DECEMBER 2005

NEWSLETTER 18

WORK IN PROGRESS

IThe bound manuscript proof of MADE IN HEAVEN is in my hands now, and it looks wonderful. The book is on its way to my foreign publishers and I hope they're all going to like it. It's been very popular with those who've read it so far. Fingers crossed. I will post a picture of the cover with the next newsletter.

The Cleopatra book is GO! I'm delighted about this, as it's going to be something different. I'm going down to discuss it with my editor, Alison Stanley, in the new year and it will take its place in line, behind the Historical House book (called CECILY'S PORTRAIT) and the Quick Read I'm writing at the moment. This is a ghost story called LILY. When these three books are finished, I'll be moving on to Adult Novel number four. Holiday? What's that?

EVENTS

My visit to Marlborough School was fun. Jan Mark was there, and although we only saw one another in the lunch interval, it was good to catch up with her after so long. The sessions with the pupils went well, and I particularly enjoyed a session with sixth form girls, talking about fairy tales. Many thanks to Fiona Kenshole, who organized the visit. She drove me to Oxford for my train in her lovely Mini, which brought back happy memories of the sixties.

The event at Bishop's Cleeve Festival, (which was held by Courtyard Books in the Tithe Barn), went well too. The hospitality was wonderful and it was a real treat to chat to Natasha Roderick-Jones of the Chipping Campden bookshop and her friend, who'd come up to see me. I was driven all the way back to Birmingham by the organizers' son, and this kindness saved me from the awful dragging around on buses which is the fate of all travellers to this area on a Sunday.

I went to Huddersfield to chat to children in the library there over half-term. That was a very well-organized visit and many thanks to Pam Riding and everyone who made the day so enjoyable.

The highlight of the autumn was definitely my visit to Wells Cathedral School. I was invited by Sylvia Evans, the librarian at the school, and I'm very grateful for her efficiency and kindness. I spent Sunday night in the Head's house and would like to thank both her and her husband for their hospitality. I didn't meet the ghost that was supposed to haunt the room I slept in, but was assured she was a very benevolent presence. As I was there on a Monday, I went with the rest of the school to the Cathedral for morning assembly. Everyone who knows Wells will know how amazing what I saw was. The day was cold, bright and sunny and the front of the Cathedral was literally dazzling. It's a most beautiful place and everyone who lives and works there is very lucky indeed. My sessions with the pupils went well. Lots of people bought books, and I signed these. At lunchtime, I sat with the Book Group: a collection of articulate, intelligent and charming young women who'd read an enormous number of books and had opinions on all of them. Sylvia drove me back to Bristol. As we approached the city, a fog came down and this lasted all the way back to Manchester. Up there, my husband reported almost zero visibility all day long. It was as though Wells had a different, better climate of its own....which wouldn't surprise me in the least.

On November 27th, I chaired the launch of a book about Jewish Motherhood edited by Ronne Randall and Mandy Ross. This was held in the Manchester Jewish Museum, which is housed in the old Portuguese synagogue. It was a very lively event. Several of the writers who'd contributed to the volume gave readings from their work, and these were terrific. It was good to meet both the editors (whom I'd not met before) and to see Ross Bradshaw, of Five Leaves press, who are publishing the book.

December 1st was the date for a Target Training day in Manchester. I shared a platform with my daughter, Sophie Hannah, and also Livi Michael. We all answered questions for an audience made up of people interested in making writing their career. I love panel discussions and this was a good one.

The last event of the year was at Wilmslow Preparatory School. This was arranged by Simply Books and went very well. Almost all the books Sue Steele brought along were sold. I always like doing things with this bookshop. One of the things they did this year was have an afternoon/evening with Jacqueline Wilson. I was invited to the dinner afterwards (and Andrew is the new Jamie!) which was a treat for me. I don't see Jackie nearly often enough these days, as she's so busy, but this was a chance to catch up and I had a really good time.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The first event of 2006 in January is at the North London Collegiate School, and I'm really looking forward to that.

On 7th February, I'm speaking at a Carnegie Day for Leicestershire libraries

On March 2nd, World Book Day, I'm in St. Helen's for an evening event.

On March 3rd, I'm in London to take part in a Reading For Pleasure day, courtesty of the Guardian and to be held in its Newsroom.

BOOKS

Best laid plans department! I never did finish THE PEOPLE'S ACT OF LOVE...I gave it to a Russian friend and still haven't heard what she thought. THE HISTORIAN is still there unread, but I will get to it. Alan Bennett I'm keeping for those few days between Christmas and New Year. My problem is: I get seduced by delicious-looking new proofs! This time, the one I liked best is the forthcoming Sarah Waters, which will hit the shops in March. It's called THE NIGHT WATCH and is a complete departure from her Victorian novels. It's set during and just after the Second World War and tells a story backwards. Moving, haunting, beautifully-written, it's sure to be a huge hit.

I wonder whether a gift for sharp wits and stylish language is something you pass on in your genes? On the evidence of A MIND OF ITS OWN, by Cordelia Fine, this seems entirely possible. Her mother is Anne Fine and this book, about the brain and the strange things it does, is marvellous. Both knowledgeable and funny, it tells you all sorts of fascinating stuff and in such a way as not to daunt science illiterates like me. It's coming out in January and it's terrific. Don't miss it.

I did read Bret Easton Ellis's LUNAR PARK and it's undoubtedly clever and interesting and page-turny. It morphs into a horror story about a third of the way through and that's great and quite chilling. The explanation...well, I'm not sure that holds water, entirely, but the journey to the end passes pleasantly enough, if you like malevolent toys and fictional characters coming back to haunt their authors!

TIME TO BE IN EARNEST, by P.D. James was fascinating. I love reading about writers whose novels I admire and the way she describes her cat is especially lovely.

DISOBEDIENCE is a first novel by Naomi Alderman. It's about the Orthodox Jewish community in Hendon, North London and will be much discussed in the spring when it appears. I found it fascinating, because I know very little about this kind of Judaism.

The Canongate Myths (THE PENELOPIAD by Margaret Atwood, WEIGHT by Jeanette Winterson are the first two in the series) are going to be wonderful. I reviewed these two for the TES and wrote an article on the Guardian Unlimited website, telling the story of how I never did get to interview Margaret Atwood. I thought the coincidence of us both writing about the same thing might have swung it in my favour, but alas, no. Still, these two books are unmissable. I'll be collecting the others as they appear.

Transita is a new publishing house which produces books for women who want to move beyond chick lit. In fact, many publishers are bringing out books that fall into this category, not least Orion, but Linda Gillard's EMOTIONAL GEOLOGY was very readable and moving. It has a beautiful cover and is well-written and unusual. It's about a bi-polar woman, recovering from terrible trauma and it's not nearly as grim as that sounds. What I most liked about it was the writer's evident love for fabric, handiwork of various kinds and the way she brings a whole landscape to life. I'm looking forward to her next.

Most fun read of recent times is Annie Saunders' WARNINGS OF GALES. It's about three friends who take a house together at the seaside during the summer holidays. Their problems, their children, their husbands, their catering, their dreams: it'll all seem very familiar to many people and is a hugely enjoyable read.

Book of the Year is still: WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN by Lionel Shriver. There's sure to be a movie of it made soon which will dilute it. Read it now!

 The next newsletter will be published in mid-March. Till then, season's greetings to everyone and a very happy New Year.

Adèle Geras

PS I have discontinued the Guest Book on my website, but you can still email me with all your thoughts.