April 21st, 2008:

I'd like to take a few moments and spend a few lines responding to inquiries and
comments that readers have sent in via email over the past months. First of all,
thanks to each of you. I can't tell you how much it means to me.
Any reader response is extremely validating to a writer.

How long is the Roland Longville series going to be?

     Hmm. I'm currently working on the fifth installment of
the Roland Longville series. I had originally planned for twelve, but now it looks
like there might be as many as twenty, and very probably even more, if my publisher
can be persuaded.

Why did you stop naming the Roland Longville Novels after songs?

      I didn't, really. With Medusa, I return to the convention of naming
the books after songs or musical works that I admire (with the artist's kind per-
mission, of course.) I was unable to do this with Dead Birmingham, because
an artist whose work I have always admired, refused my request for the use of their song title
and likewise refused me the reprint rights of a few lyrics of that certain song.
Many other artists granted the same request pretty much automatically.

     For whatever reason, though, permission was refused, and so I thought up another title.

Strangely enough, the same artist later granted permission for me to reprint the
lyrics of another of their works in another novel, so I won't name them here.
No hard feelings.

     No matter; titles themselves cannot be copyrighted, you see, so I could have used
the song title, anyway; but in the end decided against it, what the hell.
I really like the title Dead Birmingham, and it has generated some interesting
remarks from readers, some of whom were pleased to see the name of their city in
a novel's (albiet gloomy-sounding) title. Maybe some artist will read the book, like it,
and name a song after it. Hope springs eternal.

     A word on fan mail in general. Yes, I actually wrote that.
What a feeling. In recent months,I have been pleased to start receiving fan email from
those of you who were kind enough to read my books, and cared enough to send in
your comments. I do read every one, and answer every one, although it may take me
a few days.

      In addition to the questions I list here, I've gotten other emails that really surprised me.
Among the more interesting comments I have gotten so far; one reader was displeased
with the death of a permanent character in Dead Birmingham. This reader went
so far as to take me to task for, and I quote:

'killing off a permanent character just to move the plot along.'

     But I didn't!

     The character in question had been around since Season of the Witch, and was a likable,
foil-type character. I appreciate and understand that killing the character off might
seem mercenary of me, but, rest assured! I did not commit the murder as a
merely convenient plot device. I have, long ago, planned out the general framework
of the entire Roland Longville saga, and certain changes have long been in the works.

     The character in question dies so that changes in later novels can happen. I promise.
I won't place a spoiler here for those who haven't read the books in question. Suffice to say,
there are hints of what is to come in Medusa, and since I am nearing completion
on the fifth installment, I don't feel like it's giving too much away to say...
you'll see!

     Lastly, the question that I have been asked more often that not:

Are Roland's cases always going to take him to other cities?

     Some of you want to see more Season of the Witch and Dead Birmingham
type stories that explore Birmingham in greater depth.

     Also, people want more of the gangsters we see in those two books.
The answer to all is a resounding...You bet! Roland will be sticking closer to home
in the next two books, though his travels are far from over.
Those of you who liked the Ganato/O'Malley feud will get the mob war you are lusting for
in Roland Longville #6, so hang in there.

     Having said all that, it is quite clear from reader response--and sales--that Magician
is far and away the most popular so far of the series, so don't think I'm out of touch if you
are a fan of that book, and Medusa, its sequel.

     As always, your kind (and even the not-so-kind) words are manna from heaven for
me, keep 'em coming! I thank you sincerely for reading my works, and I hope that
you'll continue to send comments my way!

     To submit, just click the email link below.
     Peace be with you, and be well!

Timothy C. Phillips

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