| Q1: |
When’s the next book coming out? |
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| A1: |
Harlan's next novel is a stand-alone thriller entitled HOLD TIGHT. It will be released on April 15, 2008 in the USA. What's it about? In a sentence: The lives of five families intersect in unexpected, tragic and violent ways. While HOLD TIGHT book features a whole new set of characters, several key characters from THE WOODS do return and maybe answer some of your questions about what happened after the final page of that book was turned.
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| Q2: |
What is the order of the Myron Bolitar novels? |
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| A2: |
DEAL BREAKER, DROPSHOT, FADE
AWAY, BACK
SPIN, ONE
FALSE MOVE, THE
FINAL DETAIL, DARKEST
FEAR, PROMISE ME.
After that, we have TELL
NO ONE, GONE
FOR GOOD, NO
SECOND CHANCE, JUST ONE LOOK and
THE INNOCENT.
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| Q3: |
Will you write another Myron Bolitar novel? |
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| A3: |
PROMISE ME features Myron, Win and the gang in a very different
way. Click here for details. I do plan on returning to Myron and the gang again, but I really don't know when yet.
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| Q4: |
Where and when were you born? |
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| A4: |
January 4, 1962 in Newark, New Jersey. Yes, that’s the same
town where Myron Bolitar and Will Klein were born and raised. I still live in New Jersey.
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| Q5: |
Where did you go to school? |
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| A5: |
Livingston High School class of 80, Amherst College class of 1984.
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| Q6: |
Are any of the characters based on real people in your life? |
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| A6: |
Not really, no. Win is loosely based on my college roommate, though in real life, he is less, er, psychotic than his fictional counterpart.
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| Q7: |
Where do you get your ideas? |
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| A7: |
It’s a corny cliché, but anything can stimulate an idea. The hard part is, recognizing which ideas will work and developing that idea into a workable
story. An idea is not a plot. An idea is not a novel. Turning it into a story… that’s where the real work comes in.
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| Q8: |
What about the books PLAY DEAD and MIRACLE CURE? Did you write those? |
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| A8: |
Yes, in my youth - my early to mid-twenties - I wrote PLAY DEAD, a novel of romantic suspense, I guess, and MIRACLE CURE, which is more a medical thriller.
They are currently out of print. I have the rights back and right now have no concrete plans to re-release them. But one day, they’ll be baaaack.
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| Q9: |
What’s up with Hollywood? Any word on movies or TV shows based on the books? |
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| A9: |
Hollywood is a tricky animal and one a novelist is best keeping at arm’s length. At the same time, I’d love to see something made. We’ll try to update you on the latest rumors. Click here. Click here.
TELL NO ONE is scheduled to be released in USA theaters in June 2008.
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| Q10: |
Will you come to talk at our school, library, conference, etc? |
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| A10: |
Because of time constraints, family obligations and workloads, the number of appearances I do is limited. If you wish to make a request, you can send it here:
appearances@harlancoben.com
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| Q11: |
Our book club is reading one of your books. Any suggested questions? |
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| A11: |
Actually, here is one where I’d love your help. If someone has some helpful questions, I’d be happy to post them here. I can tell you that the themes
I love best involve family - the ties and bonds we all know. I enjoy stories where the past reverberates and sends shock waves to the present. I enjoy novels about old secrets and missing
people who may still be alive, about loss, about redemption. That should get your started!
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| Q12: |
How can I get an autographed copy? Can it be personalized? |
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| A12: |
The best way is to come to a book-signing, of course, but I realize that this is often difficult. What you can do is order a copy from BOOKENDS in New Jersey,
telephone 201-445-0726 or email Bkends@aol.com. Tell them what you want and they will do their best to take care of you. Yes, I will personalize, write
Happy Birthday or Happy Mothers Day or whatever. I try to stop in to the store and fill the orders once a week or so.
Unfortunately, I cannot accept books sent to my home or publisher. Thanks for understanding.
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| Q13: |
Do you have a favorite book of the ones you’ve written? |
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| A13: |
I’m going to trot out another cliché. The books are like my children. It’s hard and probably wrong to pick favorites.
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| Q14: |
Do you outline? Do you know the ending before you begin? |
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| A14: |
I don’t outline. I usually know the ending before I start. I know very little about what happens in between. It’s like driving from New Jersey to
California. I may go Route 80, I may go via the Straits of Magellan or stopover in Tokyo… but I’ll end up in California.
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| Q15: |
Do you read every email yourself? |
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If the content is appropriate, yup, I read them all.
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| Q16: |
How do I get published? |
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| A16: |
My advice would be to NOT try to market or sell your novel until it is done. I mean, completely done, done done, fully-finished and ready to go, and a few
other redundant phrases like that. Sorry, for obvious reasons, I can’t read manuscripts or recommend an agent. I do suggest that you find an agent. There are many sources for that (the
Writer’s Market is one). Then write the agents a fabulous one-page query letter that reads like the greatest flap copy in history. Make them hunger for more.
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| Q17: |
What is Yoo Hoo? |
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| A17: |
This link will explain all: http://www.drinkyoo-hoo.com
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| Q18: |
Have you written any of the following: LEFT FOR DEAD, BOLITAR’S GAME or CRIMEZONE? |
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| A18: |
NO SECOND CHANCE was originally called LEFT FOR DEAD and some web sites and misprints still list it that way. Please ignore.
BOLITAR’S GAME is a book club ominibus -- that is, it contains three Myron titles, not a new book. For details, check out the Mystery Guild’s web site.
CRIMEZONE is simply a magazine interview that is listed on certain sites as a collaboration or story. It is not.
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| Q19: |
In GONE FOR GOOD, I don’t get the epilogue/last page. How about a hint. |
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| A19: |
Re-read the first two or three pages of Chapter 52. In the US editions, pages 287-8 (hardcover) or pages 352-354 (paperback).
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| Q20: |
Is there or will there be a Myron book called The Rise and Fall of Super D? |
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| A20: |
No, "The Rise and Fall of Super D" was a short story. What you read is all there. You can find it in the USA in hardcover editions of THE INNOCENT. Not sure where it is published in other countries.
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