SPRINGFIELD –  While he’s accomplished in poetry that has been published in journals and anthologies and has had several plays produced, Springfield resident Colin Tracy has now released his first novel, “Branded,” to the public.  For readers who are interested in the fight against human trafficking, “Branded” may be for you.

“I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, going back to when I was seven years old, and I had an insatiable urge to write a book, which I actually tried!” Tracy said.

Tracy began the process of writing “Branded” seven years ago when he was studying theater at UMass Amherst.  He explained that when he was backstage for the production of “The House of Bernarda Alba,” the plot of a woman exploiting her own daughters struck him.

“I wondered what it would be like for a woman to run a human trafficking ring. So, I pulled out my laptop and started writing,” Tracy recalled.

While this outside-point-of-view is what started the process of writing Tracy’s novel, he also accounts for a personal experience as to why he felt strongly about the topic.

“While I was doing my research, I ran across a story about a man that was arrested for trafficking women in Chicopee behind a truck stop where I used to work.  It really affected me that women were being trafficked literally feet from me without my knowledge.  From that point on, I knew I needed to do something to fight against human trafficking,” he explained.

Tracy describes “Branded” as a fictional story that explores the “vicious realities” of the human trafficking industry in the United States.  He noted the book follows five characters as they navigate that world.  

“From Paul, a family man who secretly operates a prostitution ring out of his night club, to Bradie, the detective intent on proving it, to Natasha, a trafficking victim who faces the darkness of that world head on, to Kayde, a desperate brother who plunges into that darkness to find his missing sister,” Tracy said. “It’s a gripping, emotional tale, whose characters are always at the center of the narrative.”

Though “Branded” is now published, Tracy has had his fair shares of ups and downs through out the process.  Originally, he wrote the story as a play for a thesis project for his senior year of college.  From then, he said he began to develop the play into a series of screenplays that he pitched for television production.

“Once that plan fell through for the time being, my wife suggested that I start writing it as a book. After that, I never looked back,” he said.

Though Tracy explains his writing process as “smooth sailing,” finding the time to write was another story.

“For most of my writing process, I was working full-time as well as part-time at Evangel Assembly, and still trying to find enough time for my family.  So it took me a little over a year to write “Branded” all of which took place on my phone during my lunch and bathroom breaks at work, as well as any down time I found,” Tracy shared. “Often times, I found myself waking up early before work or before the family got up on weekends to write and edit.”

When his job faced a winter layoff due to a change to seasonal employment, it was almost a blessing in disguise for Tracy, as he would have more time to finish his book.

“Instead of finding another job, we, as a family, narrowed our budget so I could spend the 50 hours a week I was spending at work at home, writing and editing.  This has made things far easier, as I was able to finish my second book and plan to finish the third and final book of the “Ebon Sky Series,” of which “Branded” is the first installment, before I have to think about going back to work,” Tracy said.

An additional concern of Tracy’s during his writing process was deciding how graphic he wanted “Branded” to be in regard to the realities of human trafficking.

“I spent a lot of time when I started writing this story debating how much detail I wanted to go into with regards to what the women involved in that industry go through. Deep down I knew I needed not to hold back, but I was afraid of what people would think,” he said. “As someone who is heavily involved in work in the community, especially within the church, I was worried about people knowing that I had written something so graphic, even if it was for a good cause.”

Nonetheless, Tracy decided that it was less important for him to worry about the thoughts of others, and more important to fight against human trafficking.  He did however decide to write under a pen name, C.T. Daniels, not only because he wanted to be able to escape any potential backlash from acquaintances, but also because he thought C.T. Daniels sounded catchier than his full name.

“Above all, I want to make people aware of everything that happens in that world, no matter what people might think of me.”

Tracy hopes that in the future he could be a full-time author, however he recognizes that until then he will need a job to fill in the blanks.  This summer he’s planning to work at Six Flags New England in the entertainment department.

“When I was in college, I worked there over the summers doing improv. When I got married, I stopped working there, choosing instead to work as an exterminator and a lawn care specialist. However, neither of those jobs fulfilled my need to be creative. So, since we were able to narrow our budget, that allows me the opportunity to go back to doing what I love,” Tracy said.

When he has free time, Tracy enjoys writing music, singing, acting and watching football.

All of the proceeds from the purchase of Tracy’s book “Branded” will be donated to F.R.E.E. International to fight human trafficking.  Additionally, Tracy has partnered with the local organization SHINE, Stop Human Trafficking in New England, and will offer a special deal to individuals in New England who purchase his book.  If someone purchases his book and sends him an email with their receipt to CTDanielsBranded@gmail.com, they will receive a coupon code for $8 off their registration for the annual SHINE 5K to end human trafficking.

The first several chapters of “Branded” as well as Tracy’s other writings can be viewed at www.ct-daniels.com. To purchase “Branded,” search on Amazon “Branded (Ebon Sky Series Book 1).”  It can be purchased for $2.99 for Kindle and $13.05 for paperback.