Win a free book, and help me improve this newsletter!

What would you like to see in my monthly newsletter? I want to make it lively and useful to readers, and you can help me do that.

If you answer a few questions about what you want in the newsletter, I'll enter you into a drawing for one of five free signed copies of a book. The book is my latest middle grade novel Room of Shadows, in which Edgar Allan Poe comes to life in modern-day Baltimore.

The questions will take just a minute. Click here to answer the questions and enter the drawing. The deadline is March 1.

My Other New Book

Why would an author of historical fiction write a novel set in the future?

First, I've always loved sci fi and fantasy—as a kid at the library I loaded up on Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and Robert Heinlein. Second, I love the readymade worlds of historical fiction but was curious to try creating my own world. And third, I had a story idea, or rather a question: What would life be like if a small, elite group, without our knowing it, controlled our dreams?

Dreambender was the result. In it, a young member of that elite group is asked to snuff out a beautiful dream but can't bring himself to do it. He runs off to meet the dreamer, a young woman, and together they fight back, choosing beauty over usefulness, freedom over safety. Click here to learn more.

A Letter from
Ray Bradbury

Speaking of Ray Bradbury, I almost met him once. It fell through, but in the process I received a treasured letter and good wishes from one of our greatest storytellers. Here's part of the letter I wrote to him. On the left is his response.

Dear Mr. Bradbury:
Nine years ago, three teenage boys edged their way to the front door of your house and, wide-eyed, knocked. Your wife answered and told them you were not in, but if they would leave a name and number, you'd call them. And you did! You invited them to your office, and you talked with them about rockets and dreams and books and writing.

But only two of the boys went. I was the third. I had just started my first job, and my overactive conscience wouldn't allow me to call in sick and seize the day for myself. So I had to be satisfied with listening to my friends' excited accounts of the afternoon's amazing events. I've always regretted not meeting you that day, because I am a devoted Ray Bradbury admirer....