Edward J. Branley's Blog: Eloquent Profanity, page 10

Strong Women in the Talents Universe

Strong Women

Anita Delatorre and Ren Alciatore on the cover of Hidden Talents.

Strong Women are important to the Talents Universe

While the primary characters of Hidden Talents are Renard Alciatore and Michael O’Donnell, the story features several strong women. Ren’s interactions with women are important. I didn’t want the story to be a bromance. Consider two of the women in the story.

JJ

Janet Julianne Garrison is Ren’s best friend, and will defend him to the death if necessary. But JJ doesn’t have Talents, so she’s no match for Anita Delatorre. JJ is still important to the story and will always be to Ren. JJ is a bit older than Ren, and her family moved in different New Orleans circles than the Alciatores. Like most folks in the city, the families intersect at points. The “six degrees of separation” game rarely goes past two in New Orleans.

I’d love to hear from readers about the Ren-JJ dynamic, particularly as it continues in Trusted Talents

Anita

The “ambitious woman” in a man’s world! Such a trope. Thing is, in the world of Christian publishing isn’t all that different from other industries that rely on a lot of personal contact for marketing. It’s no coincidence that pharmaceutical companies use women as direct-marketing representatives. Physicians are overwhelmingly male. Put the gal in heels and a well-tailored business suit, and she’s a welcome sight to the overworked doctor.

It’s the same thing for publishing. The dynamics of marketing to booksellers has changed radically, because of the Internet. Publishers need to come up with more ideas for getting their authors in front of the public. While there are a still a number of brick-and-mortar stores that sell Christian fiction and non-fiction, the attractive, well-dressed, professional young woman has a limited reach.

Christian Publishing is a challenge

Christian authors know their path to success lies in “church tours” rather than traditional “book tours.” When a Christian author goes on the road, it looks more like a band on tour than a typical author. It’s all about the advance person. A woman with a charming personality who is, as they say, “easy on the eyes” works wonders in this world. If that woman has Talents, well, that makes things even easier.

Marcus-Kayson Publishing, located in the DFW Metroplex, knows how this works. Even though the average M-K employee isn’t aware of it, the company also knows how to use the Talents.

To be continued!

Trusted Talents by Edward J Branley

The cover of Trusted Talents features three women. That speaks volumes for this trend continuing!

The Talents Universe of Edward J. Branley

Hidden Talents

New Orleans is hot, humid, spiritual...and magical!

Anita Delatorre is a junior executive for a publishing company specializing in Christian books and homeschooling materials. Anita’s assignment is to be her company's liaison with a New Orleans-based radio preacher, whose books the company publishes. A group seeking to discredit their client is all too successful, and Anita must take steps to stop them, using any means at her disposal. And Anita's means are formidable: She is a sorceress, whose psychic Talents extend well beyond those of most mortals.

Renard Alciatore is a thirty-four-year old photographer who enjoys using his computer skills to mock Anita's client, the Reverend Jay Hadley. As Ren begins to receive information of financial and sexual improprieties from inside Jay Hadley Ministries, his life is threatened, and, in the process his own Talents are revealed. He is placed under the Protection of a shadowy organization known as The Assembly as he learns to use his Talents, to improve his photography, help others when he can, and defend his own life, when Challenged.

What were once Hidden Talents emerge in the hot New Orleans summer. Only one will walk away when the duel is joined!

Available in paperback ($13.99), hardcover, and Kindle.

Trusted Talents

Someone’s stealing magickal artifacts – in the middle of Mardi Gras!

The priests of the Ordo Archangelli keep their tools hidden until needed. New Orleans has kept some of their secrets well, until now. Daniel McCain is a Dark Adept of the same group that tried to kill Ren Alciatore at Samhain. Now, McCain comes close to acquiring a powerful set of tools. When all are in his possession, challenging and defeating him will cost lives.

And there’s no better time to hide these thefts than Carnival! The Ordo don’t know where the theives’ next target is. Ren wants to enlist the help of one of McCain’s cousins, Brooks Stirling Sumner, to learn more about the artifacts.

Renard Alciatore’s Talents are no longer hidden. Will the shadowy group known as the Assembly trust him? With the guidance of a Coven of Witches and knowledge from his new friend, Ren and The Assembly must protect their city from those who want to win at all costs. Bullets and magick are a strong combination to defeat!

