Newsletter 7/19

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The Deserter Book CoverAs many of you may know, I lost my wife last September after a long and very brave fight with cancer, so I haven’t been writing any Newsletters for about a year. But I didn’t want to let the summer pass without reaching out to my readers, many of whom have sent me condolences, for which I thank you.

The first thing I want to share is that I just completed a novel that I co-authored with my son Alex. The title is The Deserter, and it will be published October 22 by Simon & Schuster. So let’s kick off this news with a giveaway of a signed advance reading copy. Submit the name of your favorite DeMille book on my Newsletter page and you will be entered to win

The Deserter was inspired by the Bowe Bergdahl case. You may remember that Bergdahl deserted from the Army while stationed in Afghanistan, then was captured by the Taliban and held for a number of years until he was released in exchange for five Taliban commanders that the U.S. had imprisoned. The Deserter has a different storyline, but Bergdahl’s desertion and capture gave me the idea for this story.

The Deserter introduces two new characters—Chief Warrant Officer Scott Brodie and his partner Warrant Officer Maggie Taylor who are investigators for the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division—the CID. The deserter in the story is a Delta Force Captain named Kyle Mercer who has escaped his Taliban captors and is spotted a year later in Caracas, Venezuela by an old Army buddy. Our heroes, Brodie and Taylor, are tasked with going to Caracas to pick up the trail. Why did Captain Mercer, a decorated war hero, desert? And why is he in Venezuela? All this and more will be revealed in 500 fast-moving pages.

You can check out The Deserter on my website now, and if you push the correct button you can pre-order it now.

Meanwhile, I’ll post one or two chapters on my website before the October publication. Hope you enjoy it.

So why did I choose to co-author a book, The Deserter, with my son? And how did that work out? Well, we’re still speaking to each other and the publisher is thrilled with the finished product, so it worked out fine. In fact, we’re going to continue with Scott Brodie and Maggie Taylor as a series, and Alex is setting their next adventure in Berlin.

To find out more about my new co-author, please visit his website www.alexdemille.com.

My 12-year-old son now wants to co-author a book with me about a superhero who plays computer games all day and saves the world from an alien invasion. I’ll think about that.

Meanwhile, my new work in progress is a John Corey book—the eighth in the series. The book, tentatively titled The Maze, returns John to the North Fork of Long Island where he first made his appearance in Plum Island.  In a way, John has come full circle in The Maze which opens where Plum Island did—on the back porch of his uncle’s house overlooking Peconic Bay. And, as usual, John is about to get himself into trouble. Publication of The Maze will be—hopefully—fall of 2020.

I’ll keep in touch with at least one more Newsletter before The Deserter is published in October. Enjoy the summer and live life to the fullest.

Newsletter 06/18

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Hope you all had a great Mother’s Day and that you bought Mom a bottle of wine. Remember, you’re the reason she drinks. 

In my May Newsletter I shared with you an email I received from John Corey that began, “Dear Brutus,” in which Corey accused me of being an ingrate because my next book was not about him.

So I asked you in May if you thought my next book should be a Corey book, and I received over a thousand replies, and about ninety percent said “Yes.” Five percent said John Corey is an arrogant, narcissistic, male chauvinist pig and a wise ass. Is that a yes or a no? Interestingly, about five percent of my readers wanted to see Paul Brenner brought back. A few people suggested that I retire.

In any case, you have spoken and my next book will feature John Corey. The book, currently untitled, begins where Plum Island began, with John sitting on the back porch of his uncle’s house on the North Fork of Long Island, overlooking the Great Peconic Bay. John’s opening line is, “You can’t drink all day unless you start in the morning.”

And we go from there. I’m excited about bringing John back and so is John who has assured me that his threat to do me bodily harm was just a joke. He’s a great kidder.

Speaking of kidding around, the John Corey TV series is on again, off again, on again, and . . . who knows? The script for the pilot was turned down by someone in TV land, and they’re thinking of finding another script writer. Corey didn’t like the script either – it had him as a divorced guy with a young son, and he was still an NYPD detective and not with the Anti-Terrorist Task Force. In fact, the John Corey in the script bore almost no resemblance to my John Corey – but that’s Hollywood. Stay tuned for the next installment of this ongoing comedy.

Anyway, here it is June already. Where did the summer go? Actually, it hasn’t started – but it will on June 21, the summer solstice which is the longest day of the year – though it has no more hours than the shortest day which is December 21, the winter solstice. Also, if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, as my many Australian and New Zealand readers do, this is reversed. Hope you’re having a good winter down there.

