Hey y'all...

[Jamie]

Hey there, I think I should have issued this official welcome a few days earlier, but I've been busy revising a new book... (and watching Mad Men, shhhh, don't tell).

As always, I'm happy to answer any and all questions, give my favorite recipes for canned tuna, share secret handshakes, and otherwise dish on what's going on in my corner of the literary world.

Latest news includes:

HOTEL is #1 in Norway. Bust out that lutefisk and help me celebrate.

No movie news. I've passed on few offers on the film option. Still holding out for a hero, so to speak.

My son is putting his guitar to good use. If you're not a fan of Metallica, listening to a 14-year-old practice it over and over again isn't likely to change that opinion.

New reads? I just blurbed a great book, Juliet, by Anne Fortier. Look for it this fall.

And now, back to you...

J

[Jon]

What is your new book going to be about?

[Jamie]

Hi Jon. The new book is about a Tokkotai pilot (kamikaze) that fails to complete his mission, only to return to find his wife has been killed. He spends his life still searching for a noble death, one that will allow his spirit to be reunited with hers. It's another multi-cultural, historical love story of sorts. Tentatively titled, WHISPERS OF A THUNDER GOD.

[Jon]

It sounds very intriguing! Interesting concept. When do you expect it to be released?

How long does it take you to write a novel? Was it longer for "Hotel..." than for your new one?

[Jamie]

We're shooting for early next year. Ideally, January, but it might be a bit later.

I wrote HOTEL in 3-4 months (with about 6 months of research), but I don't think I'll ever finish a book that quickly again. The new book was interrupted by frequent travel for book promotion. I wrote half of WHISPERS before HOTEL was even published, then finished it later. Still revising as we speak, but should be turning in the new manuscript next week.

:)

[Rebecca]

Yay, I knew my hopes for another book out were going to come about. Jamie the book concept sounds wonderful. I can't wait to see where you can take your story. I just sent my copy of Hotel in paperback to my sister-in-law. I better see it come back to me. :)

[Jamie]

Thanks Rebecca. I'm also working on a short story collection which I hope to have finished before summer.

[Rebecca]

Hurrah! Great news about Norway. LOVE that book. Is it over here yet? (England) Can't wait for your next book.

Rebecca
www.rebeccawoodhead.com

[Jamie]

No news on the UK. What I've been told is that there is a publisher interested, but they want a two-book deal. So we'll see how they like the new book, I suppose.

[Linda]

Jamie:

Our library group recently discussed your novel and one of the mysteries of the book that people went back and forth about was whether Henry's wife and his father had colluded to keep Henry's letters from getting to Keiko? Some say she did it on her own, other's no. What say you?

Most of the group said Henry and Keiko probably go on and get married. I'm not so sure. I put it at a twilight relationship that while it remains warm and loving, doesn't go that extra step. What's your reaction?

[Jamie]

Hi Linda,

As far as Ethel's complicity, I don't really know for sure, but in my mind I see her as an unwitting accomplice.

As far as Henry and Keiko and where they go from there, I'm not sure if we'll ever know for sure, but I'm hoping they found their happy ending.

[Rebecca]

A great ending for the story and I am glad you left it end on a thoughtful, hopeful note.