Available in paperback ($14.99) and for Kindle.

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Trusted Talents is here!

Trusted Talents by Edward J Branley

Wednesday, 15-August, is the official drop date for my latest novel, “Trusted Talents“. Here’s the back-cover blurb:

Someone’s stealing magickal artifacts – in the middle of Mardi Gras The priests of the Ordo Archangelli keep their tools hidden until needed. New Orleans has kept some of their secrets well, until now. Daniel McCain is a Dark Adept of the same group that tried to kill Ren Alciatore at Samhain.

Now, McCain comes close to acquiring a powerful set of tools. When all are in his possession, challenging and defeating him will cost lives. And there’s no better time to hide these thefts than Carnival The Ordo don’t know where the theives’ next target is. Ren wants to enlist the help of one of McCain’s cousins, Brooks Stirling Sumner, to learn more about the artifacts.

Renard Alciatore’s Talents are no longer hidden. Will the shadowy group known as the Assembly trust him? With the guidance of a Coven of Witches and knowledge from his new friend, Ren and The Assembly must protect their city from those who want to win at all costs. Bullets and magick are a strong combination to defeat.

Trusted Talents picks up where my first contemporary sword-and-sorcery novel, Hidden Talents, leaves off. If you like magick, magickal duels, ritual, and extrasensory “Talents”, you’ll enjoy these two books. 

Continuing the story of Renard Alciatore and his mentor, Fr. Michael O’Donnell, is so much fun. I’m always playing with little short scenes. I post those to my Facebook Author Page, as well as the Bayou Talents Book Group. Trusted Talents features three women on the cover, because this book is all about strong New Orleans women! 

Trusted Talents is avaolable for pre-order at all the usual suspects! 

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Verse – Opposite Ends of the Table

Opposite Ends of the Table

Twelve for dinner,

Six a side.

Hi! Haven’t seen you

In ages.

And it’s a shame,

That I can’t catch up

With you.

Because we are on

Opposite ends of the table.

©2018 Edward J Branley

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Jesuits in New Orleans #BayouTalents

Jesuits in New Orleans

Jesuits in New Orleans have a rich history

While there are a number of my friends who attended Brother Martin High School who don’t see the need to recognize Jesuits in any way, there are times when they make good characters. You can’t deny the mystique of the Society of Jesus. The current pope is a Jesuit, and the order has a fascinating past. In fiction, the Jesuits are sometimes depicted as revolutionaries, colonizers, politicians, and diplomats. The order is holy, spiritual, committed to education, and shadowy. In his novel The Sum of All Fears, Tom Clancy’s leading man, Jack Ryan, has a Jesuit for a mentor. Do the Jesuits use one-time cypher pads and encryption software? Do they communicate back to Rome in Ancient Greek? It sounds out there, but it didn’t blow up my willing suspension of disbelief.

In fiction set in New Orleans, it makes sense to include Jesuit-educated characters. Many of my fellow Crusaders express disdain for “that school on Carrollton and Banks,” as Brother Jean Sobert, SC, branded Jesuit High School. Still, they went on to university at Jesuit institutions, such as Loyola University New Orleans. Loyola’s School of Law produces a large portion of our local legal community. Yes, you can write a local story that excludes the Jesuits, that leaves out a lot of local color/flavor.

Jesuits with Talents?

So, my Talents universe needed some Jesuits. Thing is, how do you tell a Jesuit priest from, say, your typical diocesan priest, tending his flock in a parish in metro New Orleans? They all wear black with the Roman collar. The Brothers of the Sacred Heart used to wear large, pectoral crosses back in the 1970s. They now have a unique cross that includes a simple heart in the design. The Jesuits use stylized versions of the letters IHS as a symbol of the order. IHS = “Iesus Hominum Salvator” – Jesus, the savior of men.

This version of the IHS badge is attributed to the Society’s founder, St. Ignatius Loyola, dating back to 1541.

I Googled around for variations on this theme, and came across an Etsy shop selling a version of the IHS badge they say dates back to the Second French Empire (top). An original is a great item for a young Jesuit to wear.