As I mentioned in my last Newsletter, the trade paperback edition of The Cuban Affair will be published on Tuesday, June 5, just in time for Father’s Day. As I’ve also mentioned in the past, virtually all books in the U.S. are published on a Tuesday. Why is this? Two reasons: the original bible was published in Jerusalem about five thousand years ago on a Tuesday, and it’s become a tradition; also The New York Times Bestsellers List begins counting weekly book sales on Tuesday. That may actually be the main reason for Tuesday publication.

In my past Newsletters I’ve listed a number of books I’d recommend for summer reading, and I’d like to add two more:

First, a memoir by Canadian/American journalist Ken Becker titled The Expat Files: My Life in Journalism. Ken has interviewed me many times in the past and his memoir is a fascinating and often funny look at all the people he’s met, the places he’s been, and the things he’d done as an expat American living and working in Canada. Very well written and very entertaining. My name is mentioned on page 317. Available from Amazon or B&N.com.

My second recommendation will be an instant #1 bestseller. It’s titled The President Is Missing, and the authors are Bill Clinton and James Patterson. You may remember Bill from when he was president of the United States, and I’m sure you’ve read one or two Patterson books. I was given an advance reading copy of this book along with a list of “suggested” enthusiastic blurbs, and I was instructed to pick one and initial it. Here’s the one I picked: “From the pens of two American icons comes a political thriller that rocks. The President Is Missing entertains, educates, and inspires us all to put our country above our politics. Bill Clinton delivers the art of government and James Patterson delivers the craft of writing. The reader gets a helluva story.”

Just kidding about the suggested blurbs, of course. I actually read the book and greatly enjoyed it. You will, too. Can I go now?

No? Well, I should also say that Jim Patterson is a friend and colleague and I was flattered to make the short list of authors who were shown an early copy of The President Is Missing. As for President Clinton, we’ve met a few times and he’s a big fan of my books so I was happy to endorse his novel. Please buy this book – the authors need the money.

On a sadder note, one of America’s greatest writers, Tom Wolf, has died at age 87. I was privileged to have met Tom at a number of publishing events and he was a true gentleman of the old school. May his wonderful books and essays live on. If you haven’t read Tom Wolfe, start with The Right Stuff. R.I.P.

And finally, have a great Fourth of July. This is America’s birthday, the day we declared independence from a cruel and crazy king and a corrupt and capricious parliament. Now we get to elect our own politicians who are . . . Anyway, have a safe holiday and a wonderful summer. See you in September.

Newsletter 05/18

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May 1 is May Day, a holiday in much of the world. It is also the name of my book which I co-authored with my childhood friend, Tom Block, retired US Airways captain. This would be a good time to buy a copy of Mayday, which has been called “. . . a novel for the true connoisseur of disaster novels” by the New York Times.

Speaking of the New York Times, a former Times writer, novelist Alex Berenson, wrote a very bad review of The Cuban Affair in the Times. This was the only bad review of my book, so I returned the favor in my April Newsletter, and gave his book a bad review. A lot of my readers were surprised or upset that I would trash a fellow author, which I’ve never done before, but as I used to say to my teachers in grade school when they were breaking up a fight in the playground, “He started it!”

On that note, let me recommend some good summer reading: First, Runner in Red by my friend Tom Murphy. Tom’s wife Barb was a marathon runner who died of lung cancer and the proceeds of all book sales go to the Barb’s Beer Foundation. Here’s a link to learn more about Tom’s mission to promote lung cancer research. Please buy this book – it’s a great read for a great cause.

Another friend of mine, Cristina Alger, has written a novel titled The Banker’s Wife, which comes out on July 3. I’ve read the advance copy and loved it. This is an international thriller that will keep you in suspense and truly grab hold of you from the first page until the last. Cristina has also written This Was Not the Plan and The Darlings. Check these books out on Amazon or B&N.com, and pre-order The Banker’s Wife now. Or, of course, go to your favorite bookstore.

Let me also recommend Skyjack: A Kidnap-and-Ransom Thriller by K.J. Howe, another friend and fellow member of International Thriller Writers. Ms. Howe’s protagonist is Thea Paris, an international kidnap expert who kicks bad guy butt. You’ll love this one as I did and learn a lot from her amazing research. Check it out online or get it at your bookstore.

