Q: Well, Mr. Fulghum, what’s new?

A: There’s a new novel. Premiered in the Czech language in this September.

Q: What’s the title?

A: “If You Love Me Still, Will You Love Me Moving – Tales from the Century Ballroom.”

Q: What’s it about?

A: In one word, dancing.

Q: That’s it?

A: To expand a little: It’s about the urge to dance, the process of learning to dance, and the dimensions of love and romance involved in dance. The framework of the novel is similar to that of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” That’s a collection of stories told by pilgrims on the way to a holy shrine. My novel is an interwoven collection of tales from the lives of people on the way to realizing the possibility of dancing. Tango is the specific dance form used as a model.

Q: Is this another seven pound doorstop of a novel?

A: No, only 200 pages this time. Portable.

Q: Will this one have music?

A: Music is implied throughout with the illustrations done by my wife, the painter, Willow Bader. (see them on her website - www.willowbader.com)

Q: Why is it being published first in Czech?

A: My books have had considerable success in the Czech Republic, and my long-time editor there asked to premier the new novel there. Tango is quite popular there, as it is all over Europe. I hope the novel gets published in several other European languages.

Q: When will the new novel be available in English?

A: I’ve not yet sought a U.S. publisher. If the novel is successful in Europe, perhaps it will generate interest here.

Q: What else is new?

A: At the same time I’ve been working on the new novel, I’ve been assembling a new collection of essays and stories. The complicating news is that there are enough pieces to make more than two books, not just one.

Q: And so?

A: The next big editing task is to sort out the pile and come to some decision as to whether there will be one big book or two or what?

Q: Title?

A: The working title for the project is “Kindling For The Fire”.

Q: Available?

A: Maybe this year, though the publishers may have some thoughts about how many books to publish in one year or at the same time. These discussions are actively underway, however.

Q: Anything else that’s new in the foreseeable future?

A: I’d hoped to be able to say that I had written a musical. But after trying my hand at what that entailed, I realized I was in way over my head. I learned a lot – and had a good time exploring a world I knew little about. But I also learned enough not to continue. I have an appreciation for what it takes to compose a musical. I won’t even think about writing an opera now.

Q: So what’s next?

A: A friend asked me that yesterday. I answered that I have a title for a new book: “?!” – a question mark followed by an exclamation mark.

Q: What’s it about?

A: I don’t know yet – that explains the title. But I am certain that as long as my life goes on, the writing will continue. Meanwhile, I’m still learning and dancing tango, and will be performing with my wife on the Czech book tour.