Letters Books Paradise Author Events Readers Photos Reviews Press Home   I was so busy crying after my son's graduation I apparently forgot to write the July letter. So I'll give you a double dose this month, which someone just told me is August. August? Holy cow. Now I have to get the tissue out again because Andrew, the almost-19-year-old, is about to take off for the university. Life is about change and chance though, isn't it? That's what I write about because it's the real stuff and I'm usually the last one to shy away from the facts of life. So we are sorting through boxes and applying for university jobs and saying goodbye to high school friends and sleeping as much as possible around here. Except me -- of course. There's lots of great news this month so I continue dancing naked as often as possible. Don't worry, the neighbors are used to it. First, Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral just went into it's 7th ~~ yes, 7th printing, which is cause for everyone else to dance naked as well. And to make this month a banner one, Bantam Dell has offered me a new contract that will keep me writing books for several years and that makes me want to dance double naked -- as soon as I figure out how to do that. To say that I am living my dream is true in many areas. First of all, you all know how much I love to write and to be doing it under the Random House umbrella with such marvelous people is like a dream inside of a dream. I feel privileged to be at Bantam Dell, which is part of the Random House house, and I have tons of respect and admiration for all they do for me. I also have to throw a big kiss to my agent, Ellen Geiger, with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency, for always having my best interests at heart, and for being a terrific friend, fearless agent, and a mighty reliable professional. So celebrate with me this month, okay? I am counting on it. The kids had a whirlwind tour in Wales, Ireland, and England and have had a hard time re-adjusting to things like curfew, helping around the house, and paying back loaned money. I still love them. Really. Sigh. I've been doing lots of lovely and lively phone chats via Bantam Dell with book groups around the country and I am having the time of my life doing it. It's a great way to become part of the club and talk about my work without hopping on an airplane -- although that's also fun. If you are interested in a book club chat just click here and you will get all of the details. The book cover for The Sunday List of Dreams, which will be released in January, showed up and it made me smile and then laugh out loud to see it. I am SO excited about this book, its characters, and stories that I can barely sleep. Stay tuned for details as the months pass and as I put together a tour during the first part of the year. In between learning how to golf again, (no smirking, please) keeping the damn grass watered, and all the teenagers fed, I have been working on the fifth novel, Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA. You will be glad to know (I hope) making fine progress. This book is so much fun and has some interesting twists -- and with the help of the worlds greatest editor, Kate Miciak -- I feel as if I am totally stretching my writer's wings and feet and hands and lots on internal organs as well. Ouch. My Michigan and Colorado tour last month was a smashing success and a big thanks to all the booksellers and readers who helped make the trips so successful. I hope to see you all again. Tomorrow we are off to paint the inside of my mother's garage for a very interesting 78th birthday party. My dad, pushing 80, promised cold beer as it's supposed to be 95 degrees tomorrow, so I am thinking the garage may turn out pretty funky. As we storm through this month, know that I am sending all of you a cool breeze and working hard on writing books to take you through every season. Happy trails and paths and streets and everything else…… Always,
	Letters Books Paradise Author Events Readers Photos Reviews Press Home