And, last but not least, I highly recommend Big Guns by my pal Steve Israel, former congressman from my neck of the woods on Long Island. Steve quit his day job to write novels and his debut novel, The Global War on Morris, was very well-received. Big Guns is a satire of the gun lobby and it’s sure to annoy the pro and anti-gun people equally, and to entertain everyone else. Big Guns was released on April 17. Buy this book and help keep Steve from returning to Congress.

A reminder: The Cuban Affair will come out in trade paperback on June 5. Just in time for Father’s Day. Online pre-orders have been overwhelming and my publisher is scrambling to buy more paper and ink to keep up with the printing presses which are rolling 24/7. Don’t get left out in the cold. Pre-order now online or at your local bookstore. Thanks.

And do not forget – Sunday, May 13, is Mother’s Day. Mom would like breakfast in bed or dinner in a restaurant. And flowers. And a good book. And probably a few Bloody Mary’s to get through the day. Don’t forget the card. If you get her one of my books, get her an autographed copy, or just sign my name. Sample below.

I got an email from my friend John Corey that began, “Dear Brutus. . .” He went on to say he’d read my last Newsletter and was disappointed to learn that he would not star in my next book. He reminded me that he’d made me famous (forgetting that I made him famous) and he felt betrayed – which I figured out from “Dear Brutus.” He said he liked The Cuban Affair (though I saw his snarky review on Amazon), but he felt I was pushing my luck by introducing new lead characters and I should remember who my real friend is. He also offered to come to my office to rearrange my face.

So, I’m wondering how you, my readers, feel. Should my next book be another John Corey? Or should I write the book I announced in my April Newsletter? Shoot me an email and let me know your thoughts. Meanwhile, I’m not going to the office for a while.

Last but not least, Monday, May 28 is Memorial Day, the day we remember those men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in times of war. Take a moment from your three-day weekend to reflect on our fallen heroes. We mourn their loss and celebrate their lives. They were not surrounded by family when they died, but they were in the company of their brothers.

That’s it for May. See you in June.

Newsletter 04/18

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First, Happy Easter! Also, Sunday, April 8 is Eastern Orthodox Easter – they use a different calendar. So if you’re Catholic or Protestant, and you miss Easter service this Sunday, you can make it up by going to an Eastern Orthodox Church on April 8. You get two shots at this. No excuses.

April, said T. S. Eliot, is the cruelest month. He was referring to the weather, but don’t forget income tax day. Tax day used to be March 15, the ominous Ides of March, which is appropriate, but now it’s April 15, though it should be April Fools’ Day, which is more appropriate. Your refund check is in the mail. April Fools’!

Now on to my next book, which many of you have asked about.

I’m actually working on two books at once. The first book is untitled, but it has a plot. I’m not bringing back John Corey in this book, and I’m not writing a sequel to The Cuban Affair. I’ll be introducing a new character called Rick Truitt. Rick is a former NYPD detective, forced into early retirement when he’s falsely accused of misappropriating evidence in a drug bust. Rick knows he’s been framed. But why? And by whom? Stay tuned as I figure it out.

The second book is a collaborative project. I’ve decided to follow in the footsteps of so many authors who are co-authoring books these days, even though collaboration on a novel is very difficult, and often leads to clashing egos and unpleasantness. I’ve co-authored only one other book in my career – Mayday – written in 1978 with my childhood friend, Tom Block, who was then a U.S. Airways pilot, now retired. Mayday was a big success and it was made into a CBS-TV movie with Aidan Quinn. It’s been revised and updated, and I urge you to read it if you haven’t.

My friendship with Tom survived the collaborative process, but we both agreed not to push our luck, and we went on to write solo books. But the time has come for me to try this again.

Several writers wanted to team up with me, but I wanted someone who I knew I could trust and who I could boss around. So I picked my son, Alex. Turns out, I can’t boss him around – that stopped when he was about ten. But I can trust him to listen to the old man, and Alex is smart, energetic, and talented. Alex got his undergraduate degree at Yale, and I see a way to get some of my tuition money back. He has a Masters of Fine Arts at UCLA Film School, and he’s a terrific screenwriter and film editor which gives him a good understanding of how to plot and structure a novel, and how to create believable characters and great dialogue.

Alex’s student film, The Absence, won Best Film at Comic Con in 2012, and a short film that he edited, My Nephew Emmett, was nominated for an Oscar this year. It didn’t win, but the nomination was a big deal. Also, Alex wrote the screenplay for my novel, Spencerville, which is making the rounds in Hollywood.

