Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Sad News...

I'm sure you've been wondering why I've been so quiet for so long, and there has, in fact, been a reason. (Actually, many reasons, but more on that later.) It's just I didn't want to say it out loud and make it real, so I...didn't. Many, many of you have written and asked about the status of THE DEAD GIVEAWAY, a question I have dodged, but now it's time to just tell you what has happened and be done with it. So here goes: Due to the merger of Penguin with Random House, the new corporation decided to put my forensic books in publisher's limbo. In other words, they have no plans to release either one of the new titles. Which is why I've been so absent. It's heartbreaking news, especially since there is nothing I can do about it. So there you have it, the end of the forensic series. After I appeared on The Paula Zahn show (which was incredibly hard) I came home to a cancer scare concerning my daughter, which turned out well but took up all of my mental energy. (Terror, pure and simple.) Then my granddaughter had to have surgery due to yet another cancer scare (again, it turned out well) and worst of all, my son's baby died when his wife was at the six-month pregnancy mark. (They live just ten minutes away.) As this was to be their first child, it was a particularly hard loss, since there was nothing physically wrong with their little baby girl. Why she died is a mystery - her heart just stopped beating. In the midst of that emotional storm, I found out about the fate of the series, and I just sort of...bailed. Sorry sorry sorry. I'm back now, finishing up DRAGONFLY EYES. I think it will be my best book ever, so there's that to look forward to! I want to share what happened when I asked my sister why all these bad things had been raining down on me, because, in truth, I was feeling very low. She reminded me of something that is so important I feel embarrassed that I let this truth slip away from me, even for a little while. When I was on the show with Paula Zahn (bloated from those horrible drugs because of the terrible case of pneumonia I'd endured, which in turn had forced me to take high high high levels of prednisone and swell up like a pumpkin) I was still sick. I'd really wanted to represent Savannah and felt like I had failed, in part because of those nasty prednisone side-effects. Joni, my sister, gently told me that instead of my appearance on the show being a failure, it had been a triumph, because, as bloated as I was, I had been alive to tell her story, thanks to the very drug I so despised. Prednisone had saved me and I should be grateful. My daughter's biopsy turned out to be benign and it could have been so much worse. So was my granddaughter's biopsy - another benign, huzzah! The loss of the baby was a true heart-breaker, but I've never been promised an easy path and my son and wife may still try for another. Joni encouraged me to count my blessings, which I have started to do all over again. It's not been a bad six months, it's been a challenging six months. When you're dealing with the loss of life, the loss of a book(s) isn't so bad. It's all about perspective. On a final note, Robert Lloyd Sellers son wrote to me, and if he reads this message, I would very much like him to email me at aferguson@alaneferguson.com. (As may any of you. I'm much better at answering emails, so if you have a question, always feel free to write to me directly!) There have been many, many connections that were made from ON THE CASE WITH PAULA ZAHN, and it has been healing to have been able to talk with those who remembered my friend. It's almost as if Savannah's here with me again; I have missed her so very, very much... Just so you know, DRAGONFLY EYES is written from the perspective of a character named Savannah Anderson, a beautiful girl who, like my friend Savannah, was murdered in her prime. It is my tribute to 'my Savannah'. This new book series shines a light on my belief that we must be kind to each other, always always always. You never know what twist or turn may surprise you up ahead, but you can make a choice to be grateful for the sweetness, the nectar that comes from living each and every day we are given with joy. Books may come and go, but the love we share though the lives we touch is forever. That is something to remember...

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

could you post the books online? like on your blog or something? I was so looking forward to reading those! Pretty Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been waiting 3 years for this! literally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also will Body Language still be a tv show

Anonymous said...

can't you try to publish the books at other publishing companies or ask penguin to publish them? please ive been waiting forever

Alane Ferguson said...

Oh, if only it were that easy. The problem is that I don't own the work - I've been paid for it, so technically, it's theirs, not mine. As usual I will ask for permission. I don't know what they will say, but I will ask. Thanks SO MUCH for your kind words and support. And maybe they will change their mind in the end and publish it after all. As to the television show, Body Language, it's still in play, but nothing has firmed up so far. I heard from the producers and they are still pitching. If THAT happens, I'm sure Penguin will release books five and six. Fingers crossed!

Anonymous said...

But on penguins website it showed the cover of the dead giveaway and the publication date as 2015 and isn't it illegal not to publish the book if they've already paid for it and promised to publish it in the fall... Did they say they week ever publish it

Anonymous said...

