Hi everyone!

I've been laying low for a while, trying desperately to get some work done. To that end, I'm delighted to report that I've finished the first draft of CHANGE OF HEART, the book about death row and organized religion that will come out in 2008, and have started research on the next one. Lots to report, so let me get down to business!

Bestseller News

I toured Africa again this year, and left with Mercy (their newest book) at number one on the bestseller list. This followed a number one hardcover - Mercy - and a number two paperback - Perfect Match - on the London Sunday Times list, simultaneously. Most recently, The Tenth Circle has reached number three on the New York Times list in its newly published paperback format. And - are you sitting down? - I just got back from NYC, where my publisher threw a party to celebrate one MILLION copies of My Sister's Keeper sold in a single year. To give you a sense of how many books that is -- if stacked, they'd be as tall as 150 Empire State buildings!

Wonder Woman Lives

I told you in the last newsletter that I've been tapped by DC Comics to write five issues of Wonder Woman. Well, they're underway, and I'm delighted to tell you that the first two will be published in March - the second and fourth week. For all you fans who plan to inhale NINETEEN MINUTES on March 6, its publication date, this will give you something else of mine to digest!

Movie News

Yes, it's really happening: New Line Cinema has attached a director, Nick Cassavetes, to direct the film of My Sister's Keeper. Nick's best known for his direction of "The Notebook", and his screenplay for "Blow" - starring Johnny Depp. I spoke with him about a month ago - he seems to be wonderfully, refreshingly honest - and although he wouldn't promise me not to change the end of the book, he did say he'd let me know why he felt the need to do so before it happened. Even better - the executive in charge of production said she hopes to have the film released in 2008!

Christmas, Anyone?

I am woefully behind on my holiday shopping. However - YOU don't have to be! You can get a head start with the brand-spankin' new paperback version of The Tenth Circle. If you'd like to have a book signed for someone special, you can mail it to me with a return, self-addressed stamped envelope and a note about how you'd like it inscribed - and I will sign it and get it back to you. The address is PO Box 508, Etna NH 03750.

Only Three Months To Go

NINETEEN MINUTES arrives on March 6, 2007. And for all of you who've been wondering where in the world I'll be on tour, I'm pleased to offer you a sneak peek at the schedule - posted below. Please check the website periodically as these events (and locations) are subject to change. I hope to meet you all out on the road - either in America, or in the UK (whose tour follows immediately after the US one, in April - details to come.)

Tuesday January 16  Vero Beach, FL  12 PM, Indian River
Literary  Society Luncheon, Orchard Island Club.

SATURDAY February 10  Sandwich, MA  Event with Alice Hoffman
in  the high school auditorium, sponsored by Titcomb's
Bookshop, Time  TBA

Tuesday, March 6  NATICK, MA  7 PM, Keefe Performing Arts
Center, Wilson Middle School, hosted by Borders Chestnut
Hill.  For information call 781-369-2323

Wednesday, March 7, BOSTON MA, 12 NOON, B&N (Prudential
Center), 800 Boylston Street, (617) 247-6959

Wednesday March 7, NEWTON MA, 7:30 PM, The Attic Bar, 107r
Union St, hosted by Newtonville Books.  For
info/reservations call Tim Huggins, 617-244-6619

Thursday March 8, NYC, 7 PM, B&N Lincoln Triangle, 1972
Broadway, contact 212-595-6859 for information.

Friday March 9  HUNTINGTON, NY  8 PM, Book Revue, 313 New
York Ave., 631-271-1442

Saturday, March 10  SCHENECTADY, NY  1 PM,  Schenectady
County Public Library,  99 Clinton St., for info call
518-388-4533.

Monday, March 12, CLIFTON, NJ  7:30 PM, B&N Clifton, 395
Route 3 East, 973-779-5500

Tuesday, March 13, NAPERVILLE, IL  7 PM, North Central
College, Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Street, hosted by
Anderson's Books, 603-355-2665

Wednesday, March 14, LAKE FOREST, IL 11:00 AM, Gorton
Community Center, 400 East Illinois Road, private tea
following at 1 PM, sponsored by Lake Forest Books.  For
info/reservations call  847-234-4420

Wednesday, March 14  SKOKIE, IL  7:30 PM  B&N Skokie, 55
Old Orchard Center, (847) 676-2230

Thursday, March 15  MILWAUKEE/MEQUON, WI  7 PM, venue TBA,
hosted by Harry Schwartz Books, for info (262) 241-6220

Friday, March 16, MADISON WI  7 PM, B&N Madison, 7433
Mineral Point Rd, (608) 827-0809

Saturday, March 17,  EDINA, MN  2 PM  B&N Edina, 3225 W.
69th St., (952) 920-0633

Sunday, March 18  ST. CLOUD, MN  2 PM  B&N St. Cloud,
3940 Division Street, (320) 251-4537

Monday, March 19  CEDAR RAPIDS, IA 7 PM, B&N Cedar
Rapids, 333 Collins Rd NE, Bldg 1, (319) 393-4800

Tuesday, March 20  TOLEDO, OH  6 PM Toledo Lucas County
Library, 325 N. Michigan St.,  for info call 419-259-5388

Wednesday, March 21  COLUMBUS, OH  Thurber House,
“Evenings with Authors” series, 77 Jefferson
Avenue, for info Susanne Jaffe (614)464-1032 ext. 12

Thursday March 22  PITTSBURGH, PA  7 PM, Joseph-Beth
Booksellers, 2705 E. Carson Street, SouthSide Works,
412.381.9385

Friday March 23  BAILEY’S CROSSROADS, VA  7:30 PM
Borders Bailey’s Crossroads, 5871 Crossroads Center
Way, 410-290-0380

Saturday, March 24  ROCKVILLE, MD  4 PM, B&N Rockville,
12089 Rockville Pike, (301) 881-0237

Monday March 26, PRINCETON NJ 7:30 PM, B&N Princeton,
3535 US Route 1, (609) 897-9250

Tuesday March 27, FARMINGTON CT, 7 PM, Borders Farmington,
1600 South East Rd, 203-254-9854

Wednesday March 28, NORWICH, VT  7 PM, Norwich Bookstore,
venue TBA, for reservations call (802) 649-1114

Sunday, April 1, EXETER NH, 2 PM, Location TBA, hosted by
Water Street Books, 603-778-9731

Sunday, April 1, NASHUA NH, 6 PM, Borders.

Monday, April 2, KANSAS CITY, MO  7 PM, Rainy Day Books,
Unity Temple on the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St., (913)384-3126

Tuesday, April 3, LA JOLLA, CA  7 PM, Warwick’s, 7812
Girard Ave., (858) 454-0347

Wednesday April 4, RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA  7 PM, Borders
El Paseo, 22372 El Paseo, 714-279-8933

Thursday, April 5, PASADENA, CA  7 PM, Vroman’s, 659
E. Colorado Blvd, 626-449-5320

Friday, April 6   LAKE FOREST PARK, WA  6:30 PM, Third Place
Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 206-366-3316

Saturday, April 7  SEATTLE, WA  2 PM, Elliott Bay Books, 101
S. Main Street, 206-624-6600

Monday, April 9  DENVER, CO  7:30 PM  Tattered Cover
Highlands Ranch, 9315 Dorchester St., 303-322-7727