So I offered Alex a job outside of his industry and he replied, “I’ll take it if you stop complaining about the Yale tuition.” We shook on it. And signed a contract.

So, what is this co-authored book about? It’s titled The Deserter, and it’s based very loosely on the Bowe Bergdahl case. That’s all I can reveal at this time.

So that’s what I’m working on. More as both books progress.

And now I’d like to recommend some good reading for Spring Break:

First, Chicago, by David Mamet, one of America’s greatest play and screenwriters. Chicago is a gripping and very well-written crime novel, set in 1920s Chicago. Check it out online or at your favorite bookstore. I loved it.

Next is The Escape Artist by my good pal Brad Meltzer. This is Meltzer at his best. If you’re a fan, you know he delivers, and like me, he takes his time writing, so every book is a polished gem. Meltzer’s books don’t come out every six months, so don’t miss this one. Check out the great reviews online.

Also, I highly recommend How It Happened by another pal, Michael Koryta. I read an advance copy of this and it had me glued to the pages. The industry trade magazine, Publishers Weekly, gave it a starred and boxed pre-publication review – their highest rating. How It Happened comes out in May, but you can pre-order now online or reserve a copy at your local bookstore.

Authors are collegial and we try to support each other. This is a tough and competitive business, and even though we’re in competition with one another, we’re all in the same leaky boat as the American public turns away from reading and spends more time and money on other forms of entertainment – mostly electronic, much of which is free or almost free. So books are a hard sell today and any author’s success is a success for all of us, and for the written word.

Having said that, I want to take this opportunity to suggest a book you should not read: The Deceivers by Alex Berenson. Berenson tries hard, but his writing is flaccid and uninspiring, and his characters are dull and one-dimensional. The Deceivers is supposed to be about Russia’s attempts to influence American politics. Sound familiar? You can read the same fiction in the news pages of the New York Times, for less money and less time wasted. If you want to read a great book about Russian influence in America, read my book, The Charm School.

And while I’m at it, I’d like to suggest that you read some of my short stories. For your convenience, here’s a list of four: Getaway, written with my pal Lisa Scottoline, who also has a new book titled After Anna, coming out April 10. My other short stories are, Rendezvous, Death Benefits, and The Book Case (for those of you who need a dose of John Corey). These are really a good bargain in eBook format and I think you’ll like them. Let me know.

I enjoy getting letters from my fans – even annoying letters. Shows you’re reading and reacting to my books or Newsletters. Let me address one annoying subject: I’ve gotten dozens of letters regarding The Cuban Affair telling me that motorized boats don’t “sail,” as I wrote when describing Mac’s diesel-powered fishing boat. Only sailboats sail, according to my critics.

Well, if you look in any comprehensive dictionary you’ll see that “sailing” can be used for motorized boats. The word has evolved to mean the movement of any boat. The U.S. Navy anthem says, “We sail at break of day . . .” And this doesn’t refer to a battleship with sails. Also, the crew on all ships are called sailors, whether or not the ship has a sail. Cruise lines and cargo ships have a “sailing schedule.” I know that the purists – the men and women who own and operate sailboats – would like to keep this word for themselves, but the English language is dynamic and adaptable, and words evolve to mean other things. For instance, we “dial” a number on our iPhones, but there is no rotary dial there. And we can “hang up” without putting the iPhone on a hook. So Mac can “sail” to Cuba in his diesel-powered boat.

So, that’s it for April, except I hope to see a screenplay for the pilot of the John Corey TV series this month. It would be great if ABC-TV and Sony hired David Mamet to do the screenplay. Or my son Alex.

See you in May.

Newsletter 03/18

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If you didn’t get my January or February Newsletter, it doesn’t mean your free subscription has expired; it means I never sent them out.

So, to play catch up, I hope everyone had a great January and February. It was cold as a well-digger’s butt here in the Northeast, and also in much of the country. This, as you know, is because of global warming.

I live a few miles south of where the last Ice Age glacier stopped, and I’m afraid if we get much more global warming the glacier will return and the wooly mammoths will trample my tomato plants.

Anyway, January was a good writing month for me because there’s not much else to do except shovel snow. I would have gone south, but Florida was experiencing a global warming cold spell and much of the Caribbean has been devastated by hurricanes. So I stayed at my desk and sulked.

February has two quasi holidays: Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day, and one federal holiday, Presidents’ Day. There must be a way to move these days to make a five-day weekend called Silly Holiday Weekend. Write to your congressman.

The Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year) which is celebrated in many countries fell on February 19 this year. It’s a lunar holiday, so it moves around a lot, like Easter, and you have to keep an eye on it.

