Newsletter 12/08

December 2008

Again, thanks to everyone who put The Gate House on bestseller lists all over the country. The book continues to sell very well, and many people tell me they are buying multiple copies to give as holiday gifts. This is an excellent idea; books are a wonderful, relatively inexpensive and thoughtful gift. People especially enjoy an autographed copy, so if you haven’t been able to get to one of my booksignings, you have my permission to sign my name on gift books — or your own book for that matter. And add a nice inscription. Just spell my name right, and don’t make any grammatical or spelling errors in the inscription. Thanks.

On the subject of signed books, I’d like to thank all the people who came out to my booksignings. You were all terrific, laughed in the right places during my talk, asked great questions, waited patiently in line to get your books signed, and some of you even brought gifts. Authors only see their fans if they do booksignings, and I look forward to these occasions. I’m always impressed with the people who read my books, and this reminds me of why I write, and it connects me to the people for whom I am writing.

No news on the movie front except that my agent is getting a lot of calls from Hollywood about The Gate House, and also about The Gold Coast, the movie rights to which are already owned by Bregman Productions. So, we’re trying to put together a co-production deal for both books to see if we can get them both on the silver screen, sort of like Godfather and Godfather II. The major obstacle seems to be my insistence that I play the role of John Sutter.

I’ll keep you updated on the progress of those projects as well as my other Hollywood projects.

Meanwhile, my agent has gotten an offer from the New York City Ballet to turn my John Corey books into ballet performances. (I’m having trouble picturing John Corey in tights, but Kate Mayfield in a tutu might be interesting.) Anyway, these books would be interpreted through dance — the dancers don’t talk much — and this would eliminate most of the obscenities. But maybe Corey could flip the bird now and then. I need to think about this.

The Gate House has generated thousands of emails through my website, and once again I am overwhelmed with your warm and flattering comments. My mother drummed into me the concept that I had an obligation to answer every piece of mail I received, but this was before email, and I’m not sure what Mom or Emily Post would advise today. My publisher advises me to start writing my next book, and so I have. I’m having fun with the new John Corey, and I’ll keep everyone posted on my progress and the likely publication date.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a good read, I can suggest some terrific books by great authors, starting with me. Here are my previous books in the order they were published: By the Rivers of Babylon; Mayday; Cathedral; The Talbot Odyssey; Word of Honor; The Charm School; The Gold Coast; The General’s Daughter; Spencerville; Plum Island; The Lion’s Game; Up Country; Night Fall; Wild Fire.

These books, now in paperback, make great stocking stuffers. Or, buy them all and give them as gifts in a box as The Complete Works of Nelson DeMille. Don’t forget to autograph them.

I’ll get back to you on the other books and authors that I recommend.

The holidays are upon us, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, a Happy Kwanza, and a New Year filled with peace, love, good health, and all good things. And don’t forget our men and women serving overseas and in military hospitals, and keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Nelson DeMille

Sincerely,