News 7 September 2003

THE REAL NUREYEV, which was acquired immediately prior to BEA, is just getting bigger and better. The author has made new contacts who knew Nureyev from 1962 right up until 1992, three weeks before he died.

Their information is incredibly personal and has never been told before. They have agreed to co- operate with this book because they feel that previous biographies have either been pure fantasy or written with the intention of denigrating Nureyev.

Their stories include a lot of new information on Margot Fonteyn, descriptions of cruising Nice with Nureyev in 1964, his reaction when they told him that Pushkin his teacher had died and even a description of helping him out of a bath three weeks before he died. It is powerful and touching and we are looking forward to receiving the final manuscript.

Following the serialization of HOW TO SPOT A B*STARD BY HIS STAR SIGN in the Mirror last week we have been inundated with orders for the book. The serial deal also sparked off features in Heat and the Daily Star and have generated TV and radio interest in the feisty authors.

Corinne Souza, author of BAGHDAD SPY is appearing at the Cheltenham Literary Festival on Sunday 19th October in a session called THE SPYING GAME. She is scheduled to appear with David Shayler, Andrew Gilligan and Michael Smith from 6-7pm on Sunday 19th October. Her book has just been reviewed in THE HOUSE MAGAZINE, the Parliamentary weekly:

'Corinne Souza's BAGHDAD SPY tells the story of her life as a spy's daughter. Her father was an Iraqi/British businessman who was on the books of British intelligence. It's a gripping and very human tale.'

The news of the da Vinci theft in Scotland has sparked press interest around the world in FRAMED. Tod Volpe has been contacted by people from Sydney, New York and London for his input. There was also a full page story on FRAMED in the New York Post on August 24th.

The Gaelic Football radio series begins Thursday 4 September, with book mentions after each week's programme, right through November. He also has interviews lined up on RTE Radio1, Cork local radio, WLR Waterford radio, Radio Kerry, Galway Bay FM, Midlands Radio, Highland Radio and Radio Foyle.

And Finally...

Fiona Brownlee has a packed schedule for the Frankfurt Book Fair. If you are attending the Book Fair and don't yet have an appointment please contact fiona.brownlee@mainstreampublishing.com to see if she can squeeze you in! We shall be in Hall 8 H901.

Please drop by and say hello.