New Book (Non-)Announcement
Every day I receive email asking when my next book will be out, so it’s time I updated you on where things stand. Let’s just say it’s been an interesting year! What is certain is that I’ll be staying with my wonderful publisher, Mira Books. There is not a nicer group of people in publishing and they have a lot of faith in me, so I’m pleased by this. However, my editors and I have gone back and forth on what I should write next. Usually, I come up with a proposal, they say “go for it,” and that’s that. This time, though, they want to make sure it’s a book they can really get behind in every way. So, although I’ve had a million ideas this year, we haven’t yet come to an agreement on the best to pursue. Sometimes, too many ideas are worse than too few. In early August, my agent, my publisher and I will meet to discuss the best possible story for me to write next. I’m completely in favor of this process. As I mentioned a few blog posts ago, the editor and writer are on the same team. We’re all looking for a book that will not only be a great story, but a great commercial success as well.
Unfortunately for my readers, that means I won’t have a book out in February as I usually do. The tentative plans are to write two books during the next year, most likely a linked story where we follow the same set of characters in the same setting. Other tentative plans include publishing these books in trade paperback, which I think is a good idea. I will keep you abreast of what’s happening and appreciate your patience. Meanwhile, if any of you haven’t had a chance to read THE BAY AT MIDNIGHT, it will be out in trade paperback on August 29th.
So what have I been doing this year, besides coming up with ideas and writing proposals? Well, the first half of the year I began a memoir, focusing on overcoming the agoraphobia that really set me back as a teen and young adult. I hope to finish that project one of these days. The second half of the year, I was seduced by a story set in The Opium Den (Starbucks). I have no idea if I’ll ever be able to sell this book–it’s much different and lighter than my usual fare–but it’s been a joy to work on. Again, I’ll let you know what happens with these projects.
Thanks for being there and for being such faithful, caring readers.
Whenever I read one of your books, I always want to know what happens next…so a sequel to one of your books sounds great or a new book and a sequel to that one…
It doesn’t matter what you write-I know that it will be a commercial success…
I have always thought THE COURAGE TREE needed a sequel…
thanks for the vote of confidence, brenda!
Diane…I’m thrilled to hear about possibly 2 books next year that are linked!!…last summer I read 2 books written by an author that were connected…the 1st book was released in May in paperback, the 2nd was released in July of the same year in hardback…by the end of the 1st book I was on pins and needles waiting for the 2nd and it was wonderful that I only had to wait 2 months for the sequal. Whatever you write will be extraordinary as always…all your novels are special, just like you (and no, I’m not related to Diane nor have we ever met…I just find her to be a phenomenal author and I’m a huge fan)…(-:
I agree with Margo-I also AM NOT related to Diane-at all.
I just now that in the midst of disappointment when reading some books-that has never happened with this author…WOW!…talk about pressure-Diane…
🙂
thank you both.
margo, i’d love to know what those linked books were and who the author was. do you recall?
diane
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT happens with LUCY in BAY AT MIDNIGHT…she needs to meet a man and bring him into the family…
Also-Shannon’s story needs to be continued…
Also: some of my favorite books are series…
Let’s look at the mystery writer-Sue…you know…A is for Alibi, etc…
The mysteries that have same characters…
Also love Joanne Dobson (I mentioned her)…there are several series with same person–one protagonist owns a bookstore…another is a teacher, one a cook…
They sell…
The reader is hooked…wanting to know what happens to the character next-mystery or not…
The Jan Karon books about the minister…
You name it-if it is a series-the books will sell-because after all-that’s why SOAP OPERAS are so popular for the generation before us (and some of my generation-if I had time)…
We want to know what happens to characters after the fact…
Just an idea…
I am not saying to do as many as the one with the Letters…that series has almost gone too long as has the one with the numbers…by J. E…
Seems like the protagonist runs out of steam by the end of the alphabet or by number twelve or so…or the author out of ideas…
Hi Diane…the books were both written by Luanne Rice…1st book was ‘Summer’s Child’ (same title as yours but different story of course) and the 2nd book was ‘Summer of Roses’…I’ve read alot of Luanne Rice and particularly enjoyed these 2 because of their ‘link’…when the books were due to come out they were promoted as ‘linked to each other’ and it was really wonderful to be able to read them back to back within a 2 month period…
Cool! I like Luanne Rice and have read her since her early, early days. I actually own SUMMER OF ROSES, though haven’t read it yet (I have a very tall stack of “to be read” books) and didn’t realize it was linked. I had a mind block against buying SUMMER’S CHILD because of the title. Title’s can’t be copyrighted and it’s a good title, so I have no problem with that part of it, but my own SUMMER’S CHILD is so strong in my mind that I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to disconnect my story from hers. I will just have to get over it! I’m going to check out the two books and enjoy the story. Thanks for the info, Margo.
Diane…I had the same problem at first…your book with the same title is one of my fav’s and Shelley and the rest of the characters were so fresh in mind since I had just read it for the 2nd time…but, I really like Luanne Rice and I too have been reading her for years…when I read that the 2 books were linked I made it a point to buy the 1st one and read it instantly so I could read ‘Summer of Roses’ when it came out in July…I found it odd that the 1st was in paperback and the 2nd in hardcover but I think it was done to entice reader’s…by the end of the 1st book I was definitely wanting the 2nd, (altho I’ve bought all her books and read all of them)…the story is very good and makes a great summer read…I just started her new book ‘SANDCASTLES’ and believe me, it’s a page turner!!
Love those page turners! You’re right that it was most likely a calculated plan to entice people to buy the hardcover after reading the paperback. Like me, Luanne has bounced between paperback and hardcover and the idea is always to build an audience. Hope it’s working well for her.
I am sorry there will not be a book in February.
For the last several years I have taken your newest book with me when I visit the Outer Banks for a week in February. I will miss it but will look forward to reading any book you write wherever I am. Thanks for all the reading pleasure you have given me!!
hi ann,
oh, i’m sorry about that (not having a book ready for your vacation). i’m honored, though, that my books have been taken on so many vacations with you!
I would like to know why “The Lost Daughter” and” The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes” are the same exact book? Word for word. I sent The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes back. Usually if a book has changed title, it says so. I would appreciate a reply. Thank you, Vicki