Lawrence BlockLawrence Block News Update September 2001
Please note that this newsletter was prepared earlier, before the terrorist attack of September 11. I'm sending it out as is because I don't know how to amend it. The tour schedule is subject to change or cancellation; as always, call the stores shortly before the date to confirm. Also, see my website www.lawrenceblock.com for any late changes.
The print newsletter went to the printer a week ago, and I don't know when it'll get in the mail; the printer's undamaged, but too close to things to be in full swing yet.
Many of you have written with concern over our welfare, etc. We're all fine, albeit heartsick. I know you'll understand that I'm unable to reply directly to individual inquiries etc. We can handle book orders, but be patient; we'll get 'em in the mail right away, but the mail may take its own good time.

 One of the fringe benefits of this newsletter is that people are forever telling me how busy and productive I am. Most of the time I figure I'm just good at making it look that way. Lately, though, I really do seem to be busy. Productive? Well, maybe. . .
The major production at the moment is HOPE TO DIE, the new Matthew Scudder novel out soon from Morrow/HarperCollins in the US and Orion in the UK. The on-sale date for the US edition is October 16, with Orion's edition due a week or two later. HarperCollins is also bringing out the novel in abridged audio (a reasonable six-hour abridgement, narrated by the author) and large print; Recorded Books is doing an unabridged audio. And Scorpion Press in the UK is bringing out an ultra-limited edition with a brilliant intro by Peter Straub that provides an insightful overview of the whole series; this may already be sold out, email scorpionpress@mail.ndirect.co.uk to see if they have any left.
If first editions are important to you, let me urge you to buy your copy ASAP. The first printing will be sizable---advance orders are strong---but past performance suggests the publisher will have a second printing on press even before the on-sale date. This has happened before, and it can be a nuisance for the first-edition collector. A word to the wise. . .
This book has as little more thriller dimension to it than other Scudders---there are some chapters from the killer's point of view---and HarperCollins is very high on the book's prospects. The tour, accordingly, is an ambitious one, and here's the schedule:

THE SIGNING RULES: You may know my policy, but let me run it down anyway. (1) I'll cheerfully sign any book of mine, hardcover or paperback, that you buy at the participating store the day of the signing. (2) If you bring books from home, I'll sign up to three for every current hardcover book you buy at the signing. Qualifying titles are HOPE TO DIE, obviously, and TANNER'S TIGER, SCORELESS THAI, OPENING SHOTS 2, and SPEAKING OF GREED. If you want all those magazines and anthologies and old paperbacks inscribed, no problem---but you're going to be doing your Christmas shopping while you're at it. And think how happy the folks'll be to get the new Scudder for Christmas!
If you want a signed book but can't get to a signing, no problem---just call any of the stores where I'll be appearing. They'll take your order and I'll sign the books when I arrive. But don't---ever!---send books directly to me to be signed. I won't sign them, and probably won't even return them.

SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW? Plenty, actually. Two new anthologies, OPENING SHOTS 2 and SPEAKING OF GREED, are due any day from Cumberland House, and I'm proud of both of them. Like its predecessor, SHOTS presents the first crime stories of some wonderful writers, along with their introductions, which are worth the price of admission by themselves. GREED is the second entry in the Deadly Sins series, with an array of strong stories on that subject anchored by an original novella of mine, again featuring the Doctor, the Policeman, the Soldier, and the Priest. And I’m Guest Editor of the just-published BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2001, and narrator of the entire Audiobook version, reading other people’s stories for a change. (Does this mean I'm gonna have to join AFTRA?)
The four Chip Harrison novels have been out of print for a while, and I'm delighted to announce they're back---in THE AFFAIRS OF CHIP HARRISON, a four-in-one omnibus paperback volume from No Exit in the UK. Great old-timey lurid pulp cover, and good value for money. Mystery booksellers may have this one, or try info@noexit.co.uk, or visit their website. (Or Click to buy from Amazon.co.uk Buy at Amazon Price)
Subterranean Press's hardcover first edition of THE SCORELESS THAI (#3 in the Evan Tanner series, orig. published as Two for Tanner) sold very well, and next up is TANNER'S TIGER, due in mid-October. At your bookseller, from the publisher, or you can order from me.
 WHAT'S COMING SOON? In February, HIT LIST comes out in paperback. In May, Avon will repackage seven early Scudder titles. In July, Morrow/HarperCollins brings out ENOUGH ROPE, my complete (so far) short stories, 83 of them in all, including a dozen not in the Orion edition. And the next novel, tentatively scheduled for early 2003, and currently being written, is the Big New York Multiple-Viewpoint Thriller I've been threatening to write for years. The working title is. . .no, on second thought I'm not going to tell you. It's too early.
MOVIE NEWS: There's no news, really, which is good news. All three projects---KELLER, A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES, and BURGLARS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS---are moving along. UK viewers should note that a short story of mine has been adapted quite brilliantly for BBC-TV by the quite brilliant actor/writer Chris Langham. I don't know the air date, but presumably someone at the BBC will know. (BRADFORD IN MY DREAMS is the title; the short story is Cleveland in MY Dreams.)
 NEW ON THE WEBSITE: Lots, actually. The first chapter of HOPE TO DIE is there, free for the reading. The site's had a technical makeover to render it more responsive and up-to-date. Your bookmarks may not work: try www.lawrenceblock.com. And there's a new interactive message board---just go to the site and click on FORUM in the header.

