It's a curious genre, the "movie about movie-making". We all love going to the movies, but more often than not we really don't care about the process of movie-making (maybe it's because they're always filled with industry in-jokes). But STATE AND MAIN, written and directed by David Mamet, is to my mind up there with the benchmark in this genre, Robert Altman's THE PLAYER. While not as broad in scope as THE PLAYER, STATE AND MAIN (yes, it's a pretty poor title, but don't let that fool you) details what happens when a Hollywood movie production invades a small town in Vermont. Even with my minimal experience dealing with movie industry types, I could see the reality behind Mamet's acid script. If you want to get into the movies, this film is a must-see.

Next week, however, I'll be seeing a movie I've been keenly anticipating...TOMB RAIDER!!!

Since most of my thoughts over the past two weeks have been directed toward my next novel, I haven't actually been thinking about many other things (I kind of get consumed in my books!). As such there are only a few things that I have to mention this week.

1. GUARANTEED GOOD READ

You know you've made it when... There's a new book just out in Sydney called DARK WINTER, by William Dietrich (author of ICE REICH) and emblazoned across its front cover is one of those hygienic seals saying: "GUARANTEED GOOD READ: As entertaining as Matthew Reilly or your money back!" It's nice to know someone thinks I'm entertaining. One of the most flattering things I've ever experienced, really. Might even read the book just to see what it's like.

2. A7 UNCORRECTED PROOFS HAVE GONE OUT

Well, it's getting closer. The uncorrected proofs of AREA 7 (these are bound versions of the book, only without the cover, that go out to booksellers and reviewers about a month before the official release of the novel) have arrived in both Australia and the UK. I even saw some UK cover designs the other day for A7 and CONTEST. Actually, here's an announcement: I'm hoping that I can reveal -- here, in two weeks' time -- the Australian and UK covers for AREA 7. So stay tuned!

3. THE WEBSITE COMPETITION: WHERE THE BOOKS ARE COMING FROM

Whenever a new book of mine is released, I get given a set amount of copies by the good folk at Pan Macmillan a couple of weeks before the actual release date. So the two copies of A7 up for grabs in the "Flash Intro / Fan Fiction" competition on the site will not only be signed by me (and received by the winner before the official release date), BUT they will be coming out of my own personal stash of books. So if you can work Flash (I certainly can't) or can just put words on paper (yeah, can do that), you have a chance of winning! I'd particularly like to encourage younger readers to give the competition a go.

4. THE END

Well, that's it for this fortnight. See you next time (hopefully with the cover of AREA 7)!

Matthew Reilly
Sydney, Australia

P.S. No indoor cricket last week, as it was the "Queen's Birthday" public holiday last Monday. Just another reminder that Australia's Head of State situation is an absolute, bona fide, first-class joke. It wasn't even a holiday in Great Britain.