I thought I'd alert the masses to the fact that I have a new book coming out, written under a new name.

ALICE I HAVE BEEN will be published on Jan. 12, 2010 by Random House; it's a historical novel based on the life of Alice Liddell, who was the inspiration for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." As it's a new direction for me, my pen name for this one is Melanie Benjamin. My younger son generously agreed to sell me the right to use his name as part of my pseudonym, for a mere $100. (My agent, when she heard, rolled her eyes & said that if she had been representing him, he'd have gotten a percentage instead.)

Anyway - there's lots of buzz on the book; it got a starred review and was the pick of the week in a recent Publishers Weekly, and it will most likely be featured in several prominent print publications in the coming month or two; can't say exactly when or where just yet. Many eminent authors have also said good things about it, as have many, many booksellers. My mother, too, proclaimed it "very nice." I've been sent on a pre-pub tour to meet with booksellers, which is a rare & unusual thing these budget-tightening days; I am a very lucky author, indeed.

As always, it'll be available for pre-order in all the usual places but I urge you all to run - don't walk! - to The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn and place an order. They're good people there.

We'll be having a signing & launch party on Jan. 14th at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville (party to follow at a venue nearby); you can go to my website, www.melaniebenjamin.com to the appearances page & RSVP. But if you can't come then, I'll be signing on Jan. 28th at The Bookstore, and if you twist my arm, I'll probably buy you a drink afterward at Vittorio's.

Mark your calendars; hope to see many of you at one of these events. Just whisper "I'm from the Glen Ellyn Bulletin Board," and I'll probably call security. Just kidding - I'll throw my arms about you and buy you a drink.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: scribbler,

Very exciting! I'll pencil you in and will make sure to drop the GEBB line. Plus, we may have met before, we have a common friend.

Whoops - sorry about the link, all fixed now. Thanks, all!

Congrats and best of luck!

Here's to epic success.

This is awesome. I can hardly wait to read it!

Likewise - I would put it on my Christmas List, but I think I'll wait for a SIGNED copy...

Thanks again, all, and yes, signed books make great presents - even if it's after Christmas!

I just now realized my bio page on my site isn't quite right, a miscommunication between myself and my designer. Half of my bio is missing; hopefully that will be fixed soon.

Congratulations!

I have added you to my wish list for post-Christmas. Congratulations and see you at the bookstore!

WTG Scribbler! Really happy for your success...from volunteer treasurer to counting the cash! (Well, at least for you I hope the latter is true... )

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congrats, Scribbler!

I'll definitely have to check it out! Maybe even try to make it to a signing.

.
Well, I *was* going to post a note to invite everyone to the book launch party that I'm throwing for my wife...but I see she has already been here.

Here's the link for RSVPs...feel free to forward to friends & family, the more the merrier!

meetup.com...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

You're such a good husband

WOW! Congratulations!

He is a good husband; I don't deserve him. And thanks again, everyone; hope to see you at a signing in January!

HA! I beat my wife back for the "reminder posting".

Anyway, less than a month from now I'll be buying food and drink for everyone at her book launch party!

RSVP By Clicking Here
.
.

What are you talking about? I wasn't going to do a reminder posting.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

Two weeks from yesterday my lovely bride's new novel hits the bookstores. Two weeks from tomorrow is her first book signing event at Anderson's and book launch party!

If you are a reader you are invited...if you are not a reader, it's available in audio book format so you are *still* invited.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO RSVP

Hope to see you there!

Congratulations!

What a lovely article in today's Daily Herald:

Local GEBBer & Author