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Bestselling Author Sidney Sheldon Rob Holden: Sidney Sheldon, welcome to ReadersRoom.com. Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to speak with us this morning! Sidney Sheldon: It's my pleasure. Thank you for having me. Rob Holden: I would like to start this chat off by talking about your upcoming novel ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?. Could you tell our readers a bit about it? Sidney Sheldon: ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? is the story of a think tank. Several employees connected with the tank are murdered, and two of their widows get together and find that someone is trying to kill them. It's the story of how they try to outwit the people in the think tank. Rob Holden: The novel actually revolves around some amazing scientific ideas. Could you tell us a bit about those, and how you became interested in them? Sidney Sheldon: In researching the book, it came to my attention that there are things that our governments are doing that they don't publicize, and I wanted to get them out in the open so that people can be made aware. Rob Holden: Well, I think in this particular case you did an excellent job of that! I would like to talk about Tanner Kingsley for a moment, who I think is one of the most complex characters you have ever created. What sorts of research did you do to get inside of the head of that character?

Sidney Sheldon: Thank you. He is a fictional character, not based on anyone in particular. Tanner Kingsley is brilliant -- and happens to be the head of a very powerful think tank. I interviewed people at a think tank as well as the head of American MENSA. I did this to get a feeling of not only how think tanks operate, and the kinds of things they do, but what these people are like.

Rob Holden: Mr. Sheldon, this is your first novel in over three years -- and is in my opinion the most complex and exactingly detailed of your works to date. Did you find this novel more difficult to research and write than your previous best sellers?

Sidney Sheldon: No, I would not say it was more difficult to research and write, but it was certainly very interesting and exciting. I had no idea about the complexities of modern technology. I was helped a great deal by Jesse Sackman, a computer expert.

Rob Holden: The novel will be out September 14th from Morrow, I believe. Will you be touring in support of it?

Sidney Sheldon: I will be going to New York next week, and will be doing some satellite radio interviews and television -- The Early Show, Entertainment Tonight, The Tony Danza Show, to name just a few.

Rob Holden: And will a schedule of what you are doing be posted at your website, www.sidneysheldon.com.?

Sidney Sheldon: I don't know, but that sure sounds like a good idea. Glad that you mentioned the website. If you go to my website now, you can read an excerpt from the book (the entire prologue), as well as enter a contest to win an entire collection of my books -- autographed.

Rob Holden: I would like to switch gears here for a moment and ask about your much anticipated autobiography, The Other Side of Me. Could you tell our readers a bit about that?

Sidney Sheldon: Gladly. Long before I wrote my first book, I enjoyed a successful career writing for Broadway, television and films. The book will include my growing up years, the years of struggling to make a living in the motion picture business, and successes I've had on Broadway and in Hollywood. I received an Oscar for The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (best original screenplay of 1947), a Tony for The Redhead, and an Edgar Allen Poe for the Best First Mystery Novel - The Naked Face. I was also nominated for an Emmy for I Dream of Jeannie. Would you like to hear a funny store about Jeannie?

Rob Holden: Please!

Sidney Sheldon: When Jeannie first went on the air, all the networks were beginning to put their shows out in color. Columbia refused to spend the few hundred dollars it would have taken to put Jeannie in color. When I asked why, they said they didn't think it would last more than a year. I offered to pay it myself and they said save your money. It went in black and white that first year. Then finally they made the show in color. Now 40 years later, Jeannie still airs -- and in countries all over the world! It's on every single day!

Rob Holden: That is amazing!

Sidney Sheldon: Isn't it, though? No one is more amazed than I am.

Rob Holden: Mr. Sheldon, since we announced this chat we have had many questions from our readers -- would you answer a few of them for us now?

Sidney Sheldon: I don't answer questions on a Thursday (laughing). I'll be happy to!

ReadersRoom: Jennifer C. Harrisburg, PA- I read in an interview that in your research for a book, you will not ever mention a restaurant or meal unless you have experienced it yourself. During such research, what was your favorite meal and what restaurant was it at?

