Query Letter:

          My name is Duane Fletcher, and I am a documentary filmmaker from Jacksonville, Fl.  Also, as a community activist I come across all types of material and situations.  It seems a crime to only address the issues in one light. 

          I have decided to come out with a new Action/Comedy character named ‘Smoke’.  He gets into all types of stuff.  Sometimes he’s fighting off dirty cops in the hood. 

          Another time he might be doing battle with terrorists.  He’s even like Ludlum’s Jason Bourne, struggling against covert government conspiracies.  And every once in a while he bumps into a super villain with master plans of ruling the world like Ian Fleming’s 007 series. 

          What ever the case may be…  ‘Smoke’, bequeaths it.  That’s a ‘Devine Comedy’ joke. Please pardon the pun. 

I have several published Authors in my family.  I recently decided I would try my hand at it.  My mother ‘Sheryl Fletcher’ won a national poetry contest for her poem… ‘Eclectic’. 

          Two of my uncles on my father’s side of the family are also published.  My uncle Cecil Wayne Cone Ph.D. (Former Edward Waters College President) is known for writing ‘Identity Crisis of Black Theology’.  His brother James Cone wrote ‘Martin, Malcolm, and America’.  

          My mother’s uncle, Eddie Jackson wrote his memoirs as well from his days as Dean at Florida A&M University.  It was called ‘Coaching Against the Wind’.  Now, you may wonder how does the offspring of college presidents, deans, philosophers, psychologists, doctors, and theologians… come up with a character like I did. 

          It’s not what you think.  Where I’m from… ‘Smoke’ means to argue or fight.  As I said before, I started out as a community activist then graduated to documentary films.  It seemed only right to try to do more with the material I researched. 

          This character is a true 1970’s throwback, like the writings of Donald Goins or Quentin Tarantino.  He’s neck deep in the struggle.  It’s like Richard Roundtree (Shaft), meets Jamie Foxx (DJango, Collateral), meets Wesley Snipes (Art of War) rolled into one modern day hero. 

          ‘Smoke’ addresses the most current issues and events.  He wears all the newest fashions, and even listens to all the latest music.  He is truly someone people can look up to and vibe with. 

          ‘Smoke’ is already published.  I try to save the wife of a drug kingpin from an abusive relationship.  ‘Jade Heart’, and ‘Red Eye’ are done also, but not published, and I am working on a fourth in the sequence entitled ‘Camel Toe’. 

          Some of the literature is a bit racy; however it wouldn’t be a true, gritty tale if I pulled punches, or punch lines.  I speak the truth.  This is what will set me apart from a lot of writers. 

          I’m not trying to be someone that I am not, neither is my character.  My novels contain sex, violence, comedy, romance, action and adventure.  I’m not preaching to the choir, I’m trying to reach those that want to know, or need to know the words so they can sing along also.   

          I call it Urban Contemporary Action/Comedy Fiction…  I just made that up just now.  I hope you like it. 

If you are interested or would like to know more about this brand, please contact me. 

Sincerely,

Rufus Duane-Breon Fletcher III