The rewards of writing

The first reward of writing is when you've finished that one last, self-edit, and you've sent your manuscript off to your professional editor for completion. For me that's Kerrie Schurr. (As my old rugby coach used to say "I'm tough, but I'm fair!" That's Kerrie, and I wouldn't have it any other way.)
That means that the third book in The Renaissance Brothers series is now going through the process of preparation for publication. The first book - The Butchers Boy - should be available well before Christmas - so spread the word!
Mr Dickens on the other hand continues to have an impact across the globe.
I received this email from a delightful lady in Sydney, and it makes me a very happy man. The intention of writing the book was not only to tell a great yarn, but to also introduce new readers to the great man himself, Charles Dickens, and to allow them to be moved by his stories, just as I was half a century ago.
Here's the email:

​Hi Duncan:

How are you doing? And "Mr Dickens"? Great, I hope.
Here´s just a brief update from the Eastern Front.
Your book triggered an all-consuming interest in "Old Charlie", as my cousins call him .................
I started by watching "Dickensian", a BBC production in 20 half-hour parts, available on DVD here. It was based on Dickens´ characters and plots, but all intertwined in a most creative way. Excellent storylines, costumes, atmosphere, acting. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Have you seen it?
Next came a raid at the Library, where I found shelf upon shelf with not only books BY Dickens but also a lot of literature ABOUT him: Scholarly analyses, biographies, highbrow critique, psychological dissections... Oh dear!
So I am reading, reading, reading. Just as well, because I am invited to join the illustrious NSW Dickens Society. Next meeting on October 14, and they seem to have big plans for me.
I also went for a walk in Centennial Park  to see one of the world´s only three statues of Old Charlie. See separate email.

This is all your "fault" - and I thank you for it, earnestly.

What more can I say?