Sidney Sheldon: I've been to over ninety countries while researching my books. I'm afraid it's impossible to answer your question. I enjoy the cuisine of many different countries.

ReadersRoom: Sam S. Joplin MO- Of all the awards you have received, which is the one that changed your career in the most dramatic way?

Sidney Sheldon: The Oscar because it gave me a high profile in the industry. The Tony (for co-writing The Redhead) also carried a lot of prestige, so that was exciting too. The Edgar was a big thrill for me because I received it for my very first novel. Before The Naked Face came out, I was sure that it would break a record -- that it would be the only book in history to NEVER sell a single copy! To prevent that, on the day it came out, I went to a bookstore and bought myself a copy. And I have done that with every one of my books since then. In fact, you know where I'll be on September 14th. People say it's a foolish superstition, but I tell them it seems to be working.

ReadersRoom: Tony P. Irvine CA- The entertainment industry has changed so drastically over the past 20 years. What do you see as the next "FAD" in prime time TV?

Sidney Sheldon:You mean the one that will hopefully follow reality TV - and soon? I have no idea what's coming next, but I'll answer your question as soon as it happens.

ReadersRoom: Cindy W. Deerfeild, IL- With your experience as a screen writer as well as an author, when one of your books is sold to become a movie or mini series are you always part of the process that brings your words to a visual medium?

Sidney Sheldon: Only if I want to be. The problem is that if I want to be executive producer, then I won't have time to work on my books. So very often, I will just sell it and not do anything more. But of course watch it when it comes out.

ReadersRoom: Nico J. Bartlett, TN- I understand that you have published a children's book in Japan. Since you are the Guinness record holder for translated books, is this book in English too? Might you share the title?

Sidney Sheldon: Yes. Actually it was several books and they were all in English -- designed to teach Japanese people to read English. Some of the titles are: The Dictator, The Strangler, The Money Tree. I can provide you with a full list later, if you'd like.

Rob Holden: And our final reader's question ...

ReadersRoom: Harold O. Gainesville, TX- Your creative view spans many mediums. As an artist and a fan of your work, I would love to know the title of your favorite "Artwork".

Sidney Sheldon: That's like asking a parent who is your favorite child. I can't do it -- other than to say that The Naked Face is the book that really changed my life, because it opened a door to a whole new world.

Rob Holden: Thank you for answering those. I would like to touch briefly on the nonfiction work you have in progress, Sidney Sheldon's Miracles and Other Mysteries. Could you tell our readers a bit about that project?

Sidney Sheldon: It's in its very early stages, and it's going to explore some of the superstitions and realities of psychic phenomena, religious beliefs, UFO's, and other mysteries of the universe.

Rob Holden: That sounds fascinating. One of the questions our readers who are also aspiring writers like to know is about author's work schedules. Could you tell us just a bit about yours?

Sidney Sheldon: As a rule, I work from nine in the morning till six, seven days a week. If I can't sleep, I will go into my office and work for a few hours at night.

Rob Holden: Do you bounce back and forth between projects, or do you focus on one and finish it before starting the next?

Sidney Sheldon: One at a time.

Rob Holden: Before we wrap this up, I would like to extend ReadersRoom's thanks to Richard Hoffman of Warren Cowan & Associates and your assistant Mary Langford for all their help in putting this chat together.

Sidney Sheldon: I'll tell them.

Rob Holden: So, what is next for Sidney Sheldon?

Sidney Sheldon: Lunch!

Rob Holden: Finally Mr. Sheldon, is there anything you would like to say to your fans who might read this chat at ReadersRoom.com?

Sidney Sheldon: Yes. I hope they enjoy the new book, ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?

Rob Holden: Sidney Sheldon, thank you for joining us here today, and we wish you the best of luck with ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?, and all your future projects!

Sidney Sheldon: You are quite welcome! Thank you!




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