A call for courage

A call for courage

I urge my fellow writers, artists, musicians, performing artists, producers, directors, distributors—all those involved in the arts—to respond with courage, disdain, and the passion of Cyrano against those who would silence us. The war against freedom of expression is one of dynamic momentum, in which we are either advancing or retreating. Do not imagine that the enemies of freedom will cease attacking if only we’ll shut up and be quiet. Silence buys the artist nothing but self-censured, empty hours until the day he is either forced to serve the censors’ ends or be killed if he refuses. The enemies of freedom cannot afford to back down and remain passive while we in the West are allowed to express our ideas and views as we freely choose. Freedom is the totalitarians’ worst enemy, and they will continue attacking freedom and freely expressed ideas until they win or are forced to back down. Stand now, artists, and speak up–by doing what you do best, without restraint, and demanding that your freedom to do so be adequately defended–or watch in shame and regret as the generation of artists that follows is forced to kneel in silence.

Note to those in elected positions in the U.S. government: either act to protect our freedom of speech or look for other employment. Upholding and defending the freedoms guaranteed to your constituents in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights–this is your first and primary job. If you fail to do your job, those in the arts can be quite persuasive. That’s our job. We only ask that you stand with us and for us as our fellow Americans: speak up in defense of our speaking up, and support forcefulness against those who would use force against us. That’s all we ask. That’s all we need.

In “The Match,” Elizabeth thinks that her boyfriend, the detective, may be ready to propose, but when conversation takes an unexpected turn, she must decide how much to reveal about a collection of books and an encounter with the law on a night when life and death hung in the balance.” Now available @  http://www.amazon.com/The-Match-ebook/dp/B00CTWYBKC 

Reviews of Cordair’s short-story collection, *Lunch Break*:

“The stories are full of beautiful lines, priceless events, and unexpected plot twists – from a meaning-packed ‘I can and I do’ in ‘A Prelude to Pleasure,’ to a knee to the groin in ‘The Seduction of Santi Banesh,’ to countless others that I dare not mention for fear of robbing you of the pleasure of reading the stories yourself.” – The Objective Standard

“Could you read these during your lunch break? Yes. Will you want to? No. You won’t want to rush yourself. You’ll want to pour yourself a glass of wine, snuggle into your favorite chair, turn off your phone, and spend every luxurious minute that you can immersing yourself in these stories.” – Elizabeth O’Brien, author of English Grammar Revolution

“…well worth the price. If you haven’t read any of Quent’s stories yet, I almost envy you. I’m waiting eagerly for more.” – Dianne Durante, author of the Forgotten Delights series

“…it is fuel for the spirit; it is an affirmation of life and what is good. That he writes beautifully and imaginatively adds to the reading pleasure.” – Michael Wilkinson, Sculptor

I’m very pleased to share with you a newly released story on Kindle, a 30-minute screenplay I wrote in 2001. I still love the story, and it deserves to see the light of day rather than remain tucked away in a box. I hope you enjoy “At Home

with Heather James.”

“The sparks fly when movie star Rex Keller is the special guest on Heather James’ talk show. As the handsome heartthrob and the smitten host preview the clips for the actor’s new film, the heat rises, and by the end of the show, Heather is made an offer she can’t refuse. Or can she . . . ?”

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ZFYXIC

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*Lunch Break* Collection now available!

*Lunch Break* Collection now available!

The *Lunch Break* collection of my short stories and poems is now available on Kindle @ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008B0KXFI

“A selection of short stories and poems by acclaimed writer Quent Cordair from two decades of early work, including stories originally selected for publication by *The Altantean Press Review* and *ART Ideas.*

Selected Stories — “A Prelude to Pleasure,” “April’s Justice,” “The Whistler,” “The Seduction of Santi Banesh,” “For the Woman Who Has Everything,” “The Sculpture That Won the War,” “The Hunter” and “Sheltered.”

Selected Poems — “My Pledge,” “Holding Your Hand,” “The Line,” “Your Hands,” “Priceless,” “In My World,” “Suite Boxes,” “For My Softest One” and “Clever Girl.”