In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is called Tet, and in 1968 it fell on January 30. I was unfortunate enough to be there then for the Tet Offensive, which – hard to believe – was fifty years ago. I won’t bore you with war stories, but it was a time I’ll never forget. And for those who didn’t make it home, time will not erase your memory or your sacrifice.

On to March, which comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb – unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere where it’s reversed.

Don’t forget, Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 11, so if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you Spring Forward – push your clocks ahead an hour. In the Southern Hemisphere you Fall Back – push your clocks back an hour. This creates a two-hour time difference between the hemispheres (I think) and gives you more morning light in . . . or the sun goes down later in . . . let me get back to you on this.

March as you know is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. Why? Because a lot of military campaigns began in the spring. Soldiers march. Right? Or did I make that up? Sounds good. Also, Mars the planet is named after Mars the god. Why? Because the planet looks red – it’s called the Red Planet – and red is the color of blood. Blood, war. Get it? On a happier note, March 20 is the first day of spring. A time of renewal and rebirth. A good time to begin a military campaign. There may be a contradiction there. Let’s move on.

Saint Patrick’s Day is March 17, a Saturday this year. When I was younger, I would often march in the parade on New York’s Fifth Avenue, then join the Cardinal and other dignitaries on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to view the parade. I have fond, but dim, memories of this. Dim because I had often stopped at a few places for liquid refreshment before the parade. As my Irish friends say, “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning.”

Anyway, in recent years, I’ve brought my wife and young son to St. Patrick’s Day in New York at the kind invitation of His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan. We attend Mass in St. Pat’s, then have breakfast in the Cardinal’s residence, then view the parade from the steps of the Cathedral. The parade looks different when you’re sober. We all have to grow up. Even writers.

For more on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York, read my novel, Cathedral. Here’s a plot summary: a renegade group from the Irish Republican Army take over St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the parade, and hold a number of hostages, including the Cardinal himself. The IRA guys threaten to blow up the Cathedral if their demands are not met.

Cardinal Dolan especially enjoyed this story, but for some reason he thought I owed something to the Cathedral for subjecting it – and the fictitious cardinal – to such peril. I saw his point, of course, so, long story short, all royalties from the sales of Cathedral go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral Restoration Fund. There’s nothing like Catholic guilt – except maybe Jewish guilt – to make you a philanthropist.

You can also make a contribution on your own by clicking on the above link. Please be generous. It’s for a good cause – keeping me out of hell. And don’t forget to buy a copy of Cathedral. The Restoration Fund gets about a buck in royalties for every copy sold. I get absolution.

Easter, like Passover (and Chinese New Year) is, as I said, a lunar holiday, so it’s all over the board. This year, Good Friday coincides with the first night of Passover, which doesn’t happen that often. So if you’re a Christian who’s been invited to a Passover Seder on Good Friday, it’s okay to mention the Crucifixion, but blame it on the Romans. And remember, Jesus was Jewish on his mother’s side.

So let me take this opportunity to wish my Jewish friends and relatives a happy and blessed Passover. Next year in Jerusalem! You can visit the new U.S. Embassy there.

And now for some publishing news: My latest novel, The Cuban Affair, will be out in the trade paperback edition on June 5. What is a trade paperback? Well, it’s almost the size of a hardcover, but it’s much cheaper. If you haven’t read The Cuban Affair, (the Number One New York Times bestseller, thanks to you) in hardcover, or eBook, or listened to it on audio, then don’t miss this opportunity to buy it in trade paperback. It got great reviews – except for one in The New York Times written by Alex Berenson, a fellow novelist who was obviously jealous that I’m #1 and he’s not and never will be.

You can pre-order the trade paperback of The Cuban Affair now online by clicking here.

And finally, for everyone who’s been asking me about the John Corey TV series, I have some good news. I’ve just inked (that means “signed” in Hollywood lingo) a new contract with SONY-TV who are working with ABC-TV to produce a pilot for a series tentatively called “John Corey,” or maybe “John Corey, NYPD.” We’ve been down this road twice before with the John Corey TV series, but maybe the third time is the charm. Stay tuned.

That’s a wrap, as they say in Hollywood. Have a great March.

Newsletter 12/17

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, surrounded by family and friends.

We have a tradition at our house where the youngest person at the table yells, “The turkey has salmonella!” Then a guest, dressed as an American Indian, comes into the dining room carrying a tray of sizzling, fat-marbled steaks and shouts, “The Great Spirit has sent these U.S.D.A. prime rib eyes for you!” And everyone toasts the Great Spirit and shouts, “Holy cow!”

