Lindsey's Page

I had a wonderful trip to Spain – a huge honour to receive the Historical Novel Lifetime Achievement Prize from the City of Zaragoza, even though I learned there was a price to be paid: they want me to write a Falco novel set there! I promised to think about it and mentioned that I cannot be bought.… We sold out of books at the Madrid Book Fair, which was wonderful. I apologise to Spanish readers who didn’t know details of my trip. In some instances I didn’t know myself, and Zaragoza did ask me not to reveal too much until they had issued a press notice.

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.

Boxed sets, anyone?

From time to time loyal readers ask us to produce boxed set of Falco novels. By chance when the most recent request came, my devoted editor was looking at a boxed set of some other author's hardbacks, so he was able to reply by return that such a set, of hardbacks (which, NB would require reprints for about 19 books), would have to carry a Recommended Retail Price of £1000! And I would have to find 200-300 of you willing to cough up that amount....

I did some intriguing sums to work out what the publisher's and bookseller's profit would be, not to mention my own cut from this fabulous amount - but I still don't think it's feasible. However, feel free to send an email if you want me to count willing victims!

A paperback boxed set would be much more reasonable, but the problem there is that a box long enough for twenty one (if you count The Course of Honour) wouldn't be practicable. Splitting the set into chunks would have retailing difficulties and frankly, once the UK rejacketing has gone ahead fully (by next year) if you want a boxed set of paperbacks, the best thing is to collect all the books and then find a nice box of your own to put them in. (NB all this only applies to the English territories as the US books are still owned by a variety of publishers and are in a variety of formats, or even out of print.)

Still, you see we do consider suggestions.

Next Publications and New Contracts

UK Random House will publish Rebels and Traitors in September (Probably January from St Martins in the US), then the twentieth Falco Novel, Nemesis, together with Falco: The Official Companion in June 2010.

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).

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, and now have targets for both up until October. The targets are eye-watering.

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.