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Verse: Selfies

Selfies

You take selfies

When you feel good,

When you’re a hot mess

When you’ve done something significant.

It’s a wonderful thing.

You take selfies

To send a message,

To make a statement,

To flip off the ex.

It’s a wonderful thing.

I hope you’ll forgive me,

If, when you take selfies

To send a positive message,

That I’m a bit wistful,

Because I know,

I’m not the person you’re sending

The message to.

 

©2017, Edward Branley

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Sainthood – Championing the Cause #writingprompt

Sainthood – Championing the cause

FDNY Memorial to Fr. Mychal Judge

Sainthood

The political intricacies of the Roman Catholic Church are easy fodder for writers. One specific segment of church politics is sainthood. Putting forward a potential saint’s “cause” is complicated. It requires professionals, canon lawyers who understand the rules and regulations. That’s just the actual process. The outside influences offer a wide range of story possibilities. Who benefits from the canonization of a saint? Who is harmed by the completion of the cause?

Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM

So, for YatPundit, I wrote an article this morning about the cause of Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM. He was a chaplain of the New York Fire Department who died during the rescue efforts on September 11, 2001. Go read about his cause and the man. He was an incredible human. If he is canonized, Judge becomes the first “Gay Saint.” Sure, there is no doubt there were homosexuals canonized by the church. Judge, however, was a man who was “out” but celibate. He admitted he was a sexual being who kept his priestly vows. His cause makes for uncomfortable conversations within the confines of the church.

Writing prompt

The intrigue here has so much potential. Causes for canonization usually originate in the prospective saint’s home town. So, the intrigue happens at different levels. Perhaps a local groups supports the cause, but a local pastor or bishop rejecs the notion. If the cause gets to Rome, perhaps there’s more friction at the church’s nexus? So many opportunities for technical scenes, arguing over Canon Law. Meetings with bishops and cardinals. Introduce direct papal influence?

Or maybe just keep the whole thing local. An activist rejects the notion that a guy he knew in high school is a saint, and resorts to criminal activity to scuttle a proposal to construct a shrine to the potential saint in the parish church.

Go!

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New Orleans railroads and other writing updates

New Orleans railroads are my latest distraction

Krauss: The New Orleans Value Store (available 25-Sep-2017)

New Orleans Railroads – writing prompts

Now that Krauss: The New Orleans Value Store is in “pre-release” mode, I’ve been back at the fiction for a month or so. Trusted Talents is moving along again, as Ren and Mike are well into their next adventure. The Dragons (note the plural!) updated me on The Trio. There are notes everywhere that will come together as I hear from AM, David, and the kid who gets his phone set on fire occasionally.

Staying focused is always a challenge for me. The original idea for Hidden Talents developed back when was writing the Streetcar book. It was a way to procrastinate, and I’m very good at that. Now, Talents is the main project. That means I have distractions for procrastination! My biggest distraction from writing is my model railroad. I’ve turned it into a writing project as well, so that’s something. When I set the trains back up, I named the layout the Pontchartrain Railroad, like the old “Smokey Mary” train that ran on Elysian Fields, from Chartres Street to the lake.

Model Railroading in #themetrys

Passenger trains fascinate me. Even in these days of Amtrak, there’s a magic to them. New Orleans is a passenger railroad hub. A number of railroads converge on the Crescent City. For decades, The Crescent Limited (now the Amtrak Crescent) came down from New York City, on the Louisville and Nashville and Southern Railroad tracks. Travelers could spend a day or two in New Orleans, then continue west to Los Angeles on the Southern Pacific’s Sunset Limited. (The Sunset Limited is also still around.) There was even a time where Pullman-owned sleeper cars came down on the Crescent, then connected to the Sunset Limited, making a transcontinental through route.

So much writing potential here! I run the trains and ideas come in. Romance, drama, intrigue. Lots of stories involving African-Americans, since the Pullman Porters kept the passenger system going for decades. It’s great daydreaming potential.

Now, what if Mike and Ren and the Assembly had access to a private rail car?

Verse: The Leaf

The Leaf

I woke up this morning

With a dried leaf in my hair.

Probably got there from

The blustery evening yesterday,

And I just didn’t notice.