Try this next year.

And now for a commercial message. My new book, The Cuban Affair, which, thanks to all of you, debuted at #1 in The New York Times, USA Today, and on other bestsellers lists, has gone into its 4th printing. Supplies are dwindling, but there are still books available in bookstores, or you can click here to buy one or more. The Cuban Affair makes an excellent Christmas or Hanukkah gift, especially if you personalize the book with a warm or funny inscription and sign my name – sample signature below. This is not trickery or forgery; this is thoughtfulness. And while you’re at it, buy some of my older books in paperback. They make excellent stocking stuffers. But take your foot out first.

Good news for people looking for a bargain; on December 17, my novel Mayday, co-authored with Thomas Block, will be offered as an Amazon’s Top Fiction Gold Box book for the incredible low price of $1.99! Don’t miss this one day offer – you can stuff 20 stockings for about forty bucks!

Our social media contest will run from December 1 through 15. Contestants will comment or message us with a picture of them holding The Cuban Affair. Five winners will receive one limited-edition Cuban Affair T-shirt (pictured here). Click on the social media links below to find out more information.

December is a busy month for most people and the holidays can be stressful. But as you write your Christmas cards, shop and wrap presents, buy a Christmas tree, and decorate the house and string lights outside, and shop for holiday food, and go to holiday gatherings and school pageants and concerts, drink and eat too much, and stuff the stockings and stuff money into envelopes for everyone who expects a tip, and stuff the stupid Christmas turkey, and stress over how you’re going to pay for all this crap, just keep in mind that you could have avoided all of this if you’d converted to Judaism like you promised yourself last year. Also, it’s not too late to book a four-week trip to a Buddhist country. Think about it.

But if you stay home, as I do, then try to enjoy the season. And remember how magical it was when you were a child. And remember the true meaning of Christmas, and the promise of peace on Earth and good will toward all of humanity.

Merry Christmas.

And Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish family and friends.

And a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year to all.

Newsletter 11/17

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Whoops! In my October Newsletter I said to those who complained that children (or adults) in Halloween costumes were engaging in cultural appropriation, “Dress like the Tin Man; he had no brain and neither do you.”

Well, where was my brain? It was the Scarecrow, of course, who had no brain, as my readers reminded me. But I do have a heart, so I won’t say anything about the four proofreaders who missed my mistake before the Newsletter went out. My ten-year-old would have spotted the mistake if I let him read my Newsletter.

Also in my October Newsletter I had a suggestion for those who had a problem with Columbus Day, and I used the colorful Italian word “vaffanculo,” which means…well…to perform a physically impossible act on oneself. Amazingly, none of my readers were offended by this word – it sounds so good in Italian – but many readers questioned my spelling. In Sicilian dialect, it sounds like “Ba fun-gool,” and in other Italian dialects it’s also pronounced differently. But in standard Italian, it’s vaffanculo. Now you know.

Anyway, I did march in the Columbus Day Parade up Fifth Avenue, and if there were any protesters, I didn’t see them.

On another subject, November 10 is Marine Corps birthday. The Marines are 242 years old, and I, an old Army guy, wish them happy birthday, and congratulations on being able to count that high. But seriously, Semper Fi.

November 11 is Veterans Day, and every year I get together with other Vietnam veterans and we propose a toast to those who served, and to those who are no longer with us.

Hard to believe, but it’s been fifty years this month since I reported for duty in Vietnam. I remember my first day in ‘Nam like it was yesterday – stepping off the Braniff 707 into the heat of Tan Son Nhut Airport in Saigon. It was sort of unreal, like Dorothy felt when the cyclone carried her from Kansas to Oz. And, like Dorothy, I had no reasonable expectation that I’d ever get back to the States. But I did, and along the way I met lots of senior officers who had no brains, but also lots of men who had big hearts and amazing courage. And when I did get home, I met lots of war protesters at the airport. I can’t say I was happy to see them, but I can say I was happy to have fought for their right to protest.

On a completely different subject, my latest book The Cuban Affair debuted at #1 on most major bestseller lists and continues to do well thanks to you. And thanks, too, for your good letters. Thanks also to everyone who came to my talks and signings around the country. I really enjoy meeting my readers and hearing what you have to say. I wish the tour could have been longer and that it included the West Coast and Canada, but it’s time for me to get back to the writing desk and do what I do best: make stuff up. Just like I did when I said I wished the tour could have been longer.

