Lindsey's Page

Writing two books simultaneously has been a long slog, one which I’ll probably never want to repeat! As one batch of editing was finished and returned, another parcel arrived back for the next stage. I’m also quite tied up with diary invitations at the moment, which takes endless time with timetables and questions. Whatever happened to thinking that a writer’s life was like that of a perpetual student, snuggling under the duvet until noon?

But a new phase is at hand. Both Nemesis and The Companion are almost ready for printing. Preparations are taking place for their promotion, including a publication day event at which I plan, perhaps foolishly, to read from every single book!

There will also be a Newsletter from Random House. Now is the time therefore to let us know if you are not on the mailing list and would like to be. We are planning a bumper issue, which will include an interview with me. This is your chance to contribute. Is there a burning question you have always wanted to ask? Send it to me through our readers link by 26 March!

Who dies?
Readers have picked up that Nemesis holds personal grief for Falco. Some of you have made guesses as to what this could be. People write, ‘I can’t wait until June – give us a clue!’

Oh go on. You must be joking! There are more deaths in Nemesis than any book before. Someone dies at the beginning, in the middle, at the end. Speculate as wildly as you like about who it is. You can’t really imagine I’ll say???

Say thank you to Richard

My idea of offering signed copies of backlist titles from my cupboard was wonderfully well received. Thanks to the boundless generosity of many readers, there are now very few hardbacks left but plenty of handsome large sized paperbacks. I will be closing the site and the offer in a few months, so this is your last chance! For details go here: Say Thank You to Richard.

Next Book

I recently told you the devastating news that my marvellous UK editor resigned from Random House. After twenty years, this is a monumental upheaval. There will have to be a period of readjustment and at the moment I can’t say – because I myself don’t know – what I will be doing next.

To quote The Official Companion (here’s a sneak preview!)

Wait and see! is one of the most exciting answers an author can give.

E-Books 

People have asked me when the whole series will be available so let me explain how things work and what I think.

I welcome all technologies, but please remember that I, and many of my colleagues, write to earn our living. Whenever someone says that e-books are ‘cheap to produce’, they are handily forgetting that without an author to write the words, no story would exist. Putting out very cheap digital editions simultaneously with the print version will eat into my ‘salary’, my pension and provision for my care in old age. This is exploitation and I am campaigning against it. (For your information, my last English digital royalty was £7…)

Occasionally a brave publisher challenges the e-book sellers, which is why you may have found that books, including mine, were recently unavailable from a major online seller in the States for a brief time.

My old books were contracted without provision for e-books, so the rights are mine. Slowly, retailers and publishers have realised that this means authors – previously offered only filthy low rates – may actually be controlling a valuable portfolio. We expect that in future reasonable requests for payment will be met!

For some years book contracts have insisted that authors do give the right to digitise. Some of mine are, or will be, e-books. Even then, making the books available is in the hands of the e-book sellers. They are concentrating on new releases, so older books are waiting in queues.

Books which are currently out of print, which includes quite a few Falcos in America, will probably not become e-books unless or until they are relicensed. If I licensed the e-books separately it would make reprints less attractive – and there are still many people who like to read a ‘real’ book.

Fishbourne

Readers who enjoyed 'A Body in the Bath House' and those who love the Fishbourne Roman Palace site may like to know that I was delighted to attend the Official Opening of the new facilities recently. Fund raising continues, with an ‘Adopt a Box’ campaign, where you can pay for the conservation of one of the many boxes of finds that are now housed in the new Discoveries Centre. Details at www.sussexpast.co.uk.

Classical Association

In 1997/8 I was Honorary President of the UK Classical Association. I recommend joining if you are interested in the jolly side of classics. See their website, www.classicalassociation.org.

Organ Donor Card Appeal

This is a personal appeal on an issue where I have experience from both sides.

Please carry a donor card. And if ever you are in the sad position of having to decide whether to agree to organ donation from someone close to you, please consider the good you may do. Honour their wishes if they carry a card. If not, then it is your choice; please use the opportunity. I understand just how hard it is at the time – but I can also tell you, because I have had to do it, that afterwards you will feel glad you took the decision to say yes.

Lives can be saved or dramatically improved by organ transplants. From childhood, I had a rare eye condition called keratoconus. Eventually I needed a corneal transplant – not often mentioned when organ donation is discussed, though in fact one donor can save the sight of two people. Being able to see, without discomfort, helps me to write. A stranger's generosity freed me from years of pain and anxiety. I was never able to thank my donor or their relatives, but I shall always remember them. Every time you read one of my books, you too are a beneficiary of their gift to me.

"A Famous Reader -- Minimus in Corduba"

For more information about Minimus, drawn by the talented artist Helen Forte, please visit
  www.minimus-etc.co.uk.