Joy Fielding

Letter from Joy

November 16, 2024

Hi, everyone,

Unfortunately, it seems as if I’ve let things slide a bit, and am on the late side of getting this letter out to you. In my defence, I was in Florida until November 8 and have been a little busy trying to get reorganized since I got back. Don’t ask what I’ve been busy doing because I honestly couldn’t tell you, but whatever it was, I was very busy doing it. I’ve always felt that autumn is the fastest passing season, even more so than summer, and that as soon as it’s September, it’s Christmas. This year is no different. When it was announced last fall that Taylor Swift would be coming to Toronto in November of 2024, we couldn’t believe they were already selling tickets. It seemed so far away. And now, of course, it’s November 2024, and she’s here for six sold-out shows! My daughter, Annie took her daughter, Skylar, age 12, to see Taylor’s concert in Miami, and they both agreed that it was absolutely phenomenal.

We had a rotten summer here in Toronto, weather-wise, but a truly glorious September and October. Even November was way warmer than normal. So I’m hoping it continues. The weather in Florida, meanwhile, was a mixed bag - extremely hot but with a fair bit of rain. While there, I didn’t do much - played a little golf, went to dinner with friends, read a bit, and did so many New York Times crossword puzzles that I started doing them in my sleep. We’d done some much-needed renovating over the summer when we weren’t there - new roof, new floors, new kitchen, new appliances - which meant buying some new furniture, a new rug, new TV, new patio furniture, new bed! Once you start changing one thing, you discover you have to change something else, then something else again. But since this is the first time we’ve done anything to the house in 27 years, it was definitely time. We also got rid of all the fake plants that were all the rage when we bought the house. I’m happy to report the place looks fabulous.

We were there for the U.S. elections, and surprisingly, it was quite calm. People in our development were pretty much split in their choice of whom to vote for, but nobody seemed overly concerned or upset about the outcome. I think everyone is just plain tired of all the drama and want to get on with life, and everyone is hoping for the best. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

We just finished watching The Diplomat, and loved it. We also enjoyed the third season of The Lincoln Lawyer. I’ve also been watching The Golden Bachelorette (really hoping it works out for Joan and Chock!), Matlock, High Potential, and all the Chicagos (Med, Fire and P.D.), as well as Bill Maher and Law&Order, although only the original. I gave up on SVU and Organized Crime long ago, as well as the three FBIs, which essentially tell the same story week in and week out. And increasingly, I’m turning away from network TV because of the number of commercials, a number that seems to be increasing every year. Enough already!

And what’s with the new ads for all-body deodorant?! “Not only my armpits stink!” wails a woman. Really? Who sweats behind their knees and across their stomachs? And even if they do, there’s no smell. It seems to me that these products are all about playing on the fears women have about the more private parts of their bodies. Why else the statement that these products have been approved by gynecologists? Shame on you, Dove! And shame on all the other whole body deodorant producers who have followed suit. I, for one, will not be buying any of your products until these stupid ads are removed.

As for my writing, I’m working on a few ideas, and hope to have something more concrete in the offing soon. My new novel will be out in North America next August, although Germany is bringing out a German language edition of the novel this December. The German title translates to THE VISITOR, quite different from the title that will be used in North America. Still, my German publishers clearly know what they’re doing, as I’m thrilled to report that THE HOUSEKEEPER went to number 1 on the German bestseller lists! So hopefully THE VISITOR will do the same. And the U.S. will be releasing a trade paperback version of THE HOUSEKEEPER this March, so tell all your friends.

And that’s all I have to report for now. Stay healthy and safe. And above all, be kind to one another.

Warmly,
Joy