Also on my tour, I discovered that many book club groups have chosen The Cuban Affair for discussion. Thank you. You can find suggested book club questions on my website. And here’s another one: Do you think the author should return to Cuba and get arrested?

Anyway, Thanksgiving is coming and unfortunately this very American holiday has also become controversial. I won’t get into that except to say that no one in America has to celebrate any holiday that he or she does not believe in. And everyone has the right to criticize the meaning of a holiday, whether it be Columbus Day, Veterans Day, the Fourth of July, or Thanksgiving. Debate is good, but we need to be civil (and not say vaffanculo or “you have no brains”) and respect the rights and beliefs of others, especially those we don’t agree with. That is what makes us Americans. I, for instance, find Groundhog Day repugnant, and I’m surprised that PETA and the Humane Society haven’t tried to ban this holiday. But I respect the rights of those who annoy groundhogs one day a year, just as I respect the rights of those, like myself, who look forward to the massacre of millions of turkeys in November. I actually prefer beef, but I go along with the turkey thing.

So have a good November and a happy, safe, and guilt-free Thanksgiving.

Newsletter 10/17

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Great news! The Cuban Affair will debut on the October 8 New York Times Best Sellers List at #1! Thanks to all my readers who have put me on the top.

And to show my appreciation, I’m having an October Newsletter Contest giving away 10 Unabridged Audiobook CDs of The Cuban Affair to 10 separate winners. Contest ends October 31.

Monday, October 9 is Columbus Day and I’m marching in the New York City Parade along with over a hundred other Italian-American authors who’ve been invited by this year’s Grand Marshal, Len Riggio, Chairman and Founder of Barnes & Noble bookstores.

There is a lot of recent controversy surrounding Christopher Columbus and there are those who say we should not honor him. To those who say this, I say, “Vaffanculo!” And keep your hands off my holiday. Capice?

Columbus Day is also Thanksgiving Day in Canada, and I wish my Canadian friends and family a happy, healthy and safe celebration.

October 31 is Halloween. The kids love this day, and it’s become a very big and commercial holiday since I was a kid when we wore homemade costumes. The politically correct crowd is upset about “cultural appropriation,” meaning dressing like an American Indian or a Mexican bandito or something – unless you actually are an American Indian or a Mexican bandito. To those well-meaning, but misguided misfits I say, Dress like the Scarecrow; he had no brain and neither do you.

Anyway, I’m on publicity tour for The Cuban Affair, so this is a short Newsletter. Have a wonderful Columbus Day and Halloween, and a great October.

See you in November.

Newsletter 9/17

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If you’re an American, summer is over after Labor Day weekend. For the rest of the northern hemisphere, it’s over on September 21, and autumn begins on the 22nd. More important than the autumnal equinox, which happens every year, is the publication of The Cuban Affair on September 19, making it a fall book, though it’s still summer.

Anyway, this is my 20th novel, and as any author will tell you, no matter how many books you’ve had published, a new one is always exciting – like the birth of a baby. I had an aunt in Canada who had 16 children – that’s 16 labor days – and each birth was, I’m sure, very exciting. And she, like me, started running out of names.

Chapter 2 of The Cuban Affair is now available on my website, and if you enjoyed Chapter 1, you’ll love Chapter 2. You can get the next 53 chapters by buying the book. As always, my books are available in hardcover, audio (CDs and downloads), and e-books. The choice of formats is yours, as is the choice to buy the book or not buy the book. But I really think you should buy the book. You don’t have to read it or listen to it; just buy it. You can give it to someone. Thank you.

Also, my former publisher, Grand Central Publishing, and Amazon will be offering some special deals on my previous books: On September 12, The General’s Daughter will be a Kindle Daily, for the low price of $2.99, and on September 13, The Charm School will be a Kindle Daily for $2.99. These are great offers.

The late, great Robert A. Heinlein, author of Stranger in a Strange Land, once said that he was competing for the reader’s beer money. I believe that, and I’m thrilled that I can offer two full novels for less than the price of a six-pack. Jump on this.

Speaking of great offers, here are three contests where we are giving away free stuff: 1) Newsletter contest – Download a chapter of The Cuban Affair and be entered to win a hardcover of the new book. Contest ends September 30. 2) Bookplate contest – Enter to win a signed The Cuban Affair bookplate – no purchase necessary. Contest ends September 15. 3) Sail away contest – Enter for a chance to win a thrilling prize package inspired by The Cuban Affair – a signed hardcover, audiobook, Caskers gift box of 3 premium rums, six month subscription to fishing gift box, a limited edition Nelson DeMille T-shirt. Contest ends September 19, which is publication day for The Cuban Affair.

