[Shep Gordon]

Hi, Mr. Korman,

I love your books. I have read Slugfest and The Unteachables, and they are great. I have a question for you - do you plan on writing any new books? And if you are, what will they be about?

Shep G.

Madeira Elementary School, 4th Grade

Hi,m Shep,

Thanks for posting. I'm really pleased that you like my books so much. I hope you'll want to read you way right through my long list -- as of July 1st with the release of SNOOP, the publications will number 106. Take your pick! Check out the BOOKS section of this website for all the titles.

As for what all the books, and any new books will be about? About everything and anything. I decide on a one-book at a time basis.

                                  Thanks again!                                                         -----Gordon Korman-----

[NK]

Dear Mr. Korman,

I've recently read Faker and I'm sorry to say that I'm beginning to lose interest in your books. Not because the quality of the book was any lesser, your books are great as ever. All the books have a fun new setting or character, however certain themes and characters repeat in most of your books. Namely, middle school, the big mean footballer, the 'average' main character who has some quirk or the other, media attention, the popular cheerleader, community bonding etc... 

I do not know if this is common to all schools in America, having lived my whole life in another continent, I can say for sure that such things play a very small role in school life outside. The theme was fascinating and fresh the first few times. Reading the first few lines of a Gordon Korman book was always like "I wonder how the story will unfold with such crazy new characters, settings and conflicts", now its more of a "Where have I seen this before?". I feel some of the books I've liked the most are ones where you've deviated from such a theme like Jake, Reinvented, The Juvie Three, Unplugged and Losing Joe's Place.

Sir, I genuinely believe that you can write a new theme so brilliantly that it will not only get the attention of your readers in America but also the rest of the world and people of all ages. I understand that I may be asking a lot of you, considering that you have found a relevant theme and write it superbly, but I wouldn't be writing this is I did not believe that you could pick a completely new theme and still knock it out of the park.

I am aware that you have written 105 books and I have read perhaps only a third. Maybe you could recommend some books where you've played out a whole new theme, conflict and resolution. I sincerely hope my suggestions are taken in the right spirit and prove useful. I hope I have not come across as rude or overly critical, which was never my intention. I'm just a guy who wants to see his favorite author write something new that will blow everyone's mind. I look forward to your next book, which I simply know will turn out great.

Yours Sincerely

NK

[NK]

correction in the last line of the 3rd paragraph *...wouldn\'t be writing this if I did not believe that you could pick a completely new theme and still knock it out of the park.* 

Hi. NK,

Sorry my output is getting worn out with you, because you've been a great fan. To me, my themes have been reasonably diverse, considering that I write for the middle grade reader. That means sports, school, relationships, and tap-dancing like mad just to get by. I've got a new one, called SNOOP, coming out July 1st that might be something a little different. I hope you'll write again and let me know what you think.

I agree, though,that the genre is, by design, pretty specific.                    -----Gordon Korman-----