The Official Matthew Reilly Homepage

Hey there!

Apologies, but I've been rather busy of late, what with starting a new book and all (very exciting), so I've been a little lax in updating my "Thoughts" section.

But today I found some time, so here goes...

I've grabbed a few books on this topic of late, mainly just because I like to be informed about current events. The books I'm reading include:

"HOLY WAR INC: INSIDE THE SECRET WORLD OF OSAMA BIN LADEN" by PETER L. BERGEN
This book includes a small section on September 11.

"BIN LADEN: THE MAN WHO DECLARED WAR ON AMERICA" by YOSSEF BODANSKY
This one is a little dry, but full of interesting facts. And lastly,

"FROM BEIRUT TO JERUSALEM" by THOMAS FRIEDMAN
Having loved this author's take on globalisation in "The Lexus and the Olive Tree", I thought he was the man to read if I wanted to learn more about the Middle East. God, he's good!

It was my pleasure once again to be invited to speak at the National Young Leaders Days in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney this year. These are special "speech days" put on by the wonderful people at the Young Leaders Foundation for high school students with passion and drive and the desire to make things happen. Had a great time encouraging the students to chase their dreams...because in this life, no-one is going to hand you your dreams on a silver platter, you have to go and chase them!

For those of you in NEW ZEALAND who have read my books, keep an eye out, because sometime this week, I could be coming to a WHITCOULLS BOOKSTORE near you!

That's right, I'm doing a quickfire four-day tour of New Zealand. I'll be starting in CHRISTCHURCH on Monday (3 Dec), then moving to WELLINGTON on Tuesday (4 Dec), then jumping up to AUCKLAND on Wednesday (5 Dec). Give your local Whitcoulls store a call and see if I'm coming! [Naturally, I'll be happy to talk about the cricket with any Kiwi supporters! Wouldn't it be nice if the Australian rain would let up for a few days and allow some cricket to be played?]

I have started writing a new book. Is it a new Schofield? Or perhaps a follow-up to TEMPLE? Or maybe the secret sequel to CONTEST? Or does it introduce a whole new hero? In short...I'm not telling just yet. You'll have to wait and see (although I have been known to drop hints to nice people at the occasional book signing!). Should be out in Australia and the UK next Christmas (the US is still about six months behind in releasing my books, but its gaining!).

For those of you out there waiting for email replies, I'm so sorry! My website emails have been backing up for some time now and I just can't keep up. While I will still try to get to every email, I think I'm going to have to answer some frequently-asked questions here in the Thoughts section on a monthly basis. To those still waiting, I will reply...!

Oh, and on the topic of signings, I've got some Christmas appearances coming up in SYDNEY for anyone who's interested. The dates and times are as follows:

Friday, 7 December, 12:30pm:
ANGUS & ROBERTSON, PITT ST MALL (SYDNEY CBD)
A book signing in the centre of the city.

Saturday, 8 December, 12:00 noon:
JOHN'S BOOKSHOP, 710 MILITARY RD, MOSMAN
An informal chat where you can ask me questions about my books, movies, or just publishing in general! No books for sale (but please feel free to bring your existing copies if you want them signed), I'm just there to promote John's excellent shop and reading in general.

Saturday, 22 December, 12:30pm:
ANGUS & ROBERTSON, WARRIEWOOD
A book signing on the last Saturday before Christmas -- for all those people doing their last-minute Christmas shopping!

I wish I had more to add. I guess I have just been so immersed in starting the new book that I haven't been thinking about much else.

P.S. The mighty Full Tossers indoor cricket team are doing very well; currently on track to make the semi finals. But as I head to NZ, the boys will be taking on our arch-nemesis team, Bridgeview... Good luck without me, Tossers!