Lindsey's Page

I had a good trip to the States, seeing dear friends as well as working, the whole event crowned by news that Alexandria will be in the New York Times fiction bestsellers list. This has not happened before there, and everyone is hugely excited.

Jetlag struck more severely than I have ever had it, which was awkward as I came home to the proofs of Rebels and Traitors. It’s not a short book either! Hardly time to finish before I have to prepare for my trip to Spain – full details on the News page.

I am still getting used to life without my dear Richard. For those of you who haven't seen this before, he died in October. During his last illness, I tried to stay calm by clearing out my over-loaded book cupboard and if you will make a donation to cancer research, so long as stocks last I will reward you with a signed book. So far this has raised a wonderful sum and there are still some books left. For details go here: Say Thank You to Richard.

A reader asked about that tantalising tune they use to introduce the radio plays; my friendly contact at Radio 4 instantly replied: The track is called "Baile de Procesion" from an album called THE LANGUAGE OF SNAKES by Andrew Cronshaw. Thanks to reader Bobo for the information that “it was transcribed, as played on a dulzaina accompanied by a tamboril, by Agapito Marazuela Albornos for his Cancionera de Castilla, a collection of music from the Castilla region of Spain made between 1915 and 1925”.

It's on the Special Delivery label, SPDCD 1050.

Saturnalia

Readers have alerted us to the fact that some copies of the latest reprint of the Arrow paperback have been wrongly bound, with maddeningly missing pages. Random House apologise to anyone who has bought a faulty copy; they are tracking down the unsold ones. But if it happens to you then, as with any faulty goods, first go back to the shop where you bought the book and they should replace it without quibble. If not, you can approach the publisher, though that shouldn’t be necessary.

Please let me know if you have the bad luck to get a wrong copy, so I can keep track of things.

Favorite Sentence?

Anyone want to suggest a sentence to quote for ‘Alexandria’? (Have a vague memory that the person who suggests the sentence we use on the website gets a signed book if they want one…)

Next Publications and New Contracts

This is about to get complicated... Gardening leave wasn't just about Gardening – oh surely you never really thought that? I am thrilled to inform you that on 29 January Random House UK issued a Press Notice to this effect:

Lindsey Davis' new historical novel Rebels and Traitors has been acquired by Random House imprint Century. Oliver Johnson, who has been Davis' editor for 20 years, said the book is "an absolute epic masterpiece of inspired storytelling, poignant and convincing characterisation and razor-sharp historical realism." The title is a historical novel which describes the frontline battles and politics of the English Civil War, along with a love story between two people on either side of the political divide. Davis said that this is the book she "always wanted to write" and that she "absolutely loved writing it". Century will publish Rebels and Traitors in September.

UK Random House will publish the twentieth Falco Novel, 'Nemesis', together with 'Falco: The Official Companion' in June 2010.

USA St Martin's Press have also bought both 'Nemesis' and 'Rebels and Traitors'

ITALY Marco Tropea have been licensed to translate 'The Course of Honour', which they will publish, we hope, to coincide with the 2000 year anniversary of the Emperor Vespasian's birth (19 November 2009).

LD Newsletters

Random House have put the latest Lindsey Newsletter online if you want to read it that way (see link at bottom of our News and Events page). It's not too late to have a printed copy if you send in your name and address.

Anybody know this man?

I am still trying to trace Peter Godfrey, a shy Falco and Petronius fan, who gave me a wonderful drawing. I met Peter at an event some years ago (1996) and would like to contact him about 'Hic, Haec, Hoc'.

Work in Progress 

I have started Nemesis and the Falco Companion, though in a rather wimpish way, it has to be said. I wrote page one of Nemesis on an Amtrak train between Boston and New York – which would be fine except that I had already written page one and just didn’t care for the first draft… Once I’m home from Spain Serious Work has to be done. I may even have to have a plan and set targets.

Favorite Book Poll

New visitors to the website may like to send in their favourite book and/or favourite scene for our ever-changing poll.

(You can see the results here. )

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.