Three of the stories, “A Prelude to Pleasure,” “The Seduction of Santi Banesh,” and “Sheltered” are available separately for Kindle. “Sheltered” is additionally in paperback.

“Written with an engaging voice and a masterful control of language, this powerful short story delivers a meaningful message…” – Michael Alger, review of “Sheltered,” Kindle edition.

“A beautiful, innocent young girl discovers this-worldly values and makes the most important decision of her life. That’s about all there is to this story, and yet it is a delicious pleasure to read. Cordair’s descriptions of the city, his insight into the various psychologies of the characters, his metaphors, and especially his admirable heroine, all combine to take the reader on a joyous journey of discovery, right along with Santi. The ending is one of the most perfect I’ve ever encountered, summing up the benevolence of the whole experience with its simplicity and inevitability. Cordair has seduced me – his is the type of world that I choose to live in.” — Amy Mossoff, review of “The Seduction of Santi Banesh,” Kindle edition.

“I read this story during recovery from a painful hip fracture and found it so absorbing that it took my mind off the post-operative pain. So perhaps one way of praising it would be to say, ‘it’s better than Percocet’!” — Paul Hsieh, review of “A Prelude to Pleasure,” Kindle edition.

“This short story was delightful to read. In contrast to the dull, prosaic prose of so much fiction today, Cordair beautifully paints for the reader the psychological state of a man driven by fear and how this manifests itself in his life. The progression of events is logical and the ending of the story is ultimately fulfilling in the sense that when the inevitable turn of events unfold, the reader is left with the thought that, given the nature of the characters and their circumstances, this is how it ought to have been. Moreover, Cordair seems to have a gift for grasping exactly how much detail a reader needs of an environment and of a character, such that the story comes alive and is engaging, but I never once felt like I was forced to read unnecessary facts that are irrelevant to the plot. After reading this book, I immediately purchased on my Kindle his other short story, A Prelude to Pleasure, and I’m looking forward to his release of his full-length novel.” — Adam Mossoff, review of “Sheltered,” Kindle edition.

“I enjoyed this very much. The less I say in this review, the better. I wouldn’t want to steal any of the pleasure that comes from reading it, being drawn in, liking some characters, disliking others, cheering some on and sometimes being moved to tears. Enjoy!” — Sal Durante, review of “A Prelude to Pleasure,” Kindle edition.

“With imagination and story-telling skill, Quent Cordair weaves an exquisite tale that leaves the reader wanting more.” — Michael Wilkinson, review of “The Seduction of Santi Banesh,” Kindle edition.

“What a wonderful journey….! Amazing job of character development in such a short story. An entertaining read with a great message about priorities and values. Read it, you won’t be disappointed.” — John Cerasuolo, review of “Sheltered,” Kindle edition.

Purchase the paperback edition, or download your Kindle copy today

@ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008B0KXFI

Sheltered

Sheltered

“A year and six days underground without sunlight or breeze or contact with the world above—whatever might be left of the world above. A year and six days without touch, without unrecorded voice, without contact, without friends or family. If only they had listened, if only they had been ready. But he—he had prepared. He was Reginald B. Wakefield, and he hadn’t died. A wave of vindication washed over him, lifting and sweeping away all doubt and fear. He had been right. He raised his eyes again to the hatch cover above. . . . He had been right.”

In “Sheltered,” the timely and popular short story by Quent Cordair, a man follows his own course in response to fears of impending disaster and societal breakdown.

The story is included in the *Lunch Break* collection of short stories and poems, now available on Amazon.

“I’m amazed how much this story has stuck with me over the past month! Usually, I’m all for the bright and cheery in pleasure reading, but these characters are so exquisitely drawn that I delved right into their less playful world. The author does a beautiful job of addressing the real life issue of objectively assessing risks via the actions of characters that feel equally real. It’s a powerful story worth reading!” — R. Miner

Enjoy now in paperback or on Kindle…