an air of mystery around the main characters, and I was always trying to figure out what Andry was hiding. Another plus was that the editing was very professional. I’m taking a star away because the book ended so suddenly and abruptly. The novel seemed unfinished and incomplete, and it felt like more answers were needed. It would have also been nice if the book included the points of view of the other characters throughout. I would recommend this book to adults and younger adults who like science fiction and mystery books about the future. There were some sexual situations and scenes between two male characters and between male and female characters, but they weren’t graphic or extreme in any way.”

Post a comment to https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...# and tell me what your opinion. I love to hear from readers!

Raymond Gaynor
Multi-award-winning author of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020)

Co-author with A. G. Hayes of QUANTUM DEATH (Savant 2016) and with William Maltese of TOTAL MELTDOWN (Borgo/Wildside 2009)

Author website at https://garymartine.yolasite.com/raym...
Author Facebook site at https://www.facebook.com/raymond.gayn...
Author Twitter site at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/Raymond-Gaynor...
Amazon Goodreads author page at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Savant Books and Publications | Aignos Publishing author page at https://www.savantbooksandpublication...
Distributed by Savant Distribution at https://www.savantdistribution.com

WHAT THE HECK IS CHANGING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE ALL ABOUT?

I read today on a national new’s site that United States’ President Biden is preparing to launch a major initiative to upgrade our failing infrastructure, something I’ve personally touted for the past five years. But…it’s not that I’m opposed to doing exactly that, it’s that I’m uncertain that returning our infrastructures to normal is the way to go about it.

In my recently released Sci-Fu (science-based futuring) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor, I explore the result of a massive redesign of national infrastructures including politics, ethics, business, the legal system, education, transportation, environmentalism, health care, romance, eroticism, coming-of-age, gender issues, even the core family structure. As my friend and colleague, the incomparable author, William Maltese, has said, “It’s not always a pleasant picture. In fact, it’s sometimes bordering on the truly shocking. That said … It’s a fascinating read, experienced through the eyes of three protagonists from birth, through adolescence, and into maturity. Their journey is often difficult and often dangerous. Never, though, is it boring.”

So what’s different from what’s being proposed by our and many other contemporary governments? I think the real issue is making the change from “crowd-selling” to “individual-service” infrastructures. “The normal” (“crowd-selling”) is what I believe has allowed COVID-19 to ravage our overpopulated world, and is inviting us to experience, with similar savage, COVID-20, COVID-21 and other future pandemics, perhaps not linearly, but several at once. In THE EDGE OF MADNESS, I portray numerous infrastructure upgrades, all in terms of a fundamental change to individualized service. The greatness of the work lies not only in its entertainment value, but in providing a mirror for readers to see and “test” what a world based on this fundamental shift in infrastructure updates might be like. Try it, you may like it!

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

Soon to be an Audible audiobook read by the incomparable Peter Pollock. Purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.

ANOTHER REVIEW AT THE EDGE OF MADNESS

MY recently released SciFu (science-based future study) novel, THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor recently received the following review from the Online Book Club:

“The United States of America…has been resurrected into a smaller new country called “NewAmerica.” This future world is radically different from the one we know. Children in this world are always raised by individuals that are unrelated to them, and most people don’t wear clothes. Rob[, an olfactory savant] gets romantically involved with [his gay friend] Billie…but [his other friend] Andry…has strong feelings for Rob. Can Rob and Billie’s relationship last, or is it destined to fail because of Andry? What dark secret is Andry hiding…? Can Rob’s [unusual] powers actually hurt the people that are close to him?

“I…liked the air of mystery that was always surrounding Rob and Andry. Rob had his extreme intelligence, remarkable memory, and an extraordinary sense of smell. Andry was a mysterious character from the beginning, but something about her was revealed toward the end of the novel, and it was very surprising. It was great that the characters were so unpredictable.

“Interesting…entertaining…I would recommend this book to adults and younger adults who like science fiction and mystery books about the future.”

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

Soon to be an Audible audiobook read by the incomparable Peter Pollock. Purchased for manga, animation and cinematic treatment by K. Simmons Productions.

WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE FREE RADICALS?

HERE’S an idea. Check out this 5-Star review of THE EDGE OF MADNESS (Aignos 2020) by Raymond Gaynor:

“Radically original while chilling and shocking. A dark vision of the future reminiscent of Brave New World but on steroids. The title page should be plastered with a warning: “Not for the sentimental or faint of heart. This is not a game. Enter…at your own peril and keep a defibrillator handy. Medical power of attorney should be assigned to someone you know very, very well.”

“Right away the reader becomes observer of the pulsing, sensate world of the fetus, yet with dawning awareness [even within] the warm and comforting nurture of the amniotic sea. Somehow the newborn survives, only to proceed to the insults of a soulless education system and carefully calibrated culture vacant of significant choice or opportunity for deep human connection.

“THE EDGE OF MADNESS by Raymond Gaynor is one those realities that makes you instantly appreciative of nature walks, the aroma of good coffee and the cheer of a crackling fire. At the same time you aren’t sure that it’s a good idea to doze off and take the chance of a techno-nightmare that reprises the madness but without hope of return. Be very afraid.”

Soon to be an Audible audiobook read by the the incomparable Peter Pollock. Purchased by K. Simmons Productions for manga, animated and cinematic treatment.

The Edge of Madness

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