I was looking forward to the books too. But compared to your last few months, not being able to publish them doesn't compare. I wish the best for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

You are such an inspiration, I can't imagine going through the experience of your daughter's cancer scare and loosing your contract, I couldn't be more of a fan! I am so appreciative of the strength behind your honesty and the courage to share this. I commend you for your will to hold on and survive this year's tests. You are so strong; such an exemplar of strength in the face of adversity! I auspiciously await Dragonfly Eyes...I know it will be epic. Keep going because you are phenomenal!

Alane Ferguson said...

THANKS YOU for your kind, kind comments. It makes me smile again to read your warm words, Anonymous June 1! ALL of you have been wonderful. Thanks for understanding, supporting and cheering me on. Summer is in the air, and new things are growing! :)

Sydney said...

Oh my gosh! I just CAN'T believe this! No! I LOVE the forensics mysteries! And I've been waiting FOREVER for the next book! I really do hope they change their minds about publishing and releasing the book!

Anonymous said...

could we do some sort of petition to get the books published?

Kalyn said...

Oh no, that's so awful! I'm sorry, you've already had so much on your plate and now this. :( I really hope the second half of the year goes much better for you. We're rooting for you!

Unknown said...

I just like to say you books r amazing and I just started reading them like a week ago and finished them all and I'm like is there a 5th the I see this and almosted cried. And what I thinking was that u could go to a different publisher or publish it yourself. I think u could do it and be successful

Unknown said...

I hope they let u write the books cause I love them soooo much!!! There so amazing and I re-read them a lot!

Anonymous said...

have you talked to them to see if they could publish the book? Please respond!

- from no one

Anonymous said...

any updates+

Anonymous said...

any tv show update or about the forensic mystery series? did the publishing company say they aren't going to publish any more of the forensic mystery series?

Ariel said...

I've also been waiting with great anticipation for more than 3 years and I'm extremely sad to hear about this because the Forensic Mystery series is one of my absolute favorite series! I was especially excited when you first posted the first chapter of The Dead Giveaway. I thought The Dying Breath would be the last book of the series and I was so excited to know that there would be more. Though I shouldn't be complaining. I'm so sorry to hear about what you were going through lately. I praise you for looking at the bright side of things because it's hard for people to view things positively. Thank you for everything that you do. I hope with all my heart that they decide to publish the books after all.

Anonymous said...

I have constantly checking amazon, barnes and noble, etc. to see if your upcoming books had been listed yet so that I could pre-order them. I finally decided to come back to the blog...only to find out that they are not planning to publish the forensic mystery books. I can't believe they would do that! I am a huge fan of those books (they are literally my favorite series), and it's so disappointing to know that we may never get to enjoy reading your wonderful writing, or finding out what happened! I am keeping my fingers crossed they have a change of heart.

I also send my best regards to you and your family. It definitely sounds as though you all have been tested in some way! I am sorry for the loss of your son and his wife's little angel.

Alane Ferguson said...

Thanks so much for the much needed hugs - I'm hoping/hoping/hoping they have a change of heart, too! In the meantime, if any of you would like to be my BETA readers, I could send you the next book. What do you think???

Anonymous said...

I feel so bad for you! But I feel that we as readers understand that somethings can not possibly happen at bad times.
wishing you your best,
Anonymous

Ariel said...

Wait...what exactly does this mean?!?! Could you give a little more information??

Anonymous said...

hows the tv show

Anonymous said...

can you still write the Enemy in the Walls...or some excerpt or epilonge of cami and justin on your blog to give us some peace of mind that they are meant for each other... pretty please with a cherry on top? I know that you writing the Enemy in the Walls is unlikely but I would so appreciate it if you could write an excerpt or something on your blog... like a cami and justin scene with maybe some forensic stuff or something to give us peace of mind that cami and justin are meant to be. pretty please with a cherry and caramel on top. Hugs and kisses!

Shelbie said...

I would be so amazing. I would would love to be a beta reader. I love this series so much and need to know what crazy things happen to Cameron next.

Hello said...

Hello. That would be cool.

Hello There said...

That would be cool.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your forensic mystery series, they're so good! I've never been more excited to read in my life. Your work is awesome! As for the Dead Giveaway have you heard anything about if they will end up publishing it? If not, is there any other way for us to get a copy? Thank you for your time!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your forensic mystery series, they're so good! I've never been more excited to read in my life. Your work is awesome! As for the Dead Giveaway have you heard anything about if they will end up publishing it? If not, is there any other way for us to get a copy? Thank you for your time!

Anonymous said...

I am a High School English Teacher and teaching The Christopher Killer with my class. I noticed you have a link for a Teaching Guide on your website, but when I click it, it does not work. Is there someone where else I can get that?

Thank you,

Tanya

Donna said...

I was just checking to see what new books you had coming out and was shocked to hear all that you have been through in 2014. My prayers are with you and your family. Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

any update