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sweet encore

July 8, 2013

I’m sorry to have to announce that Sweet Encore, the fourth book in the Tout series, will not be published next month as planned.

I’m still some way off the point of ‘hanging the chandeliers’ as I call adding the final descriptive layer that I know readers love.

I really hate letting people down but I'm not the sort of writer who can bang out more than one book a year, and I was foolish to think that I could.

Quality control is very important to me and because of this, I’ve taken the decision to delay publication until next summer.

I feel very bad about this as I know that many of you have pre-ordered the book and were looking forward to it as holiday reading.

In addition, I’d like to apologize to those of you who’ve sent me emails recently and not had replies.

I love reading your feedback and lovely messages and I do my best to answer them all, but recently the back log has become rather out of control.

So I’m going to disappear for a while – and yes, drop off Twitter too – to concentrate on writing. I will be back but not for a while.

Sincere apologies, KW.

comments (13)

1. Posted by Diane on July 8, 2013 4:58 PM

You are doing exactly what a good writer should do. Instead of pushing books out too fast, you are considering the value the book will have to your readers. You are doing this to give us the best of you, and for that, you don't need to apologize, Karen.


2. Posted by Roz on July 8, 2013 9:40 PM

I agree....I've thoroughly enjoyed the first three books and am more than happy to wait until you are ready to publish. To churn out books that would fall short of your normal quality would turn you into the writer equivalent of a battery hen!!! I was lucky enough to meet you at The Mad Hatters Kitchen when you signed my copy of your last book and I have recently downloaded your new diet book - but am not yet in the right frame of mind to open it!!! Bonne chance!

3. Posted by Cris Arias on July 9, 2013 8:03 PM

Your book will be worth the wait. They continue to live with me even though it's been months since I read the last one. I'm happy to wait because I don't want the stories to end.

4. Posted by Elizabeth Strong (or @veginarbordale) on July 10, 2013 10:21 PM

Karen, can't say I am not selfishly gutted - because I had my hols in the Charente teamed up with the book and had even persuaded my husband he might go to a book signing if there was one about! However, I am so happy that you have decided not to just push out books without your fabulous quality, that's why we read them and love them!Books are ready when you are and I am looking forward to it!
Have a great summer with no pressure!

5. Posted by Melanie Cory on July 11, 2013 8:29 AM

Don't worry I know it will be worth the wait. Quality is very important and it shows you are a true writer not just someone who churns out books because of deadlines. Enjoy some downtime and you loyal fans will still be here. Have a lovely summer and take some time to relax in our gorgeous French weather. Mel xxxx

6. Posted by katiek on July 11, 2013 10:52 PM

MMMMM....so sad :(

To be honest whilst I have been waiting I have tried many other Frenchie kind of books but ......none as good as yours . Some had that "unfinished feel" to them. Just not quite right. so I can see where you are coming from.

You know what I am going to do... re -read your others ,taking my time until the next one is ready and polished to perfection.
Thanks for being truthful
Katie K

7. Posted by Mary Andrews on July 13, 2013 7:28 AM

Glad to hear you are in the process of writing another book - I have not checked your website in awhile - I just downloaded your Marie Antoinette Diet book - it is still avaiable on Amazon! Looks great. Since you will be concentrating on your writing, some of your fans might want to check out Vivian Swift - I recently read one of her books. Her writing is similar to yours. She is American and is in love with Paris and all of France. She has heard of you. Best of luck with your continued writing. - Mary Andrews - Oklahoma USA

8. Posted by Mary Andrews on July 13, 2013 7:30 AM

I forgot to mention Vivian Swift has a great blog.

9. Posted by christiana on July 18, 2013 3:27 AM

All good things come to those who wait.
Looking forward to reading your book next northern summer, my winter in Australia!
Christiana x

10. Posted by Emma LP on August 7, 2013 9:25 AM

It will be well worth the wait, Karen. Your books about France are my absolute favourites (and my Francophile daughter's too!) Good luck with the writing.

11. Posted by nancy donnelly on September 15, 2013 6:07 AM

Hi Karen! I'm so excited for Sweet Encore, but I also understand that you need to take your time...don't worry...your fans can wait...patiently...I was in Yorkshire visiting an old friend and told her about your books and she said she'd bought it but hadn't opened it...I was like, OMG...you will love it! When I got back to SF she'd already finished the first and within two weeks had read the other two...even staying up til 5am to finish Tout Soul...crying her eyes out...she is hooked! I can't wait to tell her another will be out next year!!! take care! xoxo PS...Love the pics of Biff in your lovely garden! Nancy

12. Posted by nahid on October 10, 2013 11:10 PM

Hi Karen,
Remember me? Your friend Nahid from Ontario Canada! I will anxiously await your novel, but that's not to say I'm happy about the wait!!! Good luck with the finished product - I am sure it will be just as wonderful as your other works..
All the best - Nahid


13. Posted by Ruth on October 11, 2013 4:20 PM

Pas de probleme, you write beautifully so take your time to perfect your book. Bon chance and I look forward to reading it next summer (hopefully I can purchase it here in the U.S.). Best wishes, Ruth


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