LB'S BOOKSTORE: It's open for business on the web, so I won't list everything here, just a few items to call to your attention:
First, a freebie---Every order we ship between now and the start of the tour October 14 will include an absolutely free signed copy of one of my foreign editions. My choice on title and language, but if you request a particular language, I'll try to oblige.
BREAK WRITER'S BLOCK NOW by Jerrold Mundis. Our all-time hottest seller and I didn't even write it. A 90-page hardcover book with a method that just plain works. I bought up the entire overstock and can offer them at $19.95. 40% off on orders of five or more copies, and there's no better gift for a writer friend. . .
. . .unless it's TELLING LIES FOR FUN & PROFIT, the unabridged audio, narrated and published by the modest author. $39.95, 40% off in quantities of five or more.
We'll have hardcover firsts of TANNER'S TIGER @$30 in October, and we have a good stock of SCORELESS THAI firsts, also $30. We'll also have a few of the boxed limited of both of these, @$75 each. Quantity discounts available on the $30 trade editions, but the limited are one to a customer.
THE THIEF WHO COULDN'T SLEEP is listed on the website as Sold Out---and so it was, until I found a box in a corner of the closet. Not enough of them to change the web listing, but you can pick one up for $50 while they last. One to a customer, natch. (Same goes for THE CANCELED CZECH, which is still listed on the web, but won't be for long.)
HOW TO ORDER: At the website, of course, where you'll find many items not listed here. On the other hand, some of the above aren't available on the web---and cyberglitches occasionally make the website hard to order from. If either of the above applies, or because it's just plain simpler, you may want to hit REPLY and order directly from me by email. Include the usual: Name, billing address, shipping address if it's different, number of your credit card (AmEx, MC, Visa or Discover), expiration date, and, duh, the titles of the books you want to order. (Yes, sometimes people forget that last part. No, it doesn't mean they're morons. Life is difficult and full of challenges.)
If you're paranoid about sending such data through space, you can split the number into two emails, as some folks do. Or you can send your order by fax (212.675.4341), or by snail mail to the address below. (Or by Pony Express, I suppose.) If you don't want to use a credit card, checks payable to Lawrence Block are okay for US orders only. Shipping/handling charges: In the US, $4 for the first book, $2.50 each additional. $5 and $3.50 in Canada, $10 and $7 in Europe and Latin America, $15 and $10 in Asia/Australia. Sales tax added to NY State orders.
If you're getting this newsletter by snail mail and email, and are willing to receive it by email exclusively, I'd appreciate your dropping me an email to that effect. Include your name and city, so I can make the appropriate changes in the database. The email newsletter always includes everything in the print newsletter, and often (as in this case) more, because it doesn't have to be cut to fit the available space. Also, the e-list gets frequent updates and special offers that the print list never gets to see. This is clearly the place to be, and, if you're reading this, congratulations---you're on the list.
After the book tour ends it's back to work until Christmas, at which time Lynne and I and a daughter and granddaughter fly to Buenos Aires and board the Marco Polo, sailing to the Falklands and Antarctica. (We got to Alaska this July, so you could stretch a point and call this our bipolar year.) This trip will put us over the top, qualifying us for full Travelers Century Club membership, but that doesn't mean we'll be ready to throw away our passports. Everybody says the second 100 countries are harder. . .
Enough already. Come see me on tour, if you get the chance. If not, wave as I pass by overhead. Buy HOPE TO DIE---for yourself and all your friends. And enjoy!

Larry
www.lawrenceblock.com

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