So, my first entry. What to say?

Have received lots of emails about Seven Ancient Wonders over the past six months: overwhelmingly positive, I'm pleased to say. It's actually been my biggest selling book to date, which is a big thing, since it's not a sequel to any previous book.

Received about six emails from angry American readers about it-they were upset at their countrymen being portrayed as the villains of the book, and were howling 'Anti-American' at me. They seemed to forget the five novels I wrote with Americans as the heroes and that I am the most pro-American person I know! A book's got to have villains, and why can't some of them be American, especially in these complex geopolitical times? God, at dinner parties and the like, I'm always the guy defending America against those who speak ill of it!

And hey, my Australian readers loved it when Australia got a mention in Ice Station for being in league with the villainous British. And the Brits never minded being portrayed as murderous bastards in that book. Although, strangely, I am still not published in France -so come on, I know that Americans have thicker skins and a better sense of humour than the French!

Anyway, the blog has begun but now I'd better run. Off to Darwin this weekend to speak at an educational conference. Back soon!