Writers’ Day 2009

The New Hampshire Writers’ Project presented a day of writing workshops, classes and panel discussions during the 16th annual Writers’ Day conference at The Derryfield School in Manchester on April 18. Meredith Hall, author of the best-selling memoir “Without a Map,” offered the keynote address, highlighting a full day of events with professional writers, editors and publishers. 

Dan Brown to release new book in September

Local literary hero Dan Brown recently announced that his eagerly awaited follow-up to “The Da Vinci Code” will hit stores late this summer. Doubleday will publish “The Lost Symbol” in the United States and Canada on Sept. 15. 
According to Brown’s Web site, the new book will have a first printing of five million copies, which marks the largest first print run in the history of Random House, Inc.

The large print run should not come as a complete surprise, as Brown’s 2003 novel “The Da Vinci Code” is the bestselling hardcover adult novel of all time, with 81 million copies in print worldwide.

Like “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels & Demons,” the new novel will follow the adventures of protagonist Robert Langdon. According to Brown’s editor Jason Kaufman, the “The Lost Symbol” is a fast-paced thriller with a narrative that takes place within a 12-hour period.

Brown grew up in Exeter and now lives in Rye. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and later taught English there.  

“This novel has been a strange and wonderful journey,” Brown says on his Web site. “Weaving five years of research into the story’s twelve-hour timeframe was an exhilarating challenge. Robert Langdon’s life clearly moves a lot faster than mine.”

“The Da Vinci Code” spent 144 weeks on the New York Times Hardcover Fiction bestseller list, including 54 weeks at number one. It has been translated into 51 languages and was made into a blockbuster movie in 2006. Brown’s other prior novels include “Angels & Demons,” (2000) “Digital Fortress” (1998) and “Deception Point” (2001), each of which has sold millions of copies internationally.

“Angels & Demons” hits theaters nationwide on May 15. Like the film of “The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels & Demons” is directed by Ron Howard and stars Tom Hanks.