AUGUST 2002 NEWSLETTER This month the national press got hold of the story leaked by STEPHEN KING on his website, that I was the author of Ellen Rimbauer's Diary ­ My Life At Rose Red, and the story broke in the New York Times, USA TODAY, AP-Wire Services, and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, as well as all over the web. I've done a number of interviews which some of you may or may not have seen. August 6th is the publication date for THE ART OF DECEPTION. This is a big deal for me, as you can imagine, and I'm encouraging readers, that if they plan to buy the book, to do so in the FIRST TWO WEEKS while the discounts are available at most bookstores. This also helps to support the bestseller lists, which helps us as well. Thanks! We have a terrific "movie trailer" for AOD created by Perry Towle. On DSL it loads in seconds. On dial-up it takes 3-4 minutes, but is well worth the wait. There's also a box at the end of the 30 second trailer to email it to a friend, and I hope you'll consider doing so. Perry worked his tail off on this "flash movie" and I think you'll find it entertaining. Pass it on! WE ARE REALLY EXCITED about this trailer. Email me to let me know what you think. SPECIAL CONTEST: If you can find the hidden clue that I wrote The Diary Of Ellen Rimbauer, a clue that is somewhere in the text of Art Of Deception... and if you email us the page number (by August 20) that contains that clue... you'll be entered in drawing to receive 3 signed copies of The Art Of Deception (an $80 value). (Note: you do not have to read the Diary to "get" this clue.) The ART OF DECEPTION TOUR DATES are posted on the site, as is the "official" press pack for AOD. Take a look! I hope to see many of you while out on tour. With the secret out about ELLEN RIMBAUER'S DIARY, I can also now "leak" that ABC and I are in discussions for me to write a 2 hour movie of the Diary. I'm told the Wall Street Journal may run a national story about all this at some future date, so keep an eye out. Dave Barry and Mitch Albom visit Sun Valley, Idaho this month. We are playing a benefit gig (a partial Rockbottom Remainders gig) in Ketchum, Idaho on August 24th. It's part of the Sun Valley Writers Conference, that the three of us are attending along with dozens of other authors. For those with an appetite toward creative writing, I'm giving a week long seminar on PreviewPort.com starting July 29th and continuing through August 2nd. Daily discussion groups about creating and maintain suspense in fiction. Come participate if you like! It should be interesting. Don't forget the TODAY SHOW on August 7th. Thanks for supporting THE ART OF DECEPTION, and especially for passing the word to friends. The reception of the novel this summer means a great deal to me (and Hyperion) and it's through your loyal support that I'm able to write a book a year. So thanks again, up front. Have a great August! See you out on the road! Keep reading! Previous newsletters, click here!