Also on September 19 is the publication of Book of Judas, by my good friend and New York Daily News columnist, Linda Stasi. Book of Judas is a religious thriller featuring her feisty newspaper reporter Alessandra Russo who was introduced in Linda’s debut novel, The Sixth Station. These are both great reads and I recommend them for anyone, like myself, who loves religious thrillers. You’ll notice that Linda’s book and my book are published on the same day, so we’re supporting each other, and we’re doing a joint book signing at Barnes & Noble NYC on September 18. Hope you can make it.

I’ve gotten about a hundred emails pointing out that my book tour doesn’t include the West Coast. I’ve toured the West Coast many times – San Diego, LA, San Fran, Portland, Tacoma (my wife’s hometown), Seattle, and Vancouver, British Columbia. I always get enthusiastic crowds, and I’d love to do it again, but can’t this time due to the tight scheduling and other commitments. But check out my tour schedule on my website and see if I’m in your area. I’d love to meet you.

Some news on the Corey TV series: Sony TV and ABC-TV will make a decision in October about resurrecting the project. John Corey says, “This project has died and been resurrected so many times that the series should be called ‘Easter.'” I think it should be called “Groundhog Day.”

On the feature film front, there’s lots of interest in Hollywood for The Cuban Affair, but no firm offer yet. When you read the book, you’ll see that it would make a terrific movie. Let me know your thoughts on this.

There are a number of notable days this month, including Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 10. This would be a good day to buy grandma and grandpa a book. I happen to have two books which feature grandparents: The Gold Coast, and its sequel, The Gate House. They’ll love them.

Also, let’s not forget September 11. It’s been 16 years since the attack, but we should never forget the lives lost that day.

I want to take this opportunity to wish my Jewish friends and readers, and the Jewish side of my family, a happy Rosh Hashanah and a blessed Yom Kippur.

And finally, it’s back-to-school time. My ten-year-old seems ambivalent about this. My wife and I anxiously await the arrival of the yellow school bus.

Hope to see you at one of my book signings in September and October, and I hope you buy, read, and enjoy The Cuban Affair. Let me know.

Newsletter 8/17

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Hard to believe that summer is half over already – unless you’re reading this south of the equator where it’s winter. It’s worth a trip to Australia or New Zealand just to flush the toilet and watch the water go clockwise.

On another subject, if you tuned into CBS Sunday Morning with Lesley Stahl to see me, and you blinked, you may have missed me. The segment was really about my friend Linda Fairstein, and my five minutes of fame was edited down to about five seconds. That’s TV. But I did get a good dinner at Aretsky’s Patroon restaurant, and a free copy of Linda’s new book, Deadfall, which I’m loving.

On August 1 I posted the first chapter of The Cuban Affair on my website, and in September I’ll post Chapter Two. These chapters are supposed to entice you to pre-order The Cuban Affair from your favorite online retailer, or from your local bookstore. Posting free chapters is always a risk; the reader, who might have already decided to buy the book, may read the free chapters and decide the book sucks. But I’m gambling that you’ll be hooked by Chapter One and Two. Let me know.

For those of you who liked The Gold Coast, and those ten people who have never read it, it is being reissued on August 29 in two formats – mass market and trade paperback. There’s a new cover and a new price on the cover. Is the price lower than the last reissue? No. But it’s still a great deal for hours and hours of entertainment, and costs less than a martini in a New York City bar.

My publicity tour for The Cuban Affair is becoming finalized and you can see where I’ll be appearing by clicking here. Hope to see you at one of these events.

The Cuban Affair is making the rounds in Hollywood, and with luck we’ll have an offer from a studio or production company in the next few weeks. After you read the book, let me know who you think should play the lead parts of Dan (Mac) MacCormick, and Sara Ortega. Also, the supporting cast in this story is strong. I see me as Jack Colby and also me as Richard Neville. When you read the book, you’ll agree.

I’ve gotten hundreds of emails asking me what I’m working on now. Well, I’m working on my tan. And also an outline for my next book. More on that in September.

And don’t forget – The Cuban Affair will be released on September 19. You can pre-order now from your favorite online retailer. Hope you enjoy Chapter One.

And finally, have a great August and a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.

See you in September.