Which is, of course,

A very boring way to explain

Why there was a leaf in my hair.

It should be because

I was rolling in the grass

With a dog,

Or a child,

Or just because I wanted to roll in the grass.

Maybe that leaf got there after a kiss

On the ground,

In the leaves

The kind of kiss that

Transports you to a place

Not of this Earth

And you don’t care much

What your hair looks like.

I picked the leaf from my hair

And resolved to make the next leaf

A story to tell.

Copyright ©2017 Edward Branley

Buy Edward’s books!

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Plus-size models in fantasy art

The lack of plus-size models is one of the problems with posting Fantasy Art. There’s a distinct lack of variety in body types of the women depicted. We can talk about the preposterous costumes and such that some artists love to put sword-and-sorcery, or science fiction women characters in at another time. What you really don’t see are women who are size 16+ in this genre of art. The quote/meme above is a great example. The quote, scene, and woman are all inspiring and lovely, but the woman is your basic fitness-model build.

Plus-Size models: A Challenge

Here’s what I have in mind. If you come across any plus-size fantasy models let’s see them! Post pics here in comments, or on Facebook. If it’s copyrighted work, post a link to the artist’s website. If there are artists drawing bigger women on a regular basis as witches, faeries, angels, superheros, or any other SF/F characters, let’s recognize them, and I’ll feature them here, and on my author page on Facebook.

Fantasy Art should be inclusive

Now that I’m thinking about it, this may turn into a multi-part exercise. Women of color are also under-represented in fantasy art. I remember, a couple of months ago, someone shared an illustration of two dark-skinned women in a medieval fantasy setting. There were comments about how this was unacceptable, since dark-skinned women didn’t fit in a Northern European medieval setting. These comments ignored the fact that the image was fanatsy–the artist has license to do/draw whomever they choose. Naturally, I started thinking, now, how did these black women get into this castle? Teleport? Smuggled in by merchants? Disguised as Moorish warriors? OK, I digress, you get the idea. We’ll start with plus-sized women, and go from there.

Again, post submissions as comments here on Eloquent Profanity, or on Edward Branley’s Author Page.  Let’s have some fun and learn something as we go.

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Dragon’s Discovery is a great way to spend gift cards!

Dragon’s Danger and Dragon’s Discovery – YA Fantasy by Edward Branley

Dragon’s Discovery is the latest novel in my “Blood Bound” series! If your friends and relatives know you well, they likely gave you gift cards for books! If you enjoy Young Adult Fantasy, my “Dragons” books are right up your alley.

Dragon’s Danger

Dragon’s Danger is the first in the Blood Bound series:

Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet! Joey, Anne Marie, and David are three teens from New Orleans. They’re smart enough to understand this. Imagine their surprise when a “dragon’s egg” they bought online turns out to be from an ancient trading company that sells “collectibles and curiosities”. Suddenly it’s more than just kidding around, as they help their dragon avoid danger and evolve to its full potential!

The story was well-received by readers, who then wanted to know what happened next to The Trio. So, that led to a second novel.

Dragon’s Discovery

More adventures as The Trio and their dragon get to know each other:

Can a video game become reality? David, Anne Marie, and Joey are ready to start another school term after a laid back summer getting to know their dragon. The difference is, they are Blood-Bound to Eleni of the Red Tribe. As if school, band, and drinking chicory coffee are not keeping them busy enough, they are now part of the world of the Dragons. Join the Trio as their days are filled with curiosity, intrigue, and a new video game, while Eleni, the Guardians, Companions, and Merchants guide them through their discovery of life and love.

Dragon’s Discovery dropped just before Thanksgiving. It’s a great winter read.Can a video game become reality? David, Anne Marie, and Joey are ready to start another school term after a laid back summer getting to know their dragon. The difference is, they are Blood-Bound to Eleni of the Red Tribe. As if school, band, and drinking chicory coffee are not keeping them busy enough, they are now part of the world of the Dragons. Join the Trio as their days are filled with curiosity, intrigue, and a new video game, while Eleni, the Guardians, Companions, and Merchants guide them through their discovery of life and love.

Both books are available at bookshops here in New Orleans, as well as Amazon. For signed/inscribed copies, contact the author.

Don’t forget Edward